Rockefeller Center offers any sightseer a lot of bang in a relatively compact area of town. Although it is a not-to-be-missed destination year round, it is truly magnificent during the holidays. The plaza is home to the largest Christmas tree in NYC and the surrounding buildings are adorned with some very clever and beautiful decorations that make it a winter wonderland to behold.
Of course one of the most identifiable New York City images is the bronze gilded statue of Prometheus that is so prominently displayed at the heart of Rockefeller Center. In the winter months, the sunken plaza also provides the perfect environment for ice-skaters to become a part of the scene. A hot cup of tea from a near-by coffee shop and a camera will provide you with the tools you will need to have a lovely time people watching and snapping photographs.
One word of caution though is that the plaza can be incredibly crowded in late December. My friends and I like to visit after Christmas when the crowds have thinned out a little and we can truly enjoy the environment.
If you are an early riser, you can join the crowds outside the Today show and maybe meet Matt Lauer or Al Roker or even find yourself on national television saying "hi" to mom. While you are there, you can also check out the famous window displays of Saks Fifth Ave and visit St. Patrick's Cathedral http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/.
Now all of the above can be done absolutely free of charge and makes for a delightful afternoon, but for a small investment, you can take advantage of the many tours that take place in and around Rockefeller Center.
My favorite Rockefeller tour is a trip to the Top of the Rock. I personally prefer it over the Empire State Building. The view is breathtaking and the lines are considerably shorter. On my trip it was 15 minutes (compared to the 3 hours I waited for the Empire State Building - granted I visited the ESB in the summer so….) I enjoyed the video history provided in the elevator ride and I especially liked the glass bottom deck.
A trip to the Top of the Rock is $17.00. Check out their website http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ for special events and special offers.
Radio City Music Hall, home to the "world-famous Rockettes," offers both tours and shows. The one-hour "Stage Door Tour" is a walking tour that points out the architectural and historical highlights of the Radio City Music Hall. This tour is $17.00. Radio City also provides a full season of entertainment. Everything from stand-up comedy to music concerts to the Christmas Spectacular plays the boards of this historical theatre. It always makes for a glamorous evening to get dressed up and visit one of the most renowned theatres in the United States. Depending on the show, tickets can run from $30 to $500 per seat. Check out their website at http://www.radiocity.com/ for a calendar of events and more information about the tour.
NBC offers tours through the halls and studios of their New York City base of operations. It is marketed as an hour and a half walking tour. I have not taken the tour, but a friend of mine did and was very disappointed. He noted that half of the time was spent waiting for elevators and that there was only time enough to see 2 studios. This tour is $18.00. Check out their website for more information http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/index.php?v=nbunbcmktnbt.
If you want the experience of ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, you can visit between October and April. For Adults it runs $10 per person, per session on weekdays and $14 per person, per session on weekends and holidays; plus $8 for skate rental. Sessions last approximately 2 hours. http://www.rapatina.com/iceRink
For more information about Rockefeller Center and the myriad of events that take place year round, check out their website http://www.rockefellercenter.com/home.html.
Of course one of the most identifiable New York City images is the bronze gilded statue of Prometheus that is so prominently displayed at the heart of Rockefeller Center. In the winter months, the sunken plaza also provides the perfect environment for ice-skaters to become a part of the scene. A hot cup of tea from a near-by coffee shop and a camera will provide you with the tools you will need to have a lovely time people watching and snapping photographs.
One word of caution though is that the plaza can be incredibly crowded in late December. My friends and I like to visit after Christmas when the crowds have thinned out a little and we can truly enjoy the environment.
If you are an early riser, you can join the crowds outside the Today show and maybe meet Matt Lauer or Al Roker or even find yourself on national television saying "hi" to mom. While you are there, you can also check out the famous window displays of Saks Fifth Ave and visit St. Patrick's Cathedral http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/.
Now all of the above can be done absolutely free of charge and makes for a delightful afternoon, but for a small investment, you can take advantage of the many tours that take place in and around Rockefeller Center.
My favorite Rockefeller tour is a trip to the Top of the Rock. I personally prefer it over the Empire State Building. The view is breathtaking and the lines are considerably shorter. On my trip it was 15 minutes (compared to the 3 hours I waited for the Empire State Building - granted I visited the ESB in the summer so….) I enjoyed the video history provided in the elevator ride and I especially liked the glass bottom deck.
A trip to the Top of the Rock is $17.00. Check out their website http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ for special events and special offers.
Radio City Music Hall, home to the "world-famous Rockettes," offers both tours and shows. The one-hour "Stage Door Tour" is a walking tour that points out the architectural and historical highlights of the Radio City Music Hall. This tour is $17.00. Radio City also provides a full season of entertainment. Everything from stand-up comedy to music concerts to the Christmas Spectacular plays the boards of this historical theatre. It always makes for a glamorous evening to get dressed up and visit one of the most renowned theatres in the United States. Depending on the show, tickets can run from $30 to $500 per seat. Check out their website at http://www.radiocity.com/ for a calendar of events and more information about the tour.
NBC offers tours through the halls and studios of their New York City base of operations. It is marketed as an hour and a half walking tour. I have not taken the tour, but a friend of mine did and was very disappointed. He noted that half of the time was spent waiting for elevators and that there was only time enough to see 2 studios. This tour is $18.00. Check out their website for more information http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/index.php?v=nbunbcmktnbt.
If you want the experience of ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, you can visit between October and April. For Adults it runs $10 per person, per session on weekdays and $14 per person, per session on weekends and holidays; plus $8 for skate rental. Sessions last approximately 2 hours. http://www.rapatina.com/iceRink
For more information about Rockefeller Center and the myriad of events that take place year round, check out their website http://www.rockefellercenter.com/home.html.
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