In the depths of the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center - then and now the largest private building enterprise ever undertaken in the United States - began rising over midtown Manhattan. Between 1931 and 1939, this massive project provided employment to almost 4,000 New Yorkers. The original fourteen structures remain supreme examples of the heroic slab skyscraper, and the Center as a whole embodies the modernist ideal of multiple use in urban design. And now for the first time in 20 years featuring an
amazing observatory on the 70th floor, open 8:30 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year. (Last elevator goes up at 11 p.m.)
A wide-open plaza, the famous ice skating rink, home of the giant Christmas tree every December...Rockefeller Center has it all. In front of the central 70-story tower on Fifth Avenue, you'll find Paul Manship's massive 1934 sculpture of Prometheus. Note the many art deco and art nouveau murals and mosaics throughout the entire Rockefeller Center area, as well as the flags of all nations. You'll find quite a number of stores, selling everything from French books to Swiss chocolates to souvenirs of the city. In recent years, NBC's Today Show studio has been a big draw for tourists in the early morning, as have other NBC shows such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Check out our
Event Calendar for ticket information!
Since 1933, NBC has offered a historic tour that takes you behind-the-scenes of NBC’s New York City operations and many of Rockefeller Center's highlights. The tour covers the quirks and the controversy from the golden years to the information age. Bring your walking shoes because there is a lot to see! Tours run every half hour 9:30 am-4:30 pm Monday through Sunday. Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis. Call (212) 664-3700 to reserve tickets. The group rate is $8.00 per person for groups of four or more. A credit card can be used to reserve spaces. Only 25 people maximum per tour.
The Rockefeller Center
Christmas Tree, located at 50th Street and 5th Avenue, is always a spectacular sight with over 5 miles of lights and hundreds of ornaments. The lighting ceremony is always a fun event and takes place every year on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. The tree may be viewed around the clock, but you will want to see it when it is lit. Hours are daily from 5:30am to 11:30pm, all day on Christmas, and from 5:30am to 9pm on New Year's Eve. All good things must end however, and the tree comes down on January 6th.
The famous Rockefeller Center
Ice Skating Rink opens in late October every year, and remains open through April.
