The Empire State building is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the New York skyline. So much so, that the city has gained the nickname Empire State, a connection equal to that of Big Ben to London or the Eiffel Tower to Paris. It was the tallest skyscraper in New York for 40 years, a title it took over from the Chrysler Building when it opened officially in 1931.
Including the broadcast tower at its peak, the Empire State Building stands at nearly 443 metres, and as such, offers some of the best views of the surrounding city. You can choose from two Observatories. The first is situated on the 86th floor, at a height of 320 metres. Here you can step out onto the open-air promenade for truly stunning views over Midtown, Lower Manhattan and Central Park. For an even more detailed view, try the iconic old-fashioned binoculars. For only a quarter, you will be able to see close-ups of local attractions such as Times Square and Bryant Park. This observation deck has played a starring role in many famous films such as Sleepless in Seattle or the classic An Affair to Remember. King Kong would not have been the same without the Empire State Building!
For the more adventurous, the Observatory on the 102 floor is situated right under the Broadcast Tower. At over 380 metres, this viewing platform is fully enclosed, and offers unparalleled sights across New York and beyond. On a clear day you may be able to see out as far as New Jersey and Connecticut.
Both Observatories are open all year round until 2.00 am in the morning (last lift goes up at 1.15 am) so you can see the spectacular lights of New York twinkling in all their glory. It’s no surprise that this romantic experience is the setting for many marriage proposals.
On the way up to the Observatories, stop to take in the Dare to Dream exhibition on the 80th floor documenting the engineering and construction of the building through photographs and original design documents.
Access is easy via bus, Subway or rail, and to avoid the notorious queues at the ticket office, make sure you purchase your tickets in advance on the official Empire State Building Website.
