New York City has several observation decks, but Top of the Rock offers one of the best views of the Empire State Building in the Manhattan skyline. From the observation decks at Rockefeller Center, you can also look north toward Central Park and take in the skyscrapers surrounding Midtown. We visited Top of the Rock with Buttercup and Spider Monkey on a cloudy day. Although the weather limited some of the long-distance views, we could still see the Empire State Building, Central Park, and many of the buildings surrounding Rockefeller Center. The girls loved spotting landmarks from above, and the clouds gave the skyline a dramatic look in our photographs.
What Is Top of the Rock?
Top of the Rock is the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. Visitors can explore three observation levels on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. The lower levels include indoor viewing areas and outdoor terraces surrounded by protective glass. The highest level is an open-air rooftop with unobstructed views of the city.
One of the biggest reasons to choose Top of the Rock is the view of the Empire State Building. When you visit the Empire State Building’s observation deck, you are standing inside one of New York City’s most famous landmarks. From Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building becomes the centerpiece of the skyline in front of you.
Looking in the opposite direction, you can see Central Park stretching north through Manhattan. Depending on the weather and visibility, you may also be able to spot One World Trade Center, the Hudson River, and other familiar New York City landmarks.
Getting Top of the Rock Tickets
Top of the Rock uses timed admission tickets. Purchasing tickets in advance is the best way to secure the time that works with your New York City itinerary, especially if you are visiting during a weekend, school break, or another busy travel period. General admission includes access to the observation decks. The Beam and SKYLIFT are optional add-ons and are not automatically included with every ticket. Our family chose a ticket that included The Beam Experience. We did not add SKYLIFT, but families interested in both experiences should compare the available combination tickets before purchasing.
Ticket prices and packages can change, so it is important to review the available options before your visit. Sunset is one of the most popular times to go, but it may also be more crowded and expensive. A daytime visit can make it easier for children to identify landmarks, while an evening visit offers a completely different view of the city lights.
Arriving at Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center covers several buildings and city blocks, so give yourself enough time to locate the Top of the Rock entrance before your scheduled admission time. After entering, visitors pass through a security checkpoint before continuing through the attraction. Bags and personal belongings are screened, so bringing only what you need will make the process easier. The route to the elevators includes displays about Rockefeller Center and its history. These exhibits provide some context for the building before visitors head toward the observation decks.
Our girls enjoyed the anticipation of the elevator ride and finally seeing the skyline appear when we reached the upper floors.
Exploring the Observation Decks
Top of the Rock is not limited to one viewing platform. Visitors can move among several levels, and each one provides a slightly different perspective of Manhattan. The lower levels include indoor areas and outdoor terraces. These spaces are especially helpful during cold, windy, or wet weather because families can move inside when they need a break.
The highest rooftop level provides the clearest open-air view. It is also one of the best places to take wide photographs of the city without glass directly in front of the skyline.
Buttercup and Spider Monkey enjoyed pointing out the buildings they recognized and trying to match the view with the places we had already visited. Seeing the city from above helped them understand how the different parts of our New York City itinerary fit together. Even on our cloudy day, the Empire State Building remained clearly visible. We also had a good view of Central Park and the surrounding Midtown skyscrapers.
The Beam Experience
The Beam Experience is inspired by the famous Lunch Atop a Skyscraper photograph showing construction workers eating lunch while sitting on a steel beam high above New York City. During the experience, visitors sit on a recreation of the beam and are secured before it rises above the observation deck and turns toward the skyline. It creates the appearance that you are sitting on a beam above Manhattan, while remaining a controlled attraction.
Buttercup and Spider Monkey loved it. They giggled as the beam moved into position and enjoyed seeing the city from a different angle. Dustin and I had just as much fun watching their reactions and capturing the experience in photographs. The Beam added an interactive element to our visit. Without it, Top of the Rock would still have been an impressive observation deck. With it, the girls had something they could actively participate in rather than simply walking around and looking at the view.
The experience itself is fairly quick, but it made the visit much more memorable for our family. Children who are especially nervous about heights or movement may feel differently, so parents should consider each child’s comfort level before adding it. For our family, The Beam was worth the additional cost. It was the part of the visit the girls enjoyed most and gave us some of our favorite photographs from Top of the Rock.
What Is SKYLIFT?
SKYLIFT is another optional experience available at Top of the Rock. The rotating platform rises above the rooftop and provides an elevated 360-degree view of the New York City skyline. We chose The Beam instead of SKYLIFT, so we cannot offer a firsthand opinion about the experience. Families who want to try both can look for a ticket package that combines general admission with The Beam and SKYLIFT. We did not feel that skipping SKYLIFT took away from our visit. Between the three observation levels and The Beam Experience, we had plenty to explore. However, it may appeal to families who want an even higher view or another unique experience during their visit.
Family Verdict
Our family loved visiting Top of the Rock, especially The Beam Experience. Buttercup and Spider Monkey had so much fun, and even on a cloudy day, we still enjoyed great views of the Empire State Building, Central Park, and Midtown Manhattan. It was an easy attraction to add to our New York City itinerary, and The Beam made it feel more memorable than a standard observation deck visit.
Make sure to check out our nearby adventures at NBC Studios, the NYC Catacombs, the Crown of the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations Headquarters, 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.
