Top of the Rock Observation Deck: Visiting the Rockefeller Center
Unparalleled 360-degree views, 70th floor, right in the center of Manhattan, this is the famous Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center in New York. Do you want to tick off this bucket experience from your list? Read our visitors guide where we share how to get to the Top of the Rock, when is the best time to visit, how much cost the ticket, or what views you can expect.
New York is a city where, when it comes to observation decks providing visitors with stunning views over the top landmarks, a traveler must choose carefully, which one is worth the time and money.
Well, we almost want to scream loud that all of them are great, but sure, there's a selection process that must be made unless your time in the city is unlimited and your pockets bottomless.
The Big Apple is a unique place in many ways, and the number of skyscrapers and viewpoints is for sure one of the reasons why we, after a year of traveling around South America, decided to enjoy in this very city the last stop on the way home.
Probably the most famous viewing platform has the Empire State Building, but we have one more tip that you should definitely include on the list of must-visit places in New York, and it is Rockefeller Center's Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
This place simply called the Top of the Rock, stands in one of the busiest areas of the city, and thanks to the accessibility and proximity to some of the tourist highlights such as Central Park, Times Square, or Museum of Modern Art, it is clear that the views from the very top will be stunning.
The Top of the Rock in the Rockefeller Center is for sure one of the most touristy places in New York, and even though we often like exploring off the beaten paths, we see no reason why not to go with the flow this time.
Rockefeller Center is a large complex of buildings, and it is a shopping and business area that occupies several streets in Midtown Manhattan.
The construction started in the 1930s and we can, with a bit of exaggeration say, that it never ended, because buildings have been going through renovations since then.
Even though your main point of interest is the Top of the Rock, make sure you walk around, as the number of high buildings, some of them have famous tenants such as Radio Music Hall, and plazas, create a very lively place.
In this travel guide, we would like to share with you our experience from visiting the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center, including practical information on how to buy a ticket, when is the best time to visit, what you need to pack, or how to get there.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We spent an incredible day in New York, when we walked around Times Square, visited the MET, then we were in Central Park, admired shops on Fifth Avenue, and we finished the day at the Rockefeller Center.
Without even planning it, we accidentally visited an observation deck every evening, one time it was the Empire State Building, then the Vessel near New York's High Line and the last night in the City that never sleeps was dedicated to visiting the Top of the Rock.
We found the entrance easily because there was already a line and the traditional red carpet.
We had to wait a bit until a doorman let us in because it was already time for our time slot.
If you want to be at the observation deck at a specific time, make sure you arrive a bit early, because it takes a while to get through the security, and then you need to wait for the elevator that will take you to the viewing platform.
Once you enter the Rockefeller Center, you'll be blown away by a chandelier comprising of 14 000 crystals from Swarovski.
In case you have already your tickets, carry on, if not, you have to go to the counter first.
We had our City Pass and everything went smoothly, so after our bag was scanned, we were guided to elevators, where we had to wait a bit in line.
The wait was not boring, because we could read the story behind the history and construction of the Rockefeller Center.
Then it was finally time to get to an observation deck, which is approximately 260 meters above street level.
OBSERVATION DECK
The Sky Shuttle, which is the nickname for the high-speed elevator took us first to the 67th floor alias the Radiance Wall.
In less than one minute! Close to the Radiance Wall, you can see the iconic photo of construction workers sitting on a steel beam high above the city.
The second deck out of three is on the 69th floor and is outdoors, but the same as the previous floor has glass and metal enclosures.
For the best view, go even one floor higher.
The 70th floor offers incredible views of New York from above.
Unobstructed 360-degree views offer perfect photo opportunities for photographers, but even regular travelers will stand here in awe for a while.
Only a couple of minutes ago we left the busy streets of New York, and now, we were on the top of the world, where we could hear only voices of our fellow travelers buzzing with excitement.
As it was the last day of our visit to New York, we stayed here for a while, enjoying the moment, and we also liked the fact that we could recognize many landmarks we visited only days before.
When we started feeling cold, we took the elevator to the ground floor, and then it was time to find a metro station and get back to our hotel.
TOP OF THE ROCK TICKETS
Jaw-dropping views do not come cheap, but we rather saved on food than on experiences in New York.
How do you purchase a ticket for visiting the Top of the Rock and how much things cost?
The general admission costs 38 USD per adult, which is not exactly a budget-friendly price, but after the visit, we had a feeling it was worth it.
We highly recommend you to buy your ticket in advance before your visit, in order to avoid standing in line.
Another advantage is that when booking online, you select an exact time and date.
In case you buy a ticket at the office box, there's a possibility that your desired time frame won't be available.
If you want to buy the ticket but do not know the exact time when you arrive by the Rockefeller Center, you can either buy it and change the time and date later, or it is possible to buy an unscheduled ticket.
Once you show up at the Top of the Rock, you can exchange your unscheduled ticket for a regular ticket - again, the disadvantage can be that your preferred time won't be available plus you will have to go to the counter first.
The busiest time of the day is sunset, and during this time the ticket costs 10 USD extra - it seems to us though, that this rule applies only when you book your tickets via the official website.
Another option is to buy your ticket via this authorized seller where you can select the time and date as well.
If you are visiting more top sights in New York, consider purchasing New York CityPass.
This ticket allows you to visit 6 top New York attractions, Top of the Rock included.
Once you get your CityPass, validate the number via this official site and select the time and date for your visit.
If you are pressed for time or want to enjoy special treatment, consider purchasing a VIP ticket.
HOW LONG DO YOU NEED AT TOP OF THE ROCK
On average, people spend at the observation deck anything between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
As we really enjoyed the sweeping views, we stayed there close to an hour and a half, but that's probably an extreme.
It is also necessary to say that we were in New York at the end of May and the weather was quite warm, had it been colder, we would have stayed for a shorter period of time.
To make sure you are on time, arrive at the entrance at least fifteen minutes before your pre-booked time.
Also, it takes at least twenty minutes from entering the building to accessing the observation deck, so if you want to be at the top for a specific time, take it into account.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
When it comes to the time of the day, the most sought-after time is the sunset, but every other time is wonderful up there as long as the visibility is fine.
In case the weather does not play along, you can postpone your visit, just contact the helpdesk.
We would say it does not matter if you are in New York in the summer or winter, the views from above are always stunning, just be prepared for more severe conditions between November and March.
OPENING HOURS
The Top of the Rock observation deck is now open 365 days a year from 1 PM to 9 PM.
However, opening hours change, so make sure to double-check before you go.
We visited the site during the sunset and then waited for the light to fade away, and the experience was incredible.
IS TOP OF THE ROCK WORTH IT?
With so many skyscrapers and viewing platforms, you might be wondering whether it is worth it to visit the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.
Well, it is really hard to say which viewpoint is the best, especially when you realize that the city is constantly growing and it offers new attractions such as One World Trade Center near The 9/11 Museum and Ground Zero Memorial.
According to our experience, the Top of the Rock was worth it.
It is the building which is tightly connected with the history of the construction boom in New York, the views are beautiful, and we think it is one of the best things to see and do in New York a traveler should not miss.
It is also good to know that you can be on the deck as long as you want (your limit is only the closing time), which is another plus for visiting this landmark.
HOW TO GET THERE
The official entrance is on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, and it is easily accessible either on foot in case you are exploring the area on foot or by public transport.
Even though it is possible to use the garage in the center, we think it is much better to avoid traffic in Manhattan.
We got around New York solely by subway, so take a metro B, D, F, or M, depending on your schedule and get off at 47th-50th Street Rockefeller Center station.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHAT TO PACK
Always consider conditions outside when you are deciding on what to wear when visiting the Top of the Rock.
You'll be outside, at 260 meters, so the wind here is much stronger, and it also gets cold here.
Wear comfortable jeans or leggings, sneakers, and a windbreaker.
Have also a daypack with you, but make sure you do not have inside any sharp objects, weapons, and photographers are not allowed to bring tripods as well.
WHERE TO STAY IN MANHATTAN
Manhattan is a popular area when it comes to tourist accommodation.
If you want to stay in the very core of New York, close to some of the top attractions, make sure you make your booking well in advance.
This will give you a chance to secure a room for a decent price.
Manhattan is also well-accessible by public transport, so it is a great place for basing yourself as you can explore the city from here.
Below you can find our suggestions on the top hotels in the area for every type of traveler.
Cheap-ish Mid-range | Carlton Arms Hotel - Yes, the decor of this hotel is a bit quirky, but on the other hand, you will find here everything you need for a reasonable price. And this is what matters. Plus the location could not be better.
Mid-range | The Hotel at Fifth Avenue - The name of this hotel already says where you can find it, but that's not it. Comfortable, classically furnished rooms and friendly staff makes from this hotel a place to stay.
Luxury | Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel - Great, modernly-equipped hotel offers its guest touch of luxury and amazing views of New York. For the best experience, ask for a higher floor.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
