Top of the Rock NYC: 360° Skyline Views & Beam Experience

Seventy Stories Up: The One View That Actually Fits the Whole City

You get admission to three levels of observation decks at Rockefeller Center's 67th floor, a Welcome Gallery introduction, and an interactive film experience. Optional upgrades let you add the Beam Experience (12-foot lift for the iconic skyscraper photo) or Skylift (glass platform panorama). The fixed admission includes everything except those add-ons, so you know the cost upfront and can decide on upgrades when you book.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the whole New York skyline in one visit without deciding between competing observation decks—the 360-degree view from three levels means you get Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson all in the same ticket, and the space is large enough that you're not fighting crowds to find your angle.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes admission to the Welcome Gallery with its history of Rockefeller Center, the interactive film experience, and full access to all three levels of the Top of the Rock observation deck—both indoor and outdoor sections.
• Wheelchair-accessible restrooms and elevators serve all floors.
• Children under 6 enter free with a paying adult, and collapsible strollers are permitted.
• Service animals are welcome.
• Optional upgrades for the Beam Experience (a 12-foot lift to recreate the famous 1932 skyscraper photo) and the Skylift (a glass platform for unobstructed panoramic views) can be added at booking.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Top of the Rock Observation Deck

• Arrive at Rockefeller Center Welcome Gallery
• Explore history of Rockefeller Center
• Take high-speed elevator to 67th floor
• Visit three levels of indoor and outdoor decks
• Enjoy 360-degree city skyline views
• Optional: Experience The Beam lift
• Optional: Ride the Skylift platform

The Experience

The elevator takes 43 seconds to climb from Rockefeller Center's Welcome Gallery to the 67th floor, and somewhere between the 40th and 50th floor you realize you're about to see New York the way almost nobody does. Most people queue for the Empire State Building or fight their way to the Statue of Liberty's crown, but Top of the Rock sits you down with a 360-degree panorama that doesn't make you choose—Central Park spreads out on one side, the Empire State Building rises on another, and the Hudson stretches beyond. Three levels of observation decks, indoor and outdoor, mean you're not stuck in one spot or pressed against a railing with a thousand other tourists.

The visit starts in the Welcome Gallery, where the history of Rockefeller Center unfolds before you even ride up. The interactive film experience sets the tone, then you're in that high-speed elevator and suddenly you're standing on the 67th floor with the whole city below you. The outdoor decks are where the real time goes—the light changes, the angles shift, and you find yourself moving around just to see how different the view gets from a few feet over. If you want to go further, the optional Beam Experience hoists you 12 feet above the deck to recreate that famous 1932 "Lunch atop a Skyscraper" photo, or the Skylift puts you on a glass platform with nothing between you and the drop except air. Both are upgrades you add at booking, not decisions you make on the spot.

What makes Top of the Rock different from other observation decks in New York City is the space itself—you're not crammed into a narrow viewing area, and you're not looking at the city from inside a building. The three-floor setup means you can spread out, find your angle, sit down if you need to. Bring layers and wear stable shoes for the outdoor sections; the wind picks up at that height, and the decks are open year-round. No outside food or drinks are allowed, and tripods aren't permitted, so plan your photos around what you can hold. Children under 6 get in free with a paying adult, and the whole place is wheelchair accessible, including the restrooms and elevators on all floors—strollers are fine if they're collapsible.

Top questions

How long does the elevator ride take to reach the 67th floor?

43 seconds from the Welcome Gallery to the observation decks.

Can children go on the Beam Experience?

Children must be at least 52 inches tall (~132 cm) to ride alone. Those between 42 and 52 inches must be accompanied by an adult.

Is Top of the Rock wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, including elevators, restrooms, and the observation decks. Wheelchairs are not permitted on the Beam Experience.

What's included in the admission ticket?

Welcome Gallery access, interactive film experience, and entry to all three floors of the observation deck (indoor and outdoor). The Beam and Skylift are optional paid upgrades.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

No outside food or beverages are allowed on the decks.

Are there height or weight restrictions for the Skylift?

All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the Skylift. Guests over 300 lbs (136 kg) cannot participate.

Do infants and young children need a ticket?

Children under 6 are free with a paying adult. Infants and small children can ride in a collapsible stroller or pram.

What should I wear to Top of the Rock?

Layers are recommended, as it's windy at 67 floors. Wear stable footwear for the outdoor decks.