ROCKEFELLER CENTRE

Have you heard of the Rockefeller Centre?? Do you recall an old black and white picture that is taken high in the sky on a construction beam, with NYC in the background, there are a group of about 6 or 7 guys who have been working on the structure, sitting on the beam, some eating lunch, some just talking to each other. Well that’s the building we were heading to visit.

We had been told that there is a magnificent view of the city from on top of the Empire State Building and from the Rockefeller Centre (the "rock" for short). I had a look online which I highly recommend , to see what the prices were and which would be the best to go to. Reviews said that the Empire State had extremely long lines and you had to wait up to an hour to get to the top and that the staff were often rude. The Rock reviews said that the lines were not as long and staff were friendly. That you could get a view of both the Empire State building and Central Park which you don’t get from the Empire State. So The Rock it was.

After our hour upon hour adventure through Central Park we came out no far from the Rock. We started heading toward it and went past Radio City on the way. Once we got to The Rock we were given a voucher for $2 off each ticket which was great and very common, so if you’re going there, look out for the guys handing these out. We took our tickets and wandered toward the building. There was no line and we waltzed right on in. Inside is amazing. There is a gorgeous spiral staircase that leads you up to the elevators. In the centre of the staircase is a huge and I mean massive chandelier. Apparently when you turn the light upside down it is in the shape of The Rock! Very cool.

Once you get to the top of the stairs you have to put your bags and electronics though security, just in case you happen to have a bomb in your bag. Once done there you head off to the section that gives you all the history of the building and its designer and some history of the city itself. You can have your photo taken here with the same backdrop as those guys I mentioned at the outset. I will try and attach a photo so you can see what I mean. Once done here you’re through to the elevator.

We waited for one lot of people to go through before us and then it was our turn. In the elevator a movie starts to play on the ceiling of the elevator, it distracts you from the zoom to the top. I cant quite remember, but I think the top of the Rock where you get out and overlook the city was about the 70 somethingth floor.

When you step out of the elevator you are faced with the most incredible view. In one direction you can see Central Park and right into the distance beyond it and in the other you can see the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. All around these stand building after building, sky scrapper after sky scrapper. It really has to be seen to be believed. I took so many photos up there its crazy but you kinda go mad with the awe of the place and don’t want to miss a single thing.
We arrived at the Rock at about 7pm as planned. We went at this time so we could see the city in daylight, but then be able to watch the city start to light up and then to see it at night with all the lights on. This plan worked perfectly. Again, if you’re planning on going here, you have to go at this time of day it really is the best. We got to see the city from every angle and every perspective with the lights changing constantly. Once the daylight had gone completely, when you looked over where Central Park is, there was a great big black void amongst the lights. Its quite strange to see.

You can see all the bridges lit up and even right across to the Societies buildings.

At one point we counted 12 planes in the air. There are three main airports in NYC and they were all lined up for landing at various ones.

I didn’t want to leave this place as it was quite awe inspiring and certainly a magnificent sight to see by day and by night. This we would highly recommend!

Eventually we had to leave and headed back down to Times Square.

Times Square would blow anyone’s mind. Its just like you see in the movies only bigger and better. The lights are so bright that even during the night, it looks like day time. There was every type of billboard, advertising products as well as Broadway musicals. Thousands of people around but you feel quite safe here. There are a lot of police around making sure that everyone is behaving and that we are all safe. Many many more photos were taken here too.

That was our trip to The Top of The Rock. More fantastic memories were made and we look forward to sharing them with you all when we get home.

See ya.