New York: Fun Activities at Rockefeller Center
Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 magnificent Art Deco buildings that were built in the 1930s by John D. Rockefeller. Because of the Depression, he found no financial partners for this ambitious venture so he funded it himself.
It is the largest private building project ever undertaken.
The centrepiece of the complex is 30 Rock
Look up
A visit to The Top of the Rock in 30 Rock is a highlight for many visitors to New York. The admission price is $32.
I did not buy a ticket and did not see the views of New York from the 70th floor of 30 Rock. Instead, I took the free elevator to Bar Sixty Five. The view is great from sixty-five floors up. The price of a drink was less than the price of admission to the Top of the Rock.
I enjoyed the view from the outdoor observation deck in Bar SixtyFive
Lunch atop a skyscraper
This famous photo was taken in 1932 from the 69th floor during the final phase of construction of 30 Rock.
I was happy with the view from a well protected observation deck. Good idea, since I had a drink in hand!
Look up in the Lobby at 30 Rock
Don’t rush through the lobby to get to Bar Sixty Five. The Art Deco lobby is stunning!
This is not a stained glass window. I took this photo on my phone on a visit to New York when the Rockefeller Christmas Tree was fully lit.
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree has been a New York tradition since 1933.
The tree, typically a Norway spruce, is decorated with 45,000 LED lights and topped with a 550-pound Swarovski Tree. (I will add a photo later, but it just seems too early to post a photo of a Christmas tree).
Prometheus gave us fire
Prometheus is the most photographed monumental sculpture in all of NYC. Created by famed American sculptor Paul Manship, who held a great fascination for mythological subjects and events, it has become the main attraction of the Lower Plaza. Its central theme is best stated by the quote that’s carved in the red granite wall behind him, taken from the sixth-century B.C. Greek dramatist Aeschylus: “Prometheus, Teacher in Every Art, Brought the Fire That Hath Proved to Mortals a Means to Mighty Ends.”
Look All Around
For lunch we went to Saks Fifth Avenue, just across the street from Rockefeller Center.
We had a great view of Rockefeller Plaza.
Look All Around
We enjoyed a great view of St. Patrick’s Cathedral from the restaurant in Saks Fifth Avenue.
A 3-year restoration of St. Patrick’s was just completed last year. The cathedral is stunning, inside and out.
Look Around
Sometimes, a visit to a department store is just as beautiful as a visit to a museum.
This is the view in the shoe department at Saks.
I would buy these shoes if I thought I could walk in them
The red sole on this shoe identities it as a Louboutin. Prices for a pair of Louboutin shoes start at $1,000.
Louboutin has trademarked its famous red sole.
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN is heading back to court in the hope of protecting his famous red soles once and for all. The designer – who battled Yves Saint Laurent in court in New York over the issue in 2012 and currently holds a valid US trademark as a result – is now taking his concerns to the Court of Justice of the European Union, The Fashion Law reports, in order to ensure that European brands also adhere to the guidelines.
The Bitter End is in Greenwich Village
The Bitter End is in Greenwich Village. It is not anywhere near Rockefeller Center. However, it is a great place to say Goodbye to New York.
The Bitter End is a famous nightclub and coffeehouse that has not changed since it opened in 1961.
Many famous musicians and groups got their start at The Bitter End.
The Bitter End is the birthplace of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue. This legendary tour defined a generation of music.
Bob Dylan’s contribution was recognized today with the greatest award the world can offer:
Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize
Bob Dylan, the poet laureate of the rock era, whose body of work has influenced generations of songwriters and been densely analyzed by fans, critics and academics, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday.
It is the first time the honor has gone to a musician. In its citation, the Swedish Academy credited Mr. Dylan with “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”
We had a great time at The Bitter End but I don’t think we saw any future Bob Dylans.
There is so much more to see and do in New York than I can possibly describe here. We will return to New York in future blogs.
What is your favourite activity in New York?
Next week, we will celebrate autumn in Canada with a tour of the Group of Seven.
Yesterday, I spent a fabulous day in Muskoka, following the trail of the Group of Seven.
Here is a sneak peek at one of next week’s photos:
Rose Ann MacGillivray
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Rose Ann, you are not only a wonderful storyteller & photographer but you own a great sense of humour! 🙂
I love the history and tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
It reminds me of the Boston Christmas Tree that Nova Scotia donates to them each year, in honour of their help in the Halifax Explosion.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of my favourite churches. I love attending mass and appreciating its Neo-Gothic style architecture,
One of my favourite activities in NYC is going to the theatre.
My children treated me to Billy Elliott, for my 60th, in NY! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I also enjoy walking in Central Park, going to lunch at Katz’s Delicatessen, visiting Chelsea Market and SoHo area and people watching at Times Square.
I love New York City’s energy!
Many thanks for the suggestions for my next NYC trip, Carol Anne! Yes, the energy in New York is fabulous. I feel it every time I am there!