The building was constructed in just 410 days, averaging 4.5 floors per week.
A B-25 Mitchell bomber accidentally crashed into the 79th floor of the building in dense fog in 1945.
The building has its own zip code, 10118, to handle its massive volume of mail.
More than 57,000 tons of steel were used during the frame construction.
The spire was originally designed as a mooring mast for commercial dirigibles, though this was never effectively implemented.
The building's height is measured at 1,250 feet to the roof, while its tip extends to 1,454 feet.
The lobby features a famous wall relief of the building itself, incorporating an aluminum outline of the structure.
The building's lighting colors are frequently changed to honor holidays, sports teams, or cultural events.
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. Completed in 1931, it held the title of the world's tallest building for 40 years. It features two primary observatories: the open-air 86th-floor deck and the enclosed 102nd-floor floor-to-ceiling glass observatory. The building's exterior is illuminated by a dynamic LED system capable of displaying millions of color combinations. Its structural design incorporates a distinct stepped-back configuration dictated by the 1916 Zoning Resolution. The interior lobby is a designated New York City landmark, restored to its original 1930s gold and aluminum leaf art deco design. Visitors access the upper levels through high-speed elevators that reach the observatories in under one minute. The building serves as a commercial office center while hosting permanent museum-style exhibits detailing its construction history.
The southwest corner of the 86th-floor open-air deck provides the clearest view of the Midtown skyline.
Download the official observatory app before arrival for an interactive guided tour.
Book reservations online in advance to bypass the primary ticket purchasing queue.
Consider visiting the 86th floor at sunset to see both daylight and nighttime city transitions.
Do not visit during heavy cloud cover or rain, as the outdoor deck visibility will be severely compromised.
Open 365 days a year, including all holidays.
