Top of the Rock is the observation deck of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, in Midtown: three levels of terraces (67th, 69th and 70th floors) at 259 m (850 ft), open every day from 8 am to midnight, with a timed-entry ticket from $42. Its asset is the view: it faces the Empire State Building to the south and Central Park to the north. The official website says it itself: sunset is the most popular time. So we calculated it for the 15th of each month.
The deck fits easily into a day in Midtown, between Fifth Avenue and Central Park; our guide to visiting New York presents the other neighborhoods, and our page on the best time to visit New York gives the climate month by month.
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Top of the Rock: key facts
- Hours: every day from 8 am to midnight, last entry at 11:10 pm — checked on 16 October 2026 on rockefellercenter.com
- Standard price: Timed Admission from $42; Skip-the-line from $82; VIP Pass from $185; free for ages 5 and under — checked on 16 October 2026 on rockefellercenter.com
- Booking: not mandatory, tickets are also sold on site subject to availability; buying online is recommended
- Closing day: none, open all year
- Time needed: not published; allow about an hour across the three levels, with no exit and re-entry
- Prices recorded on 16 October 2026, subject to change: check before you go.
Top of the Rock tickets: official vs resellers
| Official ticket | "From" price | Contents according to the official website |
|---|---|---|
| Timed Admission | $42 | Access to all three levels at the chosen date and time |
| Skip-the-line Admission | $82 | Same view, entry and exit lines avoided |
| VIP Pass | $185 | Premium guided tour, priority access, lounge, The Beam and SKYLIFT |
Two attractions are offered in addition to the deck: The Beam, a re-creation of the famous photo of workers on a girder, and SKYLIFT, a rotating glass platform that rises 30 feet (about 9 m) above the 70th floor. The official website also accepts tourist passes: CityPASS (online slot booking), New York Pass and Explorer Pass (to be exchanged at the ticket office). Resellers: check that a time slot is actually reserved and compare with the official price of the day.
Terms of sale: according to the official FAQ, all sales are final and non-refundable; a reschedule is possible up to 24 hours before the visit, subject to availability and a possible surcharge. In case of poor visibility or bad weather, the ticket can be rescheduled to another date.
Opening hours
Open every day, all year, from 8 am to midnight; last entry at 11:10 pm. Visitors are told the visibility conditions before entering, and some parts of the deck may close temporarily for safety. No re-entry is possible once you have left.
Best time to visit: sunset, month by month
"Sunset is the most popular time," says the official FAQ, which adds that mornings and afternoons often offer better visibility into the distance. To book a "sunset" slot, aim for about 45 minutes before the time in the table; it is also the most expensive and most requested slot.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | High | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:18 am | 4:52 pm | 9 h 35 min | 4.2 °C (40 °F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| February | 6:50 am | 5:30 pm | 10 h 40 min | 5.7 °C (42 °F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| March | 7:07 am | 7:02 pm | 11 h 55 min | 9.9 °C (50 °F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| April | 6:17 am | 7:35 pm | 13 h 18 min | 16.6 °C (62 °F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| May | 5:38 am | 8:06 pm | 14 h 27 min | 21.9 °C (71 °F) | 101 mm (4.0 in) |
| June | 5:24 am | 8:28 pm | 15 h 05 min | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| July | 5:37 am | 8:26 pm | 14 h 49 min | 29.4 °C (85 °F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| August | 6:05 am | 7:54 pm | 13 h 48 min | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| September | 6:36 am | 7:05 pm | 12 h 29 min | 24.6 °C (76 °F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| October | 7:06 am | 6:15 pm | 11 h 09 min | 18.1 °C (65 °F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| November | 6:42 am | 4:37 pm | 9 h 55 min | 12.2 °C (54 °F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| December | 7:12 am | 4:29 pm | 9 h 16 min | 6.8 °C (44 °F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
How to read it: sunset varies from about 4:30 pm in mid-December to about 8:30 pm in June. In winter, a slot around 3:45 pm is enough, and you stay for the illuminated city; in summer, aim for 7:45 pm. The official website does not publish crowd figures.
Top of the Rock or Empire State Building?
| Criterion | Top of the Rock | Empire State Building |
|---|---|---|
| Basic entry price | From $42 (recorded on 16 October 2026) | From $46 + $2 fee (86th floor, recorded on 15 October 2026) |
| Hours | 8 am–midnight every day | Vary by season (9 am–10 pm on 15 October 2026) |
| Height | 259 m (850 ft) (70th floor) + SKYLIFT | 86th floor outdoors, 102nd floor glassed-in |
| View | Empire State to the south, Central Park to the north | View over all of Manhattan, without the Empire State |
Destination de Voyage calculation: the two observation decks are 1.3 km (0.8 mi) apart as the crow flies, which is why the Empire State is clearly in view from the south terrace of Top of the Rock. For a first stay, one deck is enough; choose Top of the Rock if you want the Empire State in your photos and Central Park on the north axis.
How the visit works
- Entrance: 50th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, recognizable by its red carpet; security check.
- Before going up: welcome gallery with a 3D model of Rockefeller Center, and an immersive room on the history of the building.
- 67th floor: first level, with the Weather Room (café-bar); restrooms on the 66th floor, reachable by elevator.
- 69th and 70th floors: open-air decks; the 70th offers the unobstructed 360° view.
- Optional: The Beam and SKYLIFT.
The famous Christmas tree and the Rockefeller Center ice rink are not visible from the decks, says the FAQ: go and see them at the foot of the tower after your visit.
Getting there and accessibility
- Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, entrance at 50 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10112.
- Parking: 53 West 48th Street, with a discount for visitors who book in advance.
- Accessibility: the official website lists accessible routes, services and assistance, detailed on its accessibility page; check ahead for SKYLIFT and The Beam.
Common mistakes (official rules)
- Arriving with a suitcase or a large bag: not allowed, and there is no luggage storage.
- Bringing a tripod, food or drinks: not allowed.
- Carrying a knife, even a pocket knife, a lighter or a glass bottle: not allowed.
- Going out to come back later: no re-entry.
- Expecting a refund because of weather: tickets are non-refundable, but can be rescheduled.
- Booking the sunset slot without checking the time: it varies by almost 4 hours between December and June.
What to see nearby
On foot, reach Central Park via Fifth Avenue, or compare the view with that of the Empire State Building. For the Statue of Liberty, the ferry leaves from the southern tip of Manhattan. Our guide to things to do in New York covers the rest.
A short history of Top of the Rock
The observatory opened in 1933 at the top of the RCA Building, the main tower of Rockefeller Center, whose lead architect was Raymond Hood. It closed in 1986, when the renovation of the Rainbow Room removed its only access.
It reopened in 2005 as Top of the Rock, after a renovation by Gabellini Sheppard Associates. The building, which became the GE Building in 1988, has been named the Comcast Building since 2015; it is commonly called "30 Rock".
Frequently asked questions
How much does Top of the Rock cost?
The Timed Admission ticket costs from $42 on the official website (recorded on 16 October 2026); Skip-the-line from $82, VIP Pass from $185. Free for ages 5 and under.
What are Top of the Rock’s opening hours?
Every day from 8 am to midnight, with last entry at 11:10 pm, according to the official website.
What is the best time to visit Top of the Rock?
Sunset is the most requested time according to the official website; mornings and afternoons often offer better visibility into the distance. Sunset varies from about 4:30 pm in December to about 8:30 pm in June.
Top of the Rock or Empire State Building?
Top of the Rock lets you see the Empire State Building and Central Park; the Empire State has an open-air deck on the 86th floor. Basic entry prices are close (from $42 and from $46 + fees when we checked).
Do you need to book Top of the Rock?
It is not mandatory, tickets are sold on site subject to availability, but buying online is recommended, especially for the sunset slot.
When did Top of the Rock open?
The observatory opened in 1933, closed in 1986 during the renovation of the Rainbow Room, then reopened in 2005 as Top of the Rock.
Our sources
- Rockefeller Center (rockefellercenter.com): ticket page, hours, "Know Before You Go" and Top of the Rock FAQ, consulted on 16 October 2026
- Our Empire State Building page: prices and hours recorded on esbnyc.com on 15 October 2026
- NOAA / National Weather Service: 1991–2020 normals, Central Park station, taken from our page on the best time to visit New York
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, IANA America/New_York time zone, applied by Destination de Voyage; great-circle distance between public coordinates
- Wikipedia (en), "Top of the Rock" article: opening, closing and reopening dates, consulted on 16 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.
