Rockefeller Center in New York

Rockefeller Center in New York is a vibrant hub where business and entertainment come together across a complex consisting of 19 buildings. The Top of the Rock, ice skating rink, Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios; it’s all part of Rockefeller Center!

Rockefeller Center in New York

John D. Rockefeller Jr. had an idea for a city within a city. He started the construction of several buildings between 48th and 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan in 1931. He called this the Rockefeller Center, but it is also known as Rockefeller Plaza. Today, the complex has 19 buildings that include several New York landmarks, such as the Rainbow Room, from which you can overlook the entire city. The venue is only open for private events.

Top of the Rock

At 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you can find Top of the Rock, an observation deck on the 70th floor. The view from Rockefeller Center is iconic; you can enjoy the stunning vistas of the Empire State Building, Central Park and all the surrounding buildings. With Top of the Rock tickets, you can take the lift straight up the Rockefeller tower and admire the view.

Radio City Music Hall

Events are organised throughout the year at the Radio City Music Hall, a theatre and concert venue. It is the largest indoor theatre hall in the world and can seat 5,900 people. Because of the way it was built, the quality of sound is very good no matter where you sit. Many famous artists perform at Radio City.

Rockefeller Plaza

Rockefeller Plaza is the heart of Rockefeller Center and can be found between 49th and 50th Street. It is also known as the Channel Gardens. During the winter months, an ice skating rink is located here, and in summer you can roller-skate. Many businessmen gather here during their break to have lunch outdoors.

NBC Studios

Since the 1990s, several programmes and shows for NBC have been recorded at Rockefeller Center, including the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live. You need to arrange your New York TV-show tickets in advance. Without having to reserve a ticket, you can see the filming of the Today show in the mornings at Rockefeller Plaza.

Christmas at Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is beautifully decorated during the Christmas period, making it a magical place to visit.

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Christmas tree is an icon of the Christmas season in New York! Every year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place, where 50,000 LED lights are turned on in a stunning display.

Ice Skating

Under the Christmas tree, you will find the skating rink. For a magical experience, put on your skates and take to the iconic ice. You can enjoy ice skating at Rockefeller Center from November to March.

Eric’s Tip: “Rockefeller Center will most likely be a key stop in your Christmas itinerary, but be prepared for large crowds, as many others also want to see the famous tree and the rink. Book your skating tickets in advance. And if you want to see the tree lit up, I recommend visiting Rockefeller Center in the early evening, just as it starts to get dark. Later it’ll become increasingly crowded.”

Christmas Spectacular

Radio City Music Hall hosts the annual, iconic Christmas show of New York: Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Watch the Rockettes, a famous dance troupe, do an amazing routine all in perfect sync! It’s a show you’ll never forget!

Things to do in Rockefeller Center

Because Rockefeller Center is such a large complex, there is a lot to do. As I mentioned earlier, you can visit the observation deck, Top of the Rock, but there is much more to it than that.

Under 30 Rock

Underneath 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you can (re)discover Under 30 Rock. There are dozens of new restaurants and takeaway counters in the area renovated in 2023. Have a sit-down meal or grab something to go, such as a New York bagel, a pizza slice, or a salad. It is great for combining with a visit to the Rockefeller Center, both during the day and in the evening.

Shops at Rockefeller Center

A number of shops can be found around Rockefeller Center, including toy stores such as FAO Schwarz and the LEGO Store, The Shop at NBC Studios for merchandise from various NBC productions, and there are even more shops inside under the buildings themselves.

Eric’s Tip: “Underneath the Rockefeller buildings, you can walk to many shops and eateries, as well as the metro. It’s like a small underground city! I got to know all the corridors well because my son’s daycare was here. It is ideal when it rains outside, as you can walk several blocks and stay dry.”

Rockefeller Center tours

There are several tours you can take to learn more about Rockefeller Center and its buildings. If you are interested in the history and architecture of the complex, you can do the Rockefeller Center Tour.

On the Radio City Music Hall Tour Experience, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at Radio City Music Hall, explore the famous venue, meet a Rockette and get to places you would not otherwise be able to visit.

Hotels around Rockefeller Center

There are a number of hotels around Rockefeller Center where you can stay. From The Jewel Hotel, you have a view of Rockefeller Plaza so you can enjoy the Christmas decorations during the Holiday season. Other nearby options include DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Ave and New York Hilton Midtown. Or stay at the Lotte New York Palace.

How to get to Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is very centrally located in Midtown Manhattan. A few subway stations are close by, but the most direct way to get there is to take the B D F M train to the 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr station.

FAQ

Yes. The observation deck at Rockefeller Center is called Top of the Rock, and you can buy tickets to visit it.

Yes, you can. You don't exactly need tickets for Rockefeller Center, as it is a collection of shops, restaurants and attractions that you can visit for free. However, you will need to purchase tickets to visit some of the attractions, such as the Rockefeller Center observation deck, known as Top of the Rock.

The Rockefeller Center is one of New York's most recognisable landmarks. It's home to the NBC Studios, the iconic Christmas tree and ice skating rink, as well as the Top of the Rock observation deck.

Yes, when visiting New York City, it's hard NOT to go to Rockefeller Center at least once! It's home to many highlights of the city, from Top of the Rock to some impressive shops.

Yes, Rockefeller Center is a huge complex, consisting of many shops, restaurants and more. Take a look around the outside, then head downstairs to discover Rockefeller Center below street level at Under 30 Rock.

It will likely take about 45 minutes to walk around the inside and outside of the complex, and more than 1 hour if you want to discover the area on the Rockefeller Center tour. Add at least an hour to your visit if you plan to climb to the top of Rockefeller Center for the observation deck. Also allow extra time if you want to go ice skating or explore the shops at Rockefeller Center.

There are several restaurants and eateries in and around Rockefeller Center, so you'll have plenty of options. Beneath the 30 Rock Plaza, you'll find Rockefeller Center's own dining district, from coffee shops and bakeries to pizza and fine dining.

The Christmas season at the Rockefeller Center begins in early November with the arrival of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. The decorations are put up in the weeks leading up to the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which is usually held on the first Wednesday in December. The Christmas decorations remain in place until mid-January, when the tree is taken down.