The Empire State Building, NY, NY

350 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10118

212-736-3100

Even the name conjures images of the Big Apple with its Art Deco look and 200-foot tall radio antenna that Hollywood's King Kong held onto with one hand and Fay Ray with the other. Visitors to New York City will see some of the best views of downtown Manhattan, plus well into Connecticut and neighboring boroughs from the 102nd- and 86th-floor observatories. Everything about the Empire State Building, like New York City itself, is larger than life. Construction began during the depths of the Great Depression of the 1930s with New York Governor Alfred E. Smith laying the cornerstone.

Empire State Building Has 6,000 Windows

Completed in a year and 45 days, the Empire State Building is 1,250 feet tall with 102 stories. Built as a contest between General Motors founder John J. Raskob and Chrysler leader Walter Chrysler, the Empire State Building is supported by 60,000 tons of steel, has more than 6,000 windows and more than 500,000 square feet of marble and Indiana limestone encase one of the world's most famous skyscrapers. The base of the building alone is five stories above the city streets. The interior lobby is three floors high.

Great Views of New York From the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building has been the location of dozens of movies, the reception site of foreign dignitaries and even had a World War II bomber crash into the 79th floor in 1945. Millions of tourists and New Yorkers take in the views of Manhattan and beyond by making the trek to one of the Empire State Building's two high-flying observatories.

Best Views of the City

Visitors can take one of the Empire State Building's high speed elevator to either the 86th-floor observatory or all the way to the top to the 102nd-floor observatory. To see the New York City skyline in airconditioned comfort, visitors should hop off the elevator on the 86th floor. High-powered binoculars will bring the city a little closer for a 360 degree look below. If the weather and wind is favorable, the truly adventurous can rise another 16 stories to the 102nd-floor observatory. Bring your camera and leave your hat behind for even more spectacular views from 1,250 feet above Manhattan. The 86th-floor observatory is open every day of the year from 9:30 a.m. to midnight, with the final tickets being sold at 11:25 p.m. The 102nd-floor observatory can often be closed to high traffic or severe weather. Visitors who want to take the trip to the top should call in advance or check with visitor information in the lobby. To visit the observatories it's $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, 62 and over, $10 for children 12 to 17, and $5 for children 6 to 11. Tickets are available at the Empire State Building in the concourse just below the ground floor. For more ticket information call 212-736-3100.

Location

The Empire State Building located at Fifth Avenue at 34th Street in Manhattan. Taxi's and the subway are most likely the simplest methods of getting to the Empire State Building. Visitors can walk to the Empire State Building from either Grand Central Station or Pennsylvania subway stops.