Rockefeller Center is a city within one of the greatest cities in the World. Spread across 11 acres between the 5th and 6th Avenues of New York, it is a 19-building complex where you can find anything you need in a modern metropolis.
First built in the 1930’s partly as an antidote to the Great Depression, it is now home to a thriving economy of restaurants, shops, the NBC studios, offices, its famous skating rink, and so much more.
A stroll around the Rockefeller Plaza is a classic New York experience. You can watch the ice skaters on the sunken rink - or maybe even join them. Skaters get the best view of the giant, prone Prometheus sculpture above the rink.
Towering above the gilded Prometheus is the massive 70-story RCA tower - now officially the General Electric or GE Tower. Here is where you will find the famous Rainbow Room and the observation deck. For a good meal and the lovely art deco ambiance, The Rainbow Room is just up on the 65th floor.
The observation deck is called Top of the Rock. Closed for 20 years, it has been re-opened allowing visitors once again take in the spectacular views. From here, the spires of the steel-gargoyled Chrysler Tower and the Art Deco Empire State Building are clearly visible, along with the rest of Manhattan.
The deck sits atop the RCA Building designed by famous architect Raymond Hood. The architectural landmark still holds offices for its namesake the Radio Corporation of America.
If you visit during the Christmas holidays, you can watch the lighting of the 50-foot Christmas tree. Then take a walk around and spend some time taking in the sights, including the huge Atlas statue, bearing a ringed world on his shoulders.
The Channel Gardens is a peaceful retreat from the busy city below. You will find it between La Maison Francaise and the British Empire Building - a quiet, green oasis within a concrete jungle.
You can spend days just taking the Rockefeller tours alone. NBC offers a famous tour of its studio. The glass-walled area outside makes for interesting viewing. Radio City Music Hall, the famous theater that still “lines ‘em up around the block” has a tour as well. Home to The Rockettes, the theater offers musical performances in the evenings.
Shops line several of the ground level buildings. This is where you will find the popular Nikon House which attracts photographers from all over the world. If you like taking pictures yourself, the Rockefeller has many sights, events, and people you can capture.
Above ground level are more shops and restaurants. In the Underground Concourse there is more to eat - from fast food to fine dining. A lot more shopping too along the way - from clothing boutiques to a satellite store of the Metropolitan Museum.
The underground ‘catacombs’ connect 14 of the Rockefeller’s main buildings, so take a little walking tour under Sixth Avenue. With nearby subway entrances running through the concourse, travel to and from the Center is easy from any part of the city.
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Enjoy a night of VIP treatment as you travel by stretch limousine from your New York hotel to Gallagher’s Steak House, one of the foremost steakhouse restaurants in Manhattan.
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