The NBC Studios Tour was one of the more unique New York City tours we did with our girls. Instead of just seeing another landmark from the outside, we got to go behind the scenes at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and learn more about how television shows are created. This tour worked well for our family because it was guided, structured, and different from the other sightseeing stops on our itinerary. The girls liked seeing the studio spaces, learning how live television comes together, and getting a chance to participate in the hands-on filming experience at the end.
It is important to know before booking that this tour is better for older kids. There are age rules, photo restrictions, security procedures, and tour stops can vary depending on what is happening inside the studios that day. This guide walks through what to expect on the NBC Studios Tour with kids so you can decide whether it is a good fit for your New York City itinerary.
Getting NBC Studios Tour Tickets
Book NBC Studios Tour tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting New York City during a busy travel season. Tour times can sell out, and availability may vary depending on what is happening at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Before booking, check the current age rules, ticket prices, tour length, and arrival instructions. This is not a tour for very young children, so confirm that everyone in your group meets the age requirement before you purchase tickets. The tour is guided and usually lasts long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over the whole day. For families, that makes it easy to pair with other Midtown stops like Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Times Square, or a Broadway show.
Plan to arrive early so you have time to check in, go through security, and find the correct meeting area without feeling rushed. Since the tour takes place inside active studio space, the exact stops can vary, which is part of what makes the experience feel different from a standard museum or attraction.
When You Arrive for Your NBC Studios Tour
Arriving at 30 Rockefeller Plaza already feels like part of the experience. The building is busy, the plaza is familiar, and the girls were excited before the tour even started. Check-in was straightforward. After we found the tour entrance, staff helped get everyone organized and we went through security before waiting with our group. I would arrive early so you are not rushing through Rockefeller Center trying to find the right place.
One thing families should know before the tour is that photos are very limited. We were only allowed to take a photo of the NBC carpet in the elevator before entering the tour. After that, photos were not allowed inside the studio areas, which is worth knowing before your kids get too excited about taking pictures.
NBC Studios Tour Stops
The exact stops on the NBC Studios Tour can vary depending on filming schedules and what is happening inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza that day. That is worth knowing before you go because you may not see every studio or set you are hoping for, but the tour still gives families a good behind-the-scenes look at how television is made.
Show Sets
One of the biggest highlights of the tour was seeing real studio spaces. During our visit, we were able to see sets connected to shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show, which helped the girls understand that these are not just things that appear on TV. They are filmed in actual working spaces with cameras, lights, crew members, and a lot of behind-the-scenes planning. This was one of the parts I liked most because it made television feel more real to the girls. They could see the audience areas, stage layouts, lighting, and production details that usually disappear when you are just watching a finished show at home.
Prop Room
The prop room was another fun stop because it gave the girls a closer look at the smaller details that help bring television shows to life. Seeing costumes, hats, and props up close made it easier for them to understand how much work goes into creating even a short scene. This was a quick stop, but it worked well with kids because there was a lot to look at. The guide shared stories about some of the items, and the girls had fun imagining how the props might have been used during different shows.
Muppet Pipes
The Muppet Pipes were one of the funniest surprises on the NBC Studios Tour. According to our guide, Jim Henson and his team once turned a set of exposed pipes into colorful little Muppet-like characters, and they have been preserved as part of NBC history. The girls loved this stop because it was unexpected and silly. After seeing studio spaces and hearing about television production, the Muppet Pipes added a lighter moment to the tour and showed how much creativity has passed through the building over the years.
Control Room
The control room helped the girls understand how much happens off camera during a television broadcast. The screens, buttons, lights, and equipment made it clear that a live show depends on a lot of people making quick decisions at the same time. Our guide explained how producers and directors watch different camera angles, cue changes, and keep everything moving during a show. This was one of the better stops for showing kids that television is not just what happens on stage. There is a whole team behind the scenes making sure everything comes together.
Today Show Filming
The hands-on filming experience at the end of the tour was the girls’ favorite part. Everyone in the group had a role in creating a short mock broadcast, which made the tour feel more interactive than simply walking through studio spaces.
Spider Monkey got to be an anchor, Buttercup helped with the camera, I worked in the control room, and Dustin played our celebrity guest. It was quick, funny, and a little chaotic in the best way. For our family, this was the part that made the NBC Studios Tour feel especially kid-friendly because the girls were not just watching, they got to see how television works. They actually got to try it.
The Family Verdict
The NBC Studios Tour was a fun Midtown stop and one of the more hands-on tours we did in New York City. The girls liked seeing the studio spaces, props, control room, and filming setup, but the mock broadcast at the end was easily their favorite part. This tour is a good fit for families with older kids who are interested in television, behind-the-scenes spaces, or guided tours that include something interactive. It is not a must-do for every NYC trip, but it worked well for our family and paired easily with Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Times Square, and Broadway.
Make sure to check out our nearby adventures at the NYC Catacombs, the Crown of the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations Headquarters, Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and Central Park via Pedicab. Also, follow along on our complete family adventure through New York City!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
