King Kong should have climbed up here, the view is better! (Top of The Rock (New York City))

Member Name: lilmissmup

Product:	Top of The Rock (New York City)
Date:	07/05/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing views, quite cheap to get in compared to some events we did.

Disadvantages: None

I have just returned from a 5 day break in the wonderful New York City and on our first full day we visited the Top of the Rock observatory at the Rockefeller Centre which is located on 6th Avenue and 50th Street on Manhattan Island.

Upon arriving at 11am on a Thursday we were pleasantly surprised that there was no queue and we managed to purchase our tickets straight away. The tickets cost $20 each for 2 adults and we also purchased a map of the sites you can see from the observatory for $3 as a souvenir.

After purchasing our tickets we went up to the mezzanine level where there is an exhibition about the Top Of The Rock and you can have your picture taken with a backdrop behind you which reenacts a famous picture of 8 of the original builders sitting on a ledge with the skyline behind them and you can also read about the history of the centre and watch some film footage too.

Once you have been through this you then head up to the 67th floor to the observation deck.

The elevator ride is approx 45 seconds and your ears will pop, a film is played on the ceiling of the elevator whilst you head up.

When you step out of the elevator you head out onto the first level you can see the sights from, you can also go up to the 68th and 69th levels of the building.

Now I am a not a fan of heights so was worried that I might not have the best experience traveling up the to the 67th floor but I was perfectly fine, the level is surrounded by glass panels to keep you safe and the views are the only thing on your mind, they are amazing.

The best view is of Central Park, it looked beautiful and was amazing to see it all, the Empire State and Statue of Liberty can be seen also from here although it may be hard to see the statue on a cloudy day as it is far away.

There are professional photographers up on the deck who can take pictures for you but they do charge for this, we just asked another man to take our picture.

We spent approx 30 minutes walking round the whole three levels of the deck taking pictures, it was busy but not crowded when we went which helped with the views, not sure if you would get such a great view on a weekend day.

Once you have finished viewing the wonders of NYC there is a lobby area on the top where you enter and a camera senses your presence setting off lights and sounds on the panels on the walls and ceilings so me and my boyfriend had great fun running round it, if you have kids they can amuse themselves here too.

The Top Of The Rock has 2 gift shops, one on the deck and one as you leave so you can grab a souvenir of your trip here, we brought a few small items.

I highly recommend a trip here, the pictures we got are amazing and I had been told before I went to New York that the views from here are better than the Empire State and I have to agree after going to both but thats another review!

***This review is also posted on ciao.co.uk under the same user name***

Summary: One of the highlights of my holiday