Top of the Rock Observation Deck + The Beam Admission Ticket at Rockefeller Center
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USD 57
Top of the Rock gives you something no other NYC observation deck can – an unobstructed view of the New York skyline from 70 floors up. Three levels of indoor and outdoor decks at 30 Rockefeller Plaza deliver 360° panoramas of Central Park, the Hudson River, and the full Manhattan skyline, day or night.
The Beam takes it further. Perched on the 69th floor, this steel platform rises 12 feet above the observation deck and rotates 180 degrees, creating a direct recreation of the legendary 1932 photograph Lunch atop a Skyscraper, in which 11 ironworkers sat casually on a beam during the construction of the very building you're standing in. Two iconic NYC experiences, one visit.
The Beam takes it further. Perched on the 69th floor, this steel platform rises 12 feet above the observation deck and rotates 180 degrees, creating a direct recreation of the legendary 1932 photograph Lunch atop a Skyscraper, in which 11 ironworkers sat casually on a beam during the construction of the very building you're standing in. Two iconic NYC experiences, one visit.
Key Highlights
- Three levels of 360° indoor and outdoor observation decks at 30 Rockefeller Plaza — one of New York's most iconic National Historic Landmarks
- The only NYC deck where you can photograph the Empire State Building directly — unobstructed, from the same height
- Ride the Sky Shuttle glass elevator 70 floors up in just 43 seconds
- The Beam rises 12 feet above the 69th-floor deck and rotates 180 degrees — recreating the legendary 1932 Lunch atop a Skyscraper photograph against the full Manhattan skyline
- A once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity that blends New York nostalgia with present-day thrills
- The Welcome Gallery introduces you to Rockefeller Center's remarkable history before you ascend
- The Weather Room Café & Bar serves artisanal bites and cocktails with sweeping skyline views
- Open 365 days a year — choose morning clarity, golden-hour sunset, or the glittering city at night
About Top of the Rock Observation Deck + The Beam Admission Ticket at Rockefeller Center
Top of the Rock has been a New York City icon since Rockefeller Center first opened in the 1930s. The three-level observation deck spans 55,000 square feet across the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors, offering 360° views in every direction — with one crucial advantage over every other NYC observation deck: you are standing next to the Empire State Building, not on top of it. That means you get the full building in frame, dramatically rising from the Manhattan grid, any time of day or night.
The Beam brings history off the page and into the present. In 1932, 11 ironworkers were photographed eating lunch on a steel beam 69 stories above the street during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. That image became one of the most iconic photographs ever taken of New York City. Today, you can sit on a steel recreation of that same beam on the 69th floor, rise 12 feet above the observation deck, rotate 180 degrees with the full Manhattan skyline behind you, and recreate it — strapped in safely, props optional. It is equal parts thrilling and oddly moving, and it produces the best photo you will take in New York.
Before you ascend, the reimagined Welcome Gallery sets the scene — a Swarovski chandelier, a 10-foot model of the Rockefeller Center campus, and a multimedia history exhibition that gives you genuine context for what you are about to see. Then the 43-second Sky Shuttle elevator, then the sky. Choose morning for crystal-clear visibility and short queues, sunset for the best light on the Empire State Building, or evening for the full glittering city experience. Book on Thrillark and choose your time.
The Beam brings history off the page and into the present. In 1932, 11 ironworkers were photographed eating lunch on a steel beam 69 stories above the street during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. That image became one of the most iconic photographs ever taken of New York City. Today, you can sit on a steel recreation of that same beam on the 69th floor, rise 12 feet above the observation deck, rotate 180 degrees with the full Manhattan skyline behind you, and recreate it — strapped in safely, props optional. It is equal parts thrilling and oddly moving, and it produces the best photo you will take in New York.
Before you ascend, the reimagined Welcome Gallery sets the scene — a Swarovski chandelier, a 10-foot model of the Rockefeller Center campus, and a multimedia history exhibition that gives you genuine context for what you are about to see. Then the 43-second Sky Shuttle elevator, then the sky. Choose morning for crystal-clear visibility and short queues, sunset for the best light on the Empire State Building, or evening for the full glittering city experience. Book on Thrillark and choose your time.
Inclusions
- Admission to Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- Admission to The Beam
Exclusions
- Professional photo purchase from The Beam — available on-site (personal devices not permitted on The Beam for safety)
- Food and beverages at The Weather Room
- Hotel transfers and transportation
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Insiders' Tips
Sunset is the undisputed best time at Top of the Rock — the golden-hour light on the Empire State Building is extraordinary and worth planning around. For The Beam, leave your phone and camera in your pocket — personal devices are not permitted on the ride for safety reasons, but a professional photographer captures the moment for you. For the sharpest skyline photos from the observation deck, the open-air 70th floor gives you completely glass-free views in every direction. Arrive 10–15 minutes before your time slot to clear security without rushing.
Additional Information
Opening Hours:
- Open daily: 8 AM to 12 AM
- Children under the age of 6 enjoy free entry
- Guests must be at least 132 cm tall to ride The Beam alone; those between 107–131 cm must be accompanied by a paying adult.
- Top of the Rocks is wheelchair accessible
- The Beam experience is not wheelchair accessible.
- Service dogs welcome.
- Audio headsets and printed transcripts available on request.
- Personal cameras, phones, and bags are not permitted on The Beam for safety
- A professional photo is taken during the experience — available to purchase on-site
- The Beam is an outdoor experience and may be affected by severe weather
- Closed-toe shoes or sandals with secure straps required
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations accepted up to 24 hours before your travel date for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours or no-shows will not be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Beam experience at Top of the Rock?
The Beam at Top of the Rock is a steel platform on the 69th floor that rises 12 feet above the observation deck and rotates 180 degrees, allowing you to recreate the legendary 1932 photograph Lunch atop a Skyscraper — in which 11 ironworkers sat casually on a beam during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza itself. A professional photographer captures the moment from the deck below, with the full Manhattan skyline as your backdrop. The experience lasts approximately 30 seconds on the beam and is included with all Top of the Rock + The Beam tickets on Thrillark.
Why is Top of the Rock better than other NYC observation decks?
Top of the Rock's defining advantage over every other NYC observation deck is its direct, unobstructed view of the Empire State Building — you are standing beside it, not on it, which means the full iconic structure appears in every shot. The completely open-air 70th-floor rooftop deck also delivers glass-free 360° views that no other deck in the city fully replicates. Add The Beam experience and you have the most historically layered, photographically rich observation experience in New York.
Can children go on The Beam at Top of the Rock?
Yes — children can experience The Beam at Top of the Rock provided they meet the height requirements: a minimum of 42 inches (107 cm) to ride accompanied by a supervising adult, or 52 inches (132 cm) to ride alone. The maximum weight limit for The Beam is 300 lbs (136 kg). Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the Top of the Rock visit.
What time of day is best to visit Top of the Rock?
Sunset is consistently rated the most spectacular time to visit Top of the Rock — the golden-hour light over Central Park and the Empire State Building is extraordinary, and the transition from day to evening skyline happens as you watch. Morning visits (9–11 AM on weekdays) offer the clearest visibility and shortest queues, while evening visits deliver the full lit-up Manhattan skyline experience. All time slots are available to book on Thrillark.
Can I take photos on The Beam at Top of the Rock?
Personal devices — phones, cameras, and bags — are not permitted on The Beam at Top of the Rock for safety reasons, as the platform rises 12 feet above the deck and rotates. A professional photographer positioned on the observation deck captures your experience during the ride, and the resulting photos are available for purchase on-site after your experience. This means you can focus entirely on the moment rather than managing a device.
What is the Welcome Gallery at Top of the Rock?
The Welcome Gallery is the starting point of the Top of the Rock experience, located at ground level before you ascend. It features a Swarovski chandelier, a 10-foot-scale model of the Rockefeller Center campus, and a multimedia exhibition covering the history and architectural significance of this National Historic Landmark. It is a genuinely engaging introduction that gives your visit context before you step into the Sky Shuttle elevator for the 43-second ride to the 67th floor.
What is The Weather Room at Top of the Rock?
The Weather Room is a skyview café and bar on the 67th floor observation level, open from 9 AM to midnight daily, serving artisanal sandwiches, mezze plates, worldly pastries, coffees, and cocktails — all against sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. It is the perfect spot to pause mid-visit, celebrate a special occasion, or simply extend your time at the top with a drink in hand. Food and beverages are at your own cost and not included in the standard admission ticket.
What is the 1932 Lunch atop a Skyscraper photograph that inspired The Beam?
Lunch atop a Skyscraper is one of the most iconic photographs ever taken in New York City — a 1932 image depicting 11 ironworkers sitting casually on a steel beam 69 stories above the ground during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, eating lunch with no safety harnesses, directly above the Manhattan skyline. The photograph came to symbolise the fearless ambition of the men who built New York's great skyscrapers and has become one of the defining images of the 20th century. The Beam experience at Top of the Rock was created specifically to allow visitors to recreate that photograph on the very building where it was taken.
Is Top of the Rock wheelchair accessible?
Top of the Rock is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators available from street level to all three observation deck floors including the open-air 70th-floor rooftop. Accessible restrooms are available throughout, and service dogs are welcome. The one exception is The Beam experience, which is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the ride. Audio headsets and printed transcripts are also available on request throughout the venue.
How do I get to Top of the Rock from Times Square?
Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is a 5-minute walk from Times Square — head south on 6th Avenue or 7th Avenue to 50th Street and enter on West 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. By subway, the B, D, F, and M trains stop directly at 47–50th Street/Rockefeller Center station, a 2-minute walk from the entrance. The central Midtown location makes Top of the Rock one of the easiest major attractions in New York to combine with a broader day in the city.
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