Before we ever went up to Top of the Rock, a short history film ended with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting up, and then it started snowing inside the theater.
We did Top of the Rock with a toddler on our first night in New York City, a Friday at 8:00 p.m. in late October, right after dinner at Junior's. We stayed a short walk away at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Johnny was 2.5, and that decided which add-on we could buy.
Here is how it went, what we chose, and what caught us off guard. It is part of our 3.5 days in New York City with a toddler.
Is Top of the Rock Good With a Toddler?
Yes. Top of the Rock works well with a 2.5-year-old. Young kids get in free, the building is stroller-friendly, and the Skylift add-on has no height requirement.
The views were beautiful, and the intro show was a cool surprise. The only thing that caught us off guard was the photo package, which I get into below.
What Happens Before You Go Up?
Before the elevator, you walk through a gallery on the mezzanine level and then into a theater for a five-minute multimedia show about the history of Rockefeller Center. It was amazing.
The show ends with the Christmas tree lighting moment, and that is when the snow effect kicks in. It was a cool surprise.
From there, the elevator takes you up to the 67th floor. The ride itself has two short shows built into it, each 46 seconds, so even the trip up feels like part of the experience.
Skylift or The Beam: Which Is Better With a Toddler?
Skylift, because it is the add-on a toddler can actually do. The Beam has a height requirement, and Skylift does not.
The Beam recreates the famous 1932 "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper" photo. You sit on a replica steel beam that lifts 12 feet up over the 69th floor. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride with an adult and 52 inches to ride alone, so Johnny was out.
Skylift is an open-air platform on the west side of the 70th floor deck. It rises 30 feet above the 70th floor and rotates a full 360 degrees. It holds up to 13 guests plus an attendant; it has a five-foot railing, and the ride at the top lasts five minutes. There is no height restriction, and anyone under 18 has to ride with an adult. Kids have to stand for the whole ride and cannot be carried.
Skylift was the only extra we could do with Johnny, so we bought two Skylift tickets, one for Colleen and one for me, and Johnny rode with us for free.
How Much Does Top of the Rock Cost?
General admission at Top of the Rock starts at $42 for adults, $36 for kids, and $40 for seniors, and kids 5 and under are free. Skylift is a $35 add-on per person, and The Beam is a $25 add-on per person.
Here is exactly what we paid for our 8:00 p.m. Friday slot: two Skylift + Admission tickets at $72 each ($144), the Photo Pass for $30, and the Holiday Ornament for $19. That came to $193 before tax and $210.15 total. Johnny got into the deck for free and rode Skylift with us without his own ticket. Prices move with the date and time slot, so check the official Top of the Rock ticket page for your day.
Is the Top of the Rock Photo Package Worth It?
It depends on what you expect to walk away with. We bought the Photo Pass for $30 and were a little surprised that it was digital only. Commemorative prints cost extra.
It is worth knowing before you buy. If you are picturing a printed keepsake in a folder at the end, budget for the prints on top of the package. If digital files are all you want, the package covers it.
Is the Top of the Rock Ornament Worth Adding?
Yes, if your family collects them. We added the Top of the Rock Holiday Ornament for $19 when we booked, and it was a cute little ornament. Colleen collects an ornament for our Christmas tree from everywhere we travel, so we can remember every trip, which made this a nice touch.
What Is Top of the Rock Like at Night?
At night, the city is lit up below you, and the views are beautiful. We went at 8:00 p.m.
A night slot also let us pair dinner at Junior's and the deck on the night we landed. Top of the Rock is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, with last entry at 11:10 p.m.
What Should You Know Before Doing Top of the Rock With a Toddler?
Pick the add-on your kid can actually do, see the intro show, and know the photo package rules. Here is the short list:
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Book Skylift; skip The Beam if your kid is under 42 inches.
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Do not skip the intro show. The snow at the end was a cool surprise.
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Know where the bathrooms are. Restrooms are on the 66th floor, which you reach by elevator from the 67th floor.
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Plan for about an hour. Rockefeller Center says most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour.
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Read the photo package fine print. The package is digital only, and prints are extra.
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Add the ornament if your family collects them. It was a nice touch for us.
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Enter on 50th Street. The entrance is at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Top of the Rock free for toddlers?
Yes. Kids 5 and under get into Top of the Rock free. Our 2.5-year-old also rode Skylift with us without his own ticket.
Can a toddler ride Skylift at Top of the Rock?
Yes. Skylift has no height restriction, but anyone under 18 must ride with an adult, and kids must stand for the whole ride.
What is the height requirement for The Beam at Top of the Rock?
Riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride The Beam with an adult and 52 inches tall to ride alone.
Is the Top of the Rock photo package digital?
Yes. The Photo Pass we bought for $30 was digital only, and commemorative prints cost extra.
Is Top of the Rock stroller friendly?
Yes. Rockefeller Center lists Top of the Rock as stroller friendly.
How long do you need at Top of the Rock?
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour at Top of the Rock.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with a toddler means the best add-on is often the one your kid can actually do. For us that was Skylift, and between that, the snow in the intro show, and the city lit up at night, Top of the Rock was a great way to spend our first night in New York.
