I am planning on bringing some overseas visitors to Manhattan on Sunday. Originally we had planned on hitting the ESB, but I know that will take awhile and I have heard that the view from TOTR is also very impressive- my question is: how does one buy tickets? I know that they can be purchased ahead of time online, but I don't know for sure what 15 minute window we will arrive within- so can you buy tickets on site? Where? Will we have to wait a long time (roughly how long- as long as ESB)?

Thanks for the help- we are seeing a show and only staying for part of the day before we drive back upstate. Brevity and seeing as many "must sees" as we can is key! (We will be back with the whole school group Tuesday for the Staten Island Ferry, Mid town, etc...)

Just go to Rockefeller Center at the time you are ready to go up, outside they have a kiosk where you can buy tickets, or you can go inside also and buy tickets. Just ask around outside once you get to Rockefeller Center, someone will be able to help you.
Really quick & simple to get up to the top for an awesome view!

I believe we bought ours online prior. Google "Top of the Rock tickets" and I'm sure you'll get the site.

Good choice, by the way. I think I enjoyed it more than ESB.

ps- wear warm layers & scarves & gloves--- it's intensely windy and chilly up there.

Thanks to everyone for the help! We will dress like they say in Russia- like a "kapusta" (cabbage). One last question- I know this is a difficult question, but if you could only go once- would you prefer to go before the 3pm show and see NYC in daylight, or afterwards and see NYC at dusk-dark? I have seen both from the ESB, but I also live in NY... which would be the bigger "wow"?

Thanks again!!

dusk/dark. They'd still be able to see while it is dusk, and then can see the lights come up and the ESB lit up as it gets dark.

I personally REALLY enjoyed the view from Top of the Rock during the day. We visited NYC last fall and the view of the leaves in Central Park was spectacular from up there. So pretty.

That said, we took the Harbor Lights cruise around the island at night, which gave us great views of the buildings all lit up. So special!

You can buy tickets on line at www.topoftherock.com and print them out on your computer.

The page is strange though. Displays "page cannot be found," but when I clicked on Ticket Sales, it went right through.

I went up around dusk last night (Friday), and there was no wait. We bought our tickets from the kiosk by the skating rink and were able to go right up. It was cloudy last night, but still very nice.

I think we will try to go after the show lets out- should be about 6:00-6:30... I hope it will be nice! I'm excited to see it, too!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions... I will write again when we get back.

Thanks again to everyone for the help and suggestions. We did make it to TOTR at dusk yesterday- our tickets were for entrance 6:20-6:35pm. We actually were approached walking through Times Square by someone promoting TOTR, giving out $2 off coupons- so we saved a few $$!

I think that dusk was a terrific time to go- we saw the "daytime" view, and stayed for awhile to see the night sky. It was spectacular, and being able to go up to the 70th story (where there is no plastic to obstruct photography) was great. Just perfect! We had a LONG day yesterday, but the trip was fantastic.

Thanks again fodorites!

wow, katya! that's awesome, and truly a stroke of !!

Yes, lynnejoe- it was quite "-y"!

My Russian guest was just in amazement at the view... definitely a worthwhile stop.

By the way, when we brought the student group to Manhattan yesterday, I saw there is also a ticket kiosk on Rockefeller Center. Very convenient!