TourGuideTed tours the Empire State Building

March 2010

We decided to wait for nightfall to go up the Empire State Building (ESB), as we’d done it before in daylight (yes, I know you don’t know that cos I haven’t written it, yet. Your point is?) We’d heard stories of horrendous lines and back in 2000 when we went up we had to wait ages, which is why Di sprung the extra $20 each for Express Passes (and she doesn’t spend money lightly, you know.) This ticket enables you to skip to to front of all three ESB lines; the security, ticket and elevator - that’s a “lift” to us English folk - lines.

Well, at 10pm-ish at night, on a March Thursday evening, I can tell you there were no lines at all. Oh, well, that was $20 per ticket well spent! Maybe if we hadn’t bought them the lines would’ve been longer, so either way, we won. Mostly. No line-standing. Yay! TGTips If the lines are going to be long, the Express Pass is definitely the way to go. If it’s quiet, don’t bother – but…how are you going to know when you buy in advance. If in doubt, BUY the Express Pass. Well, get someone else to buy it for you.

We had to go through airport-style security – don’t take big bags, liquids, knives. Fortunately, bears don’t count as an offensive weapon – they obviously don’t know me – although Paul thinks I might make a reasonable blunt instrument…maybe Colonel Mustard in the Observatory with the Ted piping?

Then we entered the elevator to the 80th floor – where we have to change to another elevator to the 86th Floor. Unfortunately, one of the elevators wasn’t working so we could wait, or walk up the six flights. I’m carried so I made Di and Paul walk up.

Sheesh – my guys are sooo unfit. I thought I was gonna have to do CPR (would’ve been effective!) and once again, Di was whining about my weight – as if I was the reason she was crawling up the sixth flight! Anyway, we finally made it to the Observatory floor – although you’d think Di had walked up from the Ground Floor!!

Through the glass doors and – wow, that is one heck of a draft they have up there! I’m not that nervous a bear, but I figured hanging on to Di was a good move, it was a very long way down and I was worried the wind would not respect my Tour Guide status and just flip me over the edge. Then, I took a look out through the very high security fence. That is surely one amazing view. And the gaps in the fence give you adequate access to photograph, without falling through – unless you’re a very small bear.

It was a beautifully clear night and you could see the lights for miles. Being dark it is a little tricky to get your bearings but buildings like the Chrysler give it away. Once you know that’s on 42nd Street, and we’re on 34th, you know which way is uptown (towards the Chrysler), or downtown (the other way).

And if you just can’t see enough – there are also coin-operated binoculars. I took a look, but at night, it probably wasn’t really necessary. I’ve been up here in daylight and at night and both are worth a look (or, if you’re cheap – go late afternoon and stay up there till it gets dark, you’re not on a time limit). You’ll certainly recognise more in daylight – including the Statue of Liberty and Central Park – but the effects of the lights are so cool too. Wow. South East (or Downtown) you can see the lights of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. At least…I think that’s what these are…it’s a little confusing in the dark!

When we reached the 86th Floor Observatory, we spotted a guy selling tickets to the 102nd Floor Observatory, so, once we'd spent more than half an hour walking around and around the 86th floor observatory, well, we had to try that, didn’t we? I spent Paul’s money this time ($15 per ticket) and we waited for the next elevator. Our ‘driver’ was Jimmy, who closed the mesh metal doors behind us and up we headed. Jimmy welcomed us aboard and gave some advice on what to see in NYC.

Now this was more like it. Very exclusive. This was a small, circular ‘corridor’ with glass all around. It was enclosed this time, so much less windy than the 86th floor. There was some boarding up as they were making some improvements, but otherwise this was very cool. You had to photograph through glass so photography wasn’t so easy, but the view was stunning. Just before we got back on the elevator, we got to meet Cesar – a man in the know at the ESB – he was more than happy to take part in a photoshoot with such a famous bear (yes, me) and even Jimmy (right) got in on the act when the elevator arrived just as Di was taking the shot.

Is the extra $15 worth it? Well, the views are much the same, but the exclusivity and the chance to say “I’ve been there” certainly made it worth it for me. Mind you, as I mentioned, I wasn’t paying. They definitely need an exclusive 102nd Floor button badge though.

When we were ready – and there was no pressure at all, but maybe that’s because it was quiet? – Jimmy took us back down to the obligatory gift shop. They had some unbelievable gifts - cheap tat along with the classier items. I made Di buy Paul a real silk ESB tie for $10. Bargain! It’s amazing what you can make out of a monkey (okay, an ape) hanging off the ESB – mugs, ornaments, magnets, Christmas decorations, snow globes – you name it, they had it. Well, except those 102^nd-club badges I already mentioned.

Back in the elevator, Cesar took us back down to the ground in no time at all. The ESB is the epitome of ‘art deco’. You may not know what art deco is, but you’ll know it when you see it and you see it throughout the ESB – in the elevators, the lobby, the corridors – everywhere. The Empire State Building is a Manhattan “must see” and whether you go night or day – or both – you’ll be glad you did. This is now the tallest building in New York (again) and you really shouldn’t miss it.

TourGuideTed