The article was updated in November 2024 following tests on The Beam and Skylift.
Top of The Rock Observation Deck is an iconic three-storey observation deck atop the GE Building (formerly the RCA Building) in Rockefeller Center. This Art Deco skyscraper, designed in 1933 by architect Raymond Hood, is notable for its history and design, but above all for the breathtaking views it affords of Manhattan.
The Top of the Rock has a major advantage over other observatories such as the Empire State Building: you can admire the Empire State Building itself. What’s more, the platform offers a 360-degree panoramic view, often considered to be one of the finest in New York. Whether you’re looking at Central Park, the skyscrapers of Midtown, or the Hudson and East Rivers, every angle offers a breathtaking spectacle.
The observation deck was reopened to the public in 2005 after extensive renovation work, reviving the original tradition while modernising the experience for visitors.
Why visit the Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock is not just a viewpoint, it’s a plunge into the history of New York. The building occupies a central place in popular culture thanks to the famous photograph Lunch Atop a Skyscraper by Charles C. Ebbets, taken in 1932, showing workers sitting on a beam suspended in mid-air during the construction of Rockefeller Center. This iconic image has now been recreated on site with an interactive experience.
The 3 observation levels of Top of the Rock
The 67th floor
This level has just been transformed with the opening of the Weather Room, an elegant café-bar offering a culinary experience in the clouds. Visitors can now enjoy classic cocktails and local specialities while admiring the panoramic view.
A terrace furnished with large sofas allows you to relax in comfort behind the bay windows, protected from the wind. There is also a corridor around the perimeter of the building, where you can take in the sights of New York’s iconic landmarks from the warmth of the air. A souvenir shop completes the offer on this floor.
The 69th floor
This level is home to the sensational new attraction The Beam, opening in December 2023. This unique experience allows visitors to relive the famous 1932 photo of the workers, but we’ll come back to that in more detail later.
The 70th floor
This is where you’ll find New York’s only observation deck with no grating or glass to obstruct the view, made possible by its narrower design. This is also where you’ll find the spectacular Skylift attraction, opening in October 2024, which takes you even higher into the New York skyline.
The Beam
What you need to know about The Beam
The Beam is an unusual attraction which opened on 1 December 2023 on the 69th floor of the Top of the Rock observatory. This unique experience allows you to recreate the famous photo taken by Charles Clyde Ebbets during the construction of Rockefeller Center. This historic photograph from 1932, entitled “lunch at the top of a skyscraper”, has become a legendary image of New York, showing 11 workers having lunch peacefully above the void.
How does The Beam work?
The attraction consists of a metal beam that rises approximately 3.50 metres from the ground. Once installed, you rotate through 360° for a spectacular view of Northern Manhattan and Central Park. The experience ends with a souvenir snapshot before a gentle descent. Although short (around one minute), this unique experience includes a 15-second stop in front of the buildings to fully savour the moment.
Tip: if there are a lot of you or if one of you is too afraid of heights, you can post him on the 70th floor so that you can take lots of photos when you’re on the beam.
Conditions for doing The Beam
To enjoy this unique experience, you must be at least 1.32 metres tall to ride The Beam on your own. Children between 1.07 and 1.32 metres tall must be accompanied by an adult who will be riding the attraction at the same time. A booster seat will be provided by the staff on site.
How do I book The Beam?
The Beam requires a ticket to the Top of the Rock, plus a supplement of $25 per person including a digital photo. You can buy this extra ticket at the ticket office on level minus one or at the top of the Top of the Rock.
How does the attraction work?
Once there, you’ll be guided into a small room that plays a loop of the original 1932 image. After depositing your belongings in wooden lockers, you will take your place on the beam and have to fasten a safety belt, identical to the belts used in cars. The staff will check your installation carefully and ask you to place your feet correctly on the beam, as it is forbidden to let them dangle in mid-air.
Skylift
What is the SkyLift?
The SkyLift is an attraction that opened on 1 October 2024 at the top of the Top of the Rock. The Skylift is a rotating platform that rises 9 metres above the top terrace of the Top of the Rock, on the 70th floor. This means you can reach the equivalent of the 73rd floor, just over 274 metres high!
You’ll enjoy a 360° view of New York, with Manhattan at your feet, aboard an impressive open gondola. You’ll see the Empire State Building, Midtown, the Financial District and Times Square. On the north side, you’ll see Central Park, the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side. The Top of the Rock offers one of the best views of New York and the Skylift lets you get even higher.
The design of the lift reflects the Art Deco style of Rockefeller Center, combining a glass and metal nacelle with a base that imitates marble. At night, an LED lighting system makes the lift shine with 1000 lights. It’s a distinctive, original and unmistakably New York element.
How to visit the Skylift
To take the Skylift, you must first be in possession of a classic ticket for the Top of the Rock. Then simply go to the Skylift counter at the west end of the upper terrace. You will then have to pay a supplement of $35 per person. Please note that the Skylift is limited to a maximum of 13 people and is wheelchair accessible.
How long does Skylift last?
The experience itself lasts about 5 minutes (including about 3min30 in the air). You can leave your belongings in the lockers just before climbing onto the platform. Interesting fact: the glass floor of the Skylift is opaque on the way up, but once you reach the top the opacity disappears and you can clearly see the people who have stayed on the observation deck. At the end of the attraction, a QR code will allow you to buy a souvenir video of your flight over the New York skyline.
The experience of visiting the Top of the Rock observation deck is enhanced by video presentations on the history and art of Rockefeller Centre and by glass lifts that reach the roof in less than a minute.
Tips for an optimal visit
The best time to visit Top of the Rock
If you want to make the most of your visit, come just before sunset. You’ll be able to admire Manhattan in different lights, from daylight to the city’s night-time illuminations. It’s particularly magical when the sky slowly darkens and the urban expanse begins to sparkle.
To make the most of the new attractions, we recommend you allow at least 2 hours on site. This will allow you to do The Beam and Skylift without being pressed for time, while enjoying the different observation levels and the Weather Room.
Timetable
Top of the Rock is open every day from 8am to midnight, with the last ascent at 11.10pm. To get the best ratio of waiting time to quality of view, choose to arrive early in the morning (before 11am) or late in the afternoon for the sunset. The slots between 4pm and 7pm are generally the busiest.
The Beam and Skylift operate at the same times as the observatory, subject to weather conditions. In the event of strong winds or bad weather, these attractions may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.
The different views from Top of the Rock
Fares and Ticket Options
Top of the Rock standard ticket
Access to the three observation levels (67th, 69th and 70th floors) including the Weather Room is included in the standard admission ticket. This ticket is also included in the main New York tourist passes: New York City Pass, New York Pass, Sightseeing Pass and Explorer Pass.
Complementary attractions
- The Beam: supplement of $25 per person, including a souvenir digital photo
- Skylift: extra charge of $35 per person, including a souvenir photo and the chance to buy a video via QR code
Good to know
The Beam and Skylift can be paid for directly on site, either on level -1 at the ticket offices or at each attraction. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card. These extras are not included in the tourist passes but require a Top of the Rock ticket (standard or via pass) to access them.
How to save on your visit to Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is included in all five tourist passes, so you can visit this must-see attraction and save money at the same time. By combining your ticket with other attractions such as the Empire State Building or the 9/11 Museum, you can optimise your budget.
Interesting for children?
The Top of the Rock observation deck is a great programme for children, thanks to the photo of the Promenade on the truss and the laser light shows through the glass ceiling of the building’s lift. You’ll feel the speed of this lift as you reach the top of the skyscraper in just one minute.
New York Observatories
Did you know?
The first observation deck, inaugurated in 1933, was inspired by the decks of the great transatlantic liners of the time. This theme is still present today, with open-air areas reminiscent of cruise decks.
The Top of the Rock was closed for almost 20 years, between 1986 and 2005, during which time the famous Rainbow Room restaurant, located 5 floors below, was being renovated. Its reopening in 2005 marked the start of a new era, with modernised facilities while preserving the building’s original Art Deco charm.
Our opinion
The Top of the Rock has undergone a successful renovation, from the entrance and the passageway through the theater to the terraces of the observatory. The visit has regained interest and appeal. Is it essential to do the The Beam and Skylift attractions? The answer is no, because it’s still a significant expense for just a few minutes. If your budget allows, it’s a plus. It’s also an opportunity to leave with a unique souvenir photo for The Beam, especially since only the people in your group will be on the beam with you. If you’re afraid of heights, opt for the Skylift, and you’ll have the advantage of enjoying the highest view of the Empire State Building!
The Top of the Rock rises to a height of 259 meters and 268 meters when the Skylift is extended.
The ideal time, as with the other observatories, is at sunset. Unfortunately, this is also the time when there are the most people at the top, so if you want a more relaxed visit, going in the morning when it opens is a good option.
You are free to stay as long as you like on the top three floors. If you are just planning to visit the terraces, an hour may well be enough. If you want to do an activity like The Beam, allow more time, between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the time of day and the season.
Your pass allows you to access the top three floors to see the different views from the terraces. However, to use The Beam or Skylift, you must purchase a ticket for each attraction. You can buy one at the ticket offices downstairs, or directly upstairs.
The address for getting to the Top of the Rock is 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Once inside the building, follow the signs for the Observatory Deck and Top of the Rock.
The Top of the Rock is open every day from 8 a.m. to midnight, but the last elevator goes up at 11:10 p.m.
