TheOneToGo
Top of the Rock
Probably the smartest skyline deck in town, since it puts the Empire State in frame with Central Park behind it. The one reason to pass: you have already paid to go up somewhere else and the views start to blur.
The deck people pick when they have done their homework: it looks straight at the Empire State Building, so the tower lands in your photos instead of under your feet, and it stares down the full length of Central Park to the north. That north-south pairing is the whole case for choosing it over the others.
Worth it for
- Anyone who wants the Empire State Building in the shot rather than beneath them
- The straight-down look at the length of Central Park, which other decks cannot give you
You can skip if
- You already did another observation deck this trip and don't need a second
Our pick for Top of the Rock
The one deck in New York that puts the Empire State Building in your photo rather than beneath your feet, with the full length of Central Park stretching north behind it. Three open-air levels across the upper floors let you pick your angle, and the sunset-to-night shift turns the Midtown grid into something you'll actually carry home.
If our pick doesn't fit
Rockefeller Center sells the timed decks directly, so you skip the box-office line without a reseller markup.
Official ticketsPairs a guided walk of the complex with the ascent, worth it if you want the full story before going up.
See all options for Top of the Rock
What travelers flag about Top of the Rock
We weighed recent New York traveler opinion on the observation decks against the provider reviews. These are the themes that came up again and again.
- The locals' pick of the decksReported by many
Ask New Yorkers which deck to do and this is the answer that wins by a mile. The logic they repeat: it is not the tallest, and that is the point, because from here you see the Empire State Building and the full length of Central Park in your photos instead of standing on top of the one building you came to photograph.
- The open top level has no glassReported by many
The upper outdoor deck has sections with no glass barrier, which regulars single out for clean, glare-free photos, something the all-glass decks like Summit and One World cannot match. Sunset into night is the slot people recommend most.
- You only need one deckReported by several
The other near-universal refrain: just do one. Paying for two or three observation decks is money most visitors regret. Book direct on Rockefeller Center's site, pick a clear day, and make this the one.
Sourced from recent traveler discussions, not provider reviews. We only flag what several visitors independently reported, and the bars show how widely each point came up.
Which ticket should you buy?
The view
The deck looks south toward the Empire State Building and the Lower Manhattan skyline, and north over the full length of Central Park. That combination is the main reason people choose it: you get the famous tower in your photos rather than standing inside it, plus a clear overhead view of the park that the Empire State Building cannot match.
Viewing areas spread across multiple levels, with both open-air terraces and enclosed sections behind glass. The upper terraces have low glass barriers that make for cleaner photos. On a clear day the sightlines reach across the city and out to the rivers and bridges.
At Rockefeller Center
The deck sits within Rockefeller Center, a complex of Art Deco buildings, shops, and public plazas. At ground level you will find the sunken plaza that becomes an ice rink in winter, the famous holiday tree in December, and the Radio City Music Hall nearby. It is worth allowing time to walk the complex before or after you go up.
Because everything is in one place, a visit here folds easily into a Midtown day. The area is busy and central, close to Fifth Avenue shopping, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Museum of Modern Art a few blocks away.
Tickets and timing
Entry uses timed tickets, so you select an arrival window when you book. Sunset is the most popular slot because you can catch daylight, the sunset, and the lit-up city in one visit, and those times sell out first. Booking ahead is the surest way to get the time you want.
Crowds are heaviest around sunset and on weekends. For a quieter experience, go earlier in the day. Clear weather makes a big difference, since haze or low cloud will limit how far you can see across the city.
Getting there
The entrance is on 50th Street, and the deck is right above one of the most central subway stops in Midtown. It is an easy walk from Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and the Theater District.
Many people pair it with the Empire State Building, a short distance south, to see the skyline from two angles. If you only have time or budget for one deck, Top of the Rock's view of the Empire State Building and Central Park is the reason many choose it.
Top of the Rock: FAQs
It is at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the main tower of Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. The entrance is on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, marked at street level.
Many think so, because Top of the Rock faces both the Empire State Building and Central Park, so you get the famous tower in your photos and an overhead view of the park. It comes down to which skyline you want to see.
Yes. Entry is by timed ticket with a chosen arrival window. Sunset slots are the most popular and sell out first, so booking ahead is the best way to secure the time you want.
Sunset is the favorite, since you can see daylight, the sunset, and the lit city in one visit, but it is the most crowded. Earlier in the day is quieter. Clear weather gives the best views.
The complex has Art Deco buildings, shops, and public plazas, including the sunken plaza that becomes an ice rink in winter and hosts the holiday tree in December. Radio City Music Hall is nearby.
Explore more in New York City
Plan your trip
- Best time to visit New York City
- Day trips from New York City
- 1 Day in New York City: Midtown, Central Park, and the West Side
- New York City in a Weekend: 48 Hours, Maximum City
- 3 Days in New York City: A Realistic First-Timer Itinerary
- 5 Days in New York City: A Borough-Hopping Guide
- Free Things to Do in New York City That Locals Actually Do
- New York City with Kids: The Big Hits Without the Meltdowns
- New York City at Night: Skyline Views and Late Eats
- What to Do in New York City When It Rains
- Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which Observation Deck?
- Edge vs Summit One Vanderbilt: New York's Best New Observation Deck?
- The Met vs MoMA: Which New York Museum to Prioritize?
- Is Times Square Worth Visiting?
Worth it, or skip it?
Join the early list. When it launches, expect the occasional short email: the handful of things actually worth your time in each city, the famous ones to skip, and when it's free or cheaper to just walk in. No paid placement.