Rockefeller Center
16 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskNYC20 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Rockefeller Center is mostly recommended for the holiday tree, and several say the tree is worth seeing despite the crowds. Many describe heavy crowds, and many suggest going around dawn when the lights switch on and few people are around, while a few suggest going late at night instead. One visitor found it quiet on a rainy weekend, and another says visiting until late morning is still fine. One suggests booking skating there. One found the tree and plaza underwhelming, one prefers the Met's Christmas decorations, and two locals enjoy it at quieter times but not in the holiday rush.
Address
Rockefeller Center, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
At a glance
- Best for
- Families
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- Holiday tree lighting, Holiday window displays
- Crowds
- Crowded
- Best time to go
- Early morning
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Rockefeller Center, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/HRHHayley in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024crowds
Had a blast taking their mum to see the tree at the busiest time of evening; says slow down and remember it's for the people you're showing around.
- Recommendsu/DoucheRanger in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Suggests going at dawn, when the tree lights up and few tourists are around.
- Mixedu/fawningandconning in r/AskNYC · Dec 2025crowds
Loves walking past the holiday decor early in the morning, but not on the way home.
- Recommendsu/hoapaani in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Agrees with the dawn-visit approach; they do it and then have breakfast out.
- Recommendsu/snakegravity in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Says the only realistic way to avoid the crowds is arriving around dawn when the lights switch on.
- Recommendsu/Rikitikitok121 in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024
Visits the tree every year and enjoys it, advising visitors to bring patience and a good attitude.
- Recommendsu/IronManFolgore in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Works nearby and says you don't need to go at dawn, since visiting until late morning is still fine.
- Caveatu/Cutebrute203 in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024
Prefers the holiday displays at the Metropolitan Museum over those at Rockefeller Center.
Show all 20 cited comments
- Recommendsu/nycago in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Argues late-night visits beat the early rush, since the tree stays lit late into the evening.
- Recommendsu/anothervulcan in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024crowds
Went on a rainy weekend day, found it quiet, and suggests rainy weather as a good time to visit.
- Recommendsu/jazzeriah in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024crowds
Says going late at night means almost nobody is there to see the tree.
- Recommendsu/readyallrow in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024
Says skipping the tree and the other holiday sights is nothing to brag about.
- Recommendsu/Virtual-Beautiful-33 in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Suggests ending an area outing with a nighttime visit to the tree, after lunch and window browsing.
- Mixedu/that_was_way_harsh in r/AskNYC · Dec 2025seasonality
Enjoys Rockefeller Center most of the year, but not this season.
- Recommendsu/BoweryThrowAway in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Recommends an early-morning visit while it is still dark and almost empty; says afternoons are packed.
- Recommendsu/SpideyJen19 in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024visit time
Recommends arriving before dawn to see the tree with almost no one around, then visiting Times Square.
- Recommendsu/Emily_Postal in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024crowds
Was not bothered by the crowds on a family visit and found the tree magical.
- Recommendsu/thighcandy in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024
Still goes to see the tree for date nights despite the crowds; says it's worth making the effort.
- Recommendsu/addytudexoxo in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024
Recommends booking skating at Rockefeller Center, saying it offers a close-up look at the rink.
- Caveatu/FocusedIntention in r/AskNYC · Dec 2024
Found the tree and plaza underwhelming, far from the holiday romance shown in films.
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Freshness
Details last checked 3 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.