Be there at a weekend, want to do it first thing in the morning Saturday - what is the best time to get in line for the first lift up. We haven't got tickets so does this mean queuing in 2 lines? Whats the earliest they open? Thanks
P.S. How long should we allow for this visit, if we also want to take in the rides?

You can order tickets and print them at the website. The hours are posted there as well. (Don't bother with "the rides".)

You just never know about the best time. Many tour buses get there at opening time. We've had excellent luck at lunchtime.

What is the best time to visit the Empire State building? I have heard it is nice to go at night. What are the rides? Thanks.

In my opinion, just before sunset is a great time to visit the Empire State Building's Observatory deck.

You can purchase and print your tickets from the ESB website or buy them there. The line for tix is usually very quick -- it's the lines for the elevators (yes, more than one) that take forever.

Thanks for replies.
Cerlaurie, the rides are apparently similar to a simulator I've read, it's extra $ to do the rides. Not sure if we will or not, time probably better spent elsewhere.

Thanks, Lynn. We are going in a couple of weeks and plan to visit the Empire State Building but haven't really looked into that yet. I didn't know they had rides/simulators.

Message - Cerlaurie, we are there in 2 weeks time as well 17th to 20th, whe are you there? Doing SF, Yosemite, Las Vegas first, then weekend in NY before flying home to UK. So as we don't have that much time we are trying to plan well and fit in as much as possible.

lynn, we will be there the 16th-19th. First time to NYC. We are staying at the Westin Times Square. The only real plans we have so far is that we are seeing the Producers on Saturday night and we have also made some dinner reservations. Now, we need to plan what we will do during the day. Sounds like you have a nice trip planned. I really like San Francisco and, eventhough we don't gamble, Las Vegas is a great place to visit, too. I have never been to Yosemite.