Top of the Rock, which is the observation deck of the Rockefeller Center, was reopened back in 2005 after its remodeling. Since then, it has been a favorite spot to visit by locals and tourists alike.
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Atop the building is the Top of the Rock
Observation Deck |
Entrance to the Top of the Rock is at 50th Street between 5th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas as opposed to the front of the Rockefeller Center which is in 5th Avenue. Once you are in, you will see a huge chandelier made with Swarovski crystals in the middle of a spiral staircase. We then found ourselves in a long line to the ticket counter. We really wished we have bought tickets online because those who did were able to skip the long line and go straight to the will-call line to just pick up their tickets. This is one
main reason why we recommend buying tickets online especially for NYC attractions.
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| Quick photo taken while on queue |
Once we got our tickets, we went into more long lines going into the a standing theater. The theater has 3 standing platforms and showed a 3-part show. Every time one part of the show finishes, the group of people in one platform moves on to the elevator and they fill up that platform with a new group of people. In other words, you have to see all 3 shows before you can move on. The shows they were showing were the history of Rockefeller Center, the history of NBC studios, and a Swarovski promotional video.
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| Wall with Swarovski crystals |
After being lifted by the elevator to the observation level, we walk into a wall full of Swarovski crystals. This we expected because it was part of the Swarovski promotional video. Then, onto the observation deck.
This is the best view of New York we've had. Just being able to look at the Empire State Building this close at this level is so breathtaking. It would have been more perfect if the view of the Chrysler Tower is not obstructed by a building but you really couldn't have everything. The view of the other buildings, Central Park, and just pretty much the whole city of New York is definitely something every one should see.
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| Chrysler Building obstructed by some other building |
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| Great view of Central Park |
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| From afar is a bronze statue of Prometheus |
The view is great and all but you can only look at it for too long then onto other things. We are in the Rockefeller Center still so there are still a few things we can do nearby, like the Rockefeller Plaza which has the famous ice skating rink featured in a number of movies. It has a number of statues surrounding it highlighted by the huge bronze statue of Prometheus.
After browsing around the skating rink, all that was left we think we should do is to find the front of the Rockefeller Center to take a picture of the statue of Atlas. After getting a bit lost and disorganized and asking other tourist, we managed to find it 20 minutes later.
