New York: Early Empire State Building Entry With Walking Tour

The tour begins at the Empire State Building, where early access gets you past the standard queue and up to the 80th and 86th floor observatories. From there, the guided walking tour moves you through Midtown Manhattan at street level—a useful counterpoint to the aerial views. Stops include Macy's Herald Square, Bryant Park, and the New York Public Library's Schwarzman Building, with your guide providing context on the architecture and history of the neighborhood throughout. Your tour wraps up at the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center—or, if you upgraded to include Top of the Rock, head up to the observatory on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Unlike the Empire State Building, it offers unobstructed views north toward Central Park as well as south across Lower Manhattan, making it a worthwhile addition if you want to see the city from both vantage points in a single outing.