Rockefeller Center

You’re now looking at the majestic Rockefeller Center, standing in the heart of the city’s theater district. Consider this the main entrance to Rockefeller, which is actually made up of 19 buildings in all, housing offices, restaurants, hotels and stores of all kinds! The Radio City Music Hall right behind it is actually part of this complex as well. Now, if the building looks familiar, it’s likely because you’ve seen it in movies or TV shows, like many other New York landmarks. It was designed by John Davison Rockefeller, who aspired to make it New York’s second-largest business district after Wall Street, and its Art Deco style was quickly acclaimed leading to its listing as a historic monument. Construction of the first fourteen buildings began in 1930 and was completed 9 years later, with the help of some 4,000 local workers. Back then, Rockefeller Center was cutting-edge: it had air conditioning, speedy elevators and even an underground pedestrian walkway! It was a city within a city, a true commercial and cultural center, designed to cater to the needs of visitors and locals alike. The center was completed by John Rockefeller’s son and is now home to some of New York’s most luxurious boutiques. It’s also home to some of the city’s biggest companies, including the NBC and CBS radio networks. The 259-meter-high Comcast building is also part of the complex. Visitors can climb to the 67th floor for a superb view of New York, Central Park and the Empire State Building. This observatory, known as the Top of the Rock, is visited by over 2.5 million people a year! During the holidays, Rockefeller Center transforms into a winter wonderland, with a huge Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink. To put it simply, a visit here is a quintessential New York experience!