Empire State Building
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Empire State Building
I was going to purchase tickets to the ESB but noticed that tickets online only allow you to go to the 86 floor. If you want to go to the 102 floor you have to purchase them there. Do I want to go to the 102 floor? Is it worth standing in line? The only thing ordering online does is I get to go straight to the elevator waiting.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you plan on going to the 86th floor you might as well go on up to 102... that's always been my take on it. My experience has shown it doesn't take that long to get the rest of the way there but maybe I've been lucky.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not a matter of getting the rest of the way there, but of having to wait in line to buy tickets.
I don't know the details for certain, so hopefully someone else will jump in, but I believe the 86th floor is the open air deck you see so often in movies, while the 102nd is cramped and indoors. I don't really know what being 16 stories higher would buy you in terms of view, but I can't personally imagine that it would be worth the wait in line or the extra cost.
I don't know the details for certain, so hopefully someone else will jump in, but I believe the 86th floor is the open air deck you see so often in movies, while the 102nd is cramped and indoors. I don't really know what being 16 stories higher would buy you in terms of view, but I can't personally imagine that it would be worth the wait in line or the extra cost.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The wait for tickets can be can be over an hour (depending on time of day), so yes, go ahead and buy 'em.
You have to switch to a new set of elevators on the 82nd floor, and there is another wait. At that point, many people just decide to climb the last 6 flights to the top, and skip the wait, even if they pre-paid.
So .... you definitely want to go all the way up, but you may not want to buy the elevator ticket. How strong are your legs?
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even though you buy tickets on-line, you will still have to wait in line for quite awhile. You have to snake through a line to get to the elevator line and then wait for an elevator. We were in line on a Saturday evening a couple weeks ago with our tickets we bought on line for about 1 1/2 hours.
If going to the top of the ESB is important to you do it, but if you don't want to spend a lot of time waiting in line and still get a fab view, go to the Top of the Rock, no waiting at all!
If going to the top of the ESB is important to you do it, but if you don't want to spend a lot of time waiting in line and still get a fab view, go to the Top of the Rock, no waiting at all!
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, I think you make an appointment for Top of the Rock when you buy the ticket, so you don't have to really wait at all. That's what I've been told anyway. Haven't been yet, but it's on my list!
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes that's correct, when you buy Top of the Rock tickets, you get a specific time to come back.
We bought our tickets the afternoon of, for 30 minutes before sunset.
There was absolutely no wait, and it was fabulous. The views of the ESB definitely make it worth it (along with no line!).
We bought our tickets the afternoon of, for 30 minutes before sunset.
There was absolutely no wait, and it was fabulous. The views of the ESB definitely make it worth it (along with no line!).
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's another solid endorsement of the Top of the Rock. And, yes, for maximum enjoyment, get there just before sundown to take it the views at both day and night.
The specifics given by the previous two posters are correct.
The specifics given by the previous two posters are correct.
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visiting the Top of the Rock's website, they mention that you have to look through transparent safety glass.
How clean & clear is it? It sounds like it would interfere with taking good photos.
Keith
How clean & clear is it? It sounds like it would interfere with taking good photos.
Keith
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Keith,
Actually the first observation deck has that glass, and it was drizzling at the time so we were there for a bit. There was a large enough crack for me to get pics though in between each section of the glass. But then the rain stopped right at sunset and we were allowed to go to the very top observation deck (you go up stairs) and there is no glass up there. Wide open views (waist high railing - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...31285?edited=1).
My pics are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...7594186431285/
Actually the first observation deck has that glass, and it was drizzling at the time so we were there for a bit. There was a large enough crack for me to get pics though in between each section of the glass. But then the rain stopped right at sunset and we were allowed to go to the very top observation deck (you go up stairs) and there is no glass up there. Wide open views (waist high railing - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...31285?edited=1).
My pics are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...7594186431285/
#18
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amelie's "crack" between the glass is 2-3 inches wide, so it works for cameras and looking yourself. And yes, one flight up there is no glass in the way. I loved my recent visit to the Top of the Rock, especially for the view of the ESB and Central Park. You may not get as high as the ESB's 86 floors, but you do get to 78 floors--and in only one elevator ride.