The Empire State Building stands tall as one of the most iconic buildings in the world and just over 2.5million guests visit each year to climb to the top of New York City‘s iconic emblem.
It serves as the backdrop for many a movie, TV show, and big city dream board and most visitors thoroughly enjoy their time at the attraction.
TripAdvisor rated it the #1 attraction in the world last year but that hasn’t stopped people from leaving scathing, if not slightly nonsensical reviews on their website.
Whether its the weather on the day of the visit, lack of unlimited coffee or the price point, lots of people found something to complain about at the sought after attraction – one person even claimed how much they disliked it but had visited three times!
For reference, the building, which was originally constructed in 1931, sells $44 tickets to its 86th floor observatory. If tourists want to see the city from even higher, they can pay $80 to add on the 102nd to their journey upwards.
For just over $150 visitors are able to take two trips to the top in one day and get admission to American Museum of Natural History, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the Statue of Liberty.
Each of the admissions passes can be accompanies by an Express Pass which allows patrons to skip the line.
Of the 96,707 reviews as of Friday, 63,356 give the building 5 stars, rating it as ‘excellent’, and just 1,788 people say their experience was ‘terrible’ by rating it with just one star. We’ve rounded up the most extraordinary reviews of the bunch.
The Empire State Building stands tall as one of the most iconic buildings in the world
Some of the one star reviews are all too ready to critique the building for the views available at the top, whether that be because of the weather or vantage point of the building
The building estimates that over 2.5 million guests come each year from all over the world to climb to the top of New York City ‘s most iconic emblem
Some of the one star reviews are all too ready to critique the building for the views available at the top, whether that be because of the weather or vantage point of the building.
‘Nothing could be seen. No refunds available which is ridiculous. Nothing interesting on the floors prior to the top. Not worth the money,’ one poster wrote.
Another shared: ‘Honestly not a very good experience. We waited all day to enjoy a night at the Empire State Building. We spent $50 each for the ticket to see nothing but clouds because it was very clouded and when we asked the workers what could be done, if we could get a refund or exchange the the day for another day the employee wasn’t very nice and not understanding.
‘With quote saying it wasn’t their doing and that can’t control that however if they say there wasn’t a view why let us go all the way up or closed it down or any other type of solution very unsatisfied we came all the way from Florida with family to see the Empire State Building to see absolutely nothing.’
One commenter admitted that despite their dissatisfaction, they’d visited the building three times.
‘Pathetic theatrical security check, unprofessional. Not worth it. An hour for nothing. Anyway… I don’t recommend it. I’ve been three times before..,’ they wrote.
The Empire State building has featured in huge movies like Home Alone 2 Lost in New York and Sleepless in Seattle
Others thought the price point was too steep for the experience they were given.
A reviewer wrote: ‘There is a very small space and so much crowd. Its very expensive for that experience and not worthy.’
‘You need to be careful when booking this attraction as when things go wrong this money grabbing greedy attitude attraction with shockingly poor customer service is not giving refunds. They make you click terms and conditions with a clause this is a non refundable ticket. And it is not a cheap attraction, so think twice before you book it.
‘Here is what happened in my case: unfortunately, it was very foggy on the day when I wanted yo visit. I paid for both floors 86 and 102. It was really foggy and visibility was zero! I paid a lot of money and saw literally just the fog :). I was offered a rebooking to other day option. The problem was I was flying back to Europe next day, so I could not use it. When I asked for a refund they send an email with an automated, copy and paste message, saying more or less that tickets are non refundable and I can rebook. They didn’t care I have no day to rebook it as I am leaving. Nobody even responded to my second email. Shocking customer service.
‘You are an observation deck and when the visibility is zero you should be giving refunds, especially to people who are unable to rebooking it to later date as in my case. You customer service is shocking!!! Terrible. I have wasted so much money (there was three people in my party, $289 to see the fog). I hope your money grabbing company will enjoy my dollars. Profit is what matters here not customers.
‘Here is my suggestion to Make Empire State Building Great Again: Issue refund to people who see only fog and can not rebook it to other date and please, please improve your shockingly bad customer service. Thank you.’
According to their website, patrons often have the opportunity to reschedule and see a live view of the top of the building, to ensure what they see will be to their liking.
The building was originally constructed in 1931. Pictured the formal opening ceremony where President Herbert Hoover attended
And some just called for a staffing overhaul.
One person wrote on TripAdvisor: ‘The experience on it’s own was amazing, what made it bitter was the staff member clocking pictures on a green screen right after the tickets are scanned.
‘I didn’t want my photo taken and he clearly wanted to force me into it, he clearly makes commission off those pictures handing out postcards with barcodes. He was quite weird and unpleasant.’
Another wrote: ‘Mediocre. Paid extra to skip the line and felt like I was given prejudiced service compared to others.’
Where as another said: ‘We paid a good amount of money thinking that we would get coffee unlimited and pastries and no. One coffee and one pastries and they are super rude. No like.’ The Empire State commented that with the package the person has bought there was refreshments included but it was not unlimited.
Graciously, the Empire State Building team commented back to their dissenters, apologizing for their negative experience and offering explanations and solutions for another visit.
Daily Mail reached out to the Empire State Building for further comment.
