For over two decades, Rockefeller Center has been my New York City anchor. From early internships in its towering buildings to countless lunches near Radio City Music Hall and even overnight stays for Saturday Night Live tickets, this 22-acre complex has woven itself into my personal NYC story. Among its many attractions, Top Of The Rock Observation Deck, which relaunched in 2005, always held a particular allure, promising breathtaking city vistas from its prime midtown location.
While New York City boasts a constellation of high-altitude viewpoints – the iconic Empire State Building, the modern One World Observatory, the thrilling Edge NYC, and the immersive Summit One Vanderbilt – Top of the Rock offered a perspective I hadn’t fully explored. Despite my love for heights and panoramic sights, I’d never prioritized a tourist visit to this familiar landmark.
That changed recently with the unveiling of Skylift, Top of the Rock’s newest marvel. This open-air, rotating platform ascends 30 feet above the 70th-floor rooftop, delivering truly unparalleled 360-degree views. Fortuitously, I experienced a preview ride just before its public debut, and the experience redefined my appreciation for this iconic observation deck.
Stepping onto the 69th-floor outdoor deck, I was immediately struck by the quintessential New York moment unfolding before me. While other vantage points might soar higher, Top of the Rock’s central 50th Street position felt like the city’s beating heart. From this perfectly balanced location, the sprawling cityscape extended in every direction, from the southern tip embracing the Statue of Liberty to the northern reaches of the Bronx.
Ascending to the 70th floor and approaching Skylift, its understated design initially surprised me. It appeared as a sleek, transparent cylinder seamlessly integrated into the rooftop terrace. However, stepping through its discreet entrance, I was welcomed onto its edge. The ascent began almost imperceptibly, so smooth was the lift. My attention was immediately captivated by the expanding panorama. As I instinctively turned to absorb the views, the platform gently began to rotate, effortlessly presenting a complete urban tapestry. Skylift became a curated viewing experience, requiring nothing more than my gaze to take in the breathtaking spectacle.
I felt suspended amidst New York’s most celebrated landmarks. Facing north, Central Park unfurled like an emerald carpet. Rotating further, the familiar silhouettes of Columbus Circle skyscrapers and Times Square emerged, transformed from street-level acquaintances into towering peers. Then, the southward turn revealed the pièce de résistance: the majestic Empire State Building. From this 900-foot vantage point, I imagined a King Kong perched atop his beloved tower would be at eye level, sharing this awe-inspiring vista. Skylift didn’t just show me the skyline; it immersed me within it.
Unlike other observation decks that present the city as a distant panorama, Top of the Rock, enhanced by Skylift, integrates you into the urban fabric. Skylift’s design harmonizes with 30 Rock’s classic Art Deco architecture, dating back to 1933, yet injects a modern flair with 96 LED pixel flutes that illuminate the sky with vibrant colors. The platform’s central speaker system provides an ambient soundtrack, and a panoramic camera captures the moment.
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An aerial perspective showcases a couple enjoying the Top of the Rock Skylift experience in NYC, highlighting the platform’s rotating feature and panoramic city views.
But the surprises weren’t over. Midway through the captivating three-and-a-half-minute Skylift journey, our guide prompted us to look down. The frosted glass floor beneath our feet transformed into transparent panels, adding an unexpected thrill to the sensation of floating above the city. This adrenaline surge was precisely the intended effect.
EB Kelly, Senior Managing Director at Tishman Speyer and Head of Rockefeller Center, explained from the 69th floor, “We really wanted to create a special experience that took advantage of our outdoor space, that made you really continue to feel the wind in your hair and the sights and sounds of New York around you, but to do it in a way that created a moment that was a little bit thrilling, a little bit breathtaking.”
This innovative experience subtly nods to Rockefeller Center’s rich heritage. “The rotating floor of the sky lift evokes the iconic rotating dance floor of the Rainbow Room a couple of floors below us and the experience of twirling on The Rink downstairs in the wintertime,” Kelly added, emphasizing the intention to craft a “whimsical moment” deeply rooted in the location’s history.
This connection to Rockefeller Center’s nearly century-long legacy is what truly distinguishes Top of the Rock. Visitors can also engage with another iconic chapter by recreating the famous “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph. Taken during the construction of the RCA Building (now 30 Rock), this image captured 11 ironworkers perched on a beam 850 feet in the air. Now, on the 69th floor, The Beam attraction allows guests to pose on a secure beam for a similar photo, complete with playful props like tools and even donuts.
Further enhancing the experience, The Weather Room eatery on the 67th floor pays homage to the Doppler radar that once graced the 70th floor, forecasting weather from this very spot.
The Beam and The Weather Room, both introduced in 2023, along with a new welcome gallery launched last summer, and now Skylift, represent the culmination of Top of the Rock’s comprehensive modernization. This revitalization aligns with Rockefeller Center’s broader reinvention, introducing contemporary and thoughtfully curated retailers like Rough Trade, McNally Jackson Books, N.Peal, Todd Snyder, and The Shops at NBC Studios, alongside dining destinations such as Pebble Bar, Smith & Mills, Lodi, Jupiter, Le Rock, NARO, and 5 Acres.
Admission to Top of the Rock Observation Deck ranges from $40 to $61 for adults (13+), $34 to $55 for children (6-12), and $38 to $59 for seniors (65+). The Beam experience is a $25 add-on, and Skylift is an additional $35 per person. A VIP Pass, granting expedited access to both The Beam and Skylift, starts at $190.
“Rockefeller Center is a place with history and authenticity,” Kelly concluded. “If you want to see the real New York and connect with New York of 90 years ago and New York of today, you must come to Rockefeller Center to hear that story and feel a part of that history.” For an unforgettable perspective of New York City, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, especially with the new Skylift, offers an experience that is both timeless and thrillingly modern.
