New York City's original skyline symbol, the Empire State Building, is a limestone classic built in just 410 days during the depths of the Depression. You will find there many a proverbial New York tourist with his or her head tilted upwards.

If we distract ourselves for a moment from its great shape and get down to some hard facts, the Empire State Building is actually steel-framed 102-story building completed in New York City in 1931. It rises to a height of 1,250 feet (381m) and was the first skyscraper of such great vertical dimension. It was the highest structure in the world until 1954 and it today New York’s most famous and highest vantage point after the September, 11. A 222-foot (68m) television antenna mast, added in 1950, increased its total height to 1,472 feet (449m); the height was reduced to 1,454 feet (443m) in 1985 when the old antenna was replaced. The building site is in midtown Manhattan, on Fifth Avenue at 34th Street. Empire State Building’s famous antenna was originally to be a mooring mast for zeppelins, but the Hindenberg disaster put a stop to that plan. One airship accidentally met up with the building: a B25 crashing into the 79th floor on a foggy day in July 1945, killing 14 people.

Quite probably the biggest highlight of Empire State Building, at least for those not really in for curious architectural shapes, is taking the ear-popping lift to either the 86th or 102nd floor observation platforms for some amazing, even breathtaking views of New York City. In case you are going in a high tourist season (summer months and holidays) can entail a bit of waiting around in queues and in anti-terrorism checks, but it's worth it when you get there – just pick a bright and sunny day!

I had been to the top of the Empire State building about 10 years before and don't remember it being the complete disappointment that it was this time. If you like to stand in line, this is the place for you. Plus, you can't even go to the tippy top, they stopped that five years ago. You're going to the 86th floor observatory deck.

First, waiting in line to get the ticket takes a while. For me, it was a half hour, but it's often longer. Buy tickets beforehand at a nearby shop or I understand you can buy them online. They'll pitch you this "combo" package. It's a ticket to the top and also a ride/movie experience that takes you on a "helicopter ride" of the city. They say if you buy that, you'll get through the line faster. Um, not really. It might save you 15 minutes, but in the grand scheme of a two-hour wait, don't do it unless you really want to see the movie anyway.

Then they catch you when you get to the top. You have to stand in line again to get your photo taken. They won't let you bypass it -- how annoying. Another chance to make a buck.

Now you're at the top. Big deal. There's New York -- behind a fence with a lot of grafitti on it. Yes, I know for some it's just to say you've been to the top of the Empire State building. Make it last on your list if you've other things to see.

Now, you have to wait in line to get DOWN the darn thing. That was another 45 minutes. Ugh! Plus, it's not air conditioned, so prepared to be hot and sticky. The random fans give momentary relief -- until the line moves again.

In case you haven't already garnered this, I thought it was a huge waste of time and energy. Nothing like when Meg Ryan rushes to the top to meet Tom Hanks -- let me assure you. Do it if you must, but be prepared for lines and depending on the weather, a view that's not all that.

You can purchase tickets to go up to the 86th floor observation desk of the Empire State Building. Prepare to wait in long lines. I can't imagine how busy it must be in the summer, but even in March it was busy. Our total wait was about 2 hours. First you must wait in line to buy your tickets. However, if you plan on riding the Skyride (flight simulator ride), you do not have to wait in line. Though your ticket price then includes the ride. For adults, the combined ticket is $22 and the observation deck alone costs $12. You can also purchase an audio tour, which is $5.

You then wait in line down a long, enclosed corridor which is lined with fans to keep the air moving. Again, I can't even imagine what this would be like in the heat of the summer!

When you reach the 80th floor, they have you leave the elevators and then take your picture in front of a cheesy canvas which you can purchase later. Then you board another elevator where you climb up six more floors to the 86th. You exit through a gift shop out onto the observation level, which is outdoors. Visibility can certainly make or break your visit, so check the weather before you leave the hotel!

You must wait in line again when you leave the observation deck. You can now book your tickets ahead of time on the Empire State Building website.

Address:
350 5th Avenue

Directions:
1, 2, 3 or 9 (Seventh Avenue Lines), A, C or E (Eighth Avenue Subway) to 34th Street/Penn Station.

Phone:
(212) 947-1360

Website:
http://www.esbnyc.com/

Buy your tickets from the Visitor's Center in Times Square. The ticket lines are extremely long at the building itself. The Empire State Building offers fantastic views of the city on a clear day. Loved it!

We went to the top of the building at about 9pm on a clear late September night. This was not deliberately planned, but as it turned out, it would be difficult to imagine a set of conditions that would have been more ideal.

At the moment, it costs about $11 for an adult to ascend to the observation deck (your ears pop in the elevators). When we went, there was no queue or wait. Security is understandably airport-style, so be prepared to have your bags searched. You've also got to put up with the irritation of a souvenir photograph on the way up. You can decline to buy it on the way out if you want to, but you may have to be firm.

At the observation deck, there is a well-stocked souvenir shop, but I'm not sure the stuff there isn't available everywhere else. From there, you go out on to the observation deck which encircles the shop. The surrounding wall is reassuringly high (about 4 feet), and above that you've got strong mesh to prevent jumpers.

I've attached a photograph, but I can assure you my camera could not do justice to the spectacular panoramic views. You can look down on everything. The Chrysler Building is easy to pick out, and the Statue of Liberty, small as it is in relation to some other Manhattan sights, can also be picked out in the distance. The view really is as good as you would expect, provided you have the head for it. If you have a nervous disposition, I think I'd avoid gusty days.

Inside the building, there are some nice sights, particularly the coloured windows (see my other picture). Thoroughly recommended.