Rockefeller Center is one of the great wonders of New York City. It’s most famous for its oversized Christmas tree of course, but the lack of ice-skaters and tree-gazers in the warmer months make summer the perfect season to experience the art deco wonder and TV studio glam of this sprawling complex. From restaurants to observation decks to shopping and more, here’s what to see when you stay at Hotel 48LEX, the best in hotels close to Rockefeller Center.

Top of the Rock

Perched 70 stories high, this 360-degree observation deck atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza is one of NYC’s most prized vistas. It’s less frenzied than the top of the Empire State, but actually has a better view, complete with all the art deco charm of its more famous counterpart. There are three floors of observation decks, with climate-controlled indoor areas as well as outdoor patios, granting you views north to Central Park and south to downtown Manhattan. 

TV Studios

The runaway success of the TV show 30 Rock gave the American public a tantalizing account of the action behind the camera in the world’s most famous TV studio house. But of course, it’s all fiction, so if you want the real thing, head to 30 Rockefeller Center for yourself. If you don’t want to just wait around hoping to bump into someone famous, you’ll need to sign up for a tour of the premises. There’s an official NBC studio tour available here — including shows like the Tonight Show and SNL — or a more extensive tour of TV and movie studios, Radio City Music Hall, and more, available here.

Radio City Music Hall

Rockefeller Center was built during the Great Depression to replace the city’s gritty and rowdy “speakeasy row.” Decades later, the investment is still paying dividends: As the biggest indoor theatre in the world, it rightly attracts the biggest acts in the world. From the Oscars to Riverdance, from Frank Sinatra to the Rockettes, playing Radio City means hitting it big. Tours give you the chance to see behind the gold curtain (also the biggest in the world), view the art deco masterpieces scattered throughout, and kids can even meet a Rockette. 

Dining

The restaurants at Rockefeller Center offer a wide selection: from the Michelin-starred Le Rock, which pays homage to Paris's best brasseries, to the inventive, greasy-spoon-deluxe burgers offered at Bill’s Bar & Burger. For dessert, head to the Midtown outpost of famed Greenwich village sweet shop Magnolia.

Shopping

Shopping at Rockefeller Center offers a diverse and iconic New York City experience, blending global brands with unique boutiques. You'll find a mix of well-known retailers like J. Crew, Anthropologie, and LEGO, alongside luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., Mulberry, and N. Peal for high-end cashmere. Many shops are conveniently located in the underground concourse, making it a perfect spot for weather-proof Browse, and you can also pick up souvenirs at places like The Shop at NBC Studios or the Top of the Rock Shop.

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