The Empire State Building isn’t the only skyscraper that offers a view of Manhattan; Rockefeller Center also does. This 19-building complex is dominated by the 853 ft-tall 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which overlooks the Top of The Rock. Compared to the Empire State Building, this skyscraper is closer to Central Park, leading many to consider its view superior.
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How the Rockefeller Center in New York City Was Built
The famous and affluent Rockefeller family stands behind the complex of buildings at the Rockefeller Center. Oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, whose fortune of $200 billion still qualifies him as the richest man in history, passed away in 1937. His son John managed the Rockefeller Center project.
Construction of the Rockefeller Center commenced in 1928, before the crash of the New York Stock Exchange on October 24, 1929. Rockefeller Jr. had to fund the entire project himself. Despite the challenges, construction of a complex of buildings in the prevailing Art Deco architectural style began in 1930. Over the nine-year construction period, 40,000 workers were employed at the site, and it is estimated that the construction of Rockefeller Center cost $250 million at the prices of that time.
Of the 19 commercial buildings that constitute Rockefeller Center, two are the most renowned.
🏙️ 30 Rockefeller Plaza
This 70-story skyscraper is the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center. Until 2015, it was known as the GE Building, named after the multinational conglomerate General Electric.
The largest portion of the skyscraper houses the offices of the national broadcaster NBC, as well as Christie’s auction house. The building, based on its address, is nicknamed 30 Rock, so many correctly associate it with the 30 Rock television series, which is set in this very building.
During the construction of Rockefeller Center in 1932, the iconic photograph Lunch atop a Skyscraper was taken, featuring a group of workers perched on a beam high above the ground.
🏙️ Radio City Music Hall
This building, notable for its distinctive neon-clad facade, has long served as the cultural center of New York City. When it opened in 1933, it housed the world’s largest theatre, seating an astonishing 5,933 people. The interior of the building was declared a city landmark in 1978.
Radio City Hall is also home to some of NBC television’s studios. If you purchase a New York Pass, you can enjoy a free tour of the building and the famed concert hall.
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Top of the Rock: A View of Manhattan and Central Park
The Top of the Rock observation deck on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza consists of three platforms that offer 360-degree views of all of New York City. Compared to the Empire State Building, from here, you can observe not only Manhattan but also Central Park.
🗺️ How to Reach the Top of the Rock Observatory
You can find Rockefeller Center and the Top of The Rock overlook at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the Midtown Manhattan area. The closest metro station is 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr, which is serviced by the Orange B, D, F, and M lines.
Entry to the building is on 50th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.
🕒 Top of the Rock Opening Hours
The Top of the Rock Observatory is open every day from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, with the last elevator ascending at 10:10 pm. You should allocate about an hour for your visit to the observatory.
🎟️ Tickets for Top of the Rock Observatory
Ticket prices for the Top of the Rock observation deck are $39 for an adult, $33 for a child aged between 6 to 12, and $37 for seniors aged 62 and older. I last confirmed these prices on April 25, 2024.
You can purchase your tickets online, which guarantees you a specified time of entry and the option to change the date in case of unfavorable weather conditions.
If you plan to visit the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Statue of Liberty, I suggest you consider purchasing The New York Pass or New York CityPASS. These passes offer admission to a wide range of attractions for one fixed price.
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The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
The tradition of New York’s open-air ice rink dates back to 1936. The Sunken Plaza attraction was more or less created by accident when the management of the adjacent Rockefeller Center sought to attract more visitors to the area.
The ice rink proved incredibly popular with visitors, so it started being constructed annually. The Rink at Rockefeller Center typically opens in October and stays open until April, weather permitting. The 121 ft×59 ft rink is open from 12:00 pm to midnight, with skating in 90-minute blocks. Thus, you buy a ticket for Monday at 8:30 am and skate until 10:00 am.
Depending on the time of day, admission prices range between $11.00 and $75. Skate rental costs $11.00.
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Fun Facts About Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center is renowned for the over 90-year-old tradition of the Christmas tree, which is annually lit in early December. This event is a significant cultural spectacle, broadcast live on local television. The tree is always delivered to the site during the night with a police escort to minimize disruption to New York City traffic. The inaugural Christmas tree at this location was lit in 1931 by construction workers building a skyscraper.
An intriguing display of 193 flags is situated in the Lower Plaza. Until 2020, these represented countries that were members of the United Nations. Since then, the flags have been switched out and are now updated as part of various campaigns.
A majestic bronze statue of Prometheus is positioned at the entrance to the Rockefeller Center near the rink, a masterpiece crafted in 1934 by the sculptor Paul Manship.
In total, there are 488 elevators operating throughout all the buildings of the Rockefeller Center.
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Photos of Rockefeller Center
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