New York City is a city of skyscrapers. It's a concrete jungle, so in order to really appreciate it you have to go up and take an over compassing view of it all. And we did just that. We booked our tickets to the Rockefeller Center's Top of the Rock weeks in advance. As I have read online, and which got later confirmed to me on site, this is really the best observatory in the city. There are a few reasons for that. The views are not hindered by steel posts (like at the One World Observatory and Empire State Building) and second of all, it's centrally located so you get great views from all sites. It would be a shame to go so high up to take a shot of the city and not have the Empire State Building actually in the shot, now would it? So for that reason we marched Top of the Rock, and later on strolled through Uptown and visited Central Park as well. Enjoy!
For the other parts click here
The most iconic sights are north and south. North you can take a glimpse of uptown New York City with the Upper East and West side, as well as Central Park. Looking south you can of course see the iconic Empire State Building as well as Downtown Manhattan further back.
There are a couple of viewing decks here. One part is inside the building where you can find some shield from the winds up here. The other two are out in the open. One of them is shielded by (very safe) glass. I am afraid of heights but never felt uneasy here so everyone can enjoy it. The second one is on the top and it's not guarded by glass, only a concrete wall, which is safe as well, since this deck doesn't go to the edges of the building.
If you have a guide book handy you can sort of explore the city from here. You can really for the first time take a complete look at the city and grasp all of it. Of course just standing here and looking at the busy city life down below is equally exciting.
Views from Top of the Rock
In order to go up here you have to order official tickets through their website. The lines on site aren't too long, since you book an exact time and date for your visit. We went up here at 10:15. Once you are up you can stay as long as you want. An elevator takes you over 70 stories up in just 45 seconds. But it's not too fast or nauseating. Of course you go through security check, and then there is some entertainment inside while you wait for the elevator, like a spot where they take your picture (which you can later buy online for a high price!) and some videos about the construction of Rockefeller Center.
Rockefeller Plaza
After we finished up our stay at Top of the Rock we strolled inside of the Rockefeller Center which is an amazing building. Outside of it you will find the Rockefeller Plaza. Life is rushing by here, but all very exciting. In front of the Rockefeller Center you can find the ice skating range and many shops, restaurants and cafes. It's both a tourist spot and place of business, but never too crowded or uninteresting. This spot is also famous for its annual Christmas tree lighting.
Quiet time in Central Park
After all the hustle it was time to quiet down. We went to the Central Park and started to gaze at all the natural beauty in the middle of so many buildings. There is a lot to see here and do here. From fountains (like the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, a few images down) to the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York City is definitely a city for walkers. So much of it is explored by foot. We mostly used the metro to go back home, since our feet would hurt a lot after a whole day of walking around. I leave you off with some images from Central Park, taken just as the sun came out and chased away some of the darker clouds we had on this day.
The last part of or stay in New York City is coming up and we will take you out on a night in town, by going to see "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway and then visiting Times Square by night. So stay tuned for more NYC.
End of Part Nine
To be continued...
![Storm on the Horizon [Through My Lens Nr. 463]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS78N3ICOW7lfFB3jaG78Ch83rxzkM-Rk1ThBTwZmrQdc85-rlr2UcDiFLeG54E8-mZYrojvUjQO-m-6aY3rN2ES0ukeMFaBXkNS9cosdu8hEWNI3jcYbz4A72E-JbW9LqLI1R3tf87-M3TNHeDmcI3U0vf49glvySgqqr9lOjPq9wyoucsaEn07IDxHU/w72-h72-p-k-no-nu/IMG_1445.jpeg)
![Arabian Dreams [Part 2/3]: Desert Safari](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAkj0qcAT_GQJNJcN_H44HcucEi6s-2Skl1vbR3mBU3MJ40PKgaHZjVYmybSRdW8TeD3uO0hCqkGapp5gl_XtQNfvcn2rrMs2Ml55OZ0IxJ1oKLj1PuV_qXamKRthT1m5JFBRLa49if0/w72-h72-p-k-no-nu/IMG_25.jpg)
I love to watch the view from the skyscrapers, but the scenes from Central Park is so beautiful. The threes with yellow leaves are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marit. We loved every part of this city really.
DeleteMy one regret was that I didn't get to go up in a skyscraper. I did manage to spend some time in Central Park though. Loved all your photographsand I would dearly like to return to that great city.
ReplyDeleteNYC is a perfect destination for multiple visits! :D
DeleteSind super klasse Fotos dabei und wieder sehr schöne bilder von euch vier. Liebe Grüße
ReplyDeleteViele Grüße zurück!
DeleteI have seen the sky lines in movies and on TV and blogs but no one ever showed me the park. it doesnt' look like what I thought it would from descriptions. your from the top of the rock photos are awesome.
ReplyDeleteCentral Park is huge. You could spend a whole day there. It's really great.
DeleteWow--- a lot of wonderful views here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill.
DeleteNYC is a gorgeous city and you have captured it well!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle.
DeleteYou covered a lot of ground while you were in NYC! Great photos, especially the ones of fall color in Central Park.
ReplyDeleteWe did see a lot. On Wednesday I will post the third and final article from NYC, and then we will continue road tripping through New England.
DeleteHonestly, Mersad, your photos are fabulous. The views from the Top of the Rock are amazing, and beautifully photographed. I'm not usually afraid of heights, but my stomach lurched a little as I looked at these shots. :) The images in Central Park are equally beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. We had a great time up there. I am usually afraid of heights but not here. It's all very safe.
DeleteWhat a beautiful tour :-) Great set of photos too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images, as always. Over the past few years, I have become uncomfortable with heights. I have taken photographs from the top of the Empire State Building in the past, but I am not sure I would want to do so these days.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, I believe you've seen more of NYC than I have. I went several times as a child because my aunt lived in Manhattan and my grandmother lived in the Village. Later I took my younger daughter there and she wound up working there as an adult, so I visited again a few times. It's an impressive city but intimidating to visit.
ReplyDeleteHi Mersad, what beautiful photos. 70 floors in 45 seconds sounds quite frightening and I will take your word for it that being on top of the Rockefeller center felt safe! The glass would have my toes curling and I'd probably have a heart attack through the stress!
ReplyDeleteYour photos taken outside the Rockefeller Center are my favourite; I love the detail. They make me feel as if I was there. And Central Park must be like an oasis in the middle of a built up city.
xx
Mersad thank you again for your wonderful photos. Even on a cloudy day they still look spectacular. I had the pleasure to visit the twin towers right before I moved from New York and remember w hat an amazing view it was from there.Looking at the atlas statue brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDelete