Rockefeller Center is a complex of commercial buildings between 48th and 51st Streets (between 5th and 7th Avenues) in the center of Midtown Manhattan. It’s best known for its famous Christmas tree, outdoor cafe and ice skating rink, shopping, NBC Stuidos tour, and Top of the Rock Observation Deck for views of NY. There is also a giant statue of Atlas holding the globe along with Radio City Music Hall, the largest indoor theater in the United States.
Rockefeller Center goes by many names: Rockefeller Center or Rockefeller Plaza. It was constructed in the 1930’s during the years of the Great Depression. During that time, it employed 70,000 people over a period of nine years. Rockefeller Center was named after John D. Rockefeller Jr. Some highlights of Rockefeller Center include:
- sunken gardens
- channel gardens
- GE Building (formerly RCA building)
- Today show studios
- NBC studios
- several statues
Considered A city within a city and a national landmark, the heart of Rockefeller Center is the General Electric Building, home to the offices of NBC and GE. Behind the GE Building is the sunken plaza. Rising to a height of 259 meters, the GE Building is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Manhattan. It was completed in 1933
Many people visit the Rockefeller Center in order to experience the view from the Top of the Rock. Similar to the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center features an observation deck that provides spectacular views of New York City. The Top of the Rock is a three-level observation deck on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center’s GE Building. The top floor, the 70th floor observation deck (the highest point of the Rock) has no glass and is completely outdoors, making it the most impressive viewpoint in the city of New York. Top of the Rock isn’t as high as the Empire State Building but it offers great views of the city from the 70-story observation decks. Views include some of the city’s most prominent landmarks from the Chrysler Building to the Brooklyn Bridge and from Central Park to the Hudson and East Rivers.
During the Christmas season, Rockefeller Center becomes a huge tourist attraction. Visitors from around the world stroll down to Rockefeller Center to view the Christmas tree and to skate in the rink. Every year in December, Rockefeller unveils a huge Christmas tree, decorated with thousands of lights. It is always a real tree, and stands watch over the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink during the Christmas season. There is a fee for using the rink, anywhere from $7.50 for a child to $14.00 for a adult, rates depend on when you go. There is a lunchtime special skating rate of $5.00. Skate rentals are available for an additional $7.50.
Located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue. Rockefeller Center was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1988. It is the largest privately held complex of its kind in the world, and an international symbol of New York City.
