isn't it wonderful walking here ?   what do you mean ?   I mean look at all these magnificent tall buildings around us .   yes , look over there . That's the Empire State Building . My book says it's 102 stories tall .   it's quite famous but don't you think it looks a bit old-fashioned ?   you're right , but when it was built in 1930 it was a marvel of technology and engineering .   what other important buildings are we going to see on Fifth Avenue ?   quite a number . Actually every skyscraper has a history . A few blocks ahead we'll see St.Patrick ' s Cathedral and just across the street will be the world-renowed Rockefeller Center . It's a landmark   what's there after that ?   well then , there's a Central Park . Facing the park on Fifth Avenue is probably some of the most expensive properties in the world .   what are all they for ?   most of them are office buildings , huge department stores , and hotels but some are just private homes . New York is one of the financial centers of the words so there are lots of very expensive places . 