Seventh day in New York, the day of the views from the top. In the morning, Top of the Rock and its new attractions, in the afternoon a guided tour of Carnegie Hall, and in the evening the Empire State Building at sunset. If you’re torn between the two observatories, here’s my take: do both, but for different reasons.
Waking up in Chelsea and walking to Midtown
Another morning with the skyline outside the window of the SpringHill Suites, then a walk to Midtown between yellow cabs and dizzying buildings, all the way to Rockefeller Center.
Top of the Rock, the best view of the Empire State Building
Top of the Rock, at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, has in my opinion the best view of New York, precisely because you can see the whole Empire State Building. On the other side, Central Park stretches out like a big green rectangle, lined by the ultra-thin towers of Billionaires’ Row: 53W53, the Solow Building and 111 West 57th Street.
The Beam and the Skylift
Two new attractions for those without a fear of heights. The Beam, a rotating girder that recreates the famous 1932 photo “Lunch atop a Skyscraper”, with eleven workers eating lunch above Manhattan. And the Skylift, a glass platform that rises even higher than the observatory for a 360° view. Honestly, it’s impressive.
Rockefeller Center and Carnegie Hall
On the way down we take time to wander around Rockefeller Center: more than 60,000 people work there and around 200,000 visitors pass through every week, between shops and restaurants.
In the afternoon, a guided tour of Carnegie Hall, booked on the official website. The legendary concert hall, opened in 1891, is even more beautiful inside, and the guide tells the stories of the great names who performed there.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Shake Shack
We wanted to try Ellen’s Stardust Diner, the 1950s diner where waiters climb onto the tables to sing, but the queue was far too long. Plan B: my very first Shake Shack. Very good, much better than fast food in France, and cheap for New York.
The Empire State Building at dusk
To end the day on a high, the Empire State Building. The museum on the ground floor is well worth it, and at the top there are displays celebrating 100 years of the Radio City Rockettes. On the 86th floor, at about 320 metres, heat lamps let you enjoy the view even in November.
We arrive right at dusk: the Financial District, One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty in the distance, then the UN headquarters, the East River and Queens on the other side. At night, it’s for me the most beautiful city view from any observation deck. And the spire, lit in a different colour almost every night since 1976, gives it a touch of Gotham City.
A lobster roll in Koreatown
One last tasty stop on the way down: my first real lobster roll, brioche bun, lobster and mayonnaise, at Cap’t Loui in Koreatown, a stone’s throw from the Empire State Building.
Also on Instagram that day
Practical info
- Top of the Rock: 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The Beam and the Skylift cost extra.
- Top of the Rock or Empire State Building? Top of the Rock to see the ESB and Central Park, the ESB for the night view and its museum.
- Empire State Building: the 86th-floor deck is heated, aim for sunset.
- Carnegie Hall: guided tours to book on the official website.
- Shake Shack: several locations in Manhattan, including Madison Square Park.