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Rockefeller Center tour

45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York

Description

Rockefeller Center is a large complex of commercial buildings (offices mostly) covering a block between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in Manhattan. It was commissioned by the Rockefeller family and is known for its Art Deco buildings, its yearly Christmas Tree and ice rink, and its various sculptures such as that of the bronze gilded Prometheus and the titan Atlas supporting the celestial vault on his shoulders. The complex management organizes daily tour lasting 75mins and focusing on the art and architecture found there.

Access & Transport

The main entrance of the building is on 50th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) The '47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr' station (B, D, F, M) and '5 Avenue-53 St Station' (E, M) are both a couple of mins' walk away. There are also bus stops next to it on 5th Ave

Instructions & Recommendations

The tour is available in English only

Meta review

Customers enjoy learning a lot of about the history of the main towers and the various sculptures and rate the guides positively. From an aesthetic standpoint though, many find it lacking cachet and architecture critics of the time described it in not so flattering terms, including ostentatious.

Environmental & Social

The tour itself is environmentally neutral but the complex certainly is not. Helps appreciate the city's architectural heritage.

Conclusion

The Rockefeller Center has a certain mystic about it but barring the Christmas apparatus (ice rink and tree), we are not convinced its fame is deserved. Granted the sculptures give it an air of grandeur, but it feels more like an ode to capitalism and material wealth than architecture and art. The tour is fine but poor value.

Key positive

Opportunity to learn more about the complex history and its art

Good guides

Key negative

Severe and often bland architectural lines

Expensive tour

Suitability

Accessible and best for adults and children > 12yrs

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

August 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
First tour is at 10h00 and then every 30 or 60mins until 17h00 (+ a last one at 19h00)

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:1h 30m

Regulated hours

Monday09:45 - 18:15

Tuesday09:45 - 18:15

Wednesday09:45 - 18:15

Thursday09:45 - 18:15

Friday09:45 - 18:15

Saturday09:45 - 18:15

Sunday09:45 - 18:15

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
US$29.4
Adult
12 - 64
US$29.4
Child
6 - 11
US$29.4
Infant
0 - 5
US$0
Price shown here is inclusive of tax. No children price.

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