Visiting Rockefeller Center NYC
Rockefeller Center, a historic landmark, is comprised of 19 commercial buildings and offers dining, shopping, people watching and skating. 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 included with the New York Pass or choices on NY Explorer Pass
- Save 10%: Rockefeller Center Tour Tickets
- TV & Movie Locations Tour & Official NBC Studios Tour
- NBC Official Tour – recently redone and opened
- Buy with your Top of the Rock pass directly at the Rock Center site
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Rockefeller Center Discount Passes
CityPASS
Choose TOTR
or Guggenheim 
NY Explorer Pass
TOTR and Rock Center Tour attraction choices
New York Pass
Includes TOTR and Rock Center Tour
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Dining and Drinking at Rockefeller Center
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:
- Morrell Wine Bar & Café – 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.
- Summer Garden & Bar at Rock Center Café – ever wonder what happens to the Ice Skating Rink in warm weather? It turns into an awesome outdoor café, complete with American fare, blue umbrellas and a perfect view of Prometheus and the huge water fountain.
- 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!
- 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!
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Hotels Near Rockfeller Center
Some of our top value picks near Rockefeller Center include:
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 Night Skyline NYC
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.
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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Usually the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving
Nothing marks the beginning of the magical holiday season in New York City like the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
For tips on the best views of the tree, ice skating in Rockefeller Center, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Open Attractions and more, check the full NYC Insider Guides to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Christmas in New York City.
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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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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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Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular 2018
Nov 9, 2018 – Jan 1, 2019
Daily @ 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm (some variations)
- Tickets: Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Tickets
- Insider Guide: Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall Guide
With up to 4 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.
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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.
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