citylikeyou — The Empire State Building Observation Deck

New York / Place

Occasionally I’ll look at the Manhattan skyline and wonder what it was like in 1931 when people around the world were saying, “Holy shit, did you hear what they just built in New York?” Just get up there and trip out about humanity. And be sure to keep an eye out for the unmarked locked door guarding a set of stairs leading to a hidden terrace that was originally designed as a fucking docking station for zeppelins.

Address
The Empire State Building Observation Deck, 350 5th Avenue #300, New York, United States

Designer

Current city: New York

mikemake.com

Michael was born and raised in Seattle, and has lived in New York since 2009. He’s done graphic and interaction design for Pentagram and Local Projects, and is currently a designer at the Google Creative Lab.

More Places in New York 452

New York / Attraction

You can't say you've seen NYC until you've seen it from a boat. Hop on the ferry from anywhere to anywhere and you'll see what I mean. Not only will you see excellent old buildings and factories--the inner workings of the old industrial city--but you'll head out under working bridges and see the skyscrapers in all their towering glory. And once you've done it, do it again, at night.

New York / Library

The amazing sidewalks across the street from the New York Public Library.

New York / Shop

The Future Perfect is my favorite place to shop for furniture / interiors, or pick up a small gift for a friend. They have a perfect mix of beautiful and strange objects, some of my favorites include the Animal Butt Magnets, Shrigley Salt & Petter Shakers, and the Bank in the form of a Pig.

New York / Place

Mcgolrick Park at midnight in the snow. Any early morning with all the bums and drunks passed out on Nassau Avenue. NYC still looks best between 3am and 6am, just before the light comes in to shine on all its flaws.

New York / Place

Dead Horse Bay is about an hour and a half from lower Manhattan by public transit, but well worth the journey. There is so much glass on the beach that the waves make a soft tinkling sound as they roll in. It’s a scavenger’s dream, and glass isn’t the only thing you’ll find here. There are still plenty of horse bones to remind you where the place gets its name.