Top of the Rock in New York: Tickets and Tours

The soul of New York lies in the skyscrapers that shape its skyline. Contemplating it from above offers a unique and exciting view. It's truly impressive to be up there and feel as if time has stopped before your eyes. Let me tell you more about tickets and visits to the Top of the Rock.

Visiting the Top of the Rock is one of the best ways to see New York in all its glory. This iconic viewpoint at Rockefeller Center offers a range of ticket options, from standard access to VIP experiences with exclusive amenities. Here is a summary of the main options:

The best way to ensure availability and avoid queues is to buy your tickets online in advance. This way, you can choose the day and time that suits you best and access the observatory directly without unnecessary waiting. Plus, booking online allows you to compare different tour options and find the one that best suits your trip.

If you're looking for the most practical option, you can purchase a standard ticket to the Top of the Rock and enjoy the panoramic views from the large outdoor terrace on the 70th floor in complete comfort.

Are there guided tours of the Top of the Rock?

If you prefer to learn more about the building, you can sign up for a guided tour that includes explanations about its history, architecture, and interesting facts. One of the most exclusive options is the private tour of the Top of the Rock, which allows you to discover the best views of New York accompanied by an exclusive guide, with skip-the-line access and the option to add transfers and a tour of Manhattan.

You can get a ticket to go up to the Top of the Rock from 54 if you book online and in advance at Hellotickets. With this ticket, you'll have access to its incredible viewpoints and, most importantly, you'll skip the endless lines at the ticket office. If you're planning your travel budget, check out all the types and prices of tickets to go up to the Top of the Rock.

Ticket office prices according to ticket type

The Top of the Rock is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 and can be reached by subway, with the nearest station being 47th-50th Street Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, and M).

The entrance to the Top of the Rock is on 50th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. However, thanks to its central location, you can even get there on foot or by bus. Here's how to get to the Top of the Rock from wherever you are.

When booking tickets for the Top of the Rock, you should know that it is open every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 11:10 p.m., depending on the time of year. Hours may change on holidays, so I recommend checking this article on Top of the Rock opening hours to make sure the observation deck is open on the day and time you want to visit.

The main entrance to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is located on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, marked as Top of The Rock - Observation Deck with a large carpet showing the entrance.

Whether you have booked your ticket to the Top of the Rock or a tourist card that includes admission to the observation deck online, you must go to the ticket office so that the staff can exchange it for an original ticket. Once there, you will see that there are two lines, one for visitors who have not purchased a ticket in advance or do not have a New York Pass, and another faster line for those who do.

The Top of the Rock observation deck is 260 meters high at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between the 67th and 70th floors. In addition to the observatory, it also houses offices and the headquarters of the NBC television network, whose store is on the ground floor. A visit to the Top of the Rock is not just about taking an elevator to the observation deck to see the New York skyline, but a much more complete and amazing experience. Discover it!

The lobby

Start in the Grand Atrium Lobby, where you can admire the fantastic Joie Chandelier, a Swarovski crystal chandelier made by Michael Hammers for the reopening of the Top of the Rock in 2005 after it had been closed for decades.

The views are sensational at any time of day. Many people prefer to book their tickets to the Top of the Rock at sunset so they can watch the sun go down while the city gradually lights up. It's a magical feeling! Another perfect option is to go up to the Top of the Rock at night.

However, this is also the busiest time of day, and if you want to enjoy this experience in a more intimate way, it is best to go first thing in the morning until midday. Having the Top of the Rock almost to yourself is a real treat. If you're still undecided, you can read more here about the best time to visit the Top of the Rock.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that the visit to the Top of the Rock lasts approximately 2 hours, but once you are at the top, there is no time limit, so you can stay and take as many photos as you like.

In addition to the fabulous views of New York, the Top of the Rock has a lot to offer from the moment you step into the building. Its elevators, lobby, indoor exhibits... Don't miss everything there is to see and do at the Top of the Rock.

In the Mezzanine Exhibit, for example, you'll find an interesting exhibition about the Rockefeller family, Rockefeller Center, and the observation deck itself. All the information on display is very interesting, but did you know that the iconic photograph "Lunch atop a skyscraper" was taken here? You may not recognize the title, but you're sure to remember the image of a group of workers having lunch on a steel beam suspended 260 meters above the ground, specifically on the 69th floor of 30 Rock.

When you go up to the Top of the Rock, you can also imitate this photograph, as they take a photo of you at the entrance and digitally emulate the original photograph. However, this is not included in the ticket price.

If you book your ticket to the Top of the Rock, you will be able to use the building's elevators and visit the observatories on floors 67, 69, and 70.

The building's elevators

Now it's time to go up to the Top of the Rock. To do so, you'll need to board one of the four Sky Shuttles, state-of-the-art elevators that will take you the 200 meters to the 67th floor in less than a minute. When the elevator doors close, the lights go out and a short but entertaining video is projected onto the ceiling.

The 67th floor observatory

This floor is almost completely closed off, but you'll get some great views from its windows and outdoor terraces. There's also a gift shop and a couple of interesting attractions, such as the Breezeway room with LED lights that move as you walk by and the Radiance Wall, another work by artist Michael Hammers.

Take the opportunity to snap a few photos, but save your battery because the best is yet to come. Look for the escalators that lead to the top floor.

The 69th floor observatory

On this floor, there is an outdoor viewing platform that allows you to enjoy the New York skyline through glass windows with 360-degree views. From here, you can get an idea of how incredibly tall these skyscrapers are and see the north (Harlem, Central Park, etc.) and south (Midtown, the Financial District, etc.) of the city.

But there's more! The last stop at the Top of the Rock is one floor up after climbing the last flight of stairs.

The 70th floor observatory

This floor is the icing on the cake. With no glass or other elements to obstruct the view, this platform gives you the feeling of being on top of the world. Everything seems immense and small at the same time. Absolutely wonderful.

If climbing to the best viewpoint in New York whets your appetite, don't worry: whatever time it is, you'll find a great place to eat near the Top of the Rock. Located in the heart of Manhattan, it's easy to find sophisticated restaurants, fast food outlets, healthy menus, and snacks.

Take advantage of your visit to the area to recharge your batteries and continue your walk through Midtown with a full stomach.

The Top of the Rock is located in Rockefeller Center, a huge complex in the heart of midtown consisting of 19 buildings that occupy several blocks between 5th Ave and 6th Ave. Its construction dates back to the Great Depression, when John D. Rockefeller Junior set out to revitalize midtown by creating the largest plaza in New York. However, his initial plans coincided with the stock market crash of 1929, which caused many investors to back out.

The Rockefellers were left alone with the project and, despite this setback, they reoriented it towards the construction of a huge Art Deco-style commercial and office complex in the heart of Manhattan that employed more than 40,000 workers between 1930 and 1937, a very difficult period.

Today, it has become a symbol of New York and its facilities include restaurants, bars, shops, offices, theaters, television studios, and the Top of the Rock observation deck, among other attractions.

Rockefeller Center at Christmas

If there is one time of year when this visit is particularly interesting, it is at Christmas. If you are lucky enough to travel to New York at Christmas, Rockefeller Center is a must-see. Why? For its wonderful tree, its skating rink, its incredible decorations and, if you are lucky, the views of snow-covered Manhattan.

But this is just a taste of what awaits you and what you can do at Rockefeller Center at Christmas.

To get the most out of your trip to New York, you can book a New York tourist card that gives you access to the main museums, monuments, and points of interest in the City of Skyscrapers.

Buying one of these passes has several advantages, but the main one is that if you use it well, you'll save money and time by not having to buy individual tickets for each place you visit. The New York tourist cards that include access to the Top of the Rock are:

But which one should you choose? It may seem like the million-dollar question, but the key is to keep in mind that there are two types of New York Pass: by number of attractions and by number of days. Finding the perfect pass depends on the type of trip you're planning in New York and your budget. In my practical guide to tourist cards in New York, I'll help you choose the one that's right for you. Check it out!

If you feel like seeing the city from above, you're in luck, because New York offers many options. Be sure to read my articles on Empire State Building Tickets and Tours, One World Observatory in New York: Tickets and Tours, The Edge Tickets and Tours and The Vessel New York Tickets to test your vertigo.

I understand that one of the most common questions when planning a trip to one of Manhattan's skyscrapers is deciding whether to go to the Top of the Rock or the legendary Empire State Building. No one can decide for you, but we can help: with this comparison between going up the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock, I hope to clear up some of your doubts.

And if you're looking for something more innovative, you can opt for the latest addition to the Manhattan skyline: its incredible SUMMIT observation deck, which opened in October 2021.