The legendary building soaring more than 100 stories over Manhattan's skyline made famous by the movie King Kong, the Empire State Building was for 40 years the world's tallest building. Its gorgeous Art Deco details and beautiful marble lobby make it the perfect stop for visitors, for the building captures the very essence of New York: huge, full of people, and breathtaking. Now in its 75th year, it remaining as spectacular and enchanting as ever.
Ride up the elevator to the 86th floor observatory, maybe stop a moment to pick up a souvenir, then go outside for incredible panoramic views of the New York area. Marvel at the glittering roof of the nearby Chrysler Building or the neat, rectangular shaped of Central Park. Stare out at the famous bridges that span the East River. At, 1,050 feet (320 meters), reached by high speed, automatic elevators, it has both a glass-enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, and spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides of the Building. Maybe it's not as dramatic as it might be if there were no enclosure-there is no wind howling around you here, and you don't hear the sounds of the city more than 1,000 feet below you-but ...
moreThe legendary building soaring more than 100 stories over Manhattan's skyline made famous by the movie King Kong, the Empire State Building was for 40 years the world's tallest building. Its gorgeous Art Deco details and beautiful marble lobby make it the perfect stop for visitors, for the building captures the very essence of New York: huge, full of people, and breathtaking. Now in its 75th year, it remaining as spectacular and enchanting as ever.
Ride up the elevator to the 86th floor observatory, maybe stop a moment to pick up a souvenir, then go outside for incredible panoramic views of the New York area. Marvel at the glittering roof of the nearby Chrysler Building or the neat, rectangular shaped of Central Park. Stare out at the famous bridges that span the East River. At, 1,050 feet (320 meters), reached by high speed, automatic elevators, it has both a glass-enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, and spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides of the Building. Maybe it's not as dramatic as it might be if there were no enclosure-there is no wind howling around you here, and you don't hear the sounds of the city more than 1,000 feet below you-but you'll find it a pleasant space, particularly when it is chilly or raining outside.
High powered binoculars are available on the promenades for the convenience of visitors at a minimal cost. A snack bar and souvenir counters are also located in the 86th floor observatory. The 86th floor observatory is handicap accessible.
For a romantic evening, why not go up at night? The last elevator runs at 11:15 pm.
The
New York SKYRIDE is a super large flight simulator. It takes you and 50 other guests on an incredible flight around New York with James Doohan (Star Trek's "Scotty") as your spaceship's captain. NYC.com also offers a
combination ticket that you can purchase right now and skip the lines!
Fun Fact
On most nights of the year, you will see the Empire State Building's tower illuminated by colored lights (the exception is spring and fall bird migration seasons as the birds are attracted to the lights). This is because the Empire State Building has developed an annual lighting schedule which honors National Holidays, seasons, the myriad ethnic groups living in the New York City area and many worthy causes.
The following is a list of the Empire State Building's annual lighting schedule, with the related events. Learn them and impress your friends!
Green:
St. Patrick's Day
March of Dimes
Rainforest Awareness
Earth Day
Red, White & Blue:
Presidents' Day
Armed Forces Day
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Red:
St. Valentine's Day
Fire Department Memorial Day
Big Apple Circus
Red & Blue:
Equal Parents Day/Children's Rights
Yellow & White:
Spring/Easter Week
Blue, White & Blue:
Israel Independence Day
First Night of Chanukah
Blue:
Police Memorial Day
Child Abuse Prevention
Purple & White:
Alzheimer's Awareness
Red, Yellow & Green:
Portugal Day
Lavender & White:
Stonewall Anniversary/Gay Pride
Purple, Teal, White:
National Osteoporosis Society
Red & White:
Pulaski Day
Red Cross
Red, White & Green:
Columbus Day
Blue & White:
Greek Independence Day
United Nations Day
Red & Yellow:
Autumn
Black, Yellow & Red:
German Reunification Day
Pink & White:
"Race for the Cure"/Breast Cancer Awareness
Green, White & Orange:
India Independence Day
Green & White:
Pakistan Independence Day
Red & Green:
Holiday Season
Dark/No Lights:
"Day without Art/Night without Lights" AIDS Awareness