The observation deck Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center welcomes more than three million visitors each year, offering breathtaking views of New York City. This is no surprise, as from the upper levels of Rockefeller Center you can see every corner of Manhattan. From here, you can admire Central Park and Times Square, as well as see the Empire State Building.
If you are visiting New York for the first time, be sure to visit Top of the Rock. Stunning photos and unforgettable impressions are guaranteed.
History of the Top of the Rock observation deck
It all began in 1928. John D. Rockefeller Jr. planned to build a new opera house, but in October 1929 the Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred, followed by the Great Depression. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their jobs, so Rockefeller combined business with social impact: he invested his own money, employed 40,000 people, and built 14 original Art Deco buildings in record time.
The observation deck at Rockefeller Center opened to the public in 1933. By the autumn of 1935, it was receiving around 1,300 visitors every day. People came to enjoy the stunning 360-degree panoramic views, chat at the open-air bar, or ask questions to guides. The menu at the time included egg and tomato sandwiches for 30 cents, pies, and milkshakes for 15 cents. Souvenirs featuring Rockefeller Center were also sold.
An interesting fact: in the ranking of New York skyscrapers, Rockefeller Center ranks 22nd, and 47th in the United States. It is 122 meters shorter than the Empire State Building, but it is from here that you can capture the most beautiful photographs of that iconic skyscraper.
The observation deck operated until 1986, when it was closed due to high ticket prices, declining visitor interest, and the need to make space for the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor. It remained closed for nearly two decades and reopened only in 2005 under its current name, Top of the Rock.
What You Can See from Top of the Rock
The main entrance to the observation deck is located on the side of the central plaza of Rockefeller Center, on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue.
Thanks to its prime location, Top of the Rock offers one of the most scenic and expansive views of New York.
South View
- Empire State Building
- Lower Manhattan, including One World Trade Center
- In clear weather, even the Statue of Liberty and the bay
North View
- Central Park
- Residential areas of Upper Manhattan and beyond
- In the distance: Bronx and parts of Harlem
East View
- Chrysler Building
- Midtown Manhattan
- East River, Queensboro Bridge, and beyond them Queens and Long Island City
West View
- The Hudson River and New Jersey beyond it
- Port facilities and cruise terminals
The Beam Experience at Top of the Rock
This attraction recreates the famous 1932 photograph “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper,” showing workers sitting on a steel beam high above New York.
Visitors are lifted on a special platform to a height of about 3.5 meters (12 feet) above the 69th-floor observation deck. The platform slowly rotates 180 degrees, revealing views of Central Park and the city skyline.
The Beam Experience costs 25 US dollars for all visitors, including adults and children. The price includes a digital photograph taken during your experience.
Please note that The Beam is not included in the standard Top of the Rock ticket and is not part of tourist passes such as New York Pass. If you already have an entry ticket, you can purchase access on-site on the 68th floor near the attraction entrance.
Pros and Cons of Top of the Rock
Advantages:
➕ A legendary and famous building from the 1930s welcomes guests to its rooftop at a height of 260 meters
➕ One of the best viewpoints thanks to its central location in Manhattan, offering a truly panoramic and immersive city view
➕ A multi-level design allows unobstructed views without glass barriers in many areas and makes it easy to take great photos
➕ The best views of Central Park and the Empire State Building
Disadvantages:
➖ Aside from the views, there is not much to do at the top; there are very few indoor areas to spend time
➖ One of the most popular tourist spots, so there are almost always long lines
Tickets and Visiting
Purchase tickets on the official website rockefellercenter.com
General Admission: $34 to $61
Includes access to three levels of 360-degree views, the Welcome Gallery, indoor and outdoor terraces, as well as The Weather Room café and bar.
All-In Pass: $74 to $106
Includes Top of the Rock, SKYLIFT, and The Beam Experience (available only for advance online purchase).
Express Pass: $95 to $115
Skip-the-line entry, priority elevator access, and a 20 percent discount at the Top of the Rock shop.
VIP Pass: $190
VIP lounge access, no waiting lines, guided tour of the observation decks, SKYLIFT, The Beam Experience, a glass of champagne, a photo pass, and a 20 percent shop discount.
It is best to purchase tickets a few days in advance to avoid missing the sunset while waiting in line.
The entrance to the observation deck is located at 51 West 50th Street, New York, NY. You can get there by subway:
- Trains B, D, F, M to Rockefeller Center station
- Trains N, Q, R to 49 Street station
Look for the large red carpet and the sign “Observation Deck.”
