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

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

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

Lightings

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

Features

Embark on an Adventure: Fun Stuff to Do in NYC

Lightings

Chrissy Teigen and Two Friends Light Up ESB for JBL Fest

Hoda and Jenna at ESB's Construction exhibit

Celebrity Visits

WATCH: Hoda & Jenna Reflect on Five Years with TODAY at ESB

TODAY duo Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager visited the Empire State Building to celebrate their five-year anniversary with the show in mid-April. Just before they flipped the famous switch, Hoda & Jenna took time to chat about their beloved partnership in an ESB Exclusive.

Lightings

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.

Exclusive Events

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

Lightings

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

Lightings

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.

Lewis Hamilton races in front of the Empire State Building

Exclusive Events

ESB Hosts Street-to-Observatory Takeover with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 and WhatsApp

The Empire State Building teamed up with Mercedes-AMG and WhatsApp for a takeover that spanned from its world-famous Observatory Experience down to its Fifth Avenue front door on April 29 and 30.