Skylift at Top of the Rock officially opens to the public on October 1.

It’s one thing to see New York City glow from the street level, but it’s another to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its skyscrapers. Enter Top of the Rock’s Skylift, a one-of-a-kind adventure where visitors are part of the constellation of NYC, floating within the skyline itself. As the coda to Top of the Rock’s top-to-bottom transformation, Skylift is one more example of Rockefeller Center’s history of pioneering design.

Skylift makes its grand debut on October 1, but it’s never too early to start planning your visit. Read on to learn more about Top of the Rock’s brand-new, can’t-miss experience — and get your tickets here.

What is Skylift at Top of the Rock?

Skylift is a gravity-defying thrill ride that lifts visitors three stories above Top of the Rock’s uppermost rooftop terrace and 900 feet above the city streets. As it rises, Skylift’s open-air platform revolves 360 degrees, giving guests the only unobstructed, fully panoramic view of New York City. Inspired by Rockefeller Center’s classic Art Deco architecture, Skylift has a circular, fiberglass platform set atop a four-tiered base; three of the tiers are covered in 96 LED pixel flutes, casting a nighttime light show for everyone in the city to see.

Where is Skylift located? How do you get to Skylift?

Top of the Rock can be found at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Visitors can take a cab or rideshare to Top of the Rock’s 50th Street entrance or opt for the BDFM and NQR trains, which have direct stops at Rockefeller Center; the 1 and 6 trains also have stops right on 50th Street. If a bus is more your speed, Rockefeller Center recommends taking the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M7 busses (running north and south) or the M50 (running east and west). For those who prefer to drive themselves, the SP+ parking garage is about a block away, but spots fill up quickly, especially during peak hours.

Skylift sits on the west side of Top of the Rock’s 70th-floor Observation Deck, with an elevator taking visitors to the very top.

How can I purchase Skylift tickets?

You can purchase tickets for Top of the Rock in person at the box office, but it’s always easiest and more convenient to book online ahead of your visit. Skylift can be added to any Top of the Rock ticket, including general admission, for $35, regardless of age. Each ticket to Top of the Rock comes with a time-entry guarantee, so you can pick a timeslot that works best for you. VIP tickets include Skylift, offering guests expedited entry and priority elevator access.

To make your experience even more special, consider adding The Beam to your Top of the Rock ticket.

Purchase tickets for Top of the Rock here.

When is the best time to experience Skylift at Top of the Rock?

Skylift has the best views of New York City year-round, but to see the skyline at its most picturesque, Rockefeller Center recommends visiting around sunset and onward. As dusk falls and NYC starts to illuminate, visitors are treated Skylift’s special light show. The magical display can be seen throughout the city, and if you’re on Skylift during the show, you aren’t just watching — you’re part of the experience.

What should you wear when on Skylift?

Feel free to visit Skylift as you are, but remember that the experience is entirely open-air. It can get windy hundreds of feet above the city streets, so loose articles of clothing (hats, scarves, etc.) need to be securely fastened. You can take small bags like fanny packs and totes up with you, but it’s best to leave larger ones at home. Note that the Skylift floor is clear; for your comfort, we recommend wearing pants, shorts, or tights if possible.

What should you expect when you get to the Skylift? What is the Skylift experience like?

You’ll see New York City like you never have before. As Skylift’s glass platform rotates, visitors will enjoy a 360-degree, panoramic view of the city’s most famous landmarks — including all 843 acres of Central Park. You can take photos on your own handheld devices, but at its peak, Skylift captures a video of each guest with NYC as the background; you can then scan a QR code at the end of the experience to view the videos and photos or purchase them at the Top of the Rock Gift Shop.

The Skylift experience spans five minutes, not including the time it takes to rise to the top and return to the bottom. Up to 13 guests (and an attendant) can experience Skylift at a time. The glass platform is enclosed with a five-foot railing, so there aren’t any height restrictions, but children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. The experience is wheelchair and mobility device-accessible.

Skylift is open rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather (lightning or winds more than 20 miles per hour), tickets will be reissued for a later date.

Skylift at Top of the Rock is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with an entrance on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It’s open daily from 8am to midnight; last entry is at 11:10pm. Tickets can be purchased here.