Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Top of the Rock in NYC

I’ve had the privilege of visiting New York City over 15 times as my mother’s side of the family is from there, and one of the best things to do in NYC is visit the Top of the Rock. You must try this experience if you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple and want a superb view of the city’s iconic skyline.

I’ve visited the Top of the Rock 3 times: In 2018, 2023, and 2024. I waited until 2023 to write this guide so you have a comprehensive guide with everything you need to visit and update it each year with the latest information. Keep reading to discover ticket prices, the best time to visit the Top of the Rock, and much more.

How Much Does It Cost to Go to the Top of the Rock?

Prices for the Top of the Rock depend on when you visit and the type of ticket you get. Note that the prices stated below do not include tax.

General Admission

General admission adult tickets (aged 13+) costs between $42 and $71; peak times cost more. Busy times will vary depending on when you visit, but as a general rule, expect evenings to cost more.

Other prices for general admission are:

• Children (6-12): $36 to $60
• Senior (62+): $40 to $64

You can also purchase the Beam Experience, where you can recreate the iconic 1932 Lunch Atop a Skyscraper photo, for an extra $15.

Express Pass

The Express Pass costs $115. You get faster entry on your preferred day; unlike general admission, you don’t need to worry about having a specific time slot. I recommend buying this ticket if you want to be more flexible.

Buying the Express Pass is also worthwhile if you’re visiting at a particularly busy time of year and don’t want to worry about time slots being sold out.

Like general admission, you can get a Beam Experience ticket for an additional fee.

Top of the Rock VIP Pass

The VIP Pass costs $200. You get combined access to the Top of the Rock, the Beam Experience, and the Skylift—which gives you an even higher view of the Big Apple.

For the Beam, you can enjoy a private experience. When buying the VIP Pass, you also get a champagne toast and priority elevator access.

How to Buy Tickets for the Top of the Rock

I’ve bought tickets for the Top of the Rock from multiple locations; below are the main places you can purchase them.

1. GetYourGuide

My brother and I bought tickets for our Top of the Rock experience in 2023. Be sure to book your time slot; we forgot and did this at the reception, which was more time-consuming.

I recommend using GetYourGuide if you want to keep your other NYC tours in one place. It’s also ideal if you already use the service for to book tours when on vacation.

You can also buy a combined guided tour for the Empire State Building observation deck and Top of the Rock via GetYourGuide.

2. The Rockefeller Center Website

The Rockefeller Center website lets you buy all the tickets associated with the Top of the Rock. I did this in 2024 for me and my girlfriend; we had the tickets sent via email.

If you’re only booking one tour in NYC, I recommend using the Rockefeller Center website. It’s also the best option if you’re buying the Express or VIP Pass.

3. A City Pass for NYC

It’s no secret that NYC is expensive, and if you plan to visit lots of attractions, I recommend buying a pass to save some money.

GoCity is a good option for city passes, and you can buy one for between one and three days. With the Explorer Pass, you can pick between five and seven attractions (the Top of the Rock is one of them). Other top attractions include the Empire Start Building and the One World Observatory. If you get the All-Inclusive option instead, you can visit as many places included as you want.

Another option is the NY CityPass, which includes the Top of the Rock. Like GoCity, you can choose between multiple other attractions. For both, you’ll need to book a time slot in advance for the Top of the Rock.

What Happens If It’s Foggy?

It was very foggy when we first tried to visit in December 2024, but thankfully, we could rearrange it for free. Go to the ticket reception at the Top of the Rock and book a new slot.

Cancelation Policy

If your plans change, you can sometimes get a refund on your tickets for the Top of the Rock. When purchasing through GetYourGuide, you can get a full refund up to 24 hours before your chosen date.

You can also get a refund if you purchase through the Rockefeller Center website; you can visit the Ticket Refunds page to complete that process. You can’t get a refund if the weather isn’t ideal, but you can reschedule. If you buy a ticket through a third-party vendor, you should contact them instead to organize a refund.

How Long Does It Take to Visit the Top of the Rock?

Each time I’ve visited the Top of the Rock, I’ve spent around an hour on the two observation decks. However, you need to allow extra time to get to the top. You will also need to pass a security checkpoint, which will likely take around 5-10 minutes.

Based on previous visits, I’d recommend allowing the following amounts of time for the different processes when visiting the Top of the Rock. These should hopefully leave you with plenty of time in most cases:

• Waiting in line: 15-35 minutes (potentially longer at peak times).
• Exchanging vouchers for tickets if you haven’t booked in advance: 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the time of year and day that you visit.
• Waiting for the elevator: 10-25 minutes.
• Security checkpoint: 10-20 minutes.
• Getting to the observation deck and waiting for people to move from photo spots: 1-1.5 hours.

The team at the Rockefeller Center is pretty efficient, so you should hopefully keep moving quickly throughout your visit.

How to Get to the Top of the Rock

The entrance to the Top of the Rock can be quite difficult to find, but you’ll need to enter via 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.

You can spot the entrance as it’ll say “Observation Deck” outside the front door. When I visited in December 2024, the entrance was also signposted.

If you’re taking public transport to the Top of the Rock, the best subway station to get off at is 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center. After leaving the station, it’s about a four-minute walk to the Rockefeller Center. 

When’s the Best Time to Visit the Top of the Rock?

To be honest, any time to visit the Top of the Rock is great. I’ve been at multiple times of the day and loved it every time. The NYC skyline is mesmerizing, especially for first-time visitors.

For photography purposes, consider visiting around sunset—even though this means you will need to pay for the more expensive peak general admission tickets. The sun sets at around 16:30 in the winter and 20:00 in the summer (20:30 around June).

For fewer crowds, you may want to visit the Top of the Rock in the morning or middle of the day on a weekday.

Photography Tips for Visiting the Top of the Rock

The Top of the Rock is one of my favorite photography locations in New York City, and based on my previous visits, you’ll find my top tips below.

• Wear photography gloves in the winter. When I visited the Top of the Rock in November 2023, it felt much colder than at street level. Naturally, having cold hands is bad for clicking buttons on your camera. I’d recommend wearing photography-specific gloves so you don’t have to keep taking them off and putting them on; these Vallerret photography gloves are the ones that I personally use.
• Include people in your photos. Even if you go during quieter times, the Top of the Rock will probably still be crowded. Rather than getting annoyed at people being in the way of your pictures, why not include them in your frame? For example, you can widen your aperture to blur them out and focus more on the skyline. Alternatively, you can try taking portrait-style shots. 

• Pick your subjects. In addition to the general photos of the NYC skyline, I’d also recommend choosing one building to fit into most of your frame. That can be the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, or something else. Experiment to see what you can come up with.
• Focus on the sky. While the architecture and surrounding landscapes will probably make up most of your pictures, consider looking for unique patterns and lighting shades in the sky. This is especially worthwhile if you visit around sunset.

What to Wear When Visiting the Top of the Rock

When visiting the Top of the Rock in the summer, you don’t need to worry about anything extra. When I went in 2018, it was around 27ºC (80.6ºF), and I overdressed significantly. Depending on the weather, it might be worth bringing a rain jacket. In the late autumn and throughout the winter, dressing in layers is a good idea.

As mentioned earlier, it can feel quite cold at the Top of the Rock—and when I went in November 2023, it was also very windy. I’ve already mentioned the photography gloves you should consider getting, and a good beanie hat is also worthwhile. Fjällräven remains my favorite brand for hats and outdoor clothing, so you may want to look at this hat. 

If it’s a particularly cold winter day, you may also want to consider wearing long johns and a warm baselayer for your upper body (currently hearing my mum tell me this whenever I would go out in the winter when I was younger 🙂). And bringing my Scandinavian living hat on, I’d also recommend a decent jacket and wool sweater or turtleneck.

I’ve also never been to the Top of the Rock and it not be windy, so make sure you’re prepared.

Top of the Rock Alternatives

I think it would make very little sense to visit New York City for the first time and not visit the Top of the Rock. But at the same time, I also think you should get a view of the NYC skyline from multiple points.

Empire State Building

I have visited the Empire State Building observatory in the past, and even though you can’t see the building in your photos, the view is still excellent. There are two views: An observation deck on the 86th floor and another on the 102nd floor. You can book tickets for both if you want, but it’s also possible to just visit the 86th floor.

One World Trade Center

I was too young to remember my visit to the old World Trade Center observation deck, and I haven’t yet visited the viewpoint at One World Trade Center. But it is something on my list of things to do in New York City for future visits, and you may also want to check it out—so I’m recommending the experience here.

Having been to the 9/11 memorial outside, I can confirm that it is well worth your time (it’s also free to visit, though you will need to pay to visit the 9/11 Museum). So, you should definitely check that out when you visit as well.

Honorable Mention: The Edge

The Edge initially opened in March 2020 and is one of the newer attractions in the Big Apple. You get a superb view of the city skyline, along with the chance to peek through a glass floor downwards. You can book your tickets in advance.

Some More Useful Tips Before You Visit

Am I Allowed to Take Luggage to the Top of the Rock?

I took my backpack to the Top of the Rock without problems, but you will need to go through a security screening. Lighters, knives, and other potentially dangerous pieces of equipment are not allowed. None of the advice online is conclusive about suitcases and whatnot, but from my understanding, you can’t take big bags—so it’s better to leave these at your hotel or in a luggage storage facility.

The easiest way to avoid complications with your bags is to not visit on your day of arrival in or departure from New York City (or, at the very least, don’t take big bags and suitcases with you).

Is the Rockefeller Center Accessible?

Yes—you can access the observation deck via wheelchair and with strollers. You also have the option to ask for transcripts and audio headsets, and service animals (e.g. guide dogs) are also allowed.