Top of the Rock: the best views of New York

What You Need to Know About Top of the Rock

• Top of the Rock is an observation deck in New York located at the top of the Comcast Building, the tallest building at Rockefeller Center. This 70-story tower, situated at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, was built between 1931 and 1933. Until the end of 2014, the building was still called the GE Building, but it changed names after cable operator Comcast acquired General Electric.
• The original observation deck closed in 1986 for renovations that ultimately took nearly 20 years. The new Top of the Rock opened on November 1, 2005, with completely redesigned spaces. The renovation cost a total of 75 million dollars.
• The observation deck continues to evolve, with new attractions and concepts added to its rooftop. The latest addition is Skylift, which opened in 2024—a platform that rises above the terrace.
• Top of the Rock is now one of New York’s most visited observation decks, attracting more than 3 million visitors from around the world each year! The observation deck offers a spectacular view of New York thanks to its central location in Manhattan. It’s a must-see when visiting New York.

What to See at Top of the Rock

• After a quick elevator ride to set the mood, you’ll arrive at the 67th floor of the Comcast Building. The observation deck spans 3 levels: the 67th floor, the 69th floor, and the 70th floor, which reaches 260 m (853 ft) high. Take your time to take in the view of New York at your feet: to the north, you’ll see Central Park and Times Square; to the south, you’ll see the Empire State Building from above and Downtown in the distance. When facing south, glance to your left: you’ll spot the tip of the Chrysler Building nearby, next to the tower that houses the Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck.
• You can stay at the top as long as you like, until the building closes at midnight. To give you an idea of average visit time, the observation deck estimates that visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour at the top.
• What’s the best time to visit? It depends on what you want to see. In the morning, sunlight illuminates the Empire State Building and the southern tip of Manhattan. In the afternoon, the sun lights up the northern part of Manhattan, especially Central Park and the Midtown towers, while the Empire State Building is backlit. In the evening, once night falls, New York sparkles with lights. A smart plan: visit Top of the Rock in the morning and the Empire State Building in the afternoon or evening. That way, you’ll get both views you need to see!

Discover The Beam, the New Attraction

• Since December 2023, the observation deck has offered a new attraction called The Beam. The concept of The Beam recreates the famous photograph taken during the building’s construction showing workers having lunch on a steel beam suspended high in the air. You’ll sit on a metal beam that slowly rises and rotates, allowing you to enjoy views of Central Park.
• How do you book tickets for The Beam? To save money, we offer a package that combines admission to Top of the Rock and The Beam. Select the Beam Combo option in our booking module. The combo price includes a digital souvenir photo.

Visiting Top of the Rock

• Address: The observation deck entrance is on 50th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.
• Subway: Rockefeller Center (lines B, D, F, and M).
• Hours: Open daily from 8 am to midnight. The last elevator to the top departs at 11 pm.
• Reservations: You can now book your Top of the Rock admission ticket.
• Cancellation policy: When you book tickets on our site, you can cancel up to 48 hours before your visit for a $10 cancellation fee plus bank charges. Simply contact us.
• Good to know: Admission is included in all New York passes, the New York City Pass, the New York Pass, and the Explorer Pass. Simply show your pass at the entrance to access the observation deck. Convenient!

Frequently Asked Questions

Visitor Reviews

• Taty Miqueline: “The most beautiful view of New York!!!!!”
• Christine Leroy: “A magical moment arriving just before sunset. Watching the sky darken and the city light up. An unforgettable memory.”
• Aline Zilbertin: “I highly recommend it. I went in November at sunset, and it was magnificent.”
• Patricia Nicolas: “Worth doing and doing again!!!”
• Nath Giron: “The view from up there is too beautiful. We went at 9 am. Getting in was quick. Perfect way to start your day in New York.”
• Isa Sage: “A breathtaking view.”
• Thomas Dutilleux: “Personally, I preferred this view to the one from the Empire! When you’re on the top level of the observation deck, the view is 360 degrees, and unlike the Empire, you get a view of the famous Central Park. If I go back to New York, I’ll go back up there without hesitation!!!”
• Damien Boccart: “For me, it’s the best viewpoint in the city: two levels of terraces and an unobstructed view thanks to glass railings instead of the ugly metal mesh you find at the Empire State Building.”
• Caroline Saleil Commaille: It’s my favorite visit! Every time I go, I go up! I recommend this observation deck during the day because there are far fewer crowds than at the Empire State Building, and the view of Central Park is superb. Go at night for the overall view of illuminated Manhattan with fewer crowds than during the day!”
• Véronique Poirier: “It’s fabulous! During the elevator ride, a film plays on the ceiling! Up there, the view is incredible.”
• Sylvie F.: “I’ve visited 5 observation decks, and without hesitation, I preferred Top of the Rock with outstanding views of the Empire State Building on one side and Central Park on the other. The different platforms, especially the highest one, let you take photos without glass in the way.”

Top of the Rock in Video

Top of the Rock in Photos

Map to Top of the Rock