I was in New York City for a few days, and I had some time to explore. While I rode the subway for longer distances, I also walked to many of my destinations, because I wanted to savor the city on a beautiful day.

I couldn’t remember if I’d been in the Empire State Building. If I had, I was much younger and didn’t remember much about it. So much of it seemed familiar, but it could have been from the many movies and television shows that shoot scenes on the observation decks. I don’t think much has changed through the years, which makes it even more impressive. It must have been quite the project of architecture, engineering, artistry, and construction.

I walked around the deck on the 86th floor, but it was a bit crowded, so I proceeded to the 102nd floor with a smaller group. I paused more as I looked in every direction. It was a clear day, and I tried to identify as many landmarks as I could. I stood the longest as I gazed toward lower Manhattan. There is something that pulls me toward the World Trade Center area at least every other time I’m in the city. This time, I focused on One World Trade Center. I’d never been to the Observatory. It wasn’t on my plans for the day, but staring at it from the Empire State Building changed that.

I made my way back to ground level then below it for another quick subway ride. I made my way to One World Observatory and bought a ticket to hop on the elevator immediately. The graphics on the elevator ride were impressively creative. I decided it is one part educational, as it portrays the city’s growth in the area, and one part distraction, since the elevator is one of the fastest in the world. Once off the elevator, there’s an amazing portrayal of the sights and sounds of NYC before screens are lifted, revealing the massive view of the city. I meandered around the 102nd floor, taking in the views and people-watching. I stood and looked at the Empire State Building, where I’d been the previous hour—on the 102nd floor.

There were some similarities between the two observation decks but also some significant differences. The old and the new. There was tradition and history in the old. There seemed to be a heavy stability to it. The new had a lightness to it. The 360 degree floor to ceiling glass had a lot to do with it, but there was also space. The old allowed for a fresh air experience. The new allowed for a floating feeling. The old has a history of original design and hard-fought construction at the time when machinery couldn’t do what it does now. The new seems birthed out of tragedy yet focuses on the abilities of today and invitation to tomorrow.

We can celebrate both. Perhaps that’s why I was drawn to the 102 floors that day. I stood in the old and looked at the new. I stood in the new and looked at the old. The observation decks of the old and new are important places to pause from time to time. We can’t quite contextualize one without the other.