Empire State Building
The most iconic of New York's dizzying array of skyscrapers, the Empire State Building has been made famous across the world thanks not least to its starring role in such films as “An Affair to Remember”, “King Kong” and “Sleepless in Seattle”.
Rising almost as high as 443 metres to the top of its broadcasting tower, the Empire State Building took the title of the tallest in the world from the nearby Chrysler Building when it was officially opened in 1931 – and it took 40 years for it to be surpassed. The tower soon found an appreciative public in the New Yorkers, who went on to give their home the nickname of the 'Empire State' in its honour.
Head up to the viewing platform on the 86th floor, where you can walk around the open-air deck and enjoy stunning views across Lower Manhattan and Central Park. When the weather is good, you can even see all the way out to New Jersey and Connecticut from this platform. There are binoculars on the rails which you can peek through for incredible close-up views of the city's attractions. You may even witness a marriage proposal on this spot, or hear the tunes of a saxophonist serenading the lovers who flock here.
If you have the stomach for it, you can climb even higher – all the way to the 102nd floor. From here, you can look out across New York from the city's highest public point, standing beneath the broadcasting antenna which rises out of the top of the building. This enclosed area is a perfect vantage point if you're visiting when it's a little cooler.
As you make your way to the top, stop off at the Dare to Dream Exhibit on the 80th floor, where you can enjoy a fantastic insight into the making of the building with photographs and construction notes among the exhibits on show.
Situated in Midtown Manhattan, you can reach the Empire State Building by bus, subway or rail. The observatories are open every day of the year, although bear in mind that queues can be very long so booking ahead of your visit online is advisable.