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April 7, 2010

Loosing Your Breath at Top of The Rock, NY

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The weather in NYC lately has been AMAZING. The days just beg for you to be outside, laying on the grassy lawns of Central Park, sipping a cold drink in an outdoor eatery, hanging out with the kiddos at the zoo. Anything and everything, except be inside. You just want to take in the city…admire the views of Spring. One of the absolute best places to do that is at Top of The Rock in Rockefeller Center.

During my stay at Residence Inn not too long ago, I was offered a complimentary trip over there, a short walk away I might add, and I was thrilled. I love anything and everything that lets me glance at my city all at once!

When you walk into the building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you are greeted with the view of a staircase breathtaking chandelier. The piece, called “Joie”, by Swarovski, from Austria best known for their cut crystal, sets the tone of the magnificence of the sights to come. The droplets of crystal seem to rain into the center of  the staircase as you go up it. Then once on the first level of the observations deck, you are greeted by “Radiance”, a 180-foot geode crystal wall also by Swarovski.

When I arrived it was mid-morning, and it was wonderful to see Central Park, the Empire State building, and the many other views below, but I will admit, if you are going to Top of The Rock, go at night.  Not only do the lights of the city make it all seem so much more magical, but the Swarovski pieces really come alive. It’s enough to take your breath away.

Standing out there, the cool wind hitting my face, I fell in love all over again, with New York City. Looking down at the streets and buildings as tourists around me shot pictures of themselves in front of the familiar places, it was hard to not be proud of it all.

The Top of The Rock is open 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, regardless of weather. They are open from8:00AM to 11:00PM, with some changes during the Holidays. For their current ticket prices, check HERE.

And by all means, bring the kids. It is completely safe, a must see, and they will love it!

Top of The Rock – 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112-0005 -(212) 698-2000

Disclosure: Residence Inn provided admission to The Top of The Rock to facility the experience for this review. For a complete view of NYCityMama.com’s Disclosure please go HERE.

 

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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6 Comments
  • LadyWanderlust (Lisa
    April 7, 2010

    I love the Rock way more than the Empire State Building. I have been to both and each has something unique to offer. But when friends visit NYC, I always tell them go to the Rock!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    April 7, 2010

    Dada Rocks! You need to get out there and live a little my friend!

    Reply
  • DaDa Rocks!
    April 7, 2010

    Sadly I have been to the top of the rock and haven’t been to top of lady liberty and don’t even remember my class trip to empire state building.

    Reply
  • Jean Layton
    July 15, 2010

    I will have to add this to my itinerary for BlogHer. Can't imagine why I never managed to get there when I lived in NYC but it will be so much fun to do it now.

    Thanks for the review.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Jean Layton
      July 15, 2010

      Jean! Yes! Go online and buy the tickets (you avoid a bit of lines that way) and try to go at sunset if possible. NYC has a tendency of taking my breath away often, but more so during that time. Have fun and let me know what you thought!

      Reply
  • So you've traveled to New York City. Now what? | NYCity Mama
    July 25, 2010

    […] are of course tons of the stuff that everyone knows about: the Empire State Building, Top of The Rock, and all the fabulous tours that are offered in the city to see the sites. If you are only here for […]

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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