“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
City Heights
I have been to the top of the Empire Building four times, now. All at night and while the darkness hides some of the height and the buildings twinkle like the stars you rarely see it because of all of the lights. I can’t say I hate going at night. The lines are shorter and the darkness makes the height deceptive. Teamed with liquid courage it makes the elevator ride go by quicker and is far less scary.
Night or day their is something whimsical about gazing at the city from a Bird’s eye view. Everything looks like a doll house where you can just pick up the pieces and play with them. It gives you a different perspective. One that is both God given as well as man made. It may not be Van Gough’s little village in Starry Night, but you are still looking down at buildings and the people. You are still high up in an almost God-like position casting love and protection down to those below. It is also technologically incredible that it was all man made. That people built these buildings themselves.
Having been to the Empire State Building numerous times, when my friend visited me I asked if we could check out The Rock instead. While I am pretty familiar with the Plaza not only because I watch the Today Show, but also because I have frequented the area often. Seriously it might be the only touristy place I go….Though not around Christmas time. I have yet to go to the top. That all changed on a sunny, yet still slightly wintery spring day when she was much obliging.
History
Opened in 1933 and designed by Raymond Hood, the Art Deco styled 70 floor building is one of the most iconic in the city. Housing the peacock network, a vast array of offices, a shopping complex in the ground floors of the concourse as well as the historically famed landmark restaurant The Rainbow Room, Thirty Rock as it is known, has gone through a smorgasbord of ownerships, as well as renovations and is currently owned by Comcast. Top of the Rock had been closed for a number of years, and finally reopened in 2005, after extensive renovations. Designed to give the feel of an ocean liner, it gives a panoramic view of the city including its rival, the empire state building.
The Journey
With my fear of heights I was at once nervous and excited about it. Both my friend and I had tried to book tickets online and it hadn’t worked out to well. Once we got there, there was also not a lot of signage. Uh-oh. It had already turned into an adventure and we hadn’t even reached the top yet! After asking numerous people where to go, we found our way to the ticket counter. Thankfully there was no line which automatically scored brownie points over the Empire State Building and security was a breeze. Another point!
Now the kicker. For the Empire State Building there are only two levels, which if you want to travel to the very top, you have to pay an additional price. Not to mention it is ridiculously crowded.
The Experience
Rock Center has three levels all included in the price, which made it a much more pleasant experience. While their were people, it was spread out, so we weren’t all cramming around windows for that picture perfect 360 degree view.
Also at the very top their is no glass, which can seem a bit freaky, but actually wasn’t. The guards were incredibly nice. They were even willing to take my friends and my picture!
The views were incredible! Even getting a chance to see the Empire State building as well as the Statue of Liberty in the distance. And that isn’t even touching on the views of the park. I even joked I could see my apartment building from the top.
Oh yes the Top of the Rock was everything and more. I will happily go back!
Have you been to Top of The Rock? What did you think?
The views from 30 Rock are amazing! We will check them out on our next trip to the City! Thanks!
They really are! You definitely should! Let me know if you need any recommendations! <3
Thank you! Great blog you have, we really enjoy it!
Awe thank you so much! I am so glad you guys do! <3
I love love loved my trip up the Empire State last year- and so wish I could have done The Rock too! Your photos are amazing! I can’t believe there was no glass at the top- ahhhh! X
Awe thank you so much! That means a lot to me! It is really cool to be up that high and to have those views! I loved that! but it was definitely a little Ahh lol. <3
Yessss! I loved Top of the Rock. I’m glad I revisited as it was rainy/cloudy our first visit. Our second visit the views were just perfect. Glad you loved it☺ xx
Yay I am so happy you got to go back! It is definitely worth it! <3
Have been there a few years ago. One of the absolute highlights of my New York city trip. Was in February, cold and freezing but the stunning scenery. The huge skyscrapers and view on Central Park let us forget cold very fast.Hope to return soon! Greets Stef
Awe I am so glad to hear that! Their is something about stunning views that does make you forget:) I hope you get too! Thanks for stopping by and reading! <3
That view!!! Soo pretty! Really want to go there myself, maybe one day xx
I hope you get too! it is so worth it! <3
I love the views, it’s amazing. I want to return soon💖💖
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It really is! I hope you get to soon! Thanks for stopping by and reading:) <3
Omg! I’ve always wanted to go there and just New York City in general 😍
Omg! I’ve always wanted to go there and New York City in general😍
You definitely should! It is so worth it! I hope you get to soon! <3
Amazing! When can I come to New York and have you as my tour guide?? Gosh, I want to come back to NYC so much, you are the luckiest! Its amazing that all three levels of this building are included in the price because 9x out of 10 if I go somewhere where you have to pay extra for a bonus feature I’ll never do it so this is a great way to experience everything Top Of The Rock has to offer! Another great post hun which just has me dyinggggg to revisit NYC xx
Girl yasssss!!!! Seriously I love being a tourist when people come to visit! You definitely should! if you ever need a place to stay or someone to show you around let me know. It really is! Empire State building pays extra to go up in the spiral and I am always like no thank you! Awe thank you sweets. I am glad you enjoyed it and yes you need too! I hope you have an amazing day! <3
Oh I will do. I’m really aiming to visit NYC either in October/ November or December of this year so I’m keeping my fingers crossed!! I don’t remember if we paid extra when we went to the Empire State before, I’ll have to ask my Dad. But it makes the top of the rock sound so much better that its all included in the price! You too hun x
So cool! I had literally never heard of Top of The Rock until reading this post and I was born in NY, LOL!! I have only been to the city once, though. I’d like to go back sometime and see much more!!
Haha, it is funny the things we never hear of or visit in the state we live in:) Though New York IS pretty big! 🙂 I definitely hope you get too! it is so much fun here! <3
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