Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Plaza (or Center) was the brainchild of oil magnate John D. Rockefeller.  Originally intended to house an opera house for the Metropolitan Opera, the 12 acre site was eventually built out with fourteen Art Deco towers between 1930 and 1939.  Four additional towers were built in the International style along Avenue of the Americas in the 1960s.  Today the plaza is on the National Register of Historic Places.
There are many points of interest around Rockefeller Plaza.  Several prominent works of art are on display, including the iconic statues of Prometheus and Atlas.  30 Rockefeller Plaza, colloquially known as 30 Rock, is home to NBC’s headquarters.  During the winter holidays, the plaza in front of 30 Rock turns into an ice rink and the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is installed.  The building is also home to several studios.  The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, the Late Show, and Saturday Night Live (as well as many more) are all filmed here.

Radio City Music Hall, located at the corner of Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave.) and 50th St., is another famous landmark.  Originally intended as a venue for variety shows and movies, today it’s mostly used for concerts and events.  The name Radio City is derived from the many radio studios that were once located in the building.  It can seat around 6,000 people and is a great surviving example of Art Deco style.

Location: Fifth Avenue, 47th Street to 52nd Street
Tel: (212) 332 6868 or 632 3975