Top of the Rock in New York Tickets and Tours

The soul of New York lies in the skyscrapers that form its skyline. To contemplate it from the heights offers a unique and exciting view. It is truly impressive to be at the top and have the feeling that time stands still before your eyes.

The Top of the Rock is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Big Apple, so I advise you to buy your tickets in advance to avoid long queues at the ticket office. Another option is to buy a New York Pass that includes the Top of the Rock.

The best option

New York Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket

Climb the Top of the Rock observation deck for the best price

Perfect if you're thinking of enjoying the Manhattan skyline from the top of Rockefeller Center. Buy your ticket in advance and online to save queuing at the box office.

From £35 at Hellotickets

The most famous skyscraper of all is, without a doubt, the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. For me, it's the one with the best views and the most recommended. Not only will you have the best panoramic view of New York, but you'll be able to see Central Park and Manhattan in all its splendour. With this ticket to the Top of the Rock you can visit its three observation decks on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors to see the fabulous New York skyline.

Why I like this option: In my opinion, the great advantage of this ticket is that it offers a flexible schedule, i.e. the visit time is not limited to the date initially selected, but you can plan it according to the weather conditions of the day. In addition, if for weather reasons the activity cannot be carried out on the selected date, another date and time will be offered.

Recommended if... you want to secure your ticket in advance, but without giving up the flexibility of being able to go up and visit at the time of day that best suits you.

You can get a ticket to climb the Top of the Rock, from £35. if you book online in advance at Hellotickets. With this ticket you'll have access to its incredible observation decks and, most importantly, you'll skip the endless queues at the ticket booths. If you are organising the budget of your trip, check all the types and prices of tickets to climb the Top of the Rock

Ticket prices by type of ticket

For your Top of the Rock ticket reservation, you should know that it is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 and can be reached by underground with the closest station being 47th-50th Street Rockefeller Center (B, D, F and M).

The entrance to the Top of the Rock is on 50th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue. However, thanks to its central location, you can even get there on foot or by bus. Here's how to get to Top of the Rock wherever you are.

When booking tickets to the Top of the Rock you should know that it is open every day of the week, from 8am to 11:10pm depending on the time of year. The opening hours may change on public holidays, so I recommend you take a look at this article about the opening hours of the Top of the Rock to check that the observation deck is open on the day and time you want to visit it.

The main entrance to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is located on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, marked Top of the Rock - Observation Deck with a large carpet displaying the entrance.

Whether you have booked your ticket to the Top of the Rock or a tourist card that includes admission to the observation deck online, you must go to the ticket booths to have the staff exchange it for an original ticket. Once there you will see that there are two lines, one for visitors who have not bought tickets in advance and do not have a New York Pass and a quicker line for those who do.

The Top of the Rock observation deck rises to a height of 260 metres at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between the 67th and 70th floors. In addition to the observatory, it also houses offices and the headquarters of the NBC television network, whose shop is on the ground floor. A visit to the Top of the Rock is not limited to taking a lift to the observation deck to see the New York skyline, but is a much more complete and amazing experience. Discover it!

The Lobby

Start in the Grand Atrium Lobby where you can see the fantastic Joie Chandelier, a Swarovski crystal chandelier made by Michael Hammers for the reopening of the Top of the Rock in 2005 after being closed for decades.

The views are sensational at any time of day. Many people prefer to book entry to the Top of the Rock at sunset to watch the sun go down as the city slowly fills with lights - it's a magical feeling! Another perfect option is to go up to the Top of the Rock at night.

However, this is also the busiest time of the year and if you want to enjoy this experience in a more intimate way, it is best to go up early in the morning until midday. Having the Top of the Rock almost to yourself is a real treat. If you are still undecided, you can read more here about the best time to climb the Top of the Rock.

For your planning purposes, please note when booking your tickets to the Top of the Rock that the tour lasts approximately 2 hours, but once at the top there is no time limit, so you can stay and take as many photos as you like.

In addition to the fabulous views of New York, the Top of the Rock has a lot to offer, from the first moment you set foot in the building. Its lifts, its Lobby, its interior exhibitions... Don't miss out on everything you can see and do at the Top of the Rock.

In the Mezzanine Exhibit, for example, an interesting exhibition on the Rockefeller family, Rockefeller Center and the observation deck itself awaits you. All of the information on display is very interesting, but... Did you know that the iconic photograph "Lunch atop a skyscraper" was taken here? Maybe the title doesn't ring a bell, but I'm sure you remember the image that portrays a group of workers having lunch on a steel beam suspended 260 metres above the ground, on the 69th floor of 30 Rock.

When you go up to the Top of the Rock, you can also imitate this photograph, as at the entrance they take a photo that emulates the original photograph digitally. However, it is not included in the ticket price.

If you book your ticket to the Top of the Rock you will have the opportunity to use the lifts of the building and visit the observatories on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors.

The building's lifts

Now it's time to go up to the Top of the Rock. To do so, you will have to enter one of the four Sky Shuttles, state-of-the-art lifts that will take you the 200 metres to the 67th floor in less than a minute. When the lift doors close, the lights go out and a short but entertaining video is projected on the ceiling.

The 67th floor observatory

This floor is almost completely enclosed, but the windows and open-air terraces offer great views. There's also a gift shop here, and a couple of curious diversions such as the Breezeway room with LED lights that move as you walk by, and the Radiance Wall, another work by artist Michael Hammers.

Take the opportunity to snap a few photos but save your batteries because the good stuff is a little higher up. Look for the escalators leading to the top floor.

The observatory on the 69th floor

On this floor there is an open-air observation deck that allows you to enjoy the New York skyline through 360-degree glass. From here you can get an idea of how incredibly tall these skyscrapers are and you can see north (Harlem, Central Park, etc.) and south of the city (Midtown, the Financial District, etc.).

But there's more! The last stop at the Top of the Rock is one floor up after climbing the last flight of stairs.

The 70th floor observatory

This floor is the icing on the cake. With no more glass or other obstructions to the view, this platform gives you the feeling of being on top of the world. Everything seems immense and small at the same time. Absolutely marvellous.

If the climb to New York's best viewpoint works up an appetite, don't worry: no matter what time it is, you'll find a good place to eat near the Top of the Rock Located in the heart of Manhattan, it's easy to find sophisticated restaurants, fast food stands, healthy menus and snacks.

Take advantage of the fact that you're in the area to recharge your batteries and continue your walk around Midtown with a full stomach.

Top of the Rock is located in Rockefeller Center, a huge midtown complex of 19 buildings that occupies several blocks between 5th Ave and 6th Ave. Its construction dates back to the Great Depression, when John D. Rockefeller Junior set out to revitalise midtown by creating New York's largest plaza. However, his initial plans coincided with the crash of 1929, which caused many investors to back out.

The Rockefellers were left alone with the project and, despite this setback, redirected it towards the construction of a huge art deco shopping and office complex in the heart of Manhattan that employed more than 40,000 workers between 1930 and 1937, a very difficult time.

Today it has become a symbol in New York and its facilities include restaurants, bars, shops, offices, theatres, television studios and the Top of the Rock observation deck, among other spaces.

Rockefeller Center at Christmas

If there is one time of the year when this visit is particularly interesting, it is at Christmas. If you are lucky enough to travel to New York at Christmas, Rockefeller Center will be a must-see. Why? For its wonderful tree, its skating rink, its incredible decorations and if you're lucky, the views of snowy Manhattan.

But this is just a taste of what awaits you and what you can do at Rockefeller Center at Christmas.

To get the most out of your trip to New York you can book a New York City Sightseeing Pass which gives you access to all the major museums, monuments and attractions in the City of Skyscrapers.

Buying one of these passes has several advantages, but the main one is that if you make the most of it you will save money and time by not having to buy individual tickets for each place you visit. The New York City Sightseeing Passes that include access to the Top of the Rock are:

But which one to choose: It may seem like the million dollar question, but the key thing to keep in mind is that there are two types of New York Passes: by number of attractions and by number of days. Finding the perfect pass depends on the type of trip you're going to make in New York and your budget. In my handy guide to New York City Sightseeing Passes I help you choose the one that's right for you - take a look!

If you fancy seeing the city from above, you're in luck, because New York offers plenty of options. Be sure to read my articles on Empire State Building Tickets and Tours, One World Observatory in New York Tickets and Tours, The Edge in New York Tickets and Tours y The Vessel New York Tickets to test your vertigo.

I understand that one of the most frequent doubts when it comes to organising a climb up one of Manhattan's skyscrapers is deciding which is better, whether to climb the Top of the Rock or the mythical Empire State Building. No one can decide for you, but we can help you: with this comparison between climbing the Empire State and the Top of the Rock, I hope to solve some of your doubts.

And if you are looking for something more innovative, you can opt for the latest addition to the Manhattan skyline: its incredible SUMMIT observation deck, which opened in October 2021.