New York City
Price $48
Min age 6
Rating 4.38 / 5 [6311 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Travel bucket list idea:
New York, United States of America (USA)
This art deco icon, built 1929-31, was New York’s tallest building for decades until the twin towers were built at the World Trade Centre – now replaced of course by the One World Trade skyscraper at the same site.
It’s one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world – and gets ridiculously busy – but it’s worth it for the unrivalled views of the city from the observation deck.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
New York City
Price $48
Min age 6
Rating 4.38 / 5 [6311 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
The closest subway stops are 34th Street on the 1,2, or 3 lines (Penn Station), or the B, D, F, N, Q, R to 34th Street (Avenue of the Americas).
To avoid the ticket-window queue, buy tickets online in advance or a City Pass (see below). The only way to avoid often-enormous queues for the lifts inside is stealthy timing or to pay double for an Express ticket.
The mobile-delivered City Pass gives you entry to 6 top New York attractions at a 40% discount: the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The building is open all year round, seven days a week. Dawn (8am) and late afternoon (around 3pm) are best for queues. Avoid mid-morning to mid-afternoon when the queues are largest and the light is flattest.
Grey and wet days are obviously likely to be disappointing. Just after a giant rainstorm is genius – tiny queues and sharp light.