Editor's note: This article was updated on June 5, 2026.

Few views in New York City hold up as consistently as the one from 70 floors above Manhattan.

Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza has been a fixture of the Manhattan skyline since 1933, when the observation deck opened alongside the RCA Building as its very first public attraction. It drew 1,300 visitors a day, then closed in 1986, and reopened in 2005 after an extensive renovation. In 2026, Rockefeller Center was named by the New York Post as the Most-Loved Landmark in the United States.

In recent years, Rockefeller Center’s campus has added two experiences above the decks: SKYLIFT, a revolving glass platform that rises 900 feet above street level, and The Beam, which lifts guests 12 feet above the deck itself.

Spanning the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors, with the upper two fully open air, Top of the Rock now offers 360-degree views that take in Central Park to the north, the Brooklyn Bridge to the south, and on a clear day, the Statue of Liberty beyond. Before you go, here’s what’s worth knowing.

What to Know Before Visiting Top of the Rock

1. Choose your ticket based on the time of day you want to go.

Sunset is the most popular window, and for good reason: you can book a sunset-timed entry specifically, which syncs your arrival with golden hour and the city lights coming up. For a quieter visit with the clearest light, the earliest arrival at 8 a.m. offers the smallest crowds and sharp morning views. Late evenings from 8 p.m. onward are when SKYLIFT’s nighttime light show runs. If that’s your draw, plan around it.

The time you choose also shapes which ticket makes sense. Timed Admission includes a reserved entry window with access to all three observation floors. (If you’re planning to go around sunset, check the time that the sun will set and then purchase that timeframe as part of Timed Admission.) Skip-the-line Admission bypasses entry queues (which is most useful on summer weekends and peak holidays). Anytime Admission lets you arrive whenever you want on your chosen date, useful when you’re working around weather or a packed itinerary.

2. You can make a day of exploring the 22-acre campus.

Most people come for the view and miss half the campus. Rockefeller Center spans 22 acres and 19 buildings in Midtown Manhattan, with shopping, dining, and public art threaded throughout. The Rink, Pebble Bar, dozens of restaurants, and a curated collection of public sculpture sit below the observation deck. You can spend a full day here without doubling back. Plan your full day around your personal preferences.

3. There is always something going on. Be sure to check the events calendar.

When John D. Rockefeller Jr. broke ground during the Great Depression, the vision was a cultural campus: a “city within a city” built around art, commerce, and public life. The original anchor tenant was supposed to be the Metropolitan Opera; when that fell through, he built something bigger. That instinct hasn’t faded.

From the annual tree lighting to World Cup fan programming to live concerts and seasonal activations, Rockefeller Center’s calendar runs year-round. The right week can change the whole experience. It’s worth checking the events calendar before you visit.

4. The view comes in layers. Take your time to explore from different angles.

Top of the Rock spans three observation floors. The lower two (the 67th and 69th floors) have glass panels; the 70th floor is fully open air with unobstructed 360-degree views across Midtown Manhattan and beyond. That’s the baseline.

SKYLIFT takes it higher: a revolving glass platform that rises 900 feet above street level, offering the only fully panoramic view of New York City from a moving vantage point. In the evening, it doubles as the backdrop for a light display across the Manhattan skyline. The Beam goes in a different direction (literally). It lifts guests 12 feet above the 69th-floor deck, recreating the vantage point of the iconic 1932 “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph.

The All-Inclusive Pass bundles all three — observation deck, SKYLIFT, and The Beam — in one ticket. It’s the most efficient way to do the full experience, and the best-value option if you’re adding more than one upgrade. Both SKYLIFT and The Beam are also available individually as add-ons to Timed Admission.

Tip #4: Go all the way up to the top.

Top of the Rock is a three-level observation deck; the lower two floors have protective glass while the topmost level offers 360-degree, unobstructed views. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to enjoy the views in all directions, and bring quarters for the viewfinders. When you're done, factor in a few extra minutes to get back down to the lobby. You'll be dropped off at the Rink Level Gift Shop, where you can pick up your photos before heading to Under 30 Rock for food, shopping, or ice skating at The Rink (depending on the season), and more.

5. For special occasions, a truly VIP experience is available.

For those who want the premium version, the VIP options are worth it. The VIP Pass lets you start your visit with a champagne toast in the VIP lounge, after which a dedicated tour guide will show you around. You’ll skip the lines and enjoy private access to SKYLIFT and The Beam, along with stops for photo moments and a few surprises. The VIP Rock Pass adds an even more exclusive tour that stops by a hidden rooftop garden.

For a fully bespoke visit that weaves together Top of the Rock, The Rink, and curated dining and shopping, The Ultimate Rockefeller Experience is available by request.

6. Stop by The Weather Room.

The Weather Room on the 67th floor is a café and bar named after the Doppler radar that once sat on the roof of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It’s a worthwhile stop between time on the open-air decks: the menu runs from bagels and artisanal sandwiches to freshly baked desserts, and the cocktail list offers the perfect excuse for a toast from the skyline.

7. Add the Photo Pass before you arrive.

Professional photos are available through The Photo Pass, $30 USD if purchased online in advance or $40 USD on-site. Booking ahead saves money and means it’s already handled when you arrive. You can add it to any ticket tier.

8. This is one of the only places in NYC where the Empire State Building is central in the shot.

From most observation decks in Manhattan, the Empire State Building is either behind you or towering overhead. Top of the Rock is different: because it sits in Midtown Manhattan and faces south, the Empire State Building appears centered in your sightline. On a clear day the view south also takes in One World Trade Center and, past that, the Statue of Liberty. It’s part of why this view photographs differently than any other deck in the city, and why the full NYC skyline shot tends to look best from here.

9. Sign up for The Center Newsletter.

Rockefeller Center’s newsletter is the easiest way to stay current on what’s happening at the campus: new programming, seasonal events, and what’s coming up. It’s also the first place ticket news and early access announcements land. Worth signing up before your visit, especially if your timing is flexible. Sign up to stay in-the-know.

What to Know Before You Go

• Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza; entrance on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
• Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to midnight; last entry at 11:10 p.m.
• Subway: B, D, F, and M trains to 47–50th Streets/Rockefeller Center
• Tickets: Available online or at the 50th Street box office
• Best times to visit: 8 a.m. for smaller crowds; sunset for peak skyline drama; 8 p.m. onward for SKYLIFT’s light show
• Tip: Plan extra time to explore the full 22-acre campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Top of the Rock?

Sunset is the most popular time to visit Top of the Rock, when city lights come up across the Midtown skyline. For a quieter experience, 8 a.m. opening is ideal. Evenings from 8 p.m. onward pair well with SKYLIFT’s nighttime light show.

What can you see from the Top of the Rock observation deck?

The Top of the Rock observation deck offers 360-degree views from the 70th floor, 70 stories above street level. Looking north, the view takes in Central Park and the skyline above it. To the south, the Empire State Building appears in the sightline, along with Times Square, One World Trade Center, and on a clear day, the Statue of Liberty. The 360-degree views also reach east across the East River toward Brooklyn and Queens, and west over the Hudson into New Jersey.

Is Top of the Rock worth it?

Yes. Top of the Rock is worth visiting for its open-air 70th-floor observation deck, which offers unobstructed 360-degree views that enclosed decks can’t match. The combination of the view, the campus, and the add-on experiences makes it one of the best places to see the New York City skyline.

What floors is Top of the Rock on?

Top of the Rock spans three floors at 30 Rockefeller Plaza: the 67th, 69th, and 70th. The 67th floor is home to The Weather Room café and bar. The 69th floor observation level has glass panels for sheltered, unobstructed views. The 70th floor is fully open air, offering 360-degree views across New York City with no glass barriers. SKYLIFT departs from the 70th floor and rises an additional 30 feet above the observation deck..

What does the All-Inclusive Pass include?

The All-Inclusive Pass includes admission to all three Top of the Rock observation floors, SKYLIFT, and The Beam. It’s the most complete way to experience the observation deck in a single visit, and the best-value option compared to purchasing each experience separately. Both SKYLIFT and The Beam are also available as individual add-ons to Timed Admission if you’d prefer to select just one.

Is Rockefeller Center an Art Deco building?

Yes. Rockefeller Center is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in New York City. The complex was developed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and built between 1930 and 1940, with the skyscraper at 30 Rockefeller Plaza serving as its centerpiece. The Art Deco design is visible throughout the campus, from the facades and lobby of 30 Rock to the public sculpture and murals threaded across the 22-acre complex.

Is there an ice rink at Rockefeller Center?

Yes. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is one of New York City’s most iconic ice rinks, open seasonally in the fall and winter at the base of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It sits directly below Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Ice skating tickets are separate from observation deck admission. The Ultimate Rockefeller Experience packages Top of the Rock access with The Rink and curated dining and shopping; contact the team for pricing.

How do I get to Top of the Rock?

Top of the Rock is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, with the ticket entrance on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The closest subway stop is 47–50th Streets/Rockefeller Center on the B, D, F, and M lines. Tickets are available online in advance or at the 50th Street box office. Booking online is recommended, especially on weekends and peak travel days, to secure your timed entry window.

How long does it take to visit Top of the Rock?

Plan for at least 45 minutes on the observation decks to take in views from all three levels and all directions. If you’re adding The Beam or SKYLIFT, budget an additional 15 to 20 minutes each. A visit with add-on experiences typically runs 90 minutes to two hours. Factor in extra time if you’re exploring the rest of the Rockefeller Center campus, which spans 22 acres with dining, shopping, and year-round programming.

Do I need to book Top of the Rock tickets in advance?

Yes, especially for sunset or weekend visits. Timed Admission reserves a specific arrival window so you won’t wait in line once you arrive. Walk-up tickets are available at the 50th Street box office, but popular time slots — particularly evenings and peak-season weekends — sell out in advance.

Is Top of the Rock open year-round?

Yes. Top of the Rock is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, with last entry at 11:10 p.m. Glass panels on the 67th floor provide a sheltered option in inclement weather. The Beam and SKYLIFT operate weather permitting.