Manhattan

New Year’s Eve in Times Square

New Year’s Eve in Times Square?  That’s a no-brainer, right?  Crowds of people packed like sardines standing for hours just waiting for the magic moment when the Waterford Crystal Ball drops at midnight. Fuhgettabout it! Take it from The Squire; you deserve a better New Years’ Eve experience.  And you … Read more

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Monarch Rooftop Lounge

If you were one of the millions of viewers glued to your television screen last year during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade you’re certain of one thing.  It just keeps getting better year after year.  And let’s face it.  That is definitely not true of most things today. With … Read more

Thrilling Halloween Lights

If you’ve ever been to New York City for the annual Halloween Parade, you can’t miss out on the LED Tower Music-to-Light show from the Empire State Building. Every year, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT) partners with mass media entertainment company iHeartMedia to “treat” viewers to a spectacular performance with bright lights and popular music – no “tricks” involved here, just some really cool entertainment New York style.

The Empire State Building tower lights are lit in a show to celebrate Halloween, Friday, October 31, 3014.
Photo Courtesy of ESB.

This year’s show began on Saturday, October 31 at 6:45 PM and was simulcast on radio stations z100 and KTU 103.5. An encore performance was played at 10:00 PM on z100 just in case people missed the first show while they were out partying at the parade.

The Facts

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New Yorker or not, the Empire State Building is a building that gets a lotta love.  It’s one of the most recognizable icons in Manhattan and is a huge part of American culture. Spanning 102-stories, it’s the fifth tallest building in the U.S. It is famously lit year round in colors to commemorate various holidays and events including the 4th of July, Christmas, and of course, Halloween. Perhaps you’ll also remember when the building was lit in rainbow lights last July to celebrate the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.

Even those who have never stepped foot within our concrete jungle will recognize the building as King Kong’s famous perch where the he swatted helicopters from the skies like flies. Or, when Will Ferrell visited New York City as an overgrown “Elf” named Buddy, he pushed all of the buttons inside the skyscraper’s elevator and remarked that the lights made the buttons look like a Christmas tree. It’s hard to believe but the building has been in over 250 movies since it was completed in 1931!

The Sounds

The LED tower lights were synchronized to the music played by iHeartMedia’s radio stations and included the following Halloween-themed songs:

  • “Disturbia” by Rihanna
  • “E.T.” by Katy Perry
  • “The Addams Family” theme song
  • “Ghostbusters” theme song
  • “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell

The Sights

The light show was easily visible to those in the Midtown area, including the parade goers of Greenwich Village along the entire parade route.  This year marked their 42nd annual celebration.

For more amazing light shows including those of past Halloween’s, be sure to check out the Empire State Building YouTube channel.

Here are some great locations to visit for a public viewing for next year’s show:

  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • Bryant Park
  • The Highline
  • Hoboken / Jersey City Waterfront
  • Hudson River Esplanade
  • Long Island City
  • Madison Square Park
  • Tribeca Park
  • Union Square
  • Williamsburg Waterfront

Manila in Manhattan

New York is one of the few cities where menus know no ethnic bounds. Yet Filipino food remains foreign to many New Yorkers, an unfamiliar fare that I’ve discovered is delicious. As I stepped into Maharlika, an inviting 40-seat East Village eatery that could easily get lost in the shuffle … Read more

Killer Tweets: Mike Albo’s The Junket

“im in jamaica. pullin into giant city-resort. photogs taking our pics often. i wld feel gross abt all this if i wasnt so poor.”  Abbreviated and trivial, those twenty-five words are what triggered Mike Albo’s firing from The New York Times in 2009.  They likewise served as a catalyst for … Read more

Barbecue – America’s Summer Obsession

 If you’re like me, you might think that all the “To Do Before You Die” lists and books are foolish. Unless, of course, the list or book in question involves a particular passion or in my case a certifiable weakness – barbecue. Barbecue is one of America’s greatest gastronomic obsessions. … Read more

Big Apple Downtown Drink Tour

Everybody knows New Yorkers know how to drink.  This summer, play like a local and try out one of these famed rooftop bars without missing out on the sights that make this city great.  Skip the cab tab, and instead hop on and off at any of the CitySights bus … Read more

Summer Travel Plans

Birds are a-chirping, sun is a-shining, and your summer is a-empty. No travel plans yet? We’ve got you covered, no matter what kind of vacationer you are. Hey, you might as well travel now—2012 just might be your last summer ever. The First-Class Flier: When cash flow isn’t an issue, … Read more