04 Aug 2025
We did the Official Rockefeller center tour and also top of the rock. While our tour guide was very good and the tour contained interesting information, I do think that the tour could easily be self guided, with just a brochure/walking map or even a prerecorded audio tour. The area was actually smaller than I had anticipated. The headset given to use to hear the tour guide was subpar, the tour guide said they were getting new equipment any day now. We walked right by some art that wasn’t even mentioned. The guide was able to get us in to top of the rock 30 min before our scheduled time however, which was great. We went on a Monday morning and the line to top of the rock was very short. Good views at the top although it was somewhat hazy out. We only spent about 15-30 min at the top. I’ve been to Chicago’s sky deck and their queue is much better with lots of fun photo opps. Anyway, I can check this off the list, and if I ever come back to NYC, I don’t think I will bother with any of the observatories, but I would come back to wander Rockefeller plaza. We went to FAO Schwartz, it was small than I had anticipated. Don’t miss St Patrick’s Cathedral across the street from Rockefeller plaza.