Top of the Rock Tickets

Three observation decks above Rockefeller Center, with the Empire State Building and Central Park laid out in front of you

Duration: 1 hour
Group size: 1- guests

Highlights Gallery Itinerary Plan Meeting Point FAQs

Highlights Gallery Itinerary Plan Meeting Point FAQs

Highlights

Look straight at the Empire State Building, the classic postcard shot you can't get from the Empire State itself
Take in Central Park from above, stretching north toward Harlem
Step out onto the open-air roof deck on the 70th floor for a full 360-degree panorama
Shoot through tall glass panels on floors 67 and 69, sheltered from wind and weather
Pick a timed entry slot, from bright morning views to golden hour and city lights
Explore Rockefeller Center's Art Deco plaza, shops and seasonal ice rink before or after your visit

Why Top of the Rock is the view New Yorkers recommend

Most skyscraper decks put you inside the skyline. Top of the Rock puts it in front of you. From the roof of 30 Rockefeller Plaza you look straight down Midtown to the Empire State Building, framed dead center, with Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center beyond it. Turn around and Central Park runs north in a long green rectangle, edged by the towers of the Upper East and Upper West Sides.

The observatory spreads across three levels on floors 67, 69 and 70. The two lower levels have tall glass panels, ideal for photos without reflections if you get close to the glass, while the 70th floor is an open-air roof deck with an uninterrupted 360-degree panorama and nothing between you and the sky.

The building itself is part of the story. Completed in 1933, 30 Rockefeller Plaza is the Art Deco centerpiece of Rockefeller Center, a complex built through the Great Depression that still reads like a love letter to the machine age. On your way in, look for the limestone setbacks, the gilded and carved details over the entrances, and the famous plaza below, home to the ice rink in winter and the Christmas tree each holiday season.

This is a standard timed-entry admission ticket: choose your slot, go at your own pace, and stay as long as you like once you are up top.

Plan your trip

Best time to go

Late afternoon into sunset is the most popular window, because you see the city in daylight, at golden hour and then lit up after dark in a single visit. Sunset slots sell out first, so book early. Early morning is usually the quietest time and often has the clearest air.

How long to allow

Plan on about an hour at the top, plus time for security and the elevator. Photographers and sunset-watchers often stay longer; there is no time limit once you are up.

Arriving and security

Aim to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your entry time. Every visitor goes through airport-style security screening, so keep bags small and have your ticket ready on your phone.

What to bring

A light layer for the open-air 70th floor, which can be windy and noticeably cooler than street level. A phone or camera with a charged battery. Leave large bags, luggage and tripods at your hotel.

Opening hours

Top of the Rock is open every day, with hours that vary by season and special events. Check current hours when choosing your slot, and check the weather forecast too: low cloud can hide the view.

Getting there

Rockefeller Center is in the heart of Midtown. The 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center subway station (B, D, F, M trains) is steps away, and Fifth Avenue buses stop nearby.

What sets Top of the Rock apart

The classic head-on view of the Empire State Building, straight down Midtown
Wide-open views north over Central Park
Three levels to explore, including an open-air roof deck
A Midtown location that fits easily between Fifth Avenue, Radio City and the Theater District
Set inside a landmark 1933 Art Deco skyscraper at the heart of Rockefeller Center

What you'll see from the top

Looking south: the Empire State Building sits front and center, with the Chrysler Building's silver crown off to the left and Lower Manhattan's towers, led by One World Trade Center, on the horizon. On a clear day you can pick out the Statue of Liberty in the harbor.

Looking north: Central Park unrolls for two and a half miles, bordered by the grand apartment buildings of Fifth Avenue and Central Park West, with the slender supertall towers of Billionaires' Row rising along its southern edge.

Looking east and west: the East River and its bridges on one side, the Hudson River and New Jersey on the other, especially striking as the sun drops behind the Palisades.

Close up of Atlas Statue in Rockefeller Plaza NYC

Top of the Rock FAQs

They offer different experiences. The big advantage of Top of the Rock is that the Empire State Building is part of your view, and the Central Park views to the north are wide open. If you only have time for one deck and want that classic skyline photo, Top of the Rock is a strong choice.

The observatory is on floors 67, 69 and 70 of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Floors 67 and 69 have glass panels, and the 70th floor is an open-air roof deck.

Late afternoon is ideal if you want to see the city by day, at sunset and after dark in one trip. Sunset time slots are the most popular and sell out first, while early mornings are usually quieter.

Most visitors spend around an hour at the top, plus 15 to 20 minutes for security and the elevator ride. You can stay as long as you like once you are up.

Yes. Tickets are for a timed entry slot, so choose your time when booking and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to allow for security screening.

The observatory stays open in most weather, but low cloud or fog can limit visibility. Check the forecast before your visit, and review your ticket terms for the options available if conditions change.

Small bags are fine, but all bags go through security screening. Large bags and luggage aren't permitted, and tripods are generally not allowed, so travel light.

The observatory is reached by elevator and is designed to welcome visitors with limited mobility. If you need assistance getting between levels, ask a member of staff when you arrive.