This American cultural icon is a required part of any visit to New York, offering fabulous elevated views over the city.
The Empire State Building was opened in 1931 as the tallest building in the world, a title it would retain for 41 years until 1972. Its distinctive Art Deco style has made it instantly recognisable and enduringly popular in the city and throughout the country, and it has been named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The building holds an emblematic stature as representative of New York, in a similar way to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome.Soaring to a height of 443 metres including the broadcast tower and antenna perched on top, it contains two viewing platforms offering fabulous panoramas across the cityscape, on the 86th and 102nd (top) floors. Starting off, be sure to visit the evocative “Dare to Dream” exhibition on the 80th storey for a fascinating look at design notes for the building, information on its construction and a glimpse at a bygone era in the many photographs.Take in the vistas over Midtown, Lower Manhattan and Central Park from the open-air panorama on the 86th floor. If the heavens permit, you can see all the way to New Jersey and Connecticut, while the classic binoculars allow views of Bryant Park and Times Square in exchange for a handful of quarters.Keep an eye out for someone going down on one knee – proposals of marriage happen throughout the year here. The saxophonist who plays on the 86th floor from time to time also adds to the romantic atmosphere.Zoom all the way up to the enclosed 102nd storey – the top of the building – which offers stunning views but also protection from the elements, particularly during the city’s cold winters.The Empire State Building is in Midtown, Manhattan, in the centre of New York. It’s easily reachable via a range of public transport options including bus, rail and subway. The building, along with its two observation platforms, is open every day of the year. Queues for tickets and for the elevators can be quite long, so it is advised to buy your ticket online before your visit on the official Empire State Building website.
