So aside from seeing Promises, Promises, eating some AH-MAZING pizza at John's Pizzeria, hanging out in Times Square with the Naked Cowgirl and feeding our sweet teeth at M&M's World...
... we also went to the Top of the Rock!
For those of you unfamiliar, the term means traveling up to the roof of Rockefeller Center, another one of NYC's most well-known skyscrapers. Rockefeller Center is home to NBC studios, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Plaza where the enormous Christmas Tree stands every winter. It's def an awesome touristy area for all of the above.
Let's play Tori Tour-guide. You're visiting NYC and you ruh-eally want to go to the top of a skyscraper. Well, really there's only two to choose from. So which do you pick? The Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center?
Is flashy and recognizable important to you? If yes, go to the Empire State Building. Name-wise, there's really nothing that compares to it. NYC will always be known for ESB and tourists will always flock to ESB. That and it's a damn cool thing to say you've stood on top of. If no, Rockefeller Center won't let you down. It's still pretty dang flashy, just doesn't have the Facetime that ESB has been privy to all these years. (Thanks a lot King Kong.)
Are you in it for the view? If yes, the best view hands down belongs to Rockefeller Center. Not only can you actually look over and see a killer view of ESB and the Chrysler Building, you also have a clear shot view of Central Park. It's farther north than its catchy counterpart, so there's less metal and steel obstructing your view of greenery grandeur. I also happen to think you can see Times Square more easily, but that could be debated. If no, ESB still has a pretty bomb view, you just can't see uptown as well.
Do you mind long lines? If yes, stay away from ESB. The wait takes forever. First you wait outside. Then you wait to buy your ticket. Then you wait to get into an elevator. Then you are taken to the 80th floor to sit and wait for another elevator that takes you up six more stories (if you're lucky and healthy, sometimes they'll let you walk the stairs up. But I warn you, it's a challenge). Then, finally you are at the Observation Deck. 2 hours later. If you pay more, you can go up even higher. To floor 102 to be exact. (Hope you're not afraid of heights, but then why would you be asking Tori Tour-guide if you were...) If no, 30 Rock's line is much, much shorter. You buy your ticket in hardly a line at all. Go up the elevator to the 66th floor. Hop an escalator to the viewing decks on the 67th, 69th or 70th floors. Voila! I think we waited more for my grandmother to arrive than we did actually walking through all the lines.
Are you in it for the view? If yes, the best view hands down belongs to Rockefeller Center. Not only can you actually look over and see a killer view of ESB and the Chrysler Building, you also have a clear shot view of Central Park. It's farther north than its catchy counterpart, so there's less metal and steel obstructing your view of greenery grandeur. I also happen to think you can see Times Square more easily, but that could be debated. If no, ESB still has a pretty bomb view, you just can't see uptown as well.
Do you mind long lines? If yes, stay away from ESB. The wait takes forever. First you wait outside. Then you wait to buy your ticket. Then you wait to get into an elevator. Then you are taken to the 80th floor to sit and wait for another elevator that takes you up six more stories (if you're lucky and healthy, sometimes they'll let you walk the stairs up. But I warn you, it's a challenge). Then, finally you are at the Observation Deck. 2 hours later. If you pay more, you can go up even higher. To floor 102 to be exact. (Hope you're not afraid of heights, but then why would you be asking Tori Tour-guide if you were...) If no, 30 Rock's line is much, much shorter. You buy your ticket in hardly a line at all. Go up the elevator to the 66th floor. Hop an escalator to the viewing decks on the 67th, 69th or 70th floors. Voila! I think we waited more for my grandmother to arrive than we did actually walking through all the lines.
See: Alexa (my 13-year-old cousin) lounging.
Instead of: Morgan and I surrounded by people who don't understand the concept of personal space.
Are you on a budget? Doesn't matter your answer here. This is a toss up. For an adult ticket, both cost around $20, which isn't too bad in terms of New York tourist attractions. Now, here's the kicker. If you want to get through ESB's lines faster, you can buy an express pass. And if you want to go higher than 86 floors, you can pay $15 more to go to the 102nd floor. Is it worth it? Well, that takes us back to the question of "Are you on a budget?"
What does Tori Tour-guide recommend most? If name dropping is important to you, go with ESB. Nothing else will satisfy your thirst for a "brand name building." But if you're looking for what the typical tourist wants: awesome city views + something that won't break the bank, then opt for 30 Rock. It'll rock your world. Pun intended.
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