What is a trip to NYC without a view from it’s tallest building?  The 102-story Empire State Building was the largest building in NYC for more than forty years until the World Trade Center’s north tower claimed that honor upon its completion in 1972.  After the towers’ destruction in 2001, the Empire State Building again became the the tallest building in not just NYC, but also the entire state of New York.  It is the third tallest skyscraper in the United States and the 15th tallest building in the world.

Until this trip, I hadn’t realized the Empire State Building’s name came from New York state being known as the “Empire State.”  Isn’t it great that even on our third trip the building we learned something new! 

I hope you all don’t get tired of my travel tips, but I have to record them here on the blog so I’m sure to remember them myself if I ever visit any of these places again. Perhaps someone else will also find something in all of these travelogues helpful to them and their travels.  The main thing to remember when visiting the Empire Statue Building is be sure to allow yourself sufficient time!  I planned this as our first stop one moring when I knew the lines (and there are three of them) would be the shortest they were going to be.  Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the receptionist who sits below the ginormous Empire Statue Building wall art you see in the picture above just behind the kids. 

The first line you’ll go through is the security checkpoint which is much the same as going through airport security .  Your bags will be checked, you’ll go through the scanning machine, etc.  Only certain sized bags are allowed.  Cameras are allowed, but not tripods.  If you have any concerns or questions about an item you’re planning to take with you to the top, be sure to check out their official website ahead of time.

After you pass through the screening area, you’ll be directed to the second line where you’ll purchase your ticket(s) if you don’t already have them.  Oh, and when I say line I mean one of those Disney World type serpentine lines that has you weaving your way this way and that a hundred times before you get to your destination.  If you have prepurchased a ticket from the official website or if you have a NY Pass or City Pass, you’ll be able to either skip this line entirely or at least go to the shortened line.  IMO, it’s worth the extra $$ to save time standing in the line.  It’s expensive to visit NYC so you want, again imo, to get as much as you can out of your time and $$ which sometimes means spending a little extra $$ to avoid these types of long lines thereby allowing you the opportunity to see more things.  Ok… so now I’m off my soapbox (LOL)!.

The third line you’ll stand in is one where you’ll wait for a ride in one of the Empire State Building’s 73 high speed automatic elevators!  Trust me.  You won’t mind waiting in this line as the alternative is climbing 1,860 steps from street level to the 103rd floor.  We had the CUTEST elevator man!  He took great care in doing his job well – pushing just the right buttons!

We went as far as the 86th floor observation deck which has a heated indoor observation area as well as an outdoor promenade on all four sides.  If you want to go to the 102nd floor, it’s an additional $15.00 per person.  Here Tim and Amanda stop for a photo on the least windy side of the building.