1. Travel

Top of the Rock

By , About.com Guide

2 of 9

Compared to Empire State Building
View of Empire State Building. Photo courtesy of Top of the Rock.

Photo courtesy of Top of the Rock.

Most visitors to New York long to head to the top of a famous art-deco building and take in the panorama of the great city below.

For legions of people, that building is the Empire State Building. It's an icon; its Observation Deck is where Cary Grant waited for Deborah Kerr, and Tom Hanks comes back to get Jonah's backpack in "Sleepless in Seattle"... However, all too often in the past, long line-ups (even after you've bought tickets) have taken the glow off the experience.

The Empire State Building has recently changed its visitor procedures, and hopefully long line-up problems are history; check a site like TripAdvisor.com for the latest comments.

Meanwhile, Top of the Rock is also an opportunity to head to the top of a famous art-deco building --Rockefeller Center-- and view the panorama of the great city below, and Top of the Rock has worked hard to ensure a great visitor experience. Visitors buy timed tickets in advance, so that a limited number of people have admission during a specified time window. No wait; no lines; no crowds.

Again, always check recent visitors' comments at TripAdvisor.com!

Of course, if you have time, do visit both these classic buildings.

--continue to View over Central Park

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