Recent Traveler Reviews
Here is a selection of the most recent reviews of the Empire State Building Tickets - Observatory and Optional Skip the Line Tickets submitted by actual travelers. Read what travelers liked, what they loved, and what they thought could be improved.
A must see classic New York Experience, well recommended but I still had to wait in the regular ticket queue at ESB for the Viator printed voucher to be 'cashed in' for proper tickets. The 2 dollar saving was probably not worth it especially as you have to select your date with Viator. Whilst we were at the ticket booth we went for the $15 extra ticket to get you to the 102nd floor. We went up around 6pm in the evening in May and there were maybe 10 people in the ticket queue. Plan to spend some hours here, it takes about an hour just to get through all the mazes of lines including security, tickets, elevators and waiting to get a good spot once you are up there. So we missed the sunset! Worth it though. Bring a camera but leave the tripod, it's not allowed up there. We did top of the rock too which is a bit more relaxed, both offer unique views but ESB is much higher.
Reviewed by: Robert D, May 2013
Myself and my daughter went up at around 8:30am on a clear, very windy day and the views over the city were nothing short of spectacular. Having visited the Top of the Rock on a previous trip, I much prefered the Empire State Building.
Reviewed by: SANDRA A, May 2013
Worth Every penny!
Reviewed by: Beth O, April 2013
Excellent tour
Reviewed by: graeme.pattinson, South Africa, April 2013
Magnificent building, friendly, helpful staff. As it happened it was really quiet on our visit so didn't need the skip the line tickets.
Reviewed by: Sheila T, United Kingdom, April 2013
Excellent and the "skip the line" was well worth it.
Reviewed by: Bryan T, April 2013
This is a must stop for anyone visiting NYC, and I received much praise/kudos for paying the extra fee for "skip the lines" admission. Had we not, we might still be in line.
Reviewed by: Frank W, April 2013
Well worth paying the extra to jump the queues, though there was no queue when we visited, there was one by the time we left!! Take a hat - it's freezing up there, but the view is fantastic.
Reviewed by: Rachael C, April 2013
Nice and easy, just swapped paper voucher at ticket office and went straight up. Was able to upgrade to 102nd floor on the day too.
Reviewed by: Neil F, April 2013
Worth buying thru Viator! We never waited to get thru any line!
Reviewed by: Andie, April 2013
