For over two decades, the allure of New York City has been intimately woven into my life, with Rockefeller Center holding a special, almost familial, significance. From early career days navigating its underground passages to countless lunch breaks near Radio City Music Hall, and even nights spent in standby lines for Saturday Night Live, this 22-acre complex has been a constant backdrop to my NYC story. So, when the iconic landmark unveiled a revitalized version of its highest attraction, The Top Of The Rock Observation Deck, in 2005, it felt like a natural extension of this ongoing connection. A swift 45-second elevator ride whisks you to open-air decks on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors, placing you squarely in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
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A bird’s-eye view rendering showcases the Top of the Rock Skylift experience in New York City, emphasizing the panoramic city views from this iconic observation deck.
As someone captivated by heights and panoramic vistas in every city I explore, the initial invitation to experience the Top of the Rock at a private event in 2008 was met with excitement. However, with New York City boasting a constellation of elevated viewpoints – the venerable Empire State Building, the modern marvel of One World Observatory, and the more recent additions of Edge NYC and Summit One Vanderbilt – revisiting Top of the Rock felt, perhaps unfairly, like retreading familiar ground. Why join the tourist throngs for a view over a neighborhood I already knew so intimately?
That changed recently when Top of the Rock announced Skylift, a daring new attraction designed to elevate the observation deck experience, quite literally. This open-air, circular platform ascends 30 feet above the existing rooftop, offering a 360-degree panoramic rotation, a veritable cherry on top of an already stunning viewpoint. Fortuitously, I secured a preview spin just before its public debut on October 1st.
Stepping onto the 69th-floor outdoor deck, I was immediately struck by the quintessential New York moment unfolding around me. While other platforms might claim greater altitude or sleeker designs, the Top of the Rock, from its prime 50th Street vantage point, places you squarely in the city’s energetic core. Positioned perfectly between the Hudson and East Rivers, the vista stretches from the iconic Statue of Liberty in the south to the Bronx in the north, a true embodiment of New York’s sprawling grandeur.
Ascending to the 70th floor, the Skylift initially presents itself with surprising subtlety. At first glance, it appears as a discreet, transparent fiberglass cylinder nestled amidst the rooftop deck. However, as a guide ushered me through an opening and I took my place along the platform’s edge, the experience began to unfold. With an almost imperceptible motion, the platform began its ascent, so smooth that it initially went unnoticed, my attention completely absorbed by the unfolding cityscape. Instinctively, I started to turn, eager to capture every angle of the breathtaking panorama. But then, the platform itself began to rotate. Effortlessly, Skylift began to curate the city for me, presenting a seamless, revolving showcase of iconic landmarks – all that was required was to absorb the spectacle.
It felt akin to floating amidst the city’s greatest hits. Facing north, Central Park unfurled like an immaculate green carpet. As the Skylift rotated counterclockwise, the familiar silhouettes of skyscrapers in Columbus Circle and Times Square, landmarks ingrained in my ground-level experiences, assumed new forms, their heights now relative to my own elevated perspective. Then, as the viewpoint shifted southward, the undisputed highlight emerged: the majestic Empire State Building. From this vantage point, suspended 900 feet above the city, I imagined a whimsical encounter – were King Kong perched atop the tower, our viewpoints would be perfectly aligned, should he pause to appreciate the scenery. This surreal thought underscored the immersive nature of the Skylift experience, placing me not just above, but within the very fabric of the city.
While other observation decks offer a detached perspective on the skyline, Top of the Rock’s Skylift fosters a sense of integration. Its design seamlessly blends with the Art Deco elegance of 30 Rock, dating back to its 1933 inception, while injecting a contemporary flair with 96 LED pixel flutes that emanate vibrant colors from the base, reaching skyward. Adding to the multi-sensory experience, a central speaker subtly broadcasts music, and a panoramic camera captures the moment for posterity.
But the sensory journey didn’t end there. Midway through the three-and-a-half-minute rotation, our guide prompted us to glance down at our feet. Suddenly, the frosted glass floor transformed into transparent panels. Definitely not for the faint of heart, this unexpected feature injected a jolt of adrenaline, amplifying the sensation of floating above the urban expanse – precisely the intended effect.
“We really wanted to craft a distinctive experience that maximized our outdoor space,” explained EB Kelly, Senior Managing Director at Tishman Speyer and Head of Rockefeller Center, speaking from the 69th floor. “One that allowed you to truly feel the wind, the sights, and the sounds of New York, but in a way that incorporated a moment of thrill, a moment of awe.”
This innovative sensation, Kelly further elaborated, draws inspiration from Rockefeller Center’s rich heritage. “The rotating motion of Skylift subtly echoes the iconic rotating dance floor of the Rainbow Room, just a few floors below, and the playful twirling on The Rink during winter,” she added. The overarching aim, she emphasized, was to cultivate a “whimsical moment” deeply rooted in the Rockefeller Center experience.
This connection to Rockefeller Center’s near-century of history is what truly distinguishes the Top of the Rock experience. Another iconic chapter is brought to life with “The Beam,” an attraction that allows visitors to recreate the legendary “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph. Taken during the construction of the RCA Building (now 30 Rock), the original image captured 11 ironworkers perched precariously on a beam 850 feet in the air. Now, on the very same floor, visitors can pose atop a secured beam, complete with playful props like hammers and wrenches, for a contemporary reimagining of this historical moment.
Further enriching the visitor experience, The Weather Room eatery on the 67th floor pays homage to the past, named after a Doppler radar that once graced the 70th floor, providing weather forecasts. The Beam and The Weather Room, both unveiled in 2023, alongside a new welcome gallery from the previous summer, represent the final touches in Top of the Rock’s comprehensive modernization. This revitalization is part of a broader Rockefeller Center initiative to reinvent itself with a curated collection of modern retailers and dining establishments, including Rough Trade, McNally Jackson Books, N.Peal, Todd Snyder, The Shops at NBC Studios, Pebble Bar, Smith & Mills, Lodi, Jupiter, Le Rock, NARO, and 5 Acres.
Admission to the Top of the Rock ranges from $40 to $61 for adults, $34 to $55 for children (ages 6-12), and $38 to $59 for seniors (65+). The Beam and Skylift are available as add-ons for $25 and $35 per person, respectively. For an exclusive experience, the VIP Pass, encompassing private access to both The Beam and Skylift, starts at $190.
“Rockefeller Center embodies history and authenticity,” Kelly concluded. “If you seek to experience the genuine New York, to connect with both its 90-year legacy and its contemporary dynamism, a visit to Rockefeller Center, and specifically the Top of the Rock, is essential to hear that story and become a part of that enduring narrative.”
