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Empire State Building / NY SKYRIDE Location: 350 5th Ave (between 33rd & 34th Sts) Phone: 1(212) 736-3100 Web site: www.esbnyc.com Night or day, the view from NYC's tallest building is one of this hemisphere's most magnificent vistas. On a clear day you can enjoy a magnificent view for 80 miles in each direction. Visibility is posted in the lobby. The breathtaking views are so impressive that it deserves two visits: by day, to observe the layout of the city, and then again in the evening, when you'll be mesmerized by the sparkling array of stars and flickering lights scattered across the sky like a galaxy of diamonds on black velvet. Seventy-three elevators serve the 102 floors, and 5 acres of windows are washed once a month. It takes half an hour to walk down the 1860 steps. The annual Empire State Building Run-Up race takes place in early February. The event competitors raced up a total of 1,576 steps to the Observatory deck on the 86th floor. The men's division winning time is 10 minutes and 37 seconds. The winning time for women is 12 minutes and 8 seconds. NY SKYRIDE Located on the 2nd floor of the Empire State Building, the NY SKYRIDE is New York’s ONLY virtual aerial simulator and a unique introductory tour of the city. Experience an exciting IMAX style adventure story combining high definition digital technology, moving platforms and seats, and an 18 foot high screen! New for this year is the opening of the 50 foot mural, 180o of New York. For group reservations (20 or more) please email: reservations@skyride.com or call 1(212) 279-9777 x200 to speak to a representative. Directions: Bus: M2, M3, M4, M5, M16, M34, Q32 Subway: to 33rd St; to 34th St/Avenue of the Americas; (Seventh Ave Subway) to 34th St/Penn Station; (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station. Admission to Observatory: Adult (13-61) $18.45 + $1.55 Tx; Child (6-11) $12.92 + $1.09 Tx; Senior (62+) $16.61 + $1.39 Tx; Toddler (5 or younger) FREE when accompanied by an adult ticket holder; Military in uniform FREE. ESB Audio Tour $7.38 + 62" Tx. Express Pass $41.52 + $3.48 Tx. Admission to NYSkyride: Adult (13-61) $29.50; Child (6-12) $16.00; Student with ID (any age) $22.50; Senior (62+) $22.50. Combination Observatory & NY Skyride: Adult (18-61) $39.50; Child (6-11) $19; Student with ID (any age) $32.50; Senior (62+) $28.50. Observatory Hours: 8:00am to 2:00am daily. Last elevators go up at 1:15am. Open 365 days a year. NYSkyride Hours: 8:00am to 10:00pm daily. Open 365 days a year. Click here for the most current Visitor Information including Admission Prices, Observatory Hours, Purchasing Tickets Online, Security Information, Audio Tours, Shops, Restaurants, and Services. History: The Empire State Building (first excavations in October 1929, opened May 1931) was the result of a competition between the head of the Chrysler Corporation and General Motors to see who could build the tallest building. GM won, but the Chrysler building was finished first. The Empire State building has changed hands several times since then, but the 86th floor observatory has weathered it all. During July 1945, a plane crashed into the building at the 78th floor level. This 1,250 foot landmark contains 60,000 tons of steel beams, 10 million bricks, and 65,000 windows. The top 30 floors are aglow in a rainbow of colors, keyed to a variety of special events. US National Holidays (Red, White & Blue); St. Valentine's Day (Red), St. Patrick's Day (Green); United Nations Day (Blue & White); from Halloween to Thanksgiving Day (Red & Yellow), Chanukah (Blue) and the Christmas Holiday Season (Red & Green). What color is the Empire State Building tonight? The Empire State Building has developed an annual lighting schedule which honors National Holidays, seasons, the myriad ethnic groups living in the New York City area and many worthy causes. Chick on question above for lighting schedule. During spring and fall bird migration seasons and particularly on cloudy, humid and/or foggy nights, when large numbers of birds are seen flying near the building, the tower lights are turned off. Nearby Places of Interest: Macy’s Madison Square Garden Penn Station Morgan Library Advisory: Main Entrance - Fifth Avenue between 33rd & 34th Streets. All Visitors must use this entrance. Handicap Entrance - 34th St., the entrance between Fleet and Hallmark Cards. Note: The 34th Street Handicap Entrance is only open Monday - Friday until 6pm. Please use the Main Entrance for all other times. Call 1(212) 736-3100 or toll free 1(877) NYCVIEW (692-8439) to find out how long the wait is, visibility, etc. Fantasizing about getting married at the top of the Empire State Building? You can do it. Every Valentine's Day, a select group of couples get married here and automatically become members of the Empire State Building Wedding Club which entitles them to free admission to our Observatories on their anniversary, Valentine's Day. To join this prestigious group, couples must write to the building and explain why they want to get married here. Couples are then chosen on the basis of originality, uniqueness, style, etc. The deadline for getting married on Valentine's Day, February 14th, is November 30th.