As much as I hate feeling like a tourist in my own city (I think it’s a New Yorker thing), Tommy and I braved the cold winds and the huge lines to take a trip to the Empire State Building. Only we would pick the coldest day of the season to spend time outdoors, 86 stories up. It was lit up in red, blue and orange for the NHL Winter Classic. Go Rangers!
Before we headed up into the sky, we filled up on some Chipotle. We both got burrito bowls and split some chips with guac. It’s also not a trip to Chipotle for me without an Izzie soda. I discovered the stuff the first time I ever ate at Chipotle and I always get one when I’m there. I love Chipotle and need to start a petition to bring one closer to my house. Anyone willing to sign? 
The lines to get into the building were only slightly ridiculous, but that’s what we get for going during one of the busiest times of the year. If our tickets weren’t expiring on Saturday, we probably would’ve waited until after the holidays. Luckily we were able to get passed the first huge line by convincing the security guy that Tommy is an employee of the building because his company has an office there. Unfortunately, the mean lady at the next checkpoint didn’t buy our story. We also ended up taking the stairs for the last six stories because it was either a 5 minute walk up or a 30 wait to take the elevator.
There’s something about the view, that when you get up there you seem to forget how aggravated you were standing in the lines for such a long time.
It was a perfectly clear night and you could see for miles.
My house is somewhere among these lights.
We tried to take a few pictures, but when you use the flash you can’t see the view and when you can see the view, you can’t see us. But the twinkling lights are prettier than we are anyway.
I’ve been lucky enough to go up to the top of every observatory in New York and I have to say that the World Trade Center really had the best observatory and I can’t wait until the Freedom Tower opens to check out that observatory. But if you’re coming to New York in the near future and want to go up to check out the view, shell out the extra three bucks and go to the Top of the Rock. The views are pretty much the same, but the crowds are almost non-existent there compared to the Empire State Building and the observatory itself it newer and nicer, at least in my opinion.
The only thing you don’t get to see at The Top of the Rock is King Kong!
Have a great Thursday!
Where do you take visitors to your city/town?
