Skip to content »
Skip to second navigation »

Sep

01

2013

Nov

30

2013

Sep

01

2014

Nov

30

2014

Sep

01

2015

Nov

30

2015


Get Swept Up in Silver Screen Romance on the Empire State Building's Observation Deck

Published by Jason Hussong, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

No visit to New York City would be complete without a stop at the Empire State Building's Observation Deck. Presently, it is the third largest skyscraper in the United States (behind the Willis Tower and the Trump Tower in Chicago), and towers over the city almost a quarter of a mile high at 102 floors. The Art Deco designed skyscraper draws an estimated 3.5 million visitors each year to the 86th floor’s observation deck for spectacular views of the surrounding city; Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the famous Yankee Stadium.

Since the Empire State Building Observation Deck was opened in 1931, approximately 110 million people have peered out over picturesque views of New York City. Many visitors are attracted to the iconic building for love and romance, as the Empire State Building's Observation Deck carries romantic significance in many films. Cary Grant waited there for Deborah Kerr in an Affair to Remember, and Tom Hanks met Meg Ryan there in Sleepless in Seattle. Of course, it is also where King Kong famously held Fay Wray in his clutches while swiping at airplanes high above the city. And recently in popular fiction, Percy Jackson took the Empire State Building’s elevator to the 600th floor and the halls of Olympus in Rick Riordan’s fictional series. The best time to

At a cost of nearly $41 million, the Empire State Building surprisingly took only 410 days to complete. Even more surprising is that it only takes about a minute to go from ground level to the observation deck on the 86th floor, although the queue to do so is another matter all together! The Empire State Building is also an office complex with approximately 1,000 businesses inside, and actually has its own zip code: 10118. With an estimated 21,000 employees, it is the second largest office complex in America behind the Pentagon.

In 1986, the Empire State Building was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1972, after more than 40 years as the top ranking tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building was surpassed when the World Trade Center’s north tower opened. Today, the Empire State Building is tallest building in New York, and the fifteenth tallest in the world.

Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Empire State Building

The Empire State Building Observation Deck is a great stop in New York City any time of year. With long opening hours each day (8 a.m. to 2 a.m.), it's possible to enjoy a variety of experiences there. If your looking to take a cue from the great romantics like Tom Hanks or Cary Grant, the best time to visit the Empire State Building Observation Deck is at dusk. The engulfing darkness is fought back by millions of twinkling lights scattered across the horizon.

Seasonally speaking, winter can be cold in New York City, so make sure to dress appropriately when going to the top. The 86th floor has an indoor observation deck, but it is not nearly as impressive as being outside.

Odds n' Ends

A slight curvature of the Earth can be noticed from the 102nd floor, but there's no other real reason to pay the extra fee to continue on past the Empire State Building's 86th floor observation deck. Much of the glass on the 102nd floor windows have been scratched and marked up, the better pictures are sure to come lower down in the open air.

Fold out maps and audio guides are also available for purchase or rental before going up to the observation deck. These extra items certainly can be excellent and helpful additions, sometimes also doubling as souvenirs, but generally most of the top spots can be located with little or no help at all.

More Experiences Nearby

Trick or Treat During Halloween in New York!
Pumpkins aglow with spine chilling faces, sit gazing out from neighborhood porches as they await the arrival of the next trick or treat'er on all Hallows eve. Now known as Halloween, a contraction of Hallows Eve, this secular tradition is celebrated annually on October 31. Long before the days of trick or treating, corn mazes, and bobbing for apples, Halloween traditions originated from the Celts, who on the 31st celebrated the harvest and year end. This time of year was believed to be the weakest point between the bonds of life and death, and to ward off the evil spirits ...1 miles away.

Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!

Book now
New York CityPass
Each ticket booklet is packed with useful information, including hours of operation, transport and contact information, plus insider tips so you can get the most ...
Starting from $73.99 per person.

Video

Video Wall

You are now being transfered to our Video Wall

Books and DVDs

New York: The Big City and Its Little Neighborhoods
Modern Marvels - The Empire State Building - History Channel DVD
Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark

Elsewhere on the Web

Empire State Building - Official Site
Empire State Building full 360° Manhattan panorama - 360Cities.net

Media References

Empire State Building - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
New York City Guide - NYTimes.com (newspaper)

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Indonesian , Italian , Japanese , Lao , Malay , Mandarin , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Thai , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in United States. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.

People with experience


Recent Tweets

Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "empire state building":