Where man meets the stars (Top of The Rock (New York City))

Member Name: CAFCGirl

Product:	Top of The Rock (New York City)
Date:	02/11/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All of it

Disadvantages: Absolutely none

I've been lucky enough to go to New York twice this year, and this was one thing from the first visit we knew we wanted to do again on the second.

Rockafeller Centre is an urban planners dream from yester-year. In the hustle and bustle of the jungle that is New York, it promised office space high above the crazy pavements below and a retail oasis of calm with the concourse below.

In Rockafeller itself you will find shops galore, and some of the most stunning Art Deco architecture, which puts shame to most other modern cities.

Top of the Rock takes you to the top of the GE Building at the Rockafeller, the entrance is well signed, and a lovely chap is normally on hand to direct you.
First thing I noticed was that you walk into a beautiful lobby with the most magnificent chandelier made from Swarvkoski crystals, it is breathtaking!
Down and round the spiral staircase, more lovely people direct you to the cashiers, who on both occassions we've been have been really cheery and welcoming.
They offer you a panaromic map (a blown up image of which is on the walls where you wait) so that you know which buildings youre looking at whilst at the top, no pushy sales technique and tickets bought at $17.50 (dont forget to factor in tax on top).

Round to an elevator and up you go. Out of that one and youre directed into the "good" lift, once you've been you'll know what Im talking about.
The ceiling of the lift is totally clear, and as you ascended it plays a montage clip of the Top of the Rock experience, the lights go dark, and you're whizzing through the stars! Its amazing to see the speed at which you travel, and whats more amazing is how smooth the ride is, and how quick it is.
You're deposited at the top with more smiles and you walk out into a really clean, crisp indoor area with windows all around and from here you can walk outside to the real deal!

Now in both March and August we were really lucky weather wise, i.e no rain.
In March we went during the day and it was surreal to see the world from up there.
Whats even more fantastic is that you are practically directly opposite the Empire State Building and you get a totally unobstructed view because the walls are most plate glass, no chain mail fencing up here, and for that, I rate it higher than going to the top of the ESB.

You're also closer to the north of Manhattan island, so Central Park is not far off. We found we wouldnt have needed the panoramic map as we know quite a few of the buildings anyway.
The only thing we couldnt see that we wanted see was the Flatiron building which is behind the ESB. But thats hardly their fault.

It was never packed with people either time we went. In August we went up there for dusk and the sky itself is amazing, you get a total 360 degree look out and can go up a few levels to the absolute top with the phone mast. Space up there is a little tighter but great views!
Luckily there are some gaps in the plate glass and most camera lenses can get in through there so you'll get some fantastic shots. I could have spent hours up there with my camera.

There is also a small gift shop at the top as well, and when I say small what I mean is imagine a kiosk with double entry points.
But the stuff isnt dreadful and not atrociously priced.

Theres not much else I can say really, aside from I love it!
So worth the money, in hindsight I would probably have paid more. Its great night or day, if you can, do both!

Summary: I wish I had spent a whole day up there!