Buildings and Architecture in North America

Brooklyn Bridge is an architectonic icon. When it opened in 1883, it was a revolutionary masterpiece by being the longest suspension bridge in the world. The boardwalk above the car lanes is perfect for a stroll across East River and a great option for enjoying the Manhattan skyline from the distance. The areas where the bridge starts and ends are surprisingly dull and uninviting, so you normally end up going back the same way, another 1825 m (5989 ft.).

After the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building is probably the most well-known icon of New York City. It was completed in 1931 as the tallest building (381 m or 1,250 ft.) in the world with 102 floors, a title it kept for 41 years. Today, it is still the tallest building in New York after the destruction of the World Trade Center (417 m or 1,368 ft.). Strangely enough, the Empire State Building has also been hit by a plane. In 1945, a small US B-25 bomber flew into the 79th floor by accident, killing 11 office workers along with the plane's three crew members. Luckily, the building kept standing, so we today can enjoy the magnificent views of New York from the outside observation deck right at the top.