During my trip, there were so many observation decks to choose from; however, the Empire State Building is the number 1 attraction in New York, as well as winning TripAdvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice awards, so it was a no-brainer! The Empire State Building defines the New York City skyline, and there’s no wonder it’s the most photographed building in the world; it’s absolutely stunning!
The all-access tour starts with the ultimate ESB experience, where you go through a private entrance into a celebrity green room – a place that’s exclusive for the most famous guests who visit. This was so exciting, seeing all the memorabilia and photos from all the people who have visited before! Then you have a guided tour, skipping the queues, to New York’s most iconic observation deck, the 102nd floor! I was absolutely stunned, a whole 360 panoramic view of the entire city – I was lost for words. The floor-to-ceiling windows, breathtaking views at every angle, ensuring you see the whole of Manhattan and all New York City’s iconic landmarks, make it truly one of the most once-in-a-lifetime must-visit attractions. The view is so iconic that you can see 80 miles into the distance; on a clear day, you can even see six states.
Floating throughout the building, I was getting shudders of nostalgia. The Empire State has featured in over 250 films, including the cinematic King Kong, Superman II, and, of course, my favourite, ELF! I felt quite emotional seeing it for myself; every view felt surreal, looking over the city, knowing these iconic moments from the comfort films we grew up watching were captured right here. It was like stepping into the screen, that mix of movie magic and real life colliding in the most breathtaking way.
On the ground floor, you can treat yourself to a coffee at the Starbucks Reserve restaurant, a more premium version of the original, selling unique coffees, artisan food, and signature cocktails. They also have an array of restaurants, from quick eats to a more sit-down breakfast, lunch, and dinner! On the ground floor, they have one of the most iconic Empire State Building stores, filled with one-of-a-kind merchandise, from gorgeous books on the city to luxury knitwear. The whole day from start to finish, was beautiful.
Written by Danielle Tobin for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International