Top of the Rock & SKYLIFT: NYC Skyline 360° Views

Rise 30 Feet Above Manhattan on SKYLIFT

You ride elevators to the 70th floor and move through three observation decks with unobstructed 360-degree views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty, and all five boroughs. Then you step onto SKYLIFT, an open-air platform that lifts you 30 feet higher for a one-of-a-kind perspective above the skyline. The whole visit runs 45 to 60 minutes, though you can stay longer if you want, and the ticket includes the interactive film and welcome gallery downstairs.

Is this one for you?Best for anyone who wants the full Manhattan skyline in one visit without planning multiple observation decks — SKYLIFT adds a perspective you can't get anywhere else, and the three-level setup means you're not choosing between views, you're seeing them all.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes access to all three levels of the Top of the Rock observation deck with indoor and outdoor terraces facing all directions, the interactive film experience, the welcome gallery, and SKYLIFT — the open-air platform that rises 30 feet above the 70th floor.
• A photo pass can be added for an extra fee.
• Elevators serve all floors, restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and strollers (collapsible) are permitted.

Traveler reviews

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Top of the Rock and Skylift

• Enter Top of the Rock observation decks
• Explore three indoor and outdoor decks
• Ascend on Skylift platform
• Enjoy panoramic city views

The Experience

The elevators at Rockefeller Center are already moving when you arrive. You step out on the 70th floor and the city opens up around you — east, west, north, south, all at once. Three observation decks, indoor and outdoor, wrap the entire floor. The Empire State Building sits in one direction. The Brooklyn Bridge hangs in another. Central Park spreads green and geometric below. You can stay as long as you want, but most people spend 45 to 60 minutes moving between the decks, finding their angles, taking the shot they came for.

Then there's SKYLIFT. It's the part that changes the visit. An open-air platform rises nearly 30 feet above the 70th floor — you're standing in nothing but air and steel, the city dropping away beneath you, the skyline at eye level instead of below. Children under 18 need an adult with them the whole time, and there's a weight limit of 300 pounds, but if you fit, you get a vantage point that doesn't exist anywhere else in the city. The Beam Experience is there too, another aerial attraction layered into the same ticket. A photo pass is available separately if you want professional shots from up there.

The building handles the logistics. You get access to all three levels of the observation deck, the interactive film experience downstairs, and the welcome gallery. Elevators run to every floor. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Strollers have to be collapsible, but they're allowed. Service animals come through. The only rules that matter: no outside food or drinks, no tripods, no weapons. Wear layers — the outdoor decks get wind, and the city doesn't warm you up. Stable shoes help on the metal grating.

Top questions

How long does a visit to Top of the Rock usually take?

Most visitors spend 45 to 60 minutes on the observation decks, though you can stay as long as you like within operating hours.

What's included in the SKYLIFT & Top of the Rock ticket?

Access to all three levels of the observation deck, the interactive film experience, welcome gallery, and SKYLIFT — the aerial platform that rises 30 feet above the 70th floor.

Can children ride SKYLIFT?

Yes, but all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the entire SKYLIFT experience.

Are there weight restrictions for SKYLIFT?

Guests over 300 pounds cannot ride SKYLIFT, though the observation decks themselves are accessible to all.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes, strollers are allowed but must be collapsible. Children 5 and under are free.

Is Top of the Rock wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, with elevators on all floors and accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs are not permitted on The Beam Experience.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

No outside food or beverages are allowed inside.

What should I wear?

Layers are recommended — the outdoor decks can be windy. Wear stable footwear for the metal grating.

Is there a photo service available?

Yes, a photo pass is available for an additional fee if you want professional shots from the observation decks and SKYLIFT.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are welcome throughout the facility.