Top of the Rock

Out of all of the 'must see' things to do in New York City, a trip to the top of the Empire State building is pretty high on the list.

The only drawback is that the queues to reach the top of the 102 story building are immense - often taking an hour or more.

Plus, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, once you've got to the top of it, the beautiful New York skyline is missing it's most recognizable feature (because you're standing on top of it!)

Just a block over from where I work is an alternative. The GE Building - also known at 'The Rock' or misnamed The Rockefeller Centre by tourists (the real 'Rockefeller centre' encompasses several buildings, including mine.)

The General Electrics building is one of Fifth Avenue's most recognizable skyscrapers. Standing a stately 70 stories high, the GE Building is the 8th tallest building in New York city and offers outstanding views from what they call 'The Top of the Rock.'

What's more, this lesser-known tourist attraction features much shorter lines that the Empire State. It's a quick and painless process to file into the glass-roofed elevators that shoot you all the way to the top of this 850 feet art-deco icon.

At $17.50 per person, it's one of the most expensive elevator trips you'll ever take - but it's worth doing at least once to enjoy an unmatched view of Manhattan.