Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Scenic Lookout
Rockefeller Center, New York
Has a stamp of approval from The Telegraph and The Corcoran Group
"You get the Empire State Building in your pictures which is amazing."(70 Tips)
"Very nice place to enjoy NYC skyline and cheaper than Empire State."(17 Tips)
"Come for last elevator at 10:45, night views are awesome"(11 Tips)
"New York skyline view is the best from here..."(4 Tips)
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Ashley 🌵August 26, 2014Make sure to order tickets online so you don't have to wait in line. AND make sure to get a time right before sunset for better pics and stay for night time viewing! Way better than Empire State view.
Upvoted Sep 21
CarolineOctober 9, 2015Stunning view from the Top of the Rock! Every time when I'm in town I come to this magical place. A tourist attraction that also attracts locals now and then. Don't miss the free WiFi Access
Top of the rock is beautiful at night but, you can make it during sunset; it's perfect! The view is spectacular. I recommend getting a CityPass, which allows you to bypass the long ticket lineUpvoted 1 week ago
Ben MackeyAugust 25, 2014Sunset is the perfect time for photos but requires some planning. Buy your tickets online for at least 1 hour before sunset time and stay until 20 minutes after sunset for the perfect light.
- Top of the Rock is cooler than the rest of the Rock. The multi-level outdoor Observation Deck at the top of Rockefeller Center is a historic "must see" experience for New York City visitors
Bruno BottegaMarch 29, 2015Expensive, but awesome! You can buy the Sky Skate ticket (Top of the Rock + Ice Skating) for $48 - or some other combos, like the Rockefeller Tour, MoMA, etc. for different prices).
Gabor QMarch 4, 2015when u r up on the observatory deck and the sun shines from south grab your camera on the Northern deck stick your hand through the gap between glass wall and take a selfie photo. U gonna get this:
- .August 21, 2016Most amazing view of NYC! You get the Empire State Building in your pictures which is amazing. You also get to see Central Park. Better than going on the Empire State observation deck for sure.
Anna K.March 29, 2016Amazing place to watch sunset or just to take a look at the city from the top. Try to purchase the tickets in advance. If the weather was bad, you can take a rain check for free.
John AgapitosMarch 27, 2018Amazing view, especially from the south side! Although there are usually long lines to get up and down from the observatory, with VIP tickets (only a bit more expensive), one cuts through all lines.
Dennis FyeDecember 24, 2016Very cool place to see the entire city, I would recommend this over the Empire State Building. Also if you are a veteran with an ID you can get in for half price!
Jon BillsFebruary 7, 2015Amazing views of Manhattan. Visit on a clear day for the best effect. The outdoor terraces are great but vertigo inducing. Look up as the elevator starts its ascent!
RahulJuly 12, 2018Better than Empire State Building because - Cheaper, you get to see the contrast of Central Park and Concrete, you actually get a great view of the Empire State Building.
Santi CaamañoJune 2, 2015Go around sunset time, you'll get NYC at day, sunset and night, all in one visit. Sunsets from here are breathtaking, can't leave NYC without a photo here. You get to see the Empire State building!
The Corcoran GroupMarch 5, 2013On a clear sunny day you can see ALL of Manhattan...it hands down has the best view of the city! It's expensive, but well worth it for the photo ops and the futuristic elevator ride!
John BarnhamDecember 28, 2015Love this building, takes you back to a golden period for the city. Great view and style, I prefer this to the ESB, as you can see the ESB from this one ;)
Luke CardyJanuary 1, 2016Amazing view of NYC, we went up first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and got some awesome photos. Much better experience than the Empire State Building.
Chris CampbellNovember 16, 2019Very well worth it! Might have got a better deal buying a CityPass but we’re not doing all the sights this time so don’t regret the spend at all. Lovely staff and tip; we went at 0830 and it was quiet
Wim MathuesMay 27, 2019Spectacular views on each side, both during the day as at night! We had no waiting lines whatsoever, and preferred Top of the Rock over the Empire State Building, where we were 'trapped' for hours.
Jason QuarisaNovember 4, 2017Best view of Central Park. Go early morning to beat the crowds and have plenty of space to walk around. Pre-buy your tickets.
Tunke LauriksJuly 22, 2015You can't leave NYC without climbing a skyscraper. This one is cheaper than the Empire state building and offers an amazing view on central park and the last called building! Worth the money.
J ASeptember 7, 2017Amazing views, both of Central Park and the Empire State Building. Only went during the day but can imagine it looking beautiful at night too.
AlAnoud A AlGhunaimNovember 1, 2021Doesn’t matter if you’re a local or a tourist, these views are worth visiting more than once! Nothing beats this concrete jungle’s skyline♥️
Michiel BergerAugust 4, 2015If you want to take pictures around sunset, make sure you get there at least half an hour before that time. It will be very crowded. Also: mini tripods appear to be permitted.
Dilara❥August 30, 2014A must do in NY. Ten times better than Empire State Building. Incredible view. Wide space to walk around and take photos. Use the roof place to take photos. The best place to see NY.
Christiana MakariouSeptember 15, 2018Absolutely amazing views! Best time to go is sunset so you see both the city with lights on and off! Pricey but worth it!
- Alaa ShakerAugust 26, 2014Beats the Empire State Building for two reasons: 1. Your view of Manhattan now includes the ESB, and 2. The glass around you means an unobstructed view and comparatively better photos of yourself! ;)
LisaMay 27, 2013Been to the top of the rock - it's amaing view!! Beats the Empire State Building, no doubt! The intro - a nice video, a good touch. Post drinks in the Rockefeller center will give a perfect finish!!
Nicholas PoonJune 11, 2017Absolutely amazing view of the skyline. Be sure to stay for blue hour after sunset as the crowd clears!
A SJuly 4, 2015Great view - Empire state, central park, statue of liberty.. you see it all. The best part is, book your tickets for a specific time and avoid the long queues, typically seen at the empire state.
1YearOfSingleJuly 25, 2016Concourse-to-Street Shortcut! If you're in the concourse below Rockefeller Center, and you need to get to street level, cut through the lobby via spiral staircase for a twinkling, scenic shortcut!
Pavan KulkarniMarch 13, 2017Best view of the Manhattan better than empire and wtc . There are multiple upper decks and go to the top most view for blockless view
Ryan ComerfordJuly 9, 2013Skip the lines at the Empire State Building and come here. You get a designated time to board the elevators and 3 decks to view New York City from. Also- check out the ceiling at Rock Center.
Ailie ChangSeptember 5, 2015Buy your tickets online and reserve a time that's slightly before sunset. The view from up here is better than the view from the Empire State Building! Well worth it :)
Camille VerdierOctober 11, 2015We had the New York Pass, and kept the Top of the Rock Observatory for our last night to admire the view. Sadly, we did not know you had a reserve an "elevator time" in advance... So please: reserve!
Richard RevillaOctober 26, 2014If there is one view to be seen in Manhattan thus is it. Pretty steep price to the top but you'll have all your major landmarks in front of you 360 degrees.
Vivienne GucwaAugust 19, 2014Just go. Perfect views of the Empire State Building and skyline with WAY more room to enjoy the views than on top of the Empire State Building.
Jenn Vargas- SosaAugust 7, 2014The best 360degree view of New York is at the top of the rock! Don't miss this place, do the day and stars package that allows you to go twice in one day (day/night)
B ChuMay 20, 2013Recommended (over Empire State Blg) if you would like a view of the Manhattan Skyline. Best to go 730pm (or no later than 1/2 hr before sunset). Get discounted tix (print out) from www.newyork.com
PavlixDecember 30, 2017Buy your tickets on the internet to avoid the queues. Gives you that “top of the world” feeling that only NYC can offer.Take a few moments to know about the building’s great past.
GS RajuJuly 23, 2017It's spectacular night view place in Newyork. Amazing city view particularly the changing colors of Empire State Building. Don't miss.
Candice RiveraMay 19, 2017This is an awesome spot to go. You can see the Empire State Building and Central Park and thus you can get great pictures of the iconic spots in New York.
Rafi RomeroNovember 8, 2015Unbelievable views. Time your visit to catch sunset and stay through twilight. Go straight to the 3rd deck and park yourself right at the south-facing views. Then, simply wait, and be amazed.
Nicole MichelleMarch 22, 2014once you get your tickets you have to wait for your time slot so get there (40 min) early if you want to see the sunset. It's worth it!
NYC: The Official GuideJuly 1, 2013A great time to visit the top of this skyscraper is 30 minutes before sundown, when the sky displays an array of colors and you are able to see the lights coming alive all around NYC.
Caroline DengSeptember 11, 2015Breathtaking 360 views of Manhattan, including Central Park and Empire State. Get 7 PM tickets and check it out during sunset!
Veronika LosovaAugust 7, 2014If you go for sunset, don't lose your patience and stay till dark, even if the sunset seems bad and foggy, it can turn nice at the end. True story. Come early to get a good spot for taking pics.
Jordi LlobetDecember 9, 2016take a spot to the roof where you can see the sunset. Also if you can order the tickets online you'll avoid long queues.
Tugce Uluurgun SoykanAugust 6, 2014It's better to get on to the top of Rockefeller than Empire State Building. Because here you have both Central Park and Empire view together. You can even see the tiny statue of liberty 🗽
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Top of the Rock Observation Deck
30 Rockefeller Plz (btwn 5th & 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10112
United States
New York, NY 10112
United States
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
(212) 332-6868
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Yes
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"Amazing view, obviously. But a pretty relaxing space at the top of the tower too."
Chris Hinton - 8.5
"It's totally worth the wait. Get there an hour before sunset and make sure you wait for the city's lights to come into view shortly after sunset. Super magical. NYC at its best."
Vivienne Gucwa - 8.8
"The area offers romantic vacation views of the New York skyline and is especially attractive in the spring with blooming azaleas, Virginia bluebells, Dutchman's breeches, and daffodils."
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