Rockefeller Center, a historic landmark, is comprised of 19 commercial buildings and offers dining, shopping, people watching, ice skating and roller skating surrounded by 192 flagpoles around The Rink at Rockefeller Center. It is also home to the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Saturday Night Live, the Today Show, NBC Studios and the background for the popular TV Show, 30 Rock.
Tours of Rockefeller Center
You can easily walk around Rockefeller Center and explore at your own pace and style. For those who prefer a guide while learning history, hidden secrets and scandals, the official 90 minute Rockefeller Center Tour may be for you. Join a local historian as they guide you throughout the center, learning about the Art Deco buildings, secret gardens, Radio City Music Hall, all the great works of art and architecture, the center’s intriguing past, the Rockefeller family and more.
Rockefeller Center Tour Options
- Both the Rock Center Tour and Top of the Rock are usually included with all the major NYC Attractions Passes.
- Save 10%: Rockefeller Center Tour Tickets
- TV & Movie Locations with NBC Studios Tour - recently redone and opened
- Buy with your Top of the Rock pass directly at the Rock Center site
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Dining and Drinking at Rockefeller Center
Closed – Now Flipper’s Roller Rink – Summer Garden & Bar at Rock Center Café
There are at least 40 dining options at Rockefeller Center, covering every cuisine and budget. Both the concourse (below street level – see photo) and street level offer great people watching options. My favorites include:
- City Winery – amazing wine by the glass selection, delicious food choices and with both indoor an outdoor seating at street level, one of the best people watching spots in Rock Center.
- Le Rock – classic French cuisine, summer outdoor patio
- 21 Greenpoint – Happy Hour Spot, owned by Homer Murray, son of actor Bill Murray. Happy Hour: 5-7 pm (Tuesday through Saturday) featuring a $12 martini special or our house nachos + a Modelo for $21!
- Lodi, Ignacio Mattos’ beloved all-day cafe has just launched ticketed breakfasts for viewing (sans crowd!) of TODAY’s Summer Concert Series on the plaza. Coinciding with shows, like Niall Horan this Friday, the tickets offer guests a counter seat overlooking the plaza during the filming of the concert. Tickets available via Resy.
- There are always specials, promotions, coupons and freebies offered on the Rockefeller Center website (under Dining), so make sure to check before you choose where to eat!
- (Private Events Only) Rainbow Room – go to SixtyFive, the bar on the 65th floor of 30 Rock, for the views and have a cocktail! The new space is gorgeous and if you are not visiting Top of the Rock (68-70 floors), this is the next best thing!
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Best Hotels Near Rockefeller Center
Some of our top value picks near Rockefeller Center include:
- The Jewel facing Rockefeller Center - great value and location. My NY high school classmates stayed here for our reunion
- 3 West Club - consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
- Radio City Apartments - a NYC Insider Guide Favorite
- New Hotels: Motto by Hilton NYC Times Square (Opens Oct 6, 2023) + Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square + Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Times Square (Open Nov 1, 2023) - New 1000 room Hilton Hotel with 3 brands in the same building right next to Rockefeller Center
See the Insider Guide for dozens more Hotels Near Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center runs from 47th - 50th Streets, between 5th and 6th Aves. Download our free neighborhood maps at Midtown East Hotels and Midtown West Hotels
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Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock offers sweeping 360° vista view of NYC that include the Empire State Building, with shorter lines and lower ticket prices.
For TOTR hidden secrets, best photos ops and tips, check the Insider Guide to the Top of the Rock.
Sightsee from the Sky
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or Summit? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) Opens Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building
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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
December 4, 2024 - January 11, 2025
Ceremony, 7-9 pm
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting is a highlight of every winter in NYC. The unlit tree arrives in November, and after Black Friday and Thanksgiving, the department stores open their famous window holiday displays. However, it is the week after Thanksgiving, when the Rockefeller Center Tree is lit, that represents the true start of Holiday Season in NYC for many New Yorkers.
Check the full NYC Insider Guide to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting:
- On Sale | 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony Indoor Viewing from 45 Rockefeller Center - Be whisked past security with your NYPD-approved credential letter and up to our private, third-floor retreat to watch the whole ceremony from the eight-foot glass windows in our gala hall. Gourmet food, free-flowing drinks and live entertainment.
- Pending | 4 Hour Private Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Gala - A gala reception at a stunning, private townhouse rooftop with grand views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Fifth Avenue. We’ll keep you warm and entertained for hours, with large screens broadcasting the Tree Lighting festivities, incredible food, flowing cocktails, music and dancing, plenty of extraordinary entertainers and our favorite professional photographer will be stationed right in front of the Christmas Tree for formal photos of you and your friends or family.
- Pending | VIP Exclusive New York City Holiday Tree Lighting Gala at Rockefeller Center & Rockettes - same gala as above with a slightly different menu & the next day, enjoy orchestra seats to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular & afterwards a licensed NYC guide will greet you for a fun and memorable walking tour of the Fifth Avenue holiday window displays. The grand finale will be afternoon tea with the Rockettes.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Do you like to see? Or be seen? Ice skating at Rockefeller Center is a chance to be in the spotlight; or perhaps, spot a figure skating star. The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center has been a quintessential NYC winter experience for generations. Skate under the watchful eye of Prometheus and the unique urban backdrop of Rockefeller Center’s sparkling lights.
Read our insider tips and get half price tickets at our guide to Ice Skating in New York City
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Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace at Rockefeller Center
Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace is new at Rockefeller Center during the ice skating off-season, April through October. There is roller skating, musical acts, disco lights and a whole lot of fun all spring and summer at the Rink. Flipper’s is open seven days a week, 12pm-10pm, Sunday through Wednesday and until 12am Thursday through Saturday. Tickets required to skate.
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Shopping at Rockfeller Center
The street level at Rock Center includes stores you can find most anywhere (ie, chain stores), such as Banana Republic, Cole Haan, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, Coach and many more.
Some of the more unique and interesting stores, mainly for kids, include:
- FAO Schwarz – the world’s greatest toy store, featuring their famous huge plush stuffed animals and walk on keyboard, toys from Melissa & Doug, walls of Barbie dolls, Build-A-Bear Workshop, a racetrack, magician, candy shop and more.
- FDNY Firezone – Climb on a real fire truck, try on bunker gear, meet a firefighter, feel a "hot" door, and learn to crawl through a smoke-filled hallway
- Nintendo World – explore the two-level, 10,000-square-foot interactive experience, allowing you to play the newest Wii and Nintendo games.
- Lego Store – dozens of displays, LEGO exclusives, hard-to-find products, play area and the Pick A Brick wall.
More: Visiting New York with Kids and NYC One Day Boys Itinerary
The Concourse (lower level) is a network of underground passageways connecting every building in Rock Center and seven subway lines and probably the closest thing to a shopping mall you will see in Manhattan. It is targeted slightly more to locals who work in the area (post office, dry cleaner, shoe repair, ATM), rather than visitors, but it does have some shopping.
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Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes
Nov 8, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025Â (Tickets On Sale April)
Daily @ 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm (some variations)
- Great Seats: Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
- Insider Guide: Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall Guide
With up to 5 shows per day on weekends, the Rockettes are a tradition during the NYC Holiday Season for more than 75 years. Don’t miss the signature eye-high kicks, precision choreography and exciting, show-stopping numbers – including one with Santa.
Rockettes Tour Packages
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Rockefeller Center More Info
- Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
- Website: www.rockefellercenter.com
- Rockefeller Center is between 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
- Neighborhood Guides: Midtown East and Midtown West
- Nearby Attractions: Museum of Modern Art, St. Patricks Cathedral, NBC Studios, The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, American Girl Place.
- Christmas in New York City
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