Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock has one of the best views in NYC and is a hot spot for photographers! Top of the Rock is located at the Rockefeller on the 70th floor in the heart of NYC. I could stay up there for hours and stare at the amazing views of Manhattan! If you don’t know where to start once you reach NYC, Top of the Rock can be your starting point! All of my photos below are taken in the Spring. I highly recommend checking out the beautiful tulips that are located right outside the Rockefeller!
Below, I tell you about my favorite cafes at the Rockefeller and photography advice for getting that perfect shot up top! Address for Top of the Rock is –
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Tickets
- Tickets are 36$ for Adults and 30$ for a child. We purchased tickets on the bottom floor by the cafes near where Starbucks is located. You can purchase a ticket in the machines, then wait for your “boarding” time. Once you enter in after your boarding time, the lines took around 45 min-1 hour to get to the top after going through security and waiting for your elevator. If you have any trouble just ask a employee (they are very helpful) !
- You can also purchase tickets ahead of time online- click the link below!
https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ticket-menu/
Photography advice:
PATIENCE IS KEY! If you are patient and take your time, you can get the “perfect shot”! Marc and I got some specular shots on the VERY top floor, which you can get to by stairs near the elevators. Marc went up to the very top to get the photo below (shout out to patient boyfriends)! It took around 15 min for him to get a clear shot- It’s worth it! This is one of my favorite places to take photos in NYC! Right below is my favorite shot I took all week!
We went around sunset time and it was perfect time to catch the good light! Make sure you find a window inside that overlooks the Empire State building! This will also take some patience due to people passing and also wanting to take their turn to get the same shot 🙂 Don’t forget to put your camera down for awhile and just enjoy the moment. This is hard for photographer lovers like me, but I try to do this every time I travel!
Plan on at least an hour to capture your photos and to enjoy the view! We used mostly our IPhone 7’s and also a cannon 7d. I prefer using my iPhone and editing with VSCO or Snapseed apps.
Cafes and Shops
Rockefeller has some of the best shops and cafe right inside! From food to shopping it has it all! The chocolate store “Jaques Torres” is a great place to stop if you are waiting for your boarding time! I tried the roasted Mocha and it was AMAZING! 
You can also sample their fine chocolates, and we ended up buying some of the cappuccino chocolate. Yum! Here is the link to check them out! https://mrchocolate.com
The pizza shop we ate at was “Harry’s Pizza Parlor” and we both agreed it was some of the best NY Pizza we have tried! Try the mushroom and cheese or meat lovers!
I hope you enjoy Top of the Rock as much as I do. I truly believe it’s a photographers dream to shoot at the top! Each time I am in NYC I always make an effort to get to the top because the view will never get old! Hope my advice helped you decide to go to the Top of the Rock! Have a great time!
