Top of the Rock Guide from New York Hotels
Top of the Rock is a three level observation deck on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of the top of 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The top deck is 850 feet above street level. After being closed for almost twenty years for renovations, Top of the Rock has been reopened to the public and is more impressive than ever before. Top of the Rock offers arguably the best views of New York City. This is also the best place to view the spectacular roof gardens of the other Rockefeller Center buildings. Since Top of the Rock reopened, it has become one of the most popular places in the city for marriage proposals.
Rockefeller Center was John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s greatest gift to the people of New York. The site, set on 22 acres in midtown Manhattan, was originally intended to house the Metropolitan Opera House. Midtown Manhattan has the best selection of hotel accommodations in New York City. Construction of Rockefeller Center started in 1930, following the stock market. When it was completed in 1939, it was the largest private building project in modern history. The holiday season is a great time to visit Rockefeller Center to see the famous Christmas tree and enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink. The gilded bronze Prometheus statue of the central fountain is one of New York City's most famous sculptures. It was designed by Paul Manship and overlooks the mall and ice skating rink.
Rockefeller Center is a complex consisting of 14 Art Deco limestone skyscrapers and outdoor spaces. The land was originally leased from Columbia University and was sold to the Rockefeller Group for $400 million in 1985. In 1987, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Mitsubishi Group purchased the entire Rockfeller Group in 1989, and then sold off the Rockefeller Complex for $1.85 billion in 2000. 30 Rockefeller Center is the GE building. It is the headquarters of NBS and the basis for the TV show 30 Rock. The famous Rainbow Room restaurant is located on the 65th floor. Saturday Night Live, NBC News, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien are filmed here. If you are staying at one of the nearby hotels, you will have a good chance of spotting celebrities in this part of New York City.
While there are no bars or restaurants at Top of the Rock, there are a variety of dinning establishments on 30 Rockefeller Plaza's concourse level, and in the surrounding neighborhood. There is a pre-show multimedia exhibit which can be seen before entering the observation decks. Top of the Rock is open 7 days a week from 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM.
The last elevator goes up at 11:00 PM. The main entrance is located between 5th and 6th Avenues on 50th Street. Visitors are welcome to stay on the observation deck as long as they choose, with most people spending about 45 minutes to an hour at the Top of the Rock.