One of the best-known skyscrapers in the world, the Empire State Building, completed in 1931, was the world’s tallest building (with 102 floors), until the World Trade Center was built in Lower Manhattan in 1972. Since then, other taller buildings came along in other cities around the world, such as the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower (both in Chicago), and the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai.

Nevertheless, many tourists are still drawn to the Empire State Building to visit the observation deck on the 86th floor. There, one can see impressive 360-degree views of New York City. There is also a smaller observation deck on the building’s 102nd floor. Interestingly, the Empire State Building generates more income from ticket sales to its observation decks than from office rentals. Various television and radio stations have transmitting antennas located at the top of the building.

On the Empire State Building’s first floor (facing 5th Avenue) is a Walgreen’s drug store, and a “Heartland Brewery” restaurant (known for its distinctive craft beers and burgers).