Is the Top of the Rock Worth Visiting? My Thoughts After 3 Visits

NYC has several great viewpoints, which is hardly surprising when it’s the first city that many people think of when skyscrapers come to mind. The Top of the Rock is one of the most popular places to see the city’s iconic skyline, and I’ve actually been there three times myself during different seasons. 

Like many things in the Big Apple, though, tickets aren’t exactly cheap. So, knowing whether it’s actually worth your time is a good idea before you book. You should also have an idea of what to expect when you arrive; when I went for the first time, there were quite a few things I didn’t think about. 

Given that I’m now much more knowledgeable about visiting the Top of the Rock observation deck, I decided to put together this guide. I’ll discuss whether I think it’s even worth visiting in the first place; the main reason I went here multiple times was to get a better understanding in this respect. 

I have also visited NYC itself 20 times now, since my mom is from there and I still have family living in the city. As a result, I’ve been to several observation decks. I’ll use that knowledge to help you make the right decision with the Top of the Rock, along with providing some handy tips. 

I’ve Visited the Top of the Rock 3 Times… Here’s What My Experiences Have Been Like

The first time I went to the Top of the Rock was on an October trip to the city, and despite already visiting NYC several times by that point, I had never been to the observation deck. It was quite crowded at street level, but not so much when I got to the top. 

However, I know all too well that you can have rose-tinted glasses when you visit a place. So, to be certain that I had enough knowledge for this guide, I went for a third time the following year. This was in December, and I have to say that it was quite cold and windy at the top 😅. We also booked sunset tickets, but we had to wait in a queue outside for over an hour. Still, I got some nice photos, and it was my girlfriend’s first time in NYC. So, it was a good visit nonetheless. 

Worth Knowing: You Need to Go Through a Security Check When You Arrive

This is the case with most attractions I’ve visited in NYC, including the Empire State Building. When you visit the Top of the Rock, you will have to pass a security checkpoint. Your bag will be checked, and you’ll also need to go through a metal detector. 

On my second and third visits to the Top of the Rock, I waited for around 15 minutes to go through a security check. However, the biggest waiting time was outside. We had to wait for over an hour on the third occasion, and we actually missed the time slot. 

Behind the Empire State Building, you’ll see One World Trade Center, too. You can also see other boroughs in NYC from the Top of the Rock, as well as getting a great view of Central Park in the opposite direction of the Empire State Building. 

Even though I don’t think that the Rockefeller Center is particularly pretty from the outside, it doesn’t matter when it offers some of the best views in the city. In addition to the places I’ve already mentioned, you can see toward the Edge as well from here. 

What I Liked About Visiting the Top of the Rock

Now that I’ve spoken a bit about visiting the Top of the Rock, I’ll also go through the pros and cons. First, I’ll discuss what I think are the biggest reasons to visit. 

1. You’ll Get the Best Views of the Empire State Building

As I mentioned in the previous section, the main reason I recommend visiting the Top of the Rock is for its views of the Empire State Building. Besides being one of the most iconic buildings in the world, I also personally think it’s one of the most interesting skyscrapers in NYC. 

Even though I really enjoy visiting the Empire State Building, the main issue when you’re there is that… you can’t see it when you look out at New York in front of you. The Top of the Rock is not too far away, and as a result, it has excellent views of the building right in front of it. 

If you go at night, you’ll also get to see the Empire State Building lit up. I’ve been lucky enough to see this multiple times, and it’s a beautiful sight. 

2. Getting to the Top of the Rock Is Very Easy

The Top of the Rock is one of the main attractions in Midtown, and it’s pretty easy to reach. You’ve got a number of Subway stations within a short walk, including 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center. This is actually the one I recommend using when you visit. 

Although the streets around it will be crowded, it’s not hard to find the Top of the Rock in general. When we went there, we also had street signs showing us in the direction of the building.  

While it’s obviously not the main reason why you visit a place, having somewhere that’s easy to reach makes a big difference. NYC is already daunting enough without needing to try and navigate your way to somewhere difficult. 

3. Tickets Are, for What You Get, Reasonably Priced

Tickets are not cheap for the Top of the Rock, but NYC is a very expensive city in general. This is particularly true for a lot of the major attractions, so you were always going to pay a premium. With that being said, I think that tickets for the Top of the Rock are—considering what you get—reasonably priced. 

General admission tickets start at just over $40. If you want to buy skip-the-line tickets or visit The Beam as well, these will naturally cost more. Like I said before, how much you pay will depend on the time of day that you visit as well. I’d recommend buying tickets via GYG, unless you want to get skip-the-line tickets without extras like the SkyBeam. In those instances, it’s better to use the official Top of the Rock website as you can specifically buy those from there. 

4. Observation Deck Signage Was Easy to Follow

Once I got to the observation deck, the signage was quite logical for getting in and out. This was a big contrast to the Empire State Building, which I felt could have done with a bit more work in this respect (even though the staff there were great). At the Top of the Rock, I had no issues at all. 

Since everything is well-signposted, you shouldn’t have any issues getting around. When it came to leaving and going back down to street level, I felt like it was quite easy. 

5. If the Visibility Is Bad, You Can Rebook

The Top of the Rock being high up means that you’ll get great views of NYC. However, the downside is that you’re also at the mercy of Mother Nature. I’ve often noticed that the visibility when it’s raining in the Big Apple is worse than in a lot of other places I’ve been to, and if it’s particularly cloudy, you won’t see much. 

1. Despite Buying Advance Tickets, I Had to Wait in a Lengthy Queue

When I visited the Empire State Building, I basically walked straight in without needing to wait in a queue. Maybe this was because I went there in the middle of the day, but it was nonetheless a big difference from visiting the Top of the Rock. 

Waiting outside is never particularly fun, and I realized that the time of entry is not when you should show up to the queue. So, if you’re going to buy an ordinary ticket, you should arrive with enough time. This is particularly important if you’re visiting at a time of day when the lighting changes quickly. 

2. It Can Get Very Windy and Cold at the Top…

The Top of the Rock observation deck is outside, and as a result, you are fully exposed to the elements. Even if it doesn’t feel so cold at street level, it can feel much chillier after you’ve taken the elevator to the top. 

If you’re visiting during the winter, I strongly recommend packing a hat, scarf, and gloves. You should also dress in layers and bring a warm sweater and jacket. It’s not fun when you’re thinking about how cold you are instead of enjoying the views in front of you. 🙂

3. You Can’t Get Free Cancellation if You Book Via the Official Website

Maybe this is because I’m a de facto local having visited so many times, but I like to be spontaneous when I visit NYC. And to be honest, I think this is the best way to explore the city. Having 1-2 main things to do each day, and then allocating a bit of time to my curiosity, has more often than not led to very rewarding experiences. 

Unfortunately, you can’t cancel your tickets if you book through the official site. You can reschedule, but there’s not much you can do if you want to cancel in that respect. For that reason, I would recommend buying your tickets via GetYourGuide. If you choose to cancel up to 24 hours before, you can get a refund. 

The main difference would be if you specifically want to get skip-the-line tickets. If you don’t want extras like the SkyBeam and you know you’ll visit without your plans changing, get these on the Top of the Rock website instead.

Which Top of the Rock Ticket Should You Buy?

Skip-the-line tickets are fine if you *really* don’t want to wait in a queue, and you can purchase those here. However, they are quite a bit more expensive than general admission. 

If you’re okay with waiting in a line, or you’re visiting NYC on a budget, you can get general admission tickets instead. To be honest, I have never felt a reason to visit the SkyBeam—but if you want to do that, you can always purchase this when you buy your observation deck entry. 

You can visit throughout the year, and while it can get cold at the top, it’s not so bad if you dress appropriately. Despite the crowds, I still think that this is one of the best activities you can do when you’re in the Big Apple for the First Time. 

If you want to choose tickets for your visit to the Top of the Rock, you can do so here. For further research, I recommend next reading my guide on the best things to do in Manhattan.