Make like King Kong and go to the top

Word to the wise: For USD 10 splurge on the iView tour, an entertaining collection of stories and facts about the building and seven particular views from the top.

For 41 years, the 102-storey Empire State Building was the highest building in the world. Though it’s lost the title, King Kong’s favorite skyscraper is still New York’s highest.

At the top is a 200-foot-high steel platform for a giant broadcasting antenna. At the time of construction, designers imagined it to be a mooring dock for dirigibles, but since the balloon-shaped aircraft never caught on, the idea was scrapped.

Two observatories – at the 86th and 102nd floors – are open daily until 2am and offer a thrilling 360-degree view. Lending some Gotham-style atmosphere on the 86th floor is a live saxophonist who plays Thursday to Saturday nights from 10pm - 1am.

The top 30 floors are illuminated by floodlights, which were originally designed to transform the Empire State into a nighttime attraction for the 1964 World’s Fair. These days, the lights change color to celebrate various causes and holidays.