Top of the Rock New York Opening Times

Seeing the New York skyline from the Top of the Rock from the very heart of Manhattan is a magical feeling.

Don't let the vertigo stop you, make sure you note the opening hours of the observation deck to plan your visit and buy your tickets, it will be an unforgettable experience!

Top of the Rock is open from 10 AM to 10 PM, every day of the week and every day of the year. These extended hours offer great flexibility and allow you to climb to the top of Rockefeller Center at almost any time of the day and enjoy the views of New York City like a child.

Practical tips for choosing the hours of your visit

As noted in the previous point, in normal weather conditions the Top of the Rock is open until 10 PM every day of the year, regardless of whether it is hot or cold.

In the event of extreme weather conditions (snow, hail, strong wind, etc.) parts of the observation deck may be closed to the public for safety reasons at the discretion of the attraction. However, visitors will be informed of the weather conditions prior to entry.

In any case, the Top of The Rock has an observatory spread over three floors, with the 67th floor almost completely closed, where you can take shelter. From its windows there are excellent views of the Big Apple skyline.

There is usually no time limit to stay inside the Top of the Rock observation deck and visits generally last between 45 and 60 minutes.

Top of the Rock is perhaps the most famous skyscraper in New York and the most recommended by travellers because it has the best panoramic view of the city and the best views of Manhattan and Central Park.

They are so fascinating that you'll find it hard to leave. Add to that the Mezzanine Exhibit, a visit to the LED-lit Breezeway, the Radiance Wall and the gift shop, and you're likely to be there for a long time. There's so much to see that it's up to you to decide how long to stay.

The time of sunset is not constant throughout the year but varies over time (for example in summer it can be between 7 PM and 9:30 PM and in winter between 4 PM and 6:30 PM), so if you are going to the Top of the Rock with the intention of seeing it, I recommend that you check online to see when the sun sets in the month you are travelling to New York.

Sunset is a favourite time for tourists visiting the skyscrapers of the Big Apple, including the Top of the Rock. The views are breathtaking at such a height, which is why it's the most crowded time of the year.

But be careful because, unlike other skyscrapers in the city, tickets to the Top of the Rock have an additional cost of about 8 Euros per ticket just to go and watch the sunset.

So if you'd rather save that money and get a more intimate experience by going up to the observation deck without so many people around, my advice is to go first thing in the morning on a weekday - you'll have the Top of the Rock almost to yourself and that's great! However, if you're worried about your budget during your trip, use this guide to Top of the Rock ticket prices to help you organise your budget before you travel and get some tips on how to save money on your visit.

Midtown Manhattan is full of attractions near the Top of the Rock that you can explore by taking a stroll around the area. See below for the opening times of some of the most popular tourist attractions near the Top of the Rock.

And if after climbing to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center you've been so taken with the New York skyline that you'd like to see it again from other points in the Big Apple, here's a short list with the opening hours of the other iconic skyscrapers in the city.

There are some, like the Empire State Building, that have super extended opening hours (until 2am!) and will allow you to enjoy the illuminated views of Manhattan well into the early hours of the morning. It's practically a VIP experience as there aren't usually many travellers at that time of day.