Top of the Rock
Tickets, Observation Deck Info & Why It's the Best for Skyline Photos
⏱ 1.5 hours👤 All ages$$
Get Tickets
Get Top of the Rock Tickets
Skip the line · mobile tickets accepted at the door
Top of the Rock is the observation experience at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the art deco GE Building (originally the RCA Building) completed in 1933. The original observation deck closed in 1986 and reopened in 2005 after a $75 million renovation that turned it into the city's most thoughtfully-designed observatory.
The three viewing levels are the key — the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors all offer different angles, and the top level is open-air on all four sides with relatively low glass walls (compared to other decks, where glass dominates the photo). Sunset views look directly at Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building + the rest of midtown to the south — meaning your skyline photos here will include the Empire State, which you literally cannot do from Empire State Building itself.
Beyond the deck, the Rockefeller Center complex itself is worth time — the lower-level shopping arcade, the ice rink (winter) or summer cafe, NBC Studios tours, and the radio city studios. Pair Top of the Rock with a Rockefeller Center walking tour for a half-day around Midtown.
What to Expect
Format
Timed-entry. Express elevators to the 67th floor, escalators and stairs between the three observation levels. Self-paced.
Best Time
45 minutes before sunset, then stay through dusk for the dual day-to-night photos. Late morning is the quietest.
Duration
90 minutes. Don't rush — the three levels each give different angles.
Tips
Bring a camera, not just a phone — the views are wide and benefit from a real lens. The "Sun and Stars" combo ticket lets you visit once during the day AND once at night for not much more than the single ticket — worth it if your schedule allows two trips up.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Anyone who wants the Empire State Building IN their skyline photo.
Families
The three levels and the wide deck make this kid-friendlier than the more vertigo-inducing Edge or Summit.
Couples
Sunset proposals happen here daily. The Sun and Stars ticket lets you start at sunset and come back at night.
Pair With
Rockefeller Center walking tour, NBC Studios tour, or skating at the rink (winter).
Time Needed
90 minutes for the deck. Add 2 hours for the Rockefeller Center complex.
Ready to book Top of the Rock?
Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main reason to choose Top of the Rock over Empire State?
You can see the Empire State Building from here. You can't from inside it. For skyline photography, that's the deciding factor for many visitors.
How does the view compare to Edge or Summit?
Top of the Rock is more traditional — wide open-air deck, lower glass, classic skyline view. Edge has the glass floor and angled wall (more thrilling). Summit has the mirrored room and immersive art (more art-installation than view).
Is the Sun and Stars ticket worth it?
If you have a flexible NYC schedule and want both day and night skyline views, yes — the upcharge is small and you get two visits.
Is Rockefeller Center itself worth time?
Yes — the lower-level shopping arcade, the ice rink (winter), and the surrounding architecture are part of the experience. Plan extra time.
More New York City Attractions
Browse all →
Empire State Building
The 1931 art deco icon that defined the New York skyline — 86th-floor outdoor observation deck and 102nd-floor enclosed observatory, with King Kong references everywhere.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
The newest observation experience in NYC — a mirrored immersive art installation across multiple floors at the top of One Vanderbilt, including glass-floor ledges and an outdoor terrace.
Edge at Hudson Yards
The Western Hemisphere's highest outdoor sky deck — a triangular cantilever 1,131 feet above the Hudson, with a glass floor section and an angled-out glass wall.