Art & History
Rockefeller Center is one of New York’s great Art Deco landmarks. It was built during the Great Depression and remains the home for more than 100 works of public art. This itinerary starts with the historian-led Rockefeller Center Tour, then heads up to Top of the Rock, an observation deck that first opened in 1933. Lunch and an afternoon of browsing on the Rink Level round out the day, all within a few blocks of the history you just heard.
10:00 am: Rockefeller Center — Art & History Tour
Rockefeller Center Tour
From $27
Tickets Required
11:30 am: See It From Above
Timed Admission
From $42
Tickets Required
1:00 pm: Lunch at Rockefeller Center
Jupiter
Jupiter is the latest restaurant from the critically acclaimed trio behind King - Jess Shadbolt, Annie Shi and Clare de Boer. The group extends their seasonal Italian touch to the all-day pasta and wine eatery meant to celebrate every mood and moment on Rockefeller Center’s newly reimagined Rink Level. The menu offers regional Italian classics with a spirit of casual excellence and joyful simplicity for leisurely lunches, pre-theater dinners and prosecco at the bar. Jupiter is located on the Rink Level of 620 Fifth Avenue and it can also be accessed through the 50th Street elevator on the street level. Jupiter is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday from 11:30am-10pm.
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5 Acres
5 Acres is a vibrant American restaurant in the heart of Rockefeller Center, featuring a seasonally driven, Midwestern-inspired menu from Chef Greg Baxtrom of Olmsted. The menu offers an approachable, chef-driven take on American favorites—from Chicago-inspired classics to fresh seasonal dishes—alongside a lively cocktail program. Located at 30 Rockefeller Center, 5 Acres is an ideal destination for dinner, after-work drinks, lunch, and group dining, whether you're planning an evening out or stopping in during the day. The space combines an energetic bar with an oasis-like dining room filled with greenery, creating a setting that’s both lively and inviting.
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NARO
Experience NARO like never before with a reimagined all-day à la carte menu, bold new signature dishes and a refreshed interior design. You're invited to explore the world of modern Korean cuisine from the team behind Atomix—thoughtfully crafted to suit any occasion, from lunches with colleagues to afterwork drinks with friends to date night at the bar. NARO’s menu blends familiar Korean flavors with a fresh, modern twist. Highlights include soy-marinated salmon, the fan-favorite Korean fried chicken sandwich, and a Wagyu beef rice bowl. Desserts range from housemade green plum and chamomile ice creams to a playful strawberry shortbread sandwich and a twisted donut filled with banana custard. Led by Jhonel Faelner, the beverage program spotlights traditional Korean sool, served neat or shaken into inventive cocktails. NARO is open seven days a week for lunch, happy hour and dinner. You can also now order your favorite NARO dishes, now to-go. Whether you're powering through lunch at your desk, unwinding at home, or grabbing something special on the go, NARO is ready when you are. Skip the wait, order ahead, and take modern Korean flavours wherever the day takes you. Takeaway is available for pick-up only on the Rink Level at Rockefeller Center.
Reserve a Table2:30 pm: Afternoon Shopping
McNally Jackson
McNally Jackson, founded in Nolita in 2004, is a New York City-based Independent Bookstore with locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our stores offer a unique selection of books from around the world, as well as in-person and virtual events programming featuring award-winning authors. Our Rockefeller Center location is McNally Jackson’s fifth and largest bookstore and will feature a full Goods For The Study stationery section.
Arc'teryx
Arc’teryx brings its signature blend of technical innovation and refined design to Rockefeller Center. Founded in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, the brand is known for precision craftsmanship, performance-driven materials, and minimalist style built to withstand the elements. The Rockefeller Center store offers a curated selection of outerwear, apparel, and equipment designed for both mountain and urban environments, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality and versatility. With expert staff on hand to guide product selection and a space that celebrates Arc’teryx’s connection to nature and design excellence, this location embodies the brand’s mission to inspire exploration—whether in the city or the wild.
Rough Trade Below
Rough Trade, the celebrated independent record store that is a destination for vinyl lovers and the music-curious alike, has opened a second location at Rockefeller Center. The new 4,000 square-foot space is located on Rockefeller Center’s Rink Level directly facing the Rockefeller Center/47-50 Street B/D/F/M subway station. Rough Trade Below, builds on the success of its street-level predecessor to address the demand for, among other things, Rough Trade’s expert curation of new vinyl releases, and its all-ages, affordable intimate live performance events and signings.
The gold statue is Prometheus, a gilded bronze by sculptor Paul Manship, installed in 1934. It shows the figure from Greek mythology bringing fire to humankind, and it overlooks The Rink in the sunken plaza. During the holiday season, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree stands directly adjacent, which is why it shows up in so many holiday photos.
Atlas stands in the courtyard of the International Building at 630 Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets, directly across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Created by Lee Lawrie and Rene Chambellan and installed in 1937, the bronze figure holds the heavens on his shoulders and rises about 45 feet, including its pedestal. It’s the largest sculpture at Rockefeller Center.
About 75 minutes. A historian guides you through the art, architecture, gardens, and public spaces, with stops at works like Atlas, Prometheus, and Intelligence Awakening Mankind. Tours run daily between 10 am and 7 pm and start at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Portions are outdoors and run in all weather, so dress for the day.
Rockefeller Center began as John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s plan for a new home for the Metropolitan Opera. When the opera pulled out after the 1929 stock market crash, Rockefeller moved ahead with a commercial complex instead, financing much of it himself. Construction ran through the 1930s under a team of architects led by Raymond Hood, producing 14 original Art Deco buildings along with the plaza, gardens, and public art you see today. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Top of the Rock first opened in 1933, at the top of what is now 30 Rockefeller Plaza, as part of Rockefeller Center’s original design. It closed in 1986 and reopened in 2005 after a restoration that brought back its Art Deco details. Today, it's three observation levels, 70 stories up, that offer 360-degree views of Central Park, the Empire State Building, and the Hudson River.