Rockefeller Center

600 5th Ave
In the depths of the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center - then and now the largest private building enterprise ever undertaken in the United States - began rising over midtown Manhattan. Between 1931 and 1939, this massive project provided employme... more
In the depths of the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center - then and now the largest private building enterprise ever undertaken in the United States - began rising over midtown Manhattan. Between 1931 and 1939, this massive project provided employment to almost 4,000 New Yorkers. The original fourteen structures remain supreme examples of the heroic slab skyscraper, and the Center as a whole embodies the modernist ideal of multiple use in urban design. And now for the first time in 20 years featuring an amazing observatory on the 70th floor, open 8:30 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year. (Last elevator goes up at 11 p.m.) A wide-open plaza, the famous ice skating rink, home of the giant Christmas tree every December...Rockefeller Center has it all. In front of the central 70-story tower on Fifth Avenue, you'll find Paul Manship's massive 1934 sculpture of Prometheus. Note the many art deco and art nouveau murals and mosaics throughout the entire Rockefeller Center area, as well as the flags of all nations. You'll find quite a number of stores, selling everything from French books to Swiss chocolates to souvenirs of the city. In recent years, NBC's Today Show studio has been a big dr... more

In the depths of the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center - then and now the largest private building enterprise ever undertaken in the United States - began rising over midtown Manhattan. Between 1931 and 1939, this massive project provided employment to almost 4,000 New Yorkers. The original fourteen structures remain supreme examples of the heroic slab skyscraper, and the Center as a whole embodies the modernist ideal of multiple use in urban design. And now for the first time in 20 years featuring an amazing observatory on the 70th floor, open 8:30 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year. (Last elevator goes up at 11 p.m.)

A wide-open plaza, the famous ice skating rink, home of the giant Christmas tree every December...Rockefeller Center has it all. In front of the central 70-story tower on Fifth Avenue, you'll find Paul Manship's massive 1934 sculpture of Prometheus. Note the many art deco and art nouveau murals and mosaics throughout the entire Rockefeller Center area, as well as the flags of all nations. You'll find quite a number of stores, selling everything from French books to Swiss chocolates to souvenirs of the city. In recent years, NBC's Today Show studio has been a big draw for tourists in the early morning, as have other NBC shows such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Check out our Event Calendar for ticket information!

Since 1933, NBC has offered a historic tour that takes you behind-the-scenes of NBC’s New York City operations and many of Rockefeller Center's highlights. The tour covers the quirks and the controversy from the golden years to the information age. Bring your walking shoes because there is a lot to see! Tours run every half hour 9:30 am-4:30 pm Monday through Sunday. Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis. Call (212) 664-3700 to reserve tickets. The group rate is $8.00 per person for groups of four or more. A credit card can be used to reserve spaces. Only 25 people maximum per tour.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, located at 50th Street and 5th Avenue, is always a spectacular sight with over 5 miles of lights and hundreds of ornaments. The lighting ceremony is always a fun event and takes place every year on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. The tree may be viewed around the clock, but you will want to see it when it is lit. Hours are daily from 5:30am to 11:30pm, all day on Christmas, and from 5:30am to 9pm on New Year's Eve. All good things must end however, and the tree comes down on January 6th.

The famous Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink opens in late October every year, and remains open through April.


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Midtown Description

Rockefeller Center is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan. Midtown West From the hustle of the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the bustle of Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street, much of New York's dazzling vibrancy and energy emanates from this area stretching from Times Square to Central Park South. Packed with theaters, tourist attractions and tall office buildings, the buzz and glow of the city are most obvious amid the huge neon signs, giant wraparound news tickers (ABC News has a studio location here) and Broadway marquees. After braving the crowds of pop-obsessed teeny boppers gathered around MTV Studios visit the Hershey’s Time Square Store to satisfy your sweet tooth. Or grab a bite to eat at typical tourist meccas like TGI Friday's or the Dave & Buster's. A stroll up Broadway, whether in the early morning or late at night, passes by some of America's most cherished institutions, and the number of glowing lights are rivaled only by the Las Vegas Strip. Little wonder that Mondrian's inspiration for "Broadway Boogie-Woogie" came from this amazing array of places and colors; some of the facades literally scream out at the visitor as though ready to burst out from the grid of Midtown's streets and fly into orbit! If you need a respite from the sensory overstimulation of Times Square, visit the New York Public Library. The majestic Beaux-Arts building, flanked by the two famous marble lions, Patience and Fortitude, has been the heart and soul of the New York library system for nearly a century. It’s great for a little peace and quiet, and of course a great read. The library is to adjacent Bryant Park, which is a lovely patch of green in the middle of skyscraper territory. Among the amenities available to visitors are a French-style carousel, a boule board, chess tables, free summer movie screening, over 25,000 varieties of flowers, the Bryant Park Grill, and free wireless access, as well as 2,000 moveable chairs. Midtown West is also home to Radio City Music Hall (home to world-famous dancers, the Rockettes), Museum of Television and Radio, Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall and the newly renovated Museum of Arts & Design. These extraordinary cultural institutions play host year-round to natives and tourists alike, so catch an eye-catching exhibit or enjoy a symphony and bask in some of New York’s greatest artistic offerings. There's also no shortage of restaurants in the area. For some excellent French fare try La Bergamote, which is known for its vast menu, with nearly 30 types of luxurious French pastries, six sorts of croissants, over a dozen types of breads as well as diverse handmade chocolates. For dinner try Aquavit, the country's preeminent Scandinavian restaurant. There really are too many dining options to list, but click here to check out entire listings of restaurant in the Midtown area. If you're looking to spend your stay in New York right in the heart of Midtown, there are plenty of hotel options. The DoubleTree by Hilton is located right in Times Square, as is the sophisticated Park Central New York. And for the more budget conscious traveler there's the Comfort Inn Midtown and the Portland Square Hotel. Midtown East Midtown East stretches from 42nd Street north to 59th, and East of Fifth Avenue to the East River. The area is populated with some of New York’s most iconic landmarks. While walking along 42nd Street and Park Avenue a visit to Grand Central Station is certainly in order, for Grand Central is one of the most stunning railroad stations in America. Walk in to admire its stunning brass clock, the exquisite staircases, and the unique celestial ceiling, its light bluish-green background filled with well-known constellations dotted with tiny lights. Restored in recent years, the cavernous main hall is bathed in natural light during the day, and pulsates with activity at night, thanks not least to its three busy restaurants: Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Metrazur, and the famous Oyster Bar. Another superb restaurant in the area includes the Benjamin Steakhouse, housed inside the ornate 1903 Beaux-Arts Dylan Hotel. There's also Sparks Steak House which is known for not only its massive steaks, but its massive wine list as well. The gorgeous Chrysler Building (which turned 75 in 2005) is also nearby. In the bright sunlight, the upper floors gleam, reflect, and even seem to pulsate light, directing the eye upwards towards the spire. Its gorgeous Art Deco lobby, with murals celebrating transportation themes, is definitely one of New York’s finest. Examine the ornamental details, the typical Deco motifs, the lush marble, and the charming light fixtures, all restored in recent years. You’ll also definitely want to visit Rockefeller Center. The plaza, adorned with Paul Manship’s massive golden 1934 statue of Prometheus contains the world-famous ice skating rink and of course is home to the giant Christmas tree every December, making it a must-see holiday destination. While you’re in the neighborhood take a tour of the United Nations and get a behind-the scenes look at the diplomacy in action at the global meeting place of the General Assembly and Security Council. Midtown East is also home to some of the world's most well known department stores, including Lord & Taylor, <a href=”/yellow_pages/bergdorf_goodman.112561/">Bergdorf Goodman and of course the original Saks Fifth Avenue. All those retailers have an extraordinary selection of upscale goods and are considered classic, can’t-go-wrong stops for any shopaholic. So take your time strolling through this quintessential region of Manhattan - explore those famous landmarks, have a stop for lunch, and then proceed to do a little upscale shopping. Midtown East is an ideal neighborhood to spend your stay in New York, as the area is full of attractions and iconic landmarks. The beautiful, Art Deco styled Roosevelt Hotel is just four blocks from the Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall and within walking distance of Times Square and Museum of Modern Art. There's also the Grand Hyatt, which is located right near the United Nations and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The spacious and elegant Dylan Hotel, as well as the W New York – The Tuscany are other exceptional options. Click here for a complete list of hotels in close proximity to Midtown East.

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Info

600 5th Ave
New York, NY 10111
Website

Editorial Rating

Admission And Tickets

Free (except Top of the Rock observatory)

This Week's Hours

24 Hour Access
Top of the Rock observatory open daily 8 am to midnight

Nearby Subway

  • to Rockefeller Center 47-50th St.
  • to E. 51st St. and Lexington Ave
  • to 50th St. and Broadway
  • to 49th St. and Seventh Ave
  • to Fifth Ave. and 53rd St

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