Shopping and views at Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller family built one of the largest fortunes in the United States in the oil industry. At the end of the 1920s, John Davison Rockefeller wanted to invest in real estate and set about building a complex of buildings combining offices, shops and leisure facilities in the centre of Manhattan, a sort of "city within a city". His project never came to fruition and was completed on 1 November 1939, two years after his death.

Although the stock market crash of 1929 caused developers to scale back their ambitions, Rockefeller Center was still the biggest private project of its time: 14 Art Deco-style buildings, typical of 1930s New York, at the cutting edge of modernity, with lifts and air conditioning. Some were added over time, and today Rockefeller Center is a collection of 18 buildings linked by underground passageways.

The Rockefeller Center shopping mall

Rockefeller Center is home to some of the best restaurants in New York: from gourmet restaurants to quick snacks, some of the city's greatest culinary talents can be found here.

The shopping experience is also unique: you'll find trendy New York brands, big international names and up-and-coming small designers. There's something for every taste, fashion and whim at Rockefeller Center.

And if you come to New York during the festive season, you'll have the chance to go ice-skating under the huge Christmas tree adorned with over 30,000 illuminated decorations, which is put up every year on the Rockefeller Center esplanade. A magical moment in an enchanting setting!

The view from Top of the Rock

After strolling around Rockefeller Center, don't miss the Top of the Rock: the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of the Comcast Building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which offer a 360° view of the whole of New York. A lift takes you to the two lower levels, which are indoors, or to the top floor, which is an open-air terrace, in a matter of seconds.

It's one of the best panoramic views of Manhattan, with Central Park and Times Square to the north at a height of 250 metres and the silhouette of theEmpire State Building to the south - it's simply spectacular.

A place that combines shopping with dreamy views is a must on any trip to New York. We recommend that you spend an hour or so at Top of the Rock. As for window shopping, we'll let you manage your time!

🚌 How do I get to Rockefeller Center?

Rockefeller Center is located in the heart of Manhattan, between 48th and 51st Streets, and between 5th and 6th Avenues, and is very well served by public transport:

• B, D, F and M lines: 47-50th Street - Rockefeller Center station
• N, Q and R lines: 49th Street station.
• line 1: 50th Street station
• line 6: 51st Street station.

⏰ Rockefeller Center opening times

Rockefeller Center is open 24 hours a day and the Top of the Rock observatory is open every day from 9am to 11pm, whatever the weather. The shops each have their own opening hours.

👛 Prices for Top of the Rock

• Full price: $40
• Over 62s: $38
• Under 12s: $34
• Under 6s: free
• New York CityPASS / GoCity Explorer Pass / New York Sightseeing Day Pass: free

To find out all the prices and book your ticket online, visit the official Top of the Rock website. You can also buy your ticket directly on site.