The viewing platform on the 86th floor (fortunately, there's an elevator), is now officially the highest in New York, following the collapse of the Twin Towers. A combo ticket with the New York Skyride is available for $17 per person; the ride itself is not great, but it can cut queuing times for the observation deck. The view from the top on a clear day is stunning - check out the Chrysler Building, downtown, Macys and Central Park for starters. When you're done, walking down the first six floors via the stairs can cut out a lot of queuing for the main elevator to take you back down to street level.

Our first visit to the Empire State Building was indeed a sobering one. As with so many things that changed on September 11th, the Empire State building sadly reclaimed its status as the tallest building in the New York City skyline. We had heard from several people on the streets that it was not open to the public, but we decided o make the walk from our hotel to 34th Street and Fifth Avenue. To our surprise and delight, it was open to visitors including the observation on the 86th floor. After paying our $9.00 fee, we were on our way to the top. It was a beautifully clear evening and the view from above was spectacular - light twinkling as far as the eye could see.

Also visible was the smoke rising from the site of the World Trade Center. Although you could not see the damage there - it was evident where the buildings once stood. Visitors gathered on the one side, most stood in silence, some talked about the fact that they never got to see or visit the Towers.

The 86th Floor Observation has returned to its normal schedule, opening daily 9:30 a.m. to midnight. It is fully accessible to the physically and visually challenged. The Gift Shop on the 86th floor is well stocked with memorabilia. Be sure to take a moment before you leave and have someone take your picture in front of the beautiful gold rendition of the building on the ground floor.

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A must for every visit to New York. Try to go on a day when it is not cold or windy, or cloudy. The views are fabulous. Just think Sleepless in Seattle. Sometimes the lines can be very long but they move very fast.

I never get tired of the view from up here. I have been here several different times with friends, my sister, and my boyfriend. It is usually very windy (you might want to bring a jacket). The line can be long, but I have never had to wait for more than 30 minutes. I always go at night. I think the city lights are what make the view interesting. To go up to the observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors costs $7 for adults and I think they only take cash. The view of the city truly is amazing. I always try to find the landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. The water and the bridges are great to look at too. My favorite thing is watching the traffic from way up high. It doesn't seem so stressful from a distance. This can also be a very romantic spot. My sister and I actually saw a young man propose to his girlfriend the night we went.