— Rockefeller Center —
New York
Groups can have a variety of architectural and historical experiences at one of New York’s most famous addresses — 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Known as the home of NBC, Rockefeller Center is a fixture of New York culture. The center was built in the 1920s by John D. Rockefeller. Group visitors can learn all about the history of the building, its public artwork and its distinctive architecture during a docent-led tour.
Many groups combine the tour with a visit to Top of the Rock, a three-story observation deck at the top of the building that looks down from more than 800 feet above ground level. The 68th and 69th floors have indoor and outdoor observation areas, but the biggest thrill awaits on the 70th floor, at the top of the building.
“It’s a completely open-air terrace, which offers a 360-degree panorama like nothing else in New York,” said Keith Douglas, managing director of Rockefeller Center. “You get a beautiful view of the Empire State Building, the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center and an expansive view of Central Park.”
Groups can also choose a nighttime visit for another perspective on the New York skyline.
— Monona Terrace —
Madison, Wisconsin
Tour groups don’t often spend time in convention centers. But then again, few convention centers boast the architectural credentials of Madison, Wisconsin’s Monona Terrace.
“We call this Frank Lloyd Wright’s labor of love,” said Fran Puleo, manager of community and public relations for Monona Terrace. “He worked on the project for 21 years and never saw it built.”
Wright, America’s most famous architect, grew up in Madison and spent years working on drawings and models for the building that would become Monona Terrace. Political controversies kept the project from progressing during Wright’s lifetime; the final designs were finished after his death by one of his architecture students, and the building opened in 1997.
The staff at Monona Terrace offers guided group tours that highlight Wright’s signature geometric architectural touches and views of Lake Monona. Tours can also include a visit to the rooftop gardens, which have won landscaping awards, and groups can arrange to dine at the rooftop restaurant. The center also has three museum-quality exhibits that document elements of Wright’s career and his designs for the building.
