Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is the tallest and most famous skyscraper in New
York. More than 120 million visitors, including the rock group Kiss and Queen
Elizabeth II, have gazed down on the city from the Observatory since it opened
in 1931. Planned in the prosperous 1920s by the architectural firm of Shreve,
Lamb, and Harmon, this Art Deco classic was completed during the Depression
and was largely vacant for several years, giving rise to the nickname "Empty
State Building." It has been featured in countless movies; when King Kong
returned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
classic film in 1983, fans the world over cheered the
triumphant ascent by a huge inflatable ape.
Top 10 Features
1 The Building
2 Elevators
3 102nd Floor Observation Deck
4 86th Floor Observatory
5 Spire
6 Wonders of the World
7 Fifth Avenue Gallery
Windows
8 Valentine's Day
9 New York Skyride
0 Empire State Run-up
View of the Empire
State Building
There are two restaur-
ants, an ice cream
parlor, and a coffee
shop to choose from.
Visit at the end of
the day to watch
twilight descend and
city lights go on, a
memorable sight.
The Building
A mooring mast for air-
ships, now the base of a TV
tower, was built to ensure
the 102-story, 1,454 ft (443
m), building would be taller
than the Chrysler Building.
• 350 Fifth Avenue, at
34th Street
• Map K3
• www.esbnyc.com
• Open 9:30am-
midnight daily
• Adults $13, seniors
and youths (12-17)
$12, children (6-11) $8,
children under 5 free
• New York Skyride $25
• Audio tours $5
Elevators
Visitors can ride to the
86th floor in 45 seconds -
1,400 ft (427 m) per minute
- in one of 73 Art Deco
elevators. The last elevator
leaves at 11.15pm.
102nd Floor
Observation
Deck
Visibility on a clear day
from the deck on the
102nd floor is up to
80 miles (130 km),
but this has been
closed to the public
since 1999.
8
For more New York Skyscrapers
See pp44-5
