Tips for Visiting Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center with Kids
View of the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock observation deck in New York City.
The last time we visited New York City, our kids were just three and five years old. We went during Thanksgiving to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it’s still one of my favorite family trips. Their eyes lit up at the giant balloons, and we loved seeing all the holiday window displays.
Fast forward to today: our kids are now 10 and 12 and they don’t remember that trip at all. That didn’t bother me, but it did make planning this fall’s family trip to NYC interesting. We wanted to add new experiences, but we also realized that many of the things we did years ago were worth repeating.
“Since she was very young, my daughter has been uneasy with heights. We don’t call it a “fear of heights” because we don’t want it to become part of her identity. We want her to feel capable of working through it. She tends to get nervous and clingy when we’re up high, whether it’s climbing the Duomo in Florence or looking out from Tokyo City View. At Top of the Rock, she was anxious at first, but with time she relaxed and even enjoyed herself.”
One of those things was visiting the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center. The views of the New York City skyline are unforgettable, and it’s a fun way to give kids a sense of just how big the city really is. I especially love Top of the Rock because you get a perfect view of the Empire State Building, plus a view of Central Park’s massive size.
We’re still glad we went when the kids were little even though they don’t remember because the joy then was watching their faces as they pressed against the glass, bouncing from one holiday decorated window to the next. And now, years later, it was fun to experience it together again.
What to Expect at Top of the Rock
Kids watching the short film about the history of building Rockefeller Center.
Before you head up, you’ll stop in a short theater for a five-minute film about the history of Rockefeller Center. It’s standing-room only, though there are benches up front for older visitors. My kids sat up there since it wasn’t crowded, but I can imagine it feels packed at peak times. Still, the video adds nice context before the main event.
360 degree views of New York City
The experience spans three levels of observation decks:
67th Floor Arrival: Step off the elevator to find a souvenir shop, and your first glimpse of the skyline.
69th Floor: Open-air, 360° views behind tall glass panels which makes kids feel safe and great for photos.
70th Floor: The best views! Wide-open views with no glass panels, just the city stretching in every direction.
From these decks you’ll see landmarks like the Empire State Building, Central Park, One World Trade, and more.
Extra Photo Fun
For an added fee, you can try The Beam experience—a recreation of the iconic 1932 photo of workers on a steel beam. You’re safely buckled in with props and lifted for a memorable shot. My favorite moment was seeing a grandma do it with her grandkids!
Snack Break: If you need a rest, head to The Weather Room café for sandwiches, pastries, and skyline views. We skipped it this time, but it looked like a relaxing spot.
Tips for Visiting Top of the Rock with Kids
Kids looking out the glass panels at Top of the Rock observation deck during a family trip to New York City.
Book ahead. Time slots sell out, especially around sunset. We walked from our hotel and had time to stop at FAO Schwarz first—having a set time helped us leave the toy store before we lost track of the day!
Consider going around sunset. Book about an hour before sunset. You’ll get the golden hour glow for photos and watch the city light up as day turns to night. It really fun for the kids to see the lights turn on around the city.
Give the kids a task! This could include: how many water towers can you count? Can you see a taxi below? What names do you see on the buildings? Which buildings look taller than this one?
Download the app. The free Top of the Rock app labels buildings, offers audio tours, and adds fun facts while you’re up there.
Take your time. There’s no limit once you’re on the decks. Let the kids spot landmarks, relax, and really soak it all in.
Nervous About Heights?
Since she was very young, my daughter has been uneasy with heights. We don’t call it a “fear of heights” because we don’t want it to become part of her identity. We want her to feel capable of working through it. She tends to get nervous and clingy when we’re up high, whether it’s climbing the Duomo in Florence or looking out from Tokyo City View. At Top of the Rock, she was anxious at first, but with time she relaxed and even enjoyed herself.
New York City skyline in 2018
A photo from 2018 of the New York City skyline from Top of the Rock when we took my son for the first time. He sat there and had fun counting all the water towers.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Top of the Rock is one of those classic NYC experiences that’s worth doing at any age. For kids, it’s both exciting and eye-opening. For parents, it’s a chance to share the city in a way they’ll never forget.
FreshCruiser tip: If your child is hesitant about heights, gently expose them and make it feel normal. Don’t push and let them take their time. The pride they feel after facing it is worth it.
This trip was entirely planned and paid for by our family—I was not paid or compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.