Either you want to to go the Empire State Building, or you don't. There is no in-between.
Why you wouldn't:
A.) Because you're afraid of heights (which is very valid, mind you).
B.) You don't care.
C.) What is the matter with you? It's the Empire State Building.
D.) You don't like art deco.
E.) Feats of engineering don't impress you.
F. ) You're too busy instagraming you're meal. We get it, you had the chicken parmigiana and it was beautiful. We know it Susan.
Why you would want to visit (there will be no list): A historic building constructed during the great depression, it was iconic of what America was made of: tall, strong, and built with lightning speed for the time period. The structure is reminiscent of a bygone era, with the stone face and steel framework, it is a modern marvel.
The staff were polite and friendly. I would recommend fast passes as getting up to the observation deck can take a long time. We didn't do so, but we were here early enough that it didn't really matter. I will say it was a long walk just to get to the elevator, so I imagine it takes a while when there is a crowd. There's also security, so keep that in mind when visiting. Jimmy will have to leave his pocket knife at home. Also, security bogs down the process of getting through. Another reason to keep security mind, especially with the metal detector.
Oh, so my experience? It was beautiful looking at the New York Skyline. I had a hard time looking over the edge. Because, you know, heights and all that. I didn't want a repeat of Willis Tower (I had a panic attack in their skybox). Otherwise, it was a success of an experience with my wife. Whom is not afraid of heights.