Big Spender: Want to take in the views from the Empire State Building like a VIP? Be prepared to pay $500

The pitch

These days, those who are seeking a sky-high view of New York City have options aplenty. Earlier this month, One Vanderbilt, the recently opened Midtown office building, started welcoming visitors to its Summit observatory, located on the 91st to 93 floors. Another relative newcomer is Hudson Yards’ Edge, a key attraction at the mega office/residential/shopping development. There’s also the rebuilt World Trade Center in lower Manhattan and its One World Observatory.

But don’t forget the Empire State Building, which…