Rockefeller Center Observation Deck

This high vantage point gives an incredible vista of the Big Apple.

TravelCurious Tip

Go an hour or two before sunset. That way you see New York’s spectacular transition from day to night

30 Rockefeller Center is an Art Deco skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. It forms part of the Rockefeller Center, one of the grandest plazas in New York. Rockefeller financed the Center personally as the country teetered on the verge of the Great Depression. At the time, it was the largest private building project in history.


Coming in at 260 metres tall, 30 Rockefeller Centre is the commanding centrepiece of the plaza. To appreciate the scale, you need only recall the famous, vertigo-inspiring photo “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” of eleven men cheerfully eating lunch on a suspended iron girder — legs dangling over hundreds of metres of open air. Charles Ebbets took that photograph on the 69th floor of 30 Rockefeller Center.


In fact, you can enjoy the same panorama from somewhere even higher — and a little safer. The Rockefeller Center Observation Deck reopened to the public in 2005 after extensive renovations. The deck is built to resemble that of an ocean liner, and it offers an extraordinary view of the New York — perhaps even better than that from the Empire State Building. Although this may be because you can see the Empire State Building from here!

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in New York
St Patrick’s Cathedral
This imposing Neo-Gothic construction has been the beacon of Catholicism in New York since 1878.
Rockefeller Center
An iconic complex of Art Deco buildings and public art, commissioned by the Rockefeller family.
Radio City Music Hall
A beloved entertainment venue that has earned the moniker of 'Showplace of the Nation.'
Fifth Avenue
The world's most prestigious (and expensive) shopping street.
Starry Night
Arguably Van Gogh's most famous painting, 'Starry Night' is on display at the MoMA.
Saks: Christmas
An American chain of luxury department stores, with its main flagship store located on Fifth Avenue.

Related Tours

The Best of New York City: Private Tour including Top of the Rock

Beginning with views of the Statue of Liberty, you will learn about the history of perhaps the most iconic city in the world as you absorb the truly vibrant atmosphere of the city that never sleeps, from Wall Street to the bustling streets of Downtown Manhattan, the sparkling brilliance of Times Square and end with tickets to see the glorious views from the Top of the Rock - the sky-high observatory at the Rockefeller Centre.

On your private full-day tour of New York City, you will:

  • Start your tour at Battery Park and learn about the origins of New Amsterdam, how it became New York, and admire the views of the iconic Statue of Liberty;
  • Pass by Wall Street's famous bronze statues of the Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl;
  • See the areas main sites of Trinity Church, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Reserve Bank as you learn about the financial system designed by Alexander Hamilton;
  • Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center stood, an incredibly moving tribute to the horrendous events of that terrible day in 2001; 
  • Discover the bustling district of Midtown Manhattan - famous for its skyscrapers, shopping on 5th Avenue and Broadway;
  • Tour the interior of Grand Central Terminal - New York's train station famous for its Beaux-Arts architecture, celestial mural ceiling, and for its starring role in films like Men in Black and Armageddon, it is visited by over 20 million people a year;
  • Walk through the tranquil Bryant Park, and admire the lions in front of the New York Public Library;
  • Enjoy the vibrant and exciting atmosphere of Times Square with its flashy billboards and explore the theatre district of Broadway;
  • Take a stroll down the iconic 5th Avenue and admire the stunning window displays of the Saks department store;
  • See the historic St. Patrick's Cathedral from the outside - its neo-gothic splendour is a stark contrast to the surrounding modernity;
  • Admire some of New York's jaw-dropping Art Deco skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building; 
  • Pass by Radio City Hall - a historic theatre venue, and home to the Rockettes;
  • Finish your tour with tickets to the 'Top of the Rock' the observatory at the top of the Rockefeller Centre with incredible views over New York City - a perfect way to end the day! 


Your tour begins in the heart of Wall Street, where you'll discover the most famous financial district in the world. Begin with an introduction to the history of New Amsterdam - that became New York in Battery Park - with glorious views out towards the Statue of Liberty, before exploring the highlights of Wall Street, including the statues of the Fearless Girl and Charging Bull, the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Bank - where you'll hear all about the history and formation of the modern financial institutions and systems invented by Alexander Hamilton.

Your tour continues to the National 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero— the original site of the World Trade Center. Here, your guide will share the history of the World Trade Center and discuss the tragic events of 9/11 when the two terrorist planes crashed into the Twin Towers, forever changing the modern world.

Next, it's time to take a New York metro ride - the most popular - and fastest - way of travelling around the city to Midtown Manhattan! First, you'll explore Grand Central Terminal, the most iconic transportation hub in the United States, with beautiful celestial ceiling murals and stunning Beaux-Arts architecture.

It is the setting of many movies and novels and is also famous for its shopping, bars, and restaurants - it is the second most visited landmark in New York after Times Square. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the area - your guide will be happy to make recommendations.

After lunch, explore the iconic area of Midtown Manhattan - famous for its skyscrapers, high-end shopping and of course Broadway theatre scene!

Enjoy a tranquil stroll through Bryant Park, a lovely green oasis in the heart of busy Midtown. See the New York Public Library - flanked by two giant lions, and admire the art deco skyscrapers the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, that made up New York's world-famous skyline.

Walk along the iconic 5th Avenue famous for its department stores - admire the stunning window displays at Saks, and the historical contrast of St Patrick's Cathedral, an impressive neo-gothic construction that was opened in 1879. Famous for its spires, stained glass windows, and titanic bronze doors - the cathedral has hosted many famous funerals including Babe Ruth and Bobby Kennedy.

Head to the amazing Times Square, known as the 'crossroads of the world to see the news ticker on the One Times Square Building, the NASDAQ board, and the myriad of flashing neon signs that lead you onto the bright lights of Broadway!

Finally, passing by the iconic Radio City Hall, your guide will give you your tickets to 'The Top of the Rock', the Rockefeller Observation deck at the top of the Rockefeller Centre.

Your guide will show you the entrance and leave you to enjoy a perfect end to a perfect day - with a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Manhattan and the rest of the Big Apple.

x

Guides

Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.

Become a guide

Partners

Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.

Become a partner