The Empire State Building is no longer the tallest building in the world, but it captures the imagination as one of the first and most iconic skyscrapers – a symbol of New York City. It is reputed to be the most photographed building in the world, and is also the country’s favorite according to the American Institute of Architects.

The open-air 86th Floor Observation Deck is the perfect place to take in all that New York has to offer, putting yourself in the center of it all with a 360-degree view of the city. Experience one-of-a-kind views of The Hudson River, East River, Central Park, The Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Lady Liberty and much more!

Built 1929-31, the Empire State was New York’s tallest building until 1972, when the World Trade Center was finished. In 2001 when the WTC fell, this old, stone-faced skyscraper was again briefly the tallest until the completion of One World Trade Center. Enter the lobby, and you enter a designated historic landmark that evokes the luxury of a past age.

Opening hours

8.00am-2.00am 365 days a year

About the Empire State Building

Construction began on the Empire State in 1930, with its steel framework rising 4.5 storeys each week. By 1931, President Hoover – using the wonder of technology – was able to press a button in Washington DC to turn on the lights for the first time

The tallest building in the world soon found fame when, in 1933, the original King Kong movie saw a big monkey clinging to its summit while clasping actress Faye Wray in his hairy hand. That was fictional, but real drama was to come in 1945 when a B-25 bomber crashed into the building during thick fog

The Empire State was sold in 1951 for 34m USD (the price today of a one-bedroom apartment in lower Manhattan) and was bought again in 1961 for 65m USD – at that time the highest price ever paid for a building. The new owners celebrated by having it cleaned for the first time since its construction (it took them six months).

By 1976, 50 million people had visited the observatory and by 1986 the Empire State was a recognised National Historic Landmark. It still draws visitors from all over the world, either to see the view, get married, experience the amazing Art Deco lobby or simply take a selfie with New York’s most iconic skyscraper.

Address

338-350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA – or just look up!

Getting there

On foot

Excellent walking directions here.

By Metro

Lines D, F, B, M, N, Q, R to 34th Street – Herald Square

By Bus

QM1, QM2, QM3, QM4, M34SBS to W34th St/5th Ave