NYC’s Most Iconic Landmark: The Empire State Building
My family and I came to NYC for the first time back in December of 1997 (hellllooo high school!), and were on a mad journey to see what we thought of as the most iconic NYC landmark of all time, the Empire State Building. Holding hands tightly through the subway, brave tourists that we were, we exited on 34th Street and began our search. My mom stood with her clan of 3 shivering kids and 1 moody teenager trying to read her NYC map. She tapped a passerby on the shoulder (another brave move), asking where the Empire State Building was. Rolling his eyes, he gestured up: “Lady, look up! You’re standing right in front of it!” And that, my friends, was my first real introduction to New York.
Fifteen years later, I had the opportunity to relive my first New Yorker moment, this time, as a New Yorker. New York is a city full of change, but it’s comforting that some things stay pretty much the same, The Empire State Building being one of them.
We arrived at the building mid-day in freezing cold January, which I’m sure kept most tourists indoors at the MET or Museum of Natural History, because there were virtually no lines. After snapping a few shots…
…we headed up to the Observation Deck on the 86th floor.
We fastened our scarves, mittens, and jackets and set out to see the view of a lifetime. We started to the North with views of Central Park…
…headed East for views of the Chrysler Building and East River…
…whirled around South West to see the Hudson, Jersey, and the Freedom Tower…
…and of course had to get in a few street views, featuring NYC traffic and the lovely Bryant Park. We even saw NYC’s most resilient animal, the pigeon, taking in a view from the top.
Our trip just wouldn’t be complete without the famous jumping shot. That one’s for you, Mom.
A few fun facts about the Empire State Building that can have you kicking butt and taking names at your next game night of trivia:
-On March 17th, 1930, work on the building began. At a peak labor force of 3,000 men, the building rose at a rate of 4.5 stories per week.
-A little over a year later, on May 1st, 1931, President Hoover pressed a button in Washington DC, which turned on the building’s lights and officially opened it.
-The building was declared a landmark on May 18th, 1981 by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
-In 1994, the first Valentine’s Day wedding events took place in the building (aww!).
-Researchers from Cornell University say the Empire State Building is the most photographed landmark on earth.
-Ever year, the building hosts a Race To The Top, where runners will race 86 floors and 1,576 steps to reach the top…winners coming in around 10 minutes! WOW.
-Curious what the different colors of the Empire State Building mean? Their website has a complete list of what cultures and causes the building is being lit for.
A very special thank you to the wonderful folks at New York City Vacation Packages! Check out their site for tickets to The Empire State Building that let you bypass the line and get straight to the view!
By: Jessica Tiare Bowen
No lines!? Lucky you! I’ve waited for about 4 hours in July…
Beautiful views and photos!
memographer recently posted..The Miracles Of Polaroid: Girl With A Red Hat
Yes, that sounds much more like it! I guess the cold comes in handy once in a while;-)
Love this!!! We went before we moved here, on the same trip we looked at the first apartment in Broolyn, that we ended up moving in to. Love your website!!!
Jen
Jen recently posted..68 years ago today, this iconic picture was taken
Thanks Jen! And glad the ESB brings back such great memories!:-)
I love the Empire State Building – thanks for the pictures, they brought back alot of great memories
Rachel recently posted..Uncovering the Gaps to Outstanding Performance – Sales Process Management
You’re so welcome! Thanks for stopping by!:-)
it looks like fascinating and amazing
sivas recently posted..Muzaffer Sarısözen 1899-1967
We thought it was pretty swell ourselves:-)
Hahahaha sorry I couldn’t stop laughing at the picture of the pigeon – absolutely brilliant! Great post!!xx
Scarlett recently posted..The Joys of Renting…
I could hardly believe the little bugger got up there! So cute, right?!;-)
Love, love, love the commentary, history, and the adorable pics!!!
This post made my (soon to commence) week, Jess!
I’m reminded of:
+The importance of travel + trivia
+The love of family
+The undying tenderness of memories
Thank you for the light (despite the fog), and the NYC love
Linda Esposito recently posted..What Is Narcissism: 14 Facts and the Tips That Don’t Love Them Back (Poster)
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you liked it, and wishing you a wonderful week ahead, Linda!:-)
I love the views from up here! Great post =)
Andrea recently posted..Smart And Affordable: The MAve Boutique Hotel, New York City
Thanks so much, Andrea!:-)
Although the Empire State Building has been surpassed in height many times over the past 40 years, and although arguably the Top of the Rock offers better aerial views of the city, and although the Chrysler Building may be better-looking, the ESB is an enduring classic. Its simple, elegant Art Deco lines form the most recognizable silhouette of any skyscraper in the world.
I have a friend who’s an architect with offices on the 76th floor of the ESB, and the panoramic views from her offices are absolutely stunning
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, Week 18: Montreal’s Notre-Dame
I imagine! With views like that, it’s enough to make you want to go to work in the morning!
Brings back great memories! Well done!
Thanks Ursula! Hope you can make it back to NYC soon!:-)
One of the must do in New York. Always try to make i up there everytime we find ourselves in the City.
jill recently posted..Traveling to Korea Is Easy – Make It Even Easier
Agreed! Happy travels, Jill!
Loving these photos! Had a meeting there recently on 74th floor and the view was amazing. Haven’t been to the observation deck in YEARS!! Loving the fun facts too – no idea it was the most photographed landmark on earth! Makes you realize how lucky we are to live there!
Koren @ City Gal recently posted..Giveaway! City Gal is Sending You On Location!
Thanks! It’s a view I would NEVER grow tired of!;-)
Hahaha, that is sooo NYC! I can just hear that person now — you captured that experience so well.
Next time in NYC, I’ll definitely have to visit the Empire State Building.
InsideJourneys recently posted..The Story Behind the Lucea Clock Tower
Haha, perfect introduction to good ol’ NYC!;-)
Thank you for the reminder of what a great city my former hometown is.
Absolutely!:-) Thanks for reading, Vee!
even I remember going up the empire state building! -It was about the only time on my first visit to NYC that I got to look down rather than up (you have a lot more skyscrapers in NY than we do over here!) lovely post!
Fiona Maclean recently posted..The Perfect Pancake
Thanks Fiona! Agree, I had a neck kink for months after moving here!;-)
My favorite place to go is NYC.. Never been to Empire State Building.
If you get the tickets that let you cut the horrendously long line, I’d definitely say the view is worth it!
Thanks for sharing. I last visited the Empire State Building in 2004, though I was again in NY a couple of years ago. Nice views. Looks crowded in that city.
ClinicalPosters.com recently posted..Are You Laughing Off Heart Health Month?
Haha, we went on SUCH a cold day that, despite a handful of tourists, we basically had the observation deck to ourselves. Gotta love winter in NYC!
I would love to go the top of the Empire State Building x
Babs recently posted..The Ship in a Bottle, Whitechapel
You most definitely should, Babs!
I went to it in about 1958, and remember it clearly. I have been since, but the first impression is classic. I also managed to eat lunch at Windows on the World before it disappeared. The New York cityscape will always be fascinating.
How wonderful! That first time is always so memorable!:-)