NYC: Empire State Building & 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour

See New York from above and street level. I like the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor views and the freedom to use the open-top bus for two full days. I also like the digital commentary, which adds context while you watch the city roll past. The main drawback is traffic: a bus trip across Manhattan can take much longer than expected.

At $105 per person, this package makes the most sense if you want a broad first look at New York rather than a tightly planned walking itinerary. You get more value by using the bus for both the Uptown and Downtown routes, then treating the Empire State Building as your fixed, must-see visit.

Key points to know before booking

• The 86th floor is included: You get the classic open-air observation deck, while access to the 102nd floor costs extra.
• Two days give you breathing room: The bus ticket remains valid for 48 hours after first use during operating hours.
• More than 40 stops cover major sights: Times Square, Central Park, Wall Street, Chinatown, SoHo, Battery Park, and the World Trade Center are all part of the sightseeing network.
• The app is genuinely useful: It lets you activate your ticket, check routes, and track buses live.
• The Statue of Liberty ferry is optional: Select that version when booking if you want the ferry included.
• Traffic controls your schedule: The bus is helpful for orientation, but it is not always the fastest way across Manhattan.

Why this combination works in New York

New York can feel like several cities packed into one island. Midtown skyscrapers, historic downtown streets, waterfront parks, and residential Upper Manhattan neighborhoods all have different moods. This package gives you two useful ways to understand that scale.

The Empire State Building gives you the big picture. From the 86th floor, you can look toward Central Park, the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, and the dense blocks around Midtown. The bus then brings you back down to street level, where you can pause near a landmark, walk a few blocks, and continue when you are ready.

I particularly like that the bus ticket lasts 48 hours instead of just one calendar day. That matters in New York. You can use one day for a broad tour and the next for shorter hops between neighborhoods, rather than trying to force every sight into one tiring circuit.

The package is not a guided walking tour. It is a transport and sightseeing tool. You still need to decide where to get off, how long to stay, and when walking or public transport will be quicker.

Starting with the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is the anchor of this experience. Entry to the 86th-floor observation deck is included, giving you the famous view from one of New York’s best-known skyscrapers.

The appeal is visual and immediate. You can see the grid of Manhattan streets, the Hudson River, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty from a single high point. That view helps you make sense of the city before you spend hours moving through it at street level.

The 86th floor is also the practical choice for most visitors. It gives you the classic observation experience without requiring the additional 102nd-floor upgrade. If you want the highest available viewpoint in the building, budget for that extra entry separately.

I would not treat the skyscraper visit as a quick photo stop. Give yourself enough time to look in several directions and match what you see above with the places you will visit below. Central Park is easy to identify, while the Statue of Liberty and river views give you a clear sense of New York’s position on the water.

The view is the main event, but weather will affect it. Bring clothing suited to the conditions, especially if you hope to spend time outside on the observation deck. A gray day can still be worthwhile, but distant landmarks may be less clear.

Using the Big Bus for a first look

The open-top double-decker bus is best used as a moving introduction to Manhattan. You get digital audio commentary in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish, so you can hear background information while watching the streets and buildings pass by.

The key benefit is flexibility. You can board at any stop along the route after activating your ticket. You can also leave the bus when a neighborhood interests you, walk around, and rejoin the route later.

The app helps here. Add your booking reference, activate the ticket on the day you start, and use the live bus tracking feature to see where vehicles are. That is more practical than waiting at a stop with no idea when the next bus may arrive.

The bus covers Downtown and Uptown loops, with more than 40 stops across New York. You will not see every street or neighborhood in detail, but you can use the route to choose where you want to spend your limited time.

For a first day, I would stay on the bus for a substantial portion of one loop. That gives you a sense of distance and helps you decide where to return on foot. On the second day, use the bus for selected stops rather than riding the entire circuit again.

Downtown stops worth your time

The Downtown route brings you close to some of New York’s most recognizable areas. Each stop has a different reason to leave the bus.

Times Square

Times Square is the obvious starting point for the city’s bright, high-energy side. Giant screens, theaters, and heavy pedestrian traffic make it memorable, but it can also be tiring.

You may want only a short stop here. Walk through the main plaza, take in the signs, and then move toward a quieter nearby street. The bus makes Times Square easy to reach, but the area is not where I would spend most of a two-day visit.

Bryant Park and the New York Public Library

Bryant Park offers a calmer contrast to Times Square. The New York Public Library is nearby, making this a useful stop if you want a break from traffic and tall commercial buildings.

This area works well as a walking pause. You can combine the park and library with nearby Midtown sights, then return to the bus route. It is also a good place to organize your next stop using the app.

Flatiron District

The Flatiron District is known for its distinctive wedge-shaped building and streets that feel different from the rigid Midtown grid. This stop works best for visitors who want to see a recognizable piece of New York architecture without committing to a long detour.

The bus gives you access, but you will need to walk from the stop to appreciate the district properly. This is a good example of what the tour does well: it gets you near a place, while you supply the time and curiosity.

SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy

These neighborhoods offer some of the best street-level variety on the route. SoHo is associated with cast-iron buildings, while Chinatown and Little Italy give you a change in food, shops, and street character.

Do not rush these stops. The value comes from walking a few blocks rather than simply taking photographs from the upper deck. You might find the streets crowded at popular times, and the bus itself may be less useful once you are moving between nearby neighborhoods. Walking can be the better choice for short distances.

Wall Street and the World Trade Center

Wall Street introduces New York’s financial district, with its tall towers and famous financial landmarks. The World Trade Center area provides a powerful modern contrast, with large public spaces and major architecture.

This part of the route helps explain how much New York has changed over time. You can use the bus to cover the distance from Midtown, then explore on foot. Do not expect the bus commentary to replace a dedicated museum or memorial visit, but it gives you a useful framework for the area.

Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty

Battery Park is one of the most useful stops for waterfront views. From here, you can look toward the Statue of Liberty and the harbor while taking a break from the city’s tall buildings.

The Statue of Liberty ferry is included only if you select that option when booking. The package does not include entry into the Statue of Liberty Monument itself. That distinction matters, since a ferry ride and monument access are separate experiences.

If the ferry matters to you, check that you have chosen the correct package before paying. If you only want a harbor view and a chance to see the statue from the shore, Battery Park may be enough.

What the Uptown loop adds

The Uptown loop helps balance the Downtown route. Central Park is the major draw, but the value of the route is the change in pace from Lower Manhattan and Midtown.

Central Park gives you a broad green break from the surrounding towers. You can use the bus to reach the park area, then decide how much walking suits you. The package does not include a separate Central Park guide or activity, so keep your expectations clear: you are getting transport and commentary, not a full park tour.

The Uptown route is useful if you want to see more of New York beyond the most photographed Midtown and Downtown sights. It also gives you another reason to use the 48-hour ticket instead of trying to complete everything in one day.

The drawback is time. New York traffic can slow the bus, and a full Uptown loop may take longer than you expect. If you have a restaurant reservation, theater ticket, or timed attraction, leave a generous buffer and consider walking or using public transport for the final part of your journey.

How to get the best value from $105

The listed price is $105 per person. The package is promoted as saving roughly 25 percent off full retail, with the included details also describing savings of up to 30 percent. The exact saving may depend on the version you select, especially if you add the Statue of Liberty ferry.

The value is strongest for a first visit when you want both a major observation deck and an easy way to cover distant parts of Manhattan. Buying the two experiences separately could cost more, and the bus gives you a useful transport option for two days.

The value is weaker if you prefer walking, local buses, subway travel, and self-guided sightseeing. New York’s subway can move you between far-apart areas faster, while walking gives you more contact with local streets. In that case, the package may feel like an expensive overview rather than a necessary part of your trip.

To make $105 work, use the bus at least twice:

• Spend part of the first day on a Downtown or Uptown loop.
• Get off at two or three areas that interest you.
• Use the second day for shorter hops and a second route.
• Pair the Empire State Building with nearby Midtown sights.
• Use the app to avoid waiting blindly at stops.

The package is not a bargain simply because it bundles two famous names. It becomes a good deal when you use the 48-hour ticket as intended.

Practical details that can change your day

You can activate the ticket in the Big Bus app or redeem the voucher with staff at 7th Avenue and West 48th Street, outside M&M’s World. You can also activate it with a driver at any stop along the route.

The app is the easier option if you are comfortable using your phone. It holds the ticket, shows route information, and provides live bus tracking. Keep your phone charged, since losing access to the digital ticket could make boarding more awkward.

The bus ticket is valid for 48 hours after first use, during operating hours. It is not simply valid for two selected calendar dates, so think carefully about when you activate it.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited. Children under three may ride free, but one dedicated adult must accompany each child, and the child cannot take a seat intended for a paying passenger.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. No hotel pickup or drop-off is provided, so you are responsible for reaching the route or the Empire State Building yourself.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your New York plans are still shifting.

Who should choose this New York package?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants an easy overview before choosing which neighborhoods deserve more time.

It also suits visitors who like seeing a city from above and then returning to street level. The Empire State Building provides the memorable high point, while the bus gives you a simple way to cover a large area without planning every connection.

It may be less suitable for repeat visitors who already know Manhattan, or for people who prefer small-group walking tours and local transportation. The audio commentary is useful, but it cannot respond to questions or adjust the route around your personal interests.

If you have only one day in New York, the package may feel rushed. If you have two days and use the bus with discipline, it becomes much more practical.

Should you book it?

Book this package if you want the Empire State Building plus a broad city introduction, and if you will genuinely use the bus for both days. The 86th-floor view, more than 40 stops, multilingual audio, and live route tracking make it a convenient starting point.

Skip it if you already have a detailed Manhattan plan or prefer the subway and walking. Before paying, decide whether you want the optional Statue of Liberty ferry, since it is not included in every version.

For most first-time visitors, I see this as a solid orientation package rather than a complete New York experience. Use it to understand the city’s layout, then leave the bus and explore the streets at your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 48 hours after first use, during the tour’s operating hours.

What does the Empire State Building admission include?

Admission to the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observation deck is included. The 102nd floor is not included.

Is the Statue of Liberty ferry part of the package?

The ferry is included only if you select the option that includes it. Entry into the Statue of Liberty Monument is not included.

Where can I activate the ticket?

You can activate it in the Big Bus app, with Big Bus staff at 7th Avenue and West 48th Street outside M&M’s World, or with a driver at any route stop.

Which languages are available for the audio guide?

The digital audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.