Climbing the Empire State Building. One of the most famous buildings in the United States is the Empire State Building. The building is a fixture in New York’s skyline and in the minds of the millions who live there. On holidays, the lights atop the building change color, and it is said that one a clear day, you can see for nearly 80 miles from the top of the building. Even King Kong found the building irresistible and climbed to the structure’s peak in the climax of the 1933 film of the same name.
With the building completed in 1931, it immediately became an attraction. For more than forty years, the 102-story structure was the tallest building in the world. The American Society of Civil Engineers named it as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, and is also a landmark of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. In 2007, the building ranked as number one on the list of America’s Favorite Architecture.
The Empire State Building is one of the most visited tourist sites in all of New York City. In fact, between 10 and 20 thousand people visit the building everyday. When you visit the building, you must consider several things. First, you will want to know what the weather is like. Clear days are, of course, best for visiting the observatories in the building, simply because you can see much further. You might want to bring a light jacket because it can be windy at the top and cooler, especially at night.
Also consider whether you want to go during the day or at night. The views of the city from the top of the building, especially at night, are breathtaking, but you may want to see the city in the daytime instead. You might even want to visit twice to get the experience of seeing the expanse of New York both in the day and at night.
The Empire State Building is open from 8 AM to 2AM everyday. The last elevator heads to the top at 1:15 AM. Tickets for those between 18-61 years old are $19; 12-17 years old are $17; over 62 years old are $17, and children 6-11 are $13. Those 5 and younger are free, as are military in uniform. Military members not in uniform but carrying an ID pay $16.
You can buy an express ticket, which costs and extra $26 and guarantees that you get to the 86th floor observatory in 20 minutes. Access to the 102nd floor observatory costs an additional $15, but you do get to go 16 floors higher than most visitors do.
The Empire State Building is one of the spots that no on visiting New York City can miss.
350 Fifth Ave
New York , NY 10118
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