Is This Classic New York City 'Tourist Trap' Worth The Price Of Admission?
Sometimes there's a fine line between a "tourist trap" and an iconic travel experience, and that dividing line only gets drawn by cost. Heading to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Space Needle in Seattle, or the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in Chicago might all be top-of-the-bucket list experiences — until travelers lay eyes on their ticket prices. The people love an iconic tower, but paying sky-high prices for matching views? Not so much.
New York City isn't exactly known for being the cheapest place on the planet to vacation (even though the most expensive vacation destination in New York State isn't New York City, after all; it's Montauk). So it comes as no surprise that one of NYC's top sightseeing spots provides some serious scenery as well as serious sticker shock. That spot is none other than the Empire State Building.
The Empire State Building is a wonder of art deco architecture and American iconography. It's defined its Fifth Avenue patch of New York skyline since construction was completed in 1931. It's also so big, it has its own ZIP code. The building is known for its co-starring roles in films like "King Kong," "An Affair to Remember," and "Sleepless in Seattle." The most basic ticket to tour the tower also costs $44 per adult. Taking a trip to the top of the Empire State Building might be a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience — but is the price really worth it?
Big ticket prices and the potential for big disappointment
No one wants to fall victim to major money mistakes made while traveling, least of all on the big bills and big disappointment of tourist traps. Bright and busy Times Square usually gets charged with the crime of being New York City's most overrated tourist trap by underwhelmed travelers, but the Empire State Building could potentially also fit that bill. There's no way around it: A trip to the top of the Empire State Building is expensive. Scraping the sky comes at a cost, and the Empire State Building has tiered pricing.
The 1,250-foot tall building offers options for its 86th floor and 102nd floor observation decks. General admission to the 86th floor observatory for a family of four (two adults and two children) would cost at least $164, before taxes and fees. A trip that includes access to both the 86th- and the 102nd-floor decks for the same family would start at $304. Reservations are required, and a $10 premium is charged for sunset-viewing hours between 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Express passes and premium experiences are also for sale, from $85 to $500 per person.
Tickets are honored only for their timed and dated entry, and aren't refundable, even due to weather and wait times. A search of the phrase "tourist trap" on the Empire State Building's page on travel review site TripAdvisor reveals more than one unhappy customer whose experience was ruined by these policies and prices.
Making your visit worth it
While the Empire State Building may seem expensive, other observation decks are comparable. The building was also voted No. 1 Attraction in the World by the 2024 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best, as well as the No. 1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third year in a row. This response indicates the Empire State Building is more than a really tall room with a view.
Frugal travelers want to only spend a certain amount of income on vacation, and a visit to the Empire State Building might be a worthy expenditure. General admission includes access to the dramatic lobby on Fifth Avenue, full of celestial details wrought in gold, marble, and the heady promise of American industry. There are exhibits inside about the city and building itself, as well as a view that covers six states on a clear day. Whether tourists are drawn to it like King Kong, Buddy from "Elf," or a star-crossed lover, there's something inherently New York about the Empire State Building. You may simply not want to miss it.
Take advantage of late-evening visits (hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.), with no crowds and plenty of sparkling lights. You can also walk through Herald Square to catch a glimpse of the stunning exterior at sunset or nightfall. Skip the trip if traveling with small children, and take in another priceless view of the city (and Lady Liberty) instead with a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry.