The Top of the Rock is one of New York City‘s three observation decks, and for me, it’s the best. Located at the top of the Rockefeller Centre in Midtown Manhattan, it’s home one of the best views of New York City. The Top of the Rock has timed entry, so we timed our visit to catch “golden hour”, which is the hour before sunset, when you get some of the most beautiful light of the day.

We arrived in the late afternoon and left after dark, to catch daylight, golden hour, sunset and night time views of Manhattan.

The Top of the Rock vs the Empire State Building

The Top of the Rock is an observation deck on the top floor of the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan.

One of the key advantages of choosing the Top of the Rock is that it has a million dollar view of the iconic Empire State Building as well as Central Park and the rest of the city. Just as the best view of Paris is not from the Eiffel Tower, but rather, of the Eiffel Tower from the Tour Montparnasse or the Arc de Triomphe, I wanted a view of the Empire State Building more than I wanted the view from it.

However, the Empire State Building is an iconic observation deck, featured in countless films from An Affair to Remember to Sleepless in Seattle, so it’s certainly not a waste of time to experience both icons. There are now combined tours for both observation decks in one day, which let you skip the line and see a few other Midtown sights along the way, which might be a good option if you want to see both.

I’ve also visited the One World Observatory in the Financial District. It’s taller, so the views are incredible, but it is so much taller than its surroundings, that it feels a little removed. From the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building, you’re really in the thick of Midtown!

Booking tickets for the Top of the Rock

We booked tickets online, which gives you a specific time slot for entry. Once you’re up there, there’s no rush to come down.

You can also book skip the line tickets, which will get you to the Top of the Rock, faster.

We timed our arrival for late afternoon, just before sunset, so we could get daytime views, sunset views and night time views over Manhattan. It’s a little bit of waiting around, but it was worth it!

Top of the Rock Observation Deck vs Bar SixtyFive

Top of the Rock: Observation Deck vs The Bar

Afterward we’d spent enough time at the Top of the Rock, we went down a few floors to the bar, which at the time was visited was Bar SixtyFive, and is now The Weather Room on floor 67. I’ve read online that it’s better value to get a drink at the bar than to pay the entrance fee to the observation deck. Having done both, I’d disagree – I think the observation deck is better value.

The views are much better from the Top of the Rock observation deck, which has been designed with panoramic views in mind. However, New York City is expensive, so if this helps your budget stretch to include more in your trip, then heading to the Weather Room instead is a solid choice.

The Weather Room is more reasonably priced than the former Bar SixtyFive. In 2016, cocktails at Bar SixtyFive were $28, and a bowl of approximately five artfully arranged potato crisps was $12. In 2025, the food and drinks at the Weather Room are about half the price. Not often you get to see prices going backwards these days!

Further Reading

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