New York: Top of the Rock
Before our trip to New York we read a lot of conflicting advice about whether to visit Top of the Rock or the Empire States building, and about the best time of day to visit both. With us already purchasing the New York City Explorer Pass, with 10 attractions for each of us, we knew that we could do both buildings and eventually, after much debate, decided to do Top of the Rock by day and Empire States by night. In the end things didn’t happen that way due to the fog and we ended up seeing both by day but still, the intention was always there.
Top of the Rock is exactly what you would imagine it to be, it’s the top of the Rockefeller Centre with the entrance located at 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Look for the big red carpet marking the entrance on the south side of the street. A second entrance is located on the Concourse level of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
The Rockefeller Centre, built by John Rockefeller during the Great Depression, was declared a New York landmark in 1985 and is not only home to the Top of the Rock attraction but shops, restaurants, and exhibits.
It’s most famously known for the outdoor ice rink and the lighting of the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree each year, something which I would love to see should we return to New York at Christmas.
Like every attraction we visited in New York, passing through security is a must and yet having arrived at Top of the Rock at 8.30am we walked straight through in under two minutes and took our place in the lift to travel 850 feet up to the first of three observation decks. The first deck includes the Radiance Wall and gift shop, the second, featuring the Breezeway, is entirely outdoors and the third observation deck, located on the 70th floor open-air roof deck, is completely outdoors and free of a glass enclosure, making it perfect for photos.
It’s hard to explain just how incredible the view from the top is, and impossible to really show that in photographs. From the second we walked out of the lift all three of us just stood there with open mouths in complete silence. As much as you can appreciate the size of New York as you’re walking around the streets, seeing it from above is the best way to really appreciate how incredible it is. I could have stood and stared at that view all say long and still find something new to look at.
The great thing about Top of the Rock is that you get the most amazing view of the Empire State Building directly in front of you. It is such a distinctive building, and one of the most recognised building in the world, and seeing it like this for the first time was pretty special.
For me, having done both Top of the Rock and the Empire States, Top of the Rock offers a 360 degree view of Manhattan, less obstructed that the Empire States. The views of Central Park are a real highlight and seeing the sheer size of it amongst all of those skyscrapers was completely breathtaking. Having only ever seen it in photographs it’s always a special moment to see something for yourself for the very first time.
Many state that the best time to visit Top of the Rock is an hour before due so you can see the city by day, sunset, and night. It’s also the most crowded time to go up which is something you need to take into account and for us, wanting to have a relaxed visit and take photographs of our own, it just wasn’t worth the crowds.
We absolutely loved the Top of the Rock, and exploring the Rockefeller Centre afterwards, and if you’re planning a trip to New York and aren’t sure which of the viewing platforms to choose, I’d say Top of the Rock was my personal favourite in terms of giving the best views.
