Rockefeller Center was built nearly 100 years ago as an audacious vision of a “city within a city.”

Featuring NYC’s most popular attractions, including Top of the Rock Observation Deck; restaurants from Michelin-starred and James Beard winning chefs; shops from emerging NYC fashion houses and global brands LEGO, Nintendo, and FAO Schwarz; as well as home to NBC Studios and Radio City Music Hall; Rockefeller Center remains the beating heart of contemporary culture, commerce and community.

There’s no shortage of things to do at Rockefeller Center. From ice skating on The Rink to taking in panoramic views from The Beam and Skylift at Top of the Rock, there’s something for everyone on campus.

No visit to Rockefeller Center would be complete without visiting the newly revitalized Top of the Rock Observation Deck. From the moment you step into 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Welcome Gallery, you’re immersed in the sweeping history and vision of the renowned site, brought to life by dazzling murals and a gargantuan, 10-foot-high model of the Art Deco complex. An elevator ride to the famed Observation Deck is now a portal through time, revealing the original 1930s elevator shafts, while a multisensory four-minute film chronicles its improbable history.

Experience the daring of those who built Rockefeller Center, captured in the world famous “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photo on The Beam, which hoists visitors 12-feet in the air above the 69th floor Observation Deck. Cap off your day at The Weather Room Café & Bar, on the 67th floor, where a cappuccino in the sky promises a taste of the extraordinary.   

Don’t miss Top of the Rock’s newest experience, Skylift, a groundbreaking attraction situated at on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Visitors will step onto Skylift’s open-air, revolving platform and ascend an additional three stories above the topmost floor of 30 Rock. Once elevated above the New York City streets, the platform will continue to turn for a 360-degree experience and a panoramic photo moment, creating a thrilling sensation of floating amid skyscrapers.

Another must-see attraction is The Rink at Rockefeller Center. The world’s most famous ice-skating rink has returned to Rockefeller Center for its 88th season. Originally designed as a temporary attraction to draw visitors to Rockefeller Center’s outdoor plaza in 1936, The Rink became a permanent fixture in 1939. Since then, it has evolved into one of the city’s most legendary landmarks and most-visited sites, hosting more than a quarter of a million skaters annually. The Rink is open through March 30, 2025.

Visit Top of the Rock for more.

Courtesy of Top of the Rock Observation Deck.

Photos courtesy of Rockefeller Center. 

History buffs know: Pennsylvania is ripe with opportunity to be truly immersed in the places where countless notable events took place.

The Family Heritage Experience, a permanent exhibition that explores the connections between us and our ancestors, opens to the public on April 25 in Boston's Back Bay.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania has long been recognized as one of America's premiere travel destinations.

Situated in picturesque Adams County, it offers breathtakingly spectacular landscapes, a wide variety of outdoor activities, eclectic dining and—most notably—an unsurpassed look back at our nation's dramatic and inspiring past. Guests from all across the country return again and again to rediscover its unparalleled history, enduring charm, recreational fun, agricultural and beverage attractions, and famous hospitality.

No trip here is complete without a firsthand appreciation of its rich backstory. Witness the hallowed battlefield in Gettysburg National Military Park and feel the full weight of its solemn significance. Among the powerful memorials, the enormous impact of our shared past resonates deeply. See it as the soldiers did, with a horseback tour led by a Licensed Battlefield Guide—or ride atop a double-decker bus, hearing the tale of the famous battle with the wind in your hair. Pause for a moment of inspiration in the Gettysburg National Cemetery where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his legendary "Gettysburg Address."

Gettysburg's many contemporary museums and intimate house tours offer fascinating insight into every aspect of the Civil War. From strategy to weaponry, from politics to timelines—you'll get to know the details of the conflict from an up–close perspective. Then explore the story beyond the battlefield, discovering the local aftermath of the war, and enabling you to stand in the footsteps of everyday civilians whose lives were turned upside down by three fierce days of fighting in the place they called home. For those interested in other historic subjects, there are also exceptional museums specifically dedicated to both the second world war and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose Gettysburg farm is a National Historic Site.

Be sure to take a leisurely stroll through the historically preserved downtown area encircling beautiful Lincoln Square. Discover our nation's gripping legacy at interactive attractions, state-of-the-art education centers, and virtual reality experiences. Find the perfect gift at quaint shops filled with one-of-a-kind antiques, handmade treasures, enchanting Christmas specialties, and authentic Civil War artifacts. If the spirit is willing, snuggle close together when darkness descends for an eerie evening ghost tour of famous haunts.

There's no other town in America quite like Gettysburg. Come see why it was recently recognized as the "Most Welcoming City in the United States" by Booking.com, the third-largest travel website in the world! Don't wait—plan your Gettysburg getaway today.

Courtesy of Destination Gettysburg.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Hess. 

The nation's capital bursts with seasonal cherry blossom experiences, an international Pride celebration and more.

Experiencing the National Cherry Blossom Festival and seeing the iconic flowers along the Tidal Basin while they're in peak bloom are a favorite DC experience for a reason. However, they're not the only exciting reason a visit to DC in the coming months is a great idea.

Six weeks after peak bloom, Washington, DC and its vibrant local LGBTQ+ community will play host to WorldPride 2025, a landmark three-week event celebrating love, diversity, unity and 50 years of Pride celebrations in the city from May 17 – June 8.

"When the cherry blossoms are blooming, it feels as though the entire city comes alive and there isn't a more special place to be than Washington, DC," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO, DDC. "This year, that sense of seasonal celebration across the city will also be felt during WorldPride DC 2025, a unifying opportunity with a series of meaningful events, cultural festivities, star-studded concerts and more."

Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms is expected to occur March 28-31, the National Park Service has announced. The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts a few days before and after peak bloom begins, although the blossoms can last for up to two weeks under ideal conditions. Taking place March 20 – April 13, the National Cherry Blossom Festival plays host to events and hotel deals across the city. From pop-up bars to high teas, hotels, restaurants and cultural institutions throughout DC are planning cherry blossom-themed activations groups will love.

OFFICIAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL EVENTS

In addition to the events below, Destination DC has a complete guide for group travel planners looking for all the ins and outs of planning a stellar DC Cherry Blossom experience.

• 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival | March 20-April 13
• Stumpy's Petals and Paddles Race | March 20
• Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA Stage, Presented with the National Park Service | March 22-April 6
• Opening Ceremony, Co-Presented with the Japan Foundation | March 22
• Blossom Kite Festival, Presented by Amazon | March 29
• Petalpalooza® at Capitol Riverfront Presented by Chase | April 5
• Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5k and Kids Run | April 5-6
• National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade ® Presented by Events DC | April 12
• Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival | April 12-13

CHERRY BLOSSOM VIEWING TIPS AND TRICKS

Common viewing sites for groups looking for the best cherry blossom views:

• The Tidal Basin, near the Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Small clusters of trees can also be found along the National Mall, just northwest of the Lincoln Memorial and around the Washington Monument.

Additional spots that still bring the bloom:

• The Gardens of Dumbarton Oaks
• U.S. National Arboretum
• East Potomac Park/Hains Point Loop Trail
• The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Alternative ways to soak up Cherry Blossom bliss:

• ON THE WATER: Lunch, brunch and dinner cruises and water taxis with CityCruises; Private boating experience with Embark DC; Party to the Petals aboard a floating bar with SeaSuite Cruises; Kayak or pedal boat with Boating in DC
• ON FOOT: Walking and self-guided audio tours with DC by Foot
• BY BIKE: Blossoms by Bike Tour with Unlimited Biking

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, offers hotel deals for both events of international interest, expert tips to see the flowers, reasons to travel for major sporting events and a plethora of hot new restaurants to try.

Courtesy of Groups Today.

Photos courtesy of Washington.org