Around since the 1930s, Rockefeller Center is one of the City’s best-known attractions for good reason. In many ways it serves as the heart of Midtown Manhattan, a place where commerce and entertainment converge, and locals, visitors and TV personalities descend in large numbers. Many come for its sights—particularly around the holidays, when the iconic skating rink and Christmas tree hold center stage. The main plaza and promenade also serve as gathering places for visitors to admire the architecture and take in the area.
The Center—a complex of 19 commercial buildings that includes an underground mall—comprises the blocks bordered by West 48th and West 51st streets, and Fifth and Sixth avenues. Use our list as a starting point for exploring the ins and outs of the beloved landmark.
The Beam, Top of the Rock. Courtesy, Tishman Speyer
Soak up the sky-high views at Top of the Rock where you can pay homage to the famous “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photo by sitting on a beam 800 feet above the streets. Buy a VIP Rock Pass to visit one of the Center’s “hidden” rooftop gardens, which are otherwise private.
The Rink at Rock Center. Photo: Brittany Petronella
Skate in the Rink at Rockefeller Center, usually open from mid-October through March, in the Sunken Plaza at the epicenter of the complex. Book tickets in advance for an hour on the ice and rent skates on-site—you’ll be in the spotlight, as there are always curious onlookers around the rink.
Grab food from the Concourse and eat outside. In the summer the Sunken Plaza transforms into a lush oasis with tables and perches to enjoy Ace’s Pizza (which also has a retro sit-down indoor space), Alidoro sandwiches, Black Seed Bagels and more.
Channel Gardens. Courtesy, Tishman Speyer
Admire the Channel Gardens and ornamental pools between Fifth Avenue and 30 Rock, a green haven in the summer with seasonal themes and adorned with angel statues in the winter. Note the ornate sea creature sculptures that embellish the fountains.
Radio City Music Hall. Courtesy, MSG Photo Svcs
See a live show at Radio City Music Hall, an art deco gem and one of the world’s most celebrated concert venues. You can also take a tour for a closer look at those gargantuan chandeliers and the scallop shell–like auditorium, as well as a meeting with a real Rockette.
The Tour at NBC Studios. Courtesy, NBC Universal
Learn the scoop on 30 Rock on a NBC Studio Tour. The Comcast Building (originally the RCA Building), aka “30 Rock,” has been home to the NBC TV network since 1936. This tour takes in the studios where shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are filmed. The shop, where the tour begins, sells merch from favorite NBC series.
Go one better with tickets for a free TV show taping. Sign up for your chance to be part of the audience at 30 Rock for the shows mentioned above, plus Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Sing along at a free Today show concert at the Today Plaza. Note that you’ll need to get there very early—5:15am on Fridays. If you prefer to sleep in a bit, come be a part of the Today show outdoor audience by turning up before 6:15am on a weekday.
Score some actual vinyl at Rough Trade, the UK-based record store that sells LPs, CDs, tapes, T-shirts and books. They also hold readings, Q&As and occasional shows; check the events calendar or get on their mailing list so you’re in the know early.
Courtesy, American Girl
Shop at a big name store like FAO Schwarz, Nintendo or Lego Store for games and toys, Anthropologie for fashion, American Girl for dolls and Tiffany for jewelry.
Pick up sports gear or support the local teams at MLB NYC flagship store and The Yankee Clubhouse. You’ll be ready for your next outing to the ballpark.
Prometheus. Photo: Lucía Vázquez
Find inspiration on an art and history tour, during which you can check out Rock Center’s sensational monuments, statues and murals. Highlights include José Maria Sert’s lobby murals, Paul Manship’s Prometheus and Atlas by Lee Lawrie and Rene Paul Chambellan.
Clamber onto a NY fire truck, meet a firefighter and learn how to crawl through a smoke-filled hallway at the FDNY Fire Zone. Visit the FDNY Shop for merch and to support the NYC Fire Department.
Check out the art, artifacts and memorabilia on display at Christie’s. Depending on the upcoming auction, you’ll be able to wander around and view items soon to be sold for millions (you’ll need to register to take part in the auction itself). Much of the stuff is museum quality; it’s like being in an upscale gallery without feeling any pressure—though you might have the desire—to buy.
Pebble Bar. Photo: Nicole Franzen
Sip a craft cocktail at the Pebble Bar, a fancy spot in a historic townhouse that managed to survive Rockefeller Center’s construction, or quaff a Brooklyn craft beer at Other Half Brewing.
Le Rock. Photo: Carl Timphone
Dine in style at one of the upscale restaurants. Le Rock, Naro and 5 Acres are all highly rated on-site spots for lunch or dinner.
Choose some sweet treats to take home from Magnolia Bakery (cupcakes and banana pudding), Ladurée (macarons), Lady M (cakes) and Chip City (cookies), or chocolate makers like Teuscher or La Maison du Chocolat.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Courtesy, Diane Bondareff/Invision for Tishman Speyer/AP Images
Admire the towering Christmas tree, a New York City tradition that dates to 1931, in December and into January. If you’re around the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, you can try to attend the annual tree lighting ceremony, accompanied by performances and throngs of people.
Get an old-school shoeshine or a shoe fixed at Eddie’s Shoe Repair, a throwback that has been here for more than a quarter-century.
The Last Rivet. Courtesy, Tishman Speyer
Seek out the “Last Rivet,” one of the Center’s quirkier sights. The actual rivet that John D. Rockefeller Jr. hammered to ceremonially conclude construction in 1939 is on display inside a column in the middle of the lobby of 1230 Sixth Avenue. Press a button to illuminate the space.
Silver plane. Courtesy, Tishman Speyer
Discover the “silver plane,” a sterling silver scale model of the first airplane to fly nonstop from Paris to New York City in 1930. Made by Cartier silversmiths in Paris, it sits atop a marble pedestal in the lobby of 610 Fifth Avenue (La Maison Française).
