Thursday, July 23, 2015

Van in New York City (3)
The City from Above - World One Observatory and Empire State Building


Hey guys,

to finish up my Van in New York City series, I've chosen a topic giving you an impression how NYC looks from above.

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is located at 5th Avenue, Midtown Manhattan and it's within 10-15 min walking distance from the Times Square (north) and the Flatiron Building (south). With its 443 m height, it was the highest building of NYC until the WTC One 2013 was finished.
At the 86th floor in 381 m height you can enjoy a 360° view over NYC, including Central Park, Hudson River, Brookly Bridge and Times Square. It's open from 8am to 2am and for an extra charge you can visit the 102th floor if you want to. At nightfall until midnight, the building is illuminated with different colors. Without a special occaision, the color is white and for special occaisions the color changes like to green and red during christmas time or orange at Halloween.
We've chosen to visit the top of the Empire State Building at night to have a romantic view over the lighted city. It was really amazing and I'd like to give you some impressions of the view. Unfortunately, it was very windy during this time and it started to rain quite soon after we've arrived on top. So we weren't so long outside because it was uncomfortable and hard to take pictures at the end. The following collage shows my best shots from top of the Empire State Building without any rain. :-)

The World Trade Center - One World Observatory

Some days before we arrived in NYC, we got the information that the visitor platform of the World One Observatory just had opened some days before. It was no question that we directly bought tickets to visit the platform to have the 'see forever' view. 

The World One Observatory is located in the Financial District and it's open from 9am to 8pm. Tickets are available in 15 min intervalls. The visit is not included in the New York Pass until know. The building is 1776 ft high (year of the Declaration of Independence), what's around 541 m making it the highest building of the Western world.

You get to the platform at the 100th floor with a elevator, having a screen inside that shows you where exactly the elevator is located during the ride.
The visit starts with a 2 min presentation about NYC and the history of the WTC before the doors are open to visit the Oberservatory. We've bought tickets for 7.30pm to 'see forever' during sunset and until it gets dark. Even if the weather was a little bit cloudy the view was great, maybe not 'forever' but definitely beyond description.
The cars in the streets were so small and it was nearly impossible to recognize any people on the streets. I assumed little black moving dots as people walking along the streets and because I know that NYC is full of people. ;-)
I know that pictures do not really express the feelings and the impressions you have standing in 541 m height enjoying a view at NYC, but I try to give you an idea of how the view is.
Again, the visit and the view was incredible. I could have sit 'forever' at the window, looking at this fabulous amazing city.
I'm very thankful that we had the chance to visit the World One Observatory during our holidays in NYC and I definitely recommend buying tickets if you are in New York.

The Helicopter Flight over New York City

My third and final view at NYC seen from a bird's-eye perspective was out of a helicopter. The flight was a birthday present from my boyfriend and his family. We've booked the flight with Liberty Helicopters and the 12 min-tour was called 'The Big Apple'. I've also uploaded the video of the flight on my YouTube channel so that you can check it out.  So, this kind of perspective definitely overtops the other two concerning heigh. ;-)

At the end I can say that every of these three experiences was incredible and unique at its own. 

At which place in the world did you enjoy an incredible view from top?
I would be happy to know it! :-)

Kisses,
Van

4 comments:

  1. I really want to go to New York City and your post makes me want to go even more!

    Ellen,
    http://fishnetsxd.blogspot.ie

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad that you like it.
      If you visit NYC and you have any questions, just let me know I'd be happy to share more tips! :-)

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  2. How beautiful! What a great idea to go at night, it sounds just lovely looking down at the lights with a person you love. :D

    http://perlasancheza.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you! Yes, it was! I can definitely recommend it! If you ever go, I wish you the best time =)

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