ESB Blog: Behind the Empire

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Five Things Guests Love About the Empire State Building Observatory - Tripadvisor's #1 Attraction in the World!

On June 25, the Empire State Building Observatory was named the #1 Attraction in the World – and #1 in the U.S. for the third consecutive year – in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. Find out what guests love about the Empire State Building Observatory!

Features

Why is there a Dragon on the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building declared allegiance to the King in a “Team Green” takeover that included a life-sized Iron Throne, cast visit, and a one-of-a-kind, 270-foot Vhagar the Dragon coiled around the building’s mast ahead of “House of the Dragon” Season Two.

Fireworks from the 86th Floor Observatory

Exclusive Events

Fourth of July in NYC 2024: Why You Should Celebrate at the Empire State Building

As one of the tallest buildings in the city, the Empire State Building offers a prime vantage point to witness fireworks shows in Manhattan and the surrounding areas, which includes the iconic Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks.

Features

Embark on an Adventure: Fun Stuff to Do in NYC

Rappelers descend the Empire State Building

Exclusive Events

Rappelers Make History at ESB as they Descend from the Building's Iconic Spire

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Lightings

Nicole Scherzinger at the Empire State Building

Lightings

Nicole Scherzinger Lights ESB to Celebrate the Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon celebrates the return of The Hill in New York for the third year at Empire Fulton Ferry in Brooklyn. The event launched on July 12 with a free concert headlined by Scherzinger.

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Cyndi Lauper Lights the Empire State Building to Celebrate Her Farewell Tour

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Babyface and D-Nice Light ESB in Red and Gold for the Apollo Theater's 90th Anniversary

Singer-songwriter & producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and DJ & record producer D-Nice visited the building to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony to honor the milestone and toured the Observatory Experience's immersive exhibits.

Lightings

Julius Randle Lights ESB to Honor NYC for MSK!

The Empire State Building shined blue to honor Memorial Sloan Kettering's 140th Birthday and to celebrate the first-ever "NYC for MSK" campaign.

The Empire State Building in red, white, and green.

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Pepe Aguilar Lights Up the Empire State Building with the Asociación Gilberto AC to Celebrate His New Album!

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Chrissy Teigen and Two Friends Light Up ESB for JBL Fest

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Alexandra Daddario Lights ESB for Children's Mental Health Awareness Day!

Actress and children's mental health activist Alexandra Daddario visited the Observatory Experience to flip the famous switch and tour the building's immersive museum. The actress posed for photos on the building's 86th and 102nd Floor Observatories.

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Vikas Khanna Lights ESB for City Harvest's "Share Lunch, Fight Hunger" Campaign

Michelin Star chef Vikas Khanna visited the "World's Most Famous Building" to flip the famous switch in a special lighting ceremony. The "MasterChef India" star toured ESB's Observatory Experience after the ceremony, and stopped for photos throughout its immersive exhibits on the way up to the iconic 86th and 102nd Floor Observatories.

Women's Sports Foundation Lighting Ceremony

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Billie Jean King Lights ESB to Celebrate the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 50th Anniversary

On May 2, the Empire State Building lit its iconic tower lights in blue, red, pink, and yellow to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Earlier that day, the “World’s Most Famous Building” hosted a lighting ceremony with tennis champion and social activist Billie Jean King, who founded the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974 after her legendary tennis career.