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The Empire State Building “run up” in February, 2012, was the 35th annual race up the 1,576 stairs to the 86th floor. A total of more than 670 competitors from around the world entered the race and 666 finished it – 441 men and 225 women. The winner, Thomas Dold, 27, a German, completed the climb in 10 minutes, 28 seconds. It was his seventh win in a row. The winning woman, Melissa Moon, 42, of New Zealand, also won in 2010 and performed this year’s climb in 12 minutes, 39 seconds. The Empire State Building race is one of several competitive stair climbs hosted in the U.S. and elsewhere. There are stair-climbing competitions at the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in Chicago, the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles, and Taipei 101 in Taiwan. Races have also been held in Las Vegas, Denver, Milan, Omaha and Philadelphia. You have to be in fabulous shape to compete in one of these events, and to win, you have to take the stairs two at a time, running. If you’re just looking for a convenient way to exercise, non-competitive stair climbing can give you an excellent workout. I’ve read that it burns twice the calories of any other sport and that 15 minutes of stair climbing can give you a workout equivalent to 30 minutes of running. You can burn more calories stair climbing than you would jogging or cycling at a moderate pace for the same amount of time. Another plus: a team of British researchers estimate that climbing stairs for seven minutes daily could reduce your risk of heart disease by about 60 percent. Fortunately, the impact on your knees is relatively low – the pressure from stair climbing is said to be the equivalent of twice your body weight compared to three to four times the impact with running. However, your knees take a big pounding if you walk down after going up – the impact equals six or seven times your body weight (a good reason, perhaps, to take the elevator down). Stair climbing also strengthens the quadriceps and calf muscles in your legs. Your arms will get stronger, too, if you use the railings to pull yourself up, which is allowed and encouraged in competitions, according to Stair Climbing Sport, a group that is pushing to have stair climbing recognized as a sport and included in Olympic competition. The obvious advantage of stair climbing as a workout is that you don’t need to join a gym or buy expensive equipment. You can do it almost anywhere there are stairs – at work and at home (especially if you live in a high-rise building). Indeed, older urban apartment buildings known as “walk-ups” offer high-floor residents no way to avoid stair-climbing workouts, as no elevator is available. If you’re not already fit, I advise checking with your physician before you start climbing stairs. And if you’re going to be climbing in a high-rise building, I suggest doing it with a workout partner, or at least making sure that someone knows what you’re doing and where you are in case of an accident, as modern high-rise stairs don’t get much traffic. Andrew Weil, M.D. Visiting the iconic Empire State Building is an experience you have to include in your trip to New York. It is a jewel of Art Deco, inside and out, and the exhibitions it houses and its views of the city will not leave you indifferent. My first tip is to get your tickets in advance- this will save you queuing for tickets, although you will have to queue at the security checkpoint. The best option Access to the legendary Empire State Building at the best priceThis is the most convenient option to climb to the top of the city, with a choice of times and the lowest possible price. Don't waste time at the ticket office and get it online! The Empire State Building has two observation decks, one on the 86th floor and one on the 102nd floor. With this general admission ticket to the Empire State Building you get access to the 86th floor and my advice is not to pay the extra fee to get to the top deck, it's not worth it. One thing you should bear in mind is that the price of admission goes up in high season, and therefore, you will find a greater number of tourists at the observatory. Remember that children under the age of 6 are free. When you receive your confirmation, check to see if you have to bring your printed tickets (at least when I last went up, they did not accept electronic tickets). If so, and for some reason you can't print them out, don't worry, you can print them out at the ticket machines at the entrance, but you will have to queue. Why I like this option: this is the cheapest option to go up the Empire State Building and it allows you to do it at the time you want, so you can plan your visit in advance (see below for tips on the best time of day to go up). Recommended if... you want to enjoy the Manhattan skyline from one of its most legendary buildings. How much it costs to climb the Empire State Building
Booking your Empire State tickets online in advance will cost you around 39 Euros on Hellotickets. However, if you are travelling with children, in a group or have access to a special rate, you may be able to get better prices. If you are worried about your budget when it comes to organising your visit to this mythical skyscraper, you can check out my guide to the prices of tickets to the Empire State so you can see what rate you are entitled to and decide how to buy your tickets. Ticket pricesBuying tickets at the ticket office is also an option and the price you get will be the same, although as mentioned above, the queues can be very long (and you may run out of time to go up at the time you wanted). Where is the Empire State Building and how to get there
The Empire State Building is located at 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001 and the best way to get there is either walking if you are downtown or by underground to 34 St - Herald Sq and down the street. You can't miss it! Wherever you are located, I have a plan for you. Check out this article on how to get to the Empire State Building where I suggest different routes or itineraries depending on how much time you have, what your budget is or how much you want to visit neighbourhoods and other attractions around it. For example, close to the iconic building, located in the heart of Midtown, you'll find everything from Central Park and Times Square to other key points in the city such as the Flatiron Building. Also nearby is the area known as Koreatown, which is full of bakeries, cafes, Korean barbecue restaurants and karaoke bars, as well as cosmetic shops with products imported directly from South Korea. Best time to climb the Empire State BuildingIf you're trying to pick the best time to climb the Empire State Building to avoid queues and crowds, visit the Empire State Building in the morning. At 8:00 you'll barely have to wait in line, and you'll enjoy an almost private experience any day of the week. Your other best option is to visit the building around 00:30, although on Saturdays and Sundays you're sure to encounter other tourists. When you buy your ticket you have to choose a day, on which you can enter the Empire State Building at any time you want. I'm a romantic and I think that going up first thing in the morning or at midnight is a fantasy, but you can choose the time you want, as it is open every day of the year from 8am to 2am, and the last lift up is at 1:15am. Here's everything you need to know about the Empire State Building experience at night.
How long does it take to visit the Empire State Building?
There is no time limit to your visit to the Empire State Building. Most people usually spend about an hour on the observation deck, but you can stay until closing time if you feel like it. In case you want to go up to the Empire State Building at sunset, my recommendation is to check what time the sun sets and go up to the observatory an hour early to get a good spot and enjoy your visit before it starts to fill up with tourists. One thing that sets the Empire State Building apart from the rest of New York's skyscrapers is that it is open until 2am, so you can go almost any time you want. I'll let you in on a secret: climbing to the top of the building after a party and an evening stroll around New York is at the top of my list. Climbing the Empire State with the New York Pass and other tourist cards
The Empire State Building is, without a doubt, one of the most popular points of interest in the Big Apple and, therefore, its entrance is included in most of the tourist passes that exist to visit the city. Still don't know what a tourist card is or how it works? In a nutshell, it is a card that you book in advance for a "flat rate" and will give you access to various attractions in the city, allowing you to save time (by skipping the queues at the ticket office) and money. As I mentioned, most of these cards include admission to the Empire State Building. Here is a list of these cards and links to my practical guide to each one. But if you're thinking of buying a card, I recommend you read this article on the comparison of New York tourist passes. List of passes that include the Empire State
My personal adviceIf you can't decide what time to go up the iconic skyscraper, I recommend buying the New York CityPASS and going up in the morning for a hustle-free , uncrowded experience and returning at sunset to enjoy the views. To visit the Empire State Building with your New York City Pass, simply go to the building and enter through the specially designated door for visitors with a New York City Pass. What the observatory looks like
From the Empire State Observatory, you can look through the famous binoculars and watch life go by in New York, with views of Bryant Park, the Flatiron Building, Fifth Avenue, One World Trade Center and of course admire the majesty of Manhattan's buildings as a whole. What you will see from the Empire State
From the moment it opened in 1931, the Empire State Building became the star of the New York skyline, and a major attraction for tourists who climbed to its observation deck. Here's what you can see from the top of the Empire State Building:
Where to eat around the Empire State Building
If the heights make you hungry and you like to know in advance where to eat, there are a few restaurants near the Empire State Building that you'll want to try. You can, for example, head to Koreatown and try Turntable Chicken Jazz or BCD Tofu House where you'll find vegetarian options. My personal recommendation is to walk a bit towards the Chrysler Building and go to Urbanspace Vanderbilt, a warehouse-turned-market with stalls selling all kinds of food. Still, if you're in the mood to get your foodie day organised, check out this list of where to eat near the Empire State Building. Visit the Empire State with kids
If you're visiting the Empire State with children, it's best to go as early as possible in the morning. They will let you in with backpacks, as long as they are the size of a typical backpack with handles, and if you have a pram they will most likely make you fold it up to get on the observation deck. When you get to the Empire State Building you can have your photo taken and then buy it as a souvenir. It costs about 20 dollars and I don't think it's worth it, but if you know your kids will be excited, make sure you don't wear any green clothes as it will spoil the photo (they'll take it in front of a chroma). Practical information on how to climb the Empire State Building
Many people wonder how many floors the Empire State Building has. Well, the exact number is 102, although the observation deck is on the 86th floor and not the top floor. You can use one of the 73 lifts in the building to visit them, so that awkward moment of waiting for the lift should be kept to a minimum, but the elevator ride should not be. There are restrooms on the 2nd and 86th floors of the Empire State Building, so don't worry, if you get caught in an emergency on high you won't have to run down to the ground. Camera tripods and oversized suitcases or backpacks are not allowed in the Empire State Building, and the building does not have lockers where you can leave your belongings. If you need to, LuggageHero is quite close to the skyscraper and is the cheapest option to leave your belongings while you climb the Empire State Building. Architecture and design of the Empire State Building
Inside, you can also see the 'Dare to Dream' exhibition dedicated to the construction of the Empire State Building and tell the stories of its builders, through architectural plans, drawings, and photographs. You will also find an exhibition dedicated to explaining the sustainable energy use of the building. A little bit of its historySomething that not many people know is that in the same year it opened, the spire at its highest point was used as an anchorage point for a zeppelin, as the building's architects believed that this would be the mode of transport of the future. It's a good thing they designed one of the world's greatest architectural gems, because as soothsayers they weren't good for much... A symbol of Art DecoWhat makes the Empire State Building a must-see on your New York adventures is not only the breathtaking views from its observatory, but also its stunning Art Deco interior, which is a marvel. It's a well-rounded experience that you're sure to look back on with nostalgia many years after your trip. Other popular observatories, skyscrapers and buildings in New York City
New York is a city made to be admired from below but also from above, and for that, you have a multitude of skyscrapers from which the views of New York are breathtaking. One World ObservatoryOne World may not come to mind so quickly due to its relatively young age, but it will offer you a breathtaking view of the financial district, with shops, a fancy restaurant, and interactive activities that the kids will have a blast at. If you fancy a visit, you can check out my handy guide for all the details: NYC One World Observatory Tickets: how to buy, prices and discounts. Rockefeller Center, the Top of the RockAnd of all the skyscrapers in New York, my personal recommendation is Rockefeller Center. Its observation deck known as the Top of the Rock will offer you the best views of the city including a spectacular close-up of the Empire State Building. In fact, many visitors face a dilemma when deciding between climbing one of the two. If it helps, here's a comparison: climbing Top of the Rock vs. climbing the Empire State Building. Other iconic buildingsAlso, if you are one of those people who shy away from the established tourist circuits, there are many more buildings in New York that you can visit, even if they don't have an observatory. The Woolworth Building, Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building and many others will delight anyone with a passion for architecture. Comparative table of New York's best skyscrapers
Other interesting activities in New YorkAlternatively, if climbing a skyscraper doesn't really appeal to you but you want to enjoy the views of New York from the top, you have other options such as taking a helicopter tour of Manhattan or visiting one of the city's many rooftop bars. But in my opinion, climbing a skyscraper is an amazing experience not to be missed, especially on your first time in New York! Now all you have to do is pick a skyscraper and get ready to see one of the most beautiful cities in the world the way it deserves to be seen. Have a great trip to the heights!
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to walk to the top of the Empire State Building?While visitors can reach the building's Observatory via elevator in under one minute, the fastest runners have covered the 86 floors by foot in about 10 minutes. Leaders in the sport of professional tower-running converge at the Empire State Building in what some consider the ultimate test of endurance.
How long does it take to get to the top of the Empire?At the Top of the Empire State Building
The elevator ride is quick, less than one minute. When you arrive at the top, you're on your own and free to roam around. On a clear day, visibility from the deck is up to 80 miles. You'll be able to spot several of NYC's most famous landmarks.
Can you walk to the top of the Empire State Building?3. Can I run or climb the stairs at the Empire State Building? Only if you are participating in the annual Empire State Building Run-Up. The stairs are closed to guests at all other times.
Is the top of Empire State worth it?Reviews of the Empire State Building
Much like the observation decks that give you a great view of this historic building, you'll find that this attraction is also highly rated. Visiting the top of this skyscraper will provide you with one of the best views of the entire city.
How many steps does it take to climb the Empire State Building?Answer: B! You would have to climb 1,860 steps to reach our 102nd floor Observatory. Luckily, our elevators do most of the work for you!
Is it worth it to go to the 102 floor of the Empire State Building?Is it worth going up to the 102nd floor observatory? It depends, only if you don't mind spending an extra $33 per person. If you do, then don't go because the views aren't that different from what you'll see on the 86th Floor. Plus, you will have to wait in a long line for a small elevator to go to the 102nd floor top.
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How long does it take to walk to the top of the Empire State?
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