Visit Santa's Command Center

Legend has it that since 1931 Santa and his elves have relied on TV broadcasting equipment atop the Empire State Building to plan the reindeer's way around the world on Christmas Eve.

This year, for the first time ever, you can sneak a peek into Santa's Christmas Eve Command Center by looking through windows inside the lobby at the Empire State Building.

You can catch a glimpse of Santa and the elves mapping out their Christmas Eve route and tracking weather systems for the big night. You can even watch as Rudolph and the other reindeer take practice flights in a sleigh, weighed down with Christmas toys!

Everyone knows the Empire State Building glows red, white and green on Christmas Eve, but did you know those lights glow like a beacon from atop the city's tallest building to guide Rudolph and Santa as they circle the world with toys and gifts?

You see, Santa's sleigh is actually equipped with a super-powered navigation system that depends on the red, white and green lights to make its way around the world - all in one night!

For information on dates and times to check out Santa's Command Center, go to: www.esbnyc.com or visit the Empire State Building Information Center at 350 Fifth Ave. at 34th Street in Manhattan.- Liz Goff