Posted on 12/28/2014 9:57:26 AM PST by SamAdams76
The only disappointment was it was kinda rainy, so we couldn't go outside onto the deck. But it was pretty much floor to ceiling glass, so we could still see out over the city. There was a bank of pay phones up there at the time, so it was pretty cool to be able to call my mom from the top of the Empire State Building.
The Empire State Building. Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.
It was in the mid-90’s last time I went up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. My experience then was in most ways very different. I was struck by the red hanging banners with which the ground floor lobby was festooned; combined with the large posters and the grand architecture, my first reaction was that it looked like some alternate reality Nazi Germany from the original Star Trek television series. Quite beautiful but somehow ... fascist.
There was little in the way of a line until the 80th floor elevator switch, and even then it wasn’t really all that bad. The view was nice, quite breezy up there with the wind blowing up. I was informed that in past, less enlightened days, people would toss handkerchiefs and such off to watch it come wafting back. Not anymore with the security fencing, the building attracts nuts.
The budding behavior to match the graphics was on display at the restrooms, though. Chunky, rude ethnic women in too-tight blue uniforms barking orders to the tremendous line, single file, men and women all lined up together. Men’s room, women’s room, didn’t matter. A toilet in any of them became unoccupied, in went the next person. So very fair for men to have to wait just as long as women, you see.
All in all I enjoyed it since I love architecture. The old setup for dirigibles was fascinating although I can’t imagine coming off a passenger blimp tied to the top of a building of that height and marching down some sort of ramp that no doubt would have been shifting in the ever-present wind. But, I hated the mentality of the people running the show. I see it’s only gotten worse.
In all honesty, I’d have enjoyed seeing the Chrysler Building more, up close and from a similar vantage point, but to my knowledge that was not possible.
From experience, which informed me on more than one occasion that “I should have known better”, I have not much sympathy for bad experiences of people trying to go places in Manhattan where so many tourists want to go.
Symbols like the Empire State Building reflect very little of what Manhattan as whole is really like, for living or otherwise. Yes the view is great, but its better and more worth the expense from a helicopter tour.
I always tell visiting tourists that to see and enjoy Manhattan well, simply avoid anything, other than Broadway Shows, if it’s located between 34th & 59th Street and between 9th and 5th Avenue. Not even a single one of the best restaurants in town are located there.
There are certain remote places out west where, given enough money, I’d build my enclave and watch the river roll by for the rest of my days.
Hmmm. Put those back in, add a cell phone jammer to force their use and charge $20 to make a 2 minute phone call.
Some people would live nowhere else. I've been exposed to both country and city living so I can see the upsides of both (as well as the downsides).
I think what appeals to city dwellers is the fact that everything they could every want is close at hand - well, maybe except for space and privacy.
Never give your camera to someone else to take your picture, especially if there are naked pictures of your wife already on the camera.
Definitely Christmas week had a lot to do with the crowds. A lot of people are in town for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Now that’s one night I would rather not be in NYC!
I thought of this when I saw your headline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Empire_State_Building_shooting
FUNYC
Went to the 86th & 102nd floors at 13 in 1963. I can still remember PanAm helicopters ferrying passengers across at the PanAm Building. What’s that called these days?
Paternal Grandfather took me to NYC back when I was 12 or 13, so end of The Fifties. Had a blast! Had my first beer with Grandpa. I discovered that I didn’t like heights while at the observatory, later reaffirmed at the parachute drop on Coney Island!
I don’t know what to say to this. Go to NYC at Christmas time and be outraged by lines. Also outraged that once you get below Macy’s, the area looks seedy. It’s always looked seedy (old buildings, Korean businesses). It picks up again in Chelsea.
No kidding. It will be under control in a couple of weeks.
I forget the hotel we stayed at but it was something along the lines of a Best Western. There were mice. But we didn't care, we were in our mid-20s and the whole trip was an adventure for us.
Because there are shows, museums, points of interest. You should try it sometime.
Smart people know to keep out of Manhattan Christmas through New Years. It’s a zoo. Smart NYers avoid midtown during the same time or make sure they travel by train. A good guide book will warn about the Christmas season.
And try London if you think New York City tourist “traps” are expensive!
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