As much as I enjoy the New York of the sky, I’ve never actually visited Top of the Rock: It’s one of those things you always plan to get to someday, but put off because “it’ll always be there.”
On Tuesday, Rockefeller Center opened a new attraction, called Skylift, for guests at Top of the Rock ($40-$61).
For an additional $35, you can step onto Skylift for a three-and-a-half-minute experience that gently extends toward the sky, then slowly rotates to offer a 360-degree view that encompasses four boroughs and New Jersey. This follows the introduction of The Beam, another Top of the Rock feature, which was introduced last year.
I was keen to see Top of the Rock, especially as it’s been renovated and enhanced over the past few years. Is the experience worth the cost of the ticket? Would Skylift be worth paying and waiting more for?
The view from Skylift at Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
Photo by Diane Bondareff, AP images for Tishman Speyer
“We wanted to deliver for our visitors a really special experience that felt totally ‘of Rockefeller Center,’ but also embraced this incredible location and the incredible view,” EB Kelly, senior managing director and head of Rockefeller Center, said in an on-site interview Monday. “And so what Skylift represents is the ability to really see New York in its fullest.”
What it was like to experience Skylift
The first thing I noticed is that Skylift was smaller than I’d expected, with a diameter of perhaps 10-12 feet. But I was pleased, because it meant the experience would be quieter and more intimate — the attraction allows entry to only 14 guests at a time.
A view from the Skylift.
Photo by Lee Helland for Gothamist
The Skylift slowly telescoped upward. As it neared the top, it began to rotate gently, so that all guests would get a good look at the city in all directions without having to wait for a turn or elbow-in.
I can’t say the extra 30 feet was thrilling — it doesn’t feel too much higher than the upper deck of Top of the Rock, which sits on the building’s 70th floor.
But the combination of being in motion and in the open air did make the skyline around me come alive.
Somehow, the fact that I was moving made the surrounding skyscrapers feel bigger and closer. My heart didn’t swell; nothing took my breath away. But it was neat.
Back on the upper deck, I saw a couple of down-to-earth-looking women gazing in the direction of Skylift and its “coming soon” signage. They introduced themselves as Caroline Gavin and Judith Smith, both 50, longtime best friends visiting from Wigan, England. I invited them to ride Skylift with me because I was curious what they would think.
Another view of the city from the Skylift.
Photo by Lee Helland for Gothamist
We chatted as Skylift started to rise, and Smith let out a brief gasp when the “ride” started to rotate. As we settled in at the top, they got quieter, taking in the view. Gavin asked about the rolling hills beyond the Hudson River in New Jersey.
At one point they looked down and realized the floor was transparent, letting you see the roof-deck 30 feet below.
“And I wore a dress!” I said.
“Bridget Jones!” Gavin laughed, referring to the iconic scene in which Renée Zellweger accidentally invites a TV camera under her skirt.
“It’s brilliant,” Smith said after the experience. “I didn’t realize how massive [New York City] was, to be honest.”
They agreed it was the best view they’d experienced of New York City — they’d also walked across the Brooklyn Bridge at night, and tried The Beam, another attraction on Top of the Rock.
One more view of the city from the Skylift.
Photo by Lee Helland for Gothamist
What to know before you go
As far as paid NYC views go, this might be your best bet.
Skylift is not the highest observation deck in New York. Aat 900 feet, it’s slightly lower than SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (1,100 feet) and the Empire State Building (1,250 feet). But because Skylift’s views aren’t obstructed by bars or glass (the clear safety wall looked to be about five feet high, so my eyes easily cleared it), it might be the better experience.
The Skylift, seen from below.
Photo by Lee Helland for Gothamist
Maybe wear pants.
Rockefeller employees assured me that while I could see through the floor while riding Skylift, the structure isn’t transparent to those below it looking up. But when I observed the Skylift from below, I could indeed see their shoes. Thankfully, I have no shame. But if you’re squeamish, opt for full coverage.
Consider visiting earlier in the day.
Tickets for Top of the Rock get pricier around sunset, and crowds and lines get thicker, too. Plus, by arriving earlier in the day, you get more for your money — you can stay as long as you want, up until closing time. I grabbed a coffee and enjoyed the views from The Weather Room, first in their indoor dining room and later in the outdoor lounge area.
That said, Skylift lights up in exciting colors at night — I didn’t witness this firsthand, but the press photos are cool. You’d get to enjoy this from the Top of the Rock deck even if you don’t add Skylift to your ticket.
Keep your options open.
It’s possible to add the Skylift experience after you arrive on the 70th floor, so if you’re cost-conscious, start smaller and spring for the extra experience if it looks too amazing to resist once you’re up there. Personally, I’m not sure Skylift is worth the extra $35 when the views at Top of the Rock are already killer.
Smith and Gavin partially agree. They said $35 seems high, but they’d pay $25, which is the price of The Beam experience they tried. When asked to compare The Beam to Skylift, they said they enjoyed Skylift more.