The Empire State Building, 1,454 feet of ambition and cinema
On the 86th floor, the New York wind gently slaps your face while the city spreads out below you like a scale model that stretches to the horizon. The noise of the 5th Avenue traffic has vanished. All that remains is the rush of air, the clicking of the binoculars, and that distinct sensation of floating somewhere above Manhattan.
This Art Deco skyscraper, finished in 1931, remains one of the few landmarks capable of giving you a thrill, even if you have seen it a thousand times on screen.
Why visit the Empire State Building?
When John J. Raskob, then the head of General Motors, commissioned this tower in 1929, it was to outdo his rival Walter Chrysler and his own skyscraper that was nearing completion.
The result was 102 floors built in just 410 days, a staggering record. Up to 3,400 workers rotated day and night on the site, completing four and a half floors per week. President Hoover inaugurated the building on May 1, 1931, by turning on its lights from Washington with the simple press of a button.
Since then, the building has become a symbol of New York and welcomes about 2.5 million visitors each year. Its silhouette has served as a backdrop for King Kong (1933 and 2005), Sleepless in Seattle, and An Affair to Remember. It is not just a view of the Big Apple, it is a piece of American history.
Two observatories, two vibes
The 86th floor: the iconic open-air terrace
This is where it happens. The outdoor terrace offers a 360-degree panorama of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and, on a clear day, up to six different states. The wind blows hard here, especially in winter, but outdoor heaters make the experience bearable even in the deep cold. High-powered, free binoculars allow you to spot the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, or the Brooklyn Bridge in detail.
The 102nd floor: the view through the glass
Sixteen floors higher, the renovated observatory features floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Access is via a glass elevator that travels through the building's spire. The view extends up to 80 miles on a clear day. The space, smaller and climate-controlled, provides a quiet contrast to the raw energy of the 86th-floor terrace. The upgrade (about $35 on-site) is worth it if the weather is clear.
The museum and galleries: more than an elevator to the top
Before reaching the heights, the path passes through 12 interactive galleries located on the 2nd and 80th floors. You will see the dizzying photos by Lewis Hine, who documented the construction: Mohawk workers balancing on steel beams 1,000 feet above the ground without harnesses. An exhibit traces the fierce rivalry between Raskob and Chrysler. Further on, the giant hands of King Kong literally pierce the walls for a memorable photo op.
The Art Deco entrance hall on 5th Avenue, with its gold-leaf ceiling and restored marble, is worth a stop on its own. Its renovation required 20,000 hours of craftsmanship to recreate the original mural.
Pro tip: The least crowded period is between January and March, on weekdays. To enjoy the panorama almost alone, aim for the 10 a.m. opening or the end of the day after 5 p.m. Sunset slots are the most packed. Also, consider the CityPASS AM/PM ticket, which allows you to go up twice in the same day: once during the day and once at night, for two radically different atmospheres.
When the building lights up
Every night, the top 30 floors change color according to the calendar: red and green for Christmas, a rainbow for Pride, or blue and orange for the New York Knicks. The lighting is controlled by an LED system capable of producing 16 million combinations.
During spring and autumn migrations, the lights are turned off on certain foggy nights to protect migratory birds. You can send a text to the official number to find out the meaning of the colors for that specific night.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Even if the Empire State Building might not offer the best view of New York anymore, the view from the top is still incredible. The building is iconic regardless and has a history all its own. You can discover it for yourself once you are there. At the top, there is not a huge amount of space, but the panorama will not disappoint you.