Close message

Hi there. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Find out more about how we use cookies.

You can update your settings by clicking the Cookie Policy link which can be found anytime at the bottom of the page.

New York City Sights

Top of the Rock

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: architecture, views

  • Address
    • 30 Rockefeller Plaza at 49th St entrance on W 50th St btwn Fifth & Sixth Aves
  • Transport
    • B, D, F, V to 47th-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center, E, V to Fifth Ave-53rd St
  • Website
  • Price
    • adult/child/senior $21/14/19
  • Hours
    • 8:00am-midnight; last elevator at 11pm

Correct these details

Lonely Planet review for Top of the Rock

This open-air observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center first wowed New Yorkers back in 1933. Designed in homage to ocean liners popular in the day, it was an incredible place – 70 stories above Midtown – from which to view the city. But it became off-limits for almost two decades starting in 1986, when renovation of the stunning Rainbow Room restaurant five floors below cut off access to the roof. The observation deck was reopened with much fanfare in 2005, and since then it’s been proving to be an even better bet than the Empire State Building: it’s much less crowded and has wider observation decks that span several levels – some are indoors, some are outside with Plexiglass walls and those at the very top are completely alfresco. Though the Chrysler Building is partially obscured, you do get an excellent view of the Empire State Building, as well as Central Park’s perfect patch of green. The very cool, multimedia-enhanced elevator ride to the top is an exciting bonus.

 

Traveller reviews for Top of the Rock (2)

  • Avatar
    To write a review sign in, register or   Connect_light_large_long
    Recommend
     
    Add your experience “ ”
    Say more…
  • Avatar

    Breathtaking

    kaotikbb recommends this,

    report
  • Avatar

    Top of the Rock Rocks!

    raphamatics recommends this,

    of
    Previous image Next image Enlarge Close

    Empire State building was a waste of time. After the security checks & noisy school groups it took 2 hours to get up and down as there was only on elevator working at the time. I would definitely choose Top Of the Rock for views of the city instead. There were a lot less people, it took only 20 minutes to get up, it was cheaper and you get a view of the Empire State building anyway! Choose wisely when deciding what time to go – dusk for instance was very busy.

    Good for: architecture, views

    report