New York’s Empire State Building: View the Big Apple from the “Cathedral of the Skies”
It’s served as the location for famous fictional celluloid romantic encounters, and since 1931 it’s been the place to get one of the most spectacular views of the USA’s largest city. The Empire State Building stands as the ultimate symbol of the spirit of New York City.
With some 3.5 million visitors per year, in many ways the 102-story Empire State Building, located right in the heart of Manhattan Island, has served as much as visitor hub as it has a center of commerce and industry (it’s the second largest office complex in the country, after the Pentagon).
Of course, for visitors near and far, the observation towers are the real draw. The 86th floor observatory, 1,050 feet (320 meters) from ground level, may be attained by high speed, automatic elevators 18 hours every day. It has both a glass-enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, as well as spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides. Binoculars can be used for a short time for a few coins.
For an extra $15 fee, the 102nd floor observatory is also available, but tickets are only sold upon arrival at the building.
Standard visitor fees range from $14 for kids to $45 for the ESB “Express Pass,” which gives visitors a pre-arranged appointment for travel up to the observatory level. It may be steep, but if you’re planning a visit during a holiday or, especially, on Valentine’s Day, it’s a very good investment.
IMPORTANT TIPS: Every visitor must submit to a thorough security check so it’s advisable to limit personal items as much as possible. No non-carry-on baggage is permitted, and although cameras and video equipment are permitted, tripods are not. Also, to avoid lines, buy your tickets on line at the building’s web site. Visit the building during sunset hours – you get the best of day and nighttime views. And unless you purchase an Express Pass, be prepared for a wait of at least an hour, more during holidays.
- by Jim Brown , New York Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jim Brown Jim Brown is a longtime freelance aviation, travel and destination writer and communications professional. A former reporter for Aviation Daily, Air Safety Week and World Airline News, Jim served for more than 15 years as a senior public relations executive for American Airlines, TWA and AirTran Airways.
