02/05/2026
Is the Empire State Building observatory worth it?
It was a Saturday night and a girlfriend and I met by Penn Station for dinner. But she posed the idea: Hey our restaurant is right by the ESB, I've never been up to the top, do you want to visit? I checked and there's tickets for 7 pm. (It was 6:20 pm)
To which I replied, let's go!
- the exhibits about how the skyscraper was built were fun and informative. They had some beam scenes and iron worker memorials which are fun to take photos with.
- there's a bunch of view finders that are like a throw back allowing you to peek closer into city life from a time long ago, well done and creative way to give perspective
- they keep it artsy. Tons of NYC art, Empire State Building displays and photography line with walls. Graffiti style, art deco style, hand painted, just good art.
- live music, coffee and donuts for visitors help set the tone of staying a while. We never felt rushed.
- King Kong is there, just saying thats pretty cool! Nice touch NYC.
- the views. Yes. Indoor and outdoor 360 degree of NYC from inside the iconic building is definitely worth it. So grateful for the heating lamps and warmers set up around the outdoor walk way. It was 18 degrees while we were there looking over the snowy walls into the sea of lights and glittery skyscrapers.
** yes! Go!!