Top of the Rock is one of Manhattan’s best first observation decks: its open-air 70th floor gives the classic Empire State Building skyline view and a full look over Central Park. It works best when you book an official timed slot for a clear day—morning for easier photography, or 45–60 minutes before sunset for daylight-to-night views.
Book timed entry on the official site
Buy standard Timed Admission at https://www.rockefellercenter.com/buy-tickets/top-of-the-rock/ once trip dates are firm; it starts from US$42, while sunset, weekend and holiday slots are the most competitive.
MoreUse the 50th Street entrance
Enter at 50 West 50th Street, on the south side between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and arrive 15–20 minutes before your slot—or 30 minutes early for sunset, weekends or add-on rides.
MoreCheck visibility before committing
Avoid low cloud, fog, heavy rain, thunderstorms or severe wind; if weather ruins visibility, ask the operator about rescheduling under its weather guarantee rather than assuming a refund.
MorePrioritize the open-air 70th floor
Allow 60–90 minutes for the deck, head first toward Central Park in daylight, and save the south-facing Empire State Building view for sunset or city lights.
More67th-floor indoor and outdoor terraces
~15 min · Included with timed deck admission; reached after security and the elevator experience.
69th-floor observation deck
~15 min · Included with timed deck admission; The Beam is an optional separately booked add-on here.
70th-floor open-air observation deck
~30 min · Included with timed deck admission; SKYLIFT is an optional separately booked add-on.
| Monday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
| Thursday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
| Friday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
| Saturday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
| Sunday | 8 AM – 12 AM |
Hours from Google; check before you go.
Top of the Rock is Rockefeller Center’s ticketed, three-level public observation deck atop Art Deco 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. It spans the 67th, 69th and open-air 70th floors, rising about 850 feet above the city; the original roof deck opened with the RCA Building in 1933, closed in 1986, and reopened after renovation on November 1, 2005.
It is one of New York’s strongest all-round skyline viewpoints: the open-air 70th floor gives unobstructed photographs south toward the Empire State Building and north across Central Park. It suits first-time visitors, photographers and families choosing one classic observation deck; skip it if heights, wind, queues or a premium-priced view outweigh the appeal, or when fog, low cloud or heavy rain obscure the skyline.
Before you go
Yes. Top of the Rock is a controlled, paid observation deck. Buy a timed ticket directly through Rockefeller Center’s official Top of the Rock checkout once your trip dates are firm. Standard timed admission is advertised from US$42, though the live checkout showed fares from US$49 for adults, US$47 for seniors and US$43 for children ages 6–12 on some date/time combinations. Choose ordinary timed admission unless you specifically want an add-on ride or need schedule flexibility.
Book as soon as your trip dates are firm if you want sunset, particularly Friday–Sunday, spring through fall, and from Thanksgiving through New Year. Reserve an entry roughly 45–60 minutes before sunset so you can see daylight, sunset and blue hour. If sunset is sold out, book a non-sunset time the same day or a clear morning rather than paying a reseller markup.
The deck is listed as open daily from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, with last entry at 11:10 p.m.; holiday hours can vary. Arrive 15–20 minutes before a normal timed entry, or 30 minutes early for sunset, weekends, holidays, or Beam/SKYLIFT bookings, because all visitors pass through security.
Use the dedicated Top of the Rock entrance at 50 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10112, on the south side of West 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Look for the red carpet. Do not use unrelated entrances to 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NBC, offices or shops.
Take the B, D, F or M to 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center. From Sixth Avenue-side exits, allow about 5 minutes to walk to the 50 West 50th Street entrance. The M50 bus and Fifth Avenue buses stop nearby, but the subway is generally more dependable in Midtown traffic.
Allow 60–90 minutes for standard admission. Plan about 2 hours if you want to experience daylight through city lights, and 90–120 minutes if adding The Beam or SKYLIFT. Crowded sunset periods can take longer.