TIPS TO CLIMB THE TOP OF THE ROCK, THE BEST VIEWPOINT IN NEW YORK

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Going up to one of the skyscrapers of the Big Apple is one of the essential things to do in New York. Being up there and contemplating with your own eyes what you have seen a thousand times through a screen, is an indescribable sensation. The only problem will be choosing which New York viewpoint to visit. If you have no budget problems the answer is simple: all: Top of the Rock, Empire State Building and One Wordl! But if you have to choose only one, we have it quite clear: you have to climb to the Top of the Rock viewpoint. Next we will tell you a few useful information and information and tips to visit the Top of the Rock.

To begin with, you have to know that the full name of the viewpoint is “The Top of the Rock Observation Deck”, and that it is part of the architectural ensemble of the “Rockefeller Center”, owned by the Rockefeller family. Maybe it sounds to you because it is right here where, every Christmas, you put on the famous skating rink that comes out in a thousand movies, including “Home Alone”.

Initially, the viewpoint was opened to the public in 1933, but it was closed in 1986 and its final reopening was in 2005. It is about 260 meters from street level and the viewpoint offers 360 degree views. There are different levels of observation, and it is best that it is outdoors and not locked inside the building floor.

Because from up there you will have the best panoramic view of New York and you can see Central Park on one side and on the other you will have Manhattan at your feet (including the silhouette of the mythical Empire State Building). Yes, for us it is without a doubt the best viewpoint in New York. In addition it is usually less visited than the Empire.

You have 4 options:

Introduce yourself in the box office They are located on 50th street between 5th and 6th Avenue and buy your ticket for the same day. At that time you will be assigned the time you can upload and possibly NOT immediately. It costs $ 38.

Get a tourist card that includes the entrance to the Top of the Rock. Access is not immediate like the previous case, but you save queuing to buy the ticket. You must show the pass at the counter dedicated to reserved tickets (Will Call), where they will give you the time to visit. They gave us 30 minutes to arrive. The price will be somewhat lower when you benefit from the discounts on these cards.

Buy your flexible online ticket and avoid headaches. It costs € 37 here. You will have to set an estimated date, but it is valid one month before and after this date. Also with this option you will have to go to the Will Call counter to request a time to climb. Keep in mind that if they don't give you the time that interests you, you can ask to be assigned a visit for another day. The positive thing about this entry is that it does not force you to attend a specific day and time, so it will give you flexibility, the bad thing is that the time of visit depends on the availability of schedules.

Buy the entry with fixed date and time on the official website. The final price, adding the service fee, is $ 42. You can book it on their website. The positive in this case is that you will not have to depend on the availability of schedules, because you already choose it, the bad thing is that you do not have flexibility and you will depend on this visit to plan the rest of your days in New York. If it rains that day, you eat it with potatoes. Eye, if you arrive before your schedule, they can give you a previous visit (provided there is availability). Also if you arrive a little later, they will try to assign another schedule so you do not lose your ticket.

Keep in mind that if you want to go up to sunset, you have to pay a supplement of $ 10 per ticket. If your ticket is standard, you can pay this supplement at the ticket office.

In addition there are more expensive special tickets:

VIP Pass: Skip the line, with precedence to take the elevators and discount in the store. A sleepover, which costs $ 85
Sun & stars: This is a very interesting ticket, which allows you to upload twice on the same day. The first during the day and the second at night. In this way you can see the views of New York from the sky with the sunlight and the charm of the night lights. The price is $ 56.

Once you have your tickets, the experience itself begins: because don't get confused, the Top of the Rock is not just a viewpoint, it is a trip inside one of the most legendary skyscrapers in the city. You can, for example, visit the “Mezzanine Exhibit”, an exhibition that will show you the history of the building, from its beginnings to the present day, or watch a documentary about the Rockeffeler Center at the “Theater”. You can only visit them before going up to the viewpoint.

Curiosity: did you know that it is in this building where the mythical “Lunch atop a skyscraper"? That said, it may not sound like you, it is that photo that portrays a group of workers having lunch at about 260 meters high, sitting on a steel beam. Apparently it was a publicity maneuver (which clearly worked very well!). Here you have the whole story. You can even take your own photo mounted on the steel beam, of course, you will not have to go through vertigo (the skyscrapers and the panoramic add it later with photoshop XD). By the way, the photo is NOT included in the entry price.

Now it is time to climb to the Top of the Rock. To do this you will have to enter one of the Sky shuttles, 4 elevators that in about 40 seconds will cover the 200 meters that separate you from the 67th floor. This level is covered and will give you a snack of what you will find above…

When you go out to the main terrace, you will freak out. There are plenty of words but believe us: it is one of the best views of New York (and we would say that of the whole world). On its north side you will see how the huge Central Park extends, to the south you will run into the Empire State Building and the silhouettes of the skyscrapers of the Financial District. The viewpoint of this level is surrounded by windows, although do not worry because there are holes large enough to put the lens of the camera and take photos without reflection.

But there is also a surprise: you can go up to a higher terrace a little smaller, on the 70th floor, where there are no glass panels and you can live more intensely the best views of New York.

Not many know, but the building has a bar that of course! It offers sights. Is he Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room, which is located on the 65th floor and climbing is "free" Although ... you have to consume, of course. It is recommended to dress well and, in case you want to eat in the restaurant, book (no reservation required for the bar). Prices: $ 10 beers / $ 16-20 cocktails.

First of all, plan your visit to the Top of the Rock with these tips:

- The Schedule They are the following: the first elevator goes up at 08.00h and the last one goes up at 23.30h. It closes at 00:30.

- As we told you, there is a specific time to go up, which you will choose with the purchase of the ticket online or they will give you at the box office, but to go down ... there is no time limit! Come on, you can spend two hours up there without a problem. Although the average time per visit is 45-60 minutes.

- Which is the best schedule to climb to the Top of the Rock? Check the hours they have for the sunset (with a supplement of $ 10) and go up a little earlier. This way you can see the city during the golden hour and at night! If you can't avoid the supplement, we think it's also worth it.

- But what time is there? less people? In the early morning you will find very few people, then after 10-11 the influx begins to increase. Obviously, sunset is the most requested time.

- The only negative point we see at the Top of the Rock is that, from its terrace, one of the most beautiful buildings in New York is NOT quite well seen: Chrysler.

- The 6 year olds (or less) upload free. In addition baby strollers are allowed.

- It is accessible in Wheelchair.

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