This thread is about pictures of New York’s skyline that I took during my visit in August 2011. Let’s begin with the view from Empire State Building:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/New...yline_ESB.html
I visited Empire State Building in the late evening on Monday 22nd, the day after the small earthquake. The observation deck features 360 degrees views of New York. I also visited ESB in March 1998, also in the evening (on St Patrick's day, also on the evening, the top was green because of that). But it was a bit different now since when I looked to the south, I could see that World Trade Center was gone and was replaced by the new WTC under construciton. And when looking to the North, 2 new buildings have been added to the skyline, both with illuminated neon spires that changes color constantly; Bank of America Tower and Conde Nast Building. From now on Empire State Bldg will be called ESB.
To reach ESB:s observation deck on the 86th floor, we had to pass through 5 lines, take 2 different elevators, totally over one hour of queing and that was in the late evening! In my opinion it is more price worthy to see Top of the Rock, the observation deck at Rockefeller Center's GE Bldg, since the lines are much shorter, the fee is cheaper, it is closer to the Midtown skyscrapers and Central Park and you can actually see ESB from the observation deck. But after all, I think both observation decks are a must then you are in NYC! I chosed to visit Top of the Rock at daytime, and ESB after dark.
When looking to the North, 2 new buildings have been added to the skyline, both with illuminated neon spires that changes color constantly and have been built to compensate for the demolished radio transmitter on the destroyed WTC; Bank of America Tower and Conde Nast Building (middle). To the right you can see the illuminated GE Building, whose observation deck we visited daytime, and New York Times Tower to the left. The skyscraper with the pyramid shaped top is called One Worldwide Plaza and is situated immediately next to Times Square (note the neon lights). To the far left is New Jersey.
Note that the spires of Bank of America Tower and Conde Nast Building have different colours here! They are located betweedn Bryant Park (the illuminated greenery) and Times Square (left).
There is an annoying fenceon the observation deck that makes photographing a bit hard and explain that some of the pictures got a bit blurry (because you can't place a tripod and just zoom).
Here the 2 spires have changed color a 3rd time! The illuminated skyscraper o the far right is Citigroup Center.
Citigroup Center, Chrysler Bldg and Brooklyn can be seen to the right.
Chrysler Building, its nave looking spire is also illuminated after dark.
Times Square with all the neon lights.
The spire was blue this night. It is illuminated in different colours each night.
The top of Empire State Bldg looks different every night. The night we visited it was white, orange and blue (the mast). When I visited in 1998 it was St Patrick's day, and the top was green because of that!
Macy's, the world's largest store, doesn't look so large from the top of ESB!