Enjoying the view of New York City from the Top of the Rock Observatory is one of the most amazing experiences you can have during your trip. Top of the Rock is one of those places to visit in any season, many times in your life, because the view is spectacular.

Located in the Rockefeller Center complex, 30 Rockefeller Plaza is the building that has the Top of the Rock Observatory as its main attraction. For those who don’t know it, Rockefeller Center is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in New York City.

The complex is located between 48th Street and 51st Street, with entrances from Fifth or Sixth Avenue, and has dozens of shops and restaurants. During the winter, the famous skating rink is set up, the backdrop for several films and television series. In December, the highlight is the giant Christmas tree with thousands of lights and beautiful decorations.

The Top of the Rock Observatory is located at the top of the 70-storey building, known as 30 Rockefeller Plaza, in the Rockefeller Center complex.

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History

Built in 1933, the building is only the 14th tallest in New York at 259 metres, but its differential is its privileged location in the heart of Manhattan.

Course of the visit

After passing the security procedure, everyone is directed to a room where films are shown about the construction of the building and the birth of banker David Rockefeller’s daring project. This place is nothing special, it serves as a distraction when the queue is too long to wait for the lift to the top of the attraction.

Before getting on the lift to the observation deck, the experience offered by Top of the Rock is quite simple compared to the renewed Empire State or One World Technology Observatory.

The main highlights are the Top of the Rock observation decks, located on the 69th and 70th floors. The view of the Empire State Building is breathtaking. On a clear day, you can also see One World and even the Statue of Liberty at the southern tip of Manhattan.

On the other side of the observatory is Central Park. Although some of the tallest buildings obstruct the view, it is still ideal for taking pictures of the city’s most famous park. Top of the Rock has no time limit, meaning you can stay at the observatory for as long as you like.

The average length of visits is 2 hours to enjoy the view, take pictures, shop at the official shop. The view of New York from above is always impressive, day and night.

I recommend visiting the observatory in the morning, which is very quiet with queues compared to other times of the day. If you want to visit in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset, I recommend that you go up 2 hours before the scheduled evening. This way you can enjoy the view during the day and also at night.

A visit to Top of the Rock at night allows you to see a fully illuminated New York City, but the view of Central Park is altered because the park does not have artificial lighting throughout.

The attraction requires all visitors to make an appointment in advance at the ticket office. To programme the time, simply present the voucher the day before or the same day of the visit and check the time for programming. I recommend that you go to the ticket office in the morning, so you will find more hours available, especially if you want to enjoy the sunset. Programming is necessary to avoid huge queues and visitors with appointments have priority access.

Timetables

Open every day from 8am to 12am (last lift at 11pm).

Adult Ticket $38 32 euros
Child Ticket $32 27 euros (ages 6 to 12, under 6 is free)
https://www.topoftherocknyc.com

How to get there

The entrance to the Top of the Rock is easily accessible on foot or by metro, with several stations around the Rockefeller Center complex. The observatory is just a 10-minute walk from Times Square.

30 Rockefeller Plaza – entrance at 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.

by underground :
Use lines B, D, F and M
Get off at 47-50th Street/Centre Rockefeller station.

https://goo.gl/maps/wF9zYFbXcEav4gCb9