Avoid being a tourist and get the local view of the New York City with a drink in hand from Rainbow Room and Top of the Rock.
The first thing people think of when they think of New York is the Empire State Building. Yet many don’t know that the best views of New York and the Empire State Building itself, don’t come from the Empire, but come from Top Of The Rock. In the heart of New York, in Midtown Manhattan is Rockefeller Center, a tall skyscraper owned by Comcast NBC Universal. The bottom floors are open to the public with small stores and restaurants. The remainder of the building is mainly used by Comcast NBC Universal employees, but many tourists don’t know that the top two floors are actually open to the public!
The first is Rainbow Room. Rainbow Room is Rockefeller Center’s restaurant and bar lounge area. The entrance is free, but you need a reservation to get in most of the time and the drinks are kind of on the pricier end of the spectrum. In the summer you can go outside and enjoy your beverage with 360 degree views of the city, while in the winter you can enjoy the same views from behind the glass. It’s definitely more of a setting for local New Yorkers. If you have time to grab a drink and enjoy jaw-dropping views, day or night, than this is the place to be.
If instead you want to feel like you are on TOP of the world, head to Top of the Rock, the top of Rockefeller Center. This two-level open-aired rooftop is full of perfect and wanderlusty photo opp moments. You are truly able to take in the best of New York from here. However, you will need to buy tickets before going. Tickets are approximately $35, but they are so worth the view! Allocate about an hour to an hour and a half here if you plan on visiting.
LOCAL TIP:
The best times to visit Top of the Rock is away from the crowds..at 8AM! If you go any time after 10AM, expect to have to wait in a VERY long line for about 2 hours, unless you buy Fast-track VIP passes for more than double the cost. If you get there as early as 8AM, you will be the first on Top of The Rock and can avoid the swarms of people that start coming in around 9AM.
If you’re looking for more inspiration for what to do in Midtown after viewing the city from Top of the Rock, read more in my Beginner’s Guide to Midtown Manhattan.
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Top of The Rock. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.
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1 comment
The Rainbow room is at “Top of the sixties” building in NYC, unless it has moved. at least that is where it was back in the 60’s.