Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rockefeller Center
A city within a city and a National Historic Landmark, this is the largest privately
owned complex in the world. Begun in the 1930s, it was the first commercial
project to integrate gardens, dining, and shopping with office space.
Rockefeller Center is the hub of midtown New York, alive with activity
day and night. The number of buildings has grown to 19, though the
newer buildings do not match the Art Deco elegance of the ori-
ginal 14 structures. Over 100 works of art lie within the complex,
including a major mural in each building. Still growing, this is
one of the most outstanding public art collections in America.
Top 10 Exhibits
1 Channel Gardens
2 Sunken Garden
3 Prometheus Statue
4 Atlas Statue
5 G.E. Building
6 NBC Studios
7 Today Show Studio
8 Shopping Concourse
9 Radio City Music Hall
0 Paine Webber Art Gallery
Starting on Fifth
Avenue, walk
through the Channel
Gardens to the
Sunken Garden.
Pick up a self-
guided tour leaflet
from the lobby of
the G.E. Building
while looking at the
Sert Murals.
• Rockefeller Center
extends from Fifth to
Sixth avenues, between
48th and 51st streets
• Map J3
• www.rockefeller
center.com
• NBC Studios: 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 212
664 7174, tours: open
8:30am-5:30pm
Mon-Sat, 9:30am-
4:30pm Sun, admission
charge, reservations
advised
• Today Show: Rocke-
feller Plaza at 49th
Street, open 7-9am
Mon-Fri
Channel Gardens
Named after the
English Channel because
they separate the French
and British buildings, the
gardens change with the
calendar and are lined
with glowing angels at
Christmas. The six foun-
tainhead figures are by
René Chambellan
(below)
.
Prometheus Statue
An 18-ft (5.5-m) bronze
and gold leaf statue
(below)
by Paul Manship presides
over the Sunken Garden.
The pedestal represents
Earth and the circle contain-
ing the signs of the zodiac
represents the heavens.
Sunken Garden
A skating rink in winter
and leafy outdoor café in
summer, the Sunken
Garden is a bright spot year
round. It is surrounded
by colorful flags that
represent the members of
the United Nations.
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