Rockefeller Center is the kind of place that feels like the set of a movie — because it often is. The Art Deco complex spans 22 acres, and walking through it you get this sense of old New York glamour mixed with everyday city life. I’ve been there when the rink is packed with skaters in December and when the plaza is quiet on a rainy Tuesday, and it always delivers.
History
John D. Rockefeller Jr. leased the land from Columbia University in 1928 and originally planned to build a new Metropolitan Opera house. The stock market crash of 1929 killed that plan, but Rockefeller pushed forward with a commercial development instead. Construction employed over 40,000 workers during the Great Depression, making it one of the largest private building projects of the era. The complex opened between 1933 and 1940, with the RCA Building (now 30 Rockefeller Plaza) as its centerpiece. Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932 as part of the same vision. The iconic Christmas Tree lighting tradition started in 1933, and the ice skating rink opened three years later in 1936.
Features and Highlights
- Top of the Rock observation deck on the 70th floor of 30 Rock offers unobstructed views — including a perfect angle of the Empire State Building
- Radio City Music Hall seats 6,000 and still hosts the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular every holiday season
- The sunken ice skating rink transforms into a cafe in warmer months
- The GE Building lobby features a massive mural by Jose Maria Sert titled “American Progress”
- The Channel Gardens — six seasonal gardens that slope from Fifth Avenue toward the skating rink
- The Atlas statue facing St. Patrick’s Cathedral across Fifth Avenue
- NBC Studios tours let you see where Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show are produced
Visitor Tips
The Christmas Tree lighting in early December is unforgettable but packed — come during daytime instead for smaller crowds. Book Top of the Rock tickets in advance and visit at sunset for the best photos. The NBC Studio tour is worth it for TV fans but costs extra. Eat at the concourse level food court for affordable options instead of the pricier sit-down restaurants. The skating rink gets booked solid in winter, so reserve skate times online. Summer brings free concerts and events to the plaza.
Cultural Impact
Rockefeller Center defined what a mixed-use urban complex could look like. It’s appeared in more films than almost any other New York location — from Elf to Miracle on 34th Street to Home Alone 2. The annual tree lighting draws millions of viewers worldwide and marks the unofficial start of the holiday season in America. For anyone who has stood at the top of the Empire State Building – New York City, the view from Rockefeller Center’s observation deck offers a different perspective — you see the Empire State Building itself, perfectly framed. The complex sits at the heart of Manhattan, New York City, right where Midtown’s energy peaks. And if you’ve caught a show at Broadway Shows in New York City, you know the theater district is just steps away, making Rockefeller Center the perfect pre-show or post-show destination.
Location and Contact
- Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
- Coordinates: 40.7587° N, 73.9787° W
- Top of the Rock Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM (last elevator at 11:10 PM)
- Official Site: Visit Rockefeller Center
- Wikipedia: Rockefeller Center on Wikipedia
CONTACT US
For more information or to visit us, here are our branch addresses:
- Branch 1: Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Branch 2: Sobrecary Street (In front of Velox Gas Station), Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Email: gracezelguerra22@gmail.com
- Phone: 09460480491
- Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PH Time)
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