At 1260 6th Avenue in Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall is a 1932 Art Deco theater known for its grand auditorium, neon marquee and live shows. Take a guided tour to see the lavish interiors and learn about the Rockettes, or book a concert or the Christmas Spectacular, their precision dance show. Tours include backstage spaces and the Roxy Suite, once used to entertain notable guests. The marquee is also worth seeing from the plaza across 6th Avenue, especially after dark.
A theater built for spectacle
Radio City Music Hall opened on December 23, 1932, as part of Rockefeller Center. Theater producer Samuel Lionel “Roxy” Rothafel conceived the venue, which was designed by Edward Durell Stone with interiors by Donald Deskey. The Rockettes, originally called the Roxyettes, were part of the opening extravaganza.
The hall’s interior became a New York City landmark in 1978. Its scale is clear in the auditorium, which measures 160 feet from the back to the stage, with a ceiling 84 feet high. A four-tiered seating layout frames the stage and the room’s Art Deco finishes.
What to see on the tour
A guided tour takes about 75 minutes and covers the auditorium and other parts of the building. Depending on access, stops include practice and costume rooms, original seats upstairs, and the Roxy Suite, built for Rothafel. The suite’s gold-leaf ceiling rises 20 feet; notable guests entertained there included Alfred Hitchcock and Elton John.
The tour also visits the Women’s Downstairs Lounge, where Witold Gordon’s mural, History of Cosmetics, is a key detail. The guide explains the building and the Rockettes’ history, adding context to the spaces beyond the main theater.
Shows and seats
Radio City hosts concerts, stage productions, film premieres and special events. Its best-known seasonal production is the Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes, whose synchronized choreography is a major part of the show. Concerts and other performances run at different times of year, so check the event schedule for your dates.
For the Rockettes, seats closer to the front can give you a clearer view of the choreography. Book ahead for popular events if you have a preferred seating area. The hall has accessible seating, an accessible entrance and elevator, and an assistive hearing loop.
Seeing the marquee
The neon signs above the entrance are a landmark in their own right. For a view of the marquee, stand in the public plaza across 6th Avenue; the lights are especially visible after dark. The address is 1260 6th Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan at Rockefeller Center.
If you are attending a performance, plan a little extra time for the restrooms. Lines can form during intermission and after the show.
FAQ
How long does the Radio City Music Hall tour take?
The guided tour takes about 75 minutes.
What can you see on the tour?
Stops include the auditorium, the Women’s Downstairs Lounge and its History of Cosmetics mural, and the Roxy Suite. Tours can also include backstage areas such as practice and costume rooms.
What is Radio City Music Hall best known for?
It is known for its Art Deco theater and live performances, especially the Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes.
Where can you photograph the marquee?
The public plaza across 6th Avenue gives a view of the marquee, which is lit up after dark.
