Top of the Rock is an observation deck on top of 30 Rockefeller Center and it offers arguably the best views in New York City. Located in the heart of Rockefeller Center Plaza, Top of the Rock is in close proximity to tons of attraction such as Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral or the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
How to Visit
The entrance to the deck is located on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. If you’re lost, follow signs for “Observation Deck” and look for a red carpet that’s is placed in front of the entrance. To get to the area, you can take the B, D, F, M trains to Rockefeller Center, or you can easily walk there from the Times Square area.
Due to the popularity of the attraction, Top of the Rock operates on a timed-ticket basis. Whether you have a Sightseeing Pass or a regular ticket, you have to select your date and time at the box office. When you arrive, you will receive a ticket for a later time, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time in line.
On the day of your visit, present your ticket for entry and proceed to the security checkpoint. Any bags and containers will be inspected. Please note that weapons, food or beverages are not allowed.
Once you get up in an elevator, you can visit all three available decks, two of them outdoors and one indoor. All of them offer spectacular views and photo ops.
Top of the Rock is open daily rain or shine from 8am until Midnight (last elevator is at 11:15pm).
Downtown View
The downtown view from Top of the Rock is perhaps the most famous shot of the New York skyline, so you’re sure to have seen it at some point. Unlike other observatories in New York, Top of the Rock offers indoor and outdoor decks for unobstructed views and perfect photo ops.
From the South side of the observation deck, you can view the entirety of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, including an amazing unobstructed shot of the Empire State Building. The South view is perhaps the most famous shot of the NYC skyline. Tucked behind Empire State Building is the seemingly small One World Trade Center and on the right side of the view, you can see the modern architectural marvel, the Bank of America Tower. This view is amazing day and night, morning or afternoon.
Uptown View
Even though the South view steals the show, the North view is nothing shy of perfection. The North view is your best chance to see a bird’s-eye-view of Central Park without going airborne. You can marvel in the sheer size of Central Park as well as the eclectic Uptown architecture featuring glass high-rises as well as 100-yea-old residential building surrounding the park. Given how much of this side of the view is taken up by the Central Park, it looks a little bit more exciting in daytime. The Best possible time to go see this is at sunset, when the colorful sky is reflected on the glass towers located so close to the observation deck.
To use your pass at Top of the Rock for free admission, simple go to the box office and show your pass, whether it be on your phone, your Apple watch, printed, or one of our plastic card, you will then be given a ticket for your preferred date and time. Getting into Top of the Rock with the Sightseeing Pass is easy and hassle-free.