NYT
Couple Climbs Needle of Empire State Building
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
A couple climbed the exterior needle of the Empire State Building and unfurled a black banner, according to video posted on Instagram. One person proposed to the other during the climb. The Empire State Building's needle is approximately 203 feet tall and sits atop the building's roof at a height of 1,454 feet above street level.
Original reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/01/nyregion/empire-state-building-climbers.html