You're standing in the middle of Midtown Manhattan. It's 6:45 AM. The air is crisp, the steam is rising from the grates, and you're staring at your phone like it's a piece of alien technology. You need Today Show directions that actually work because, honestly, Google Maps has a habit of getting confused by the concrete canyons of 48th Street.
Getting to the plaza isn't just about an address. It's about timing. If you show up at the "official" start time, you’re already behind. You’re looking for 30 Rockefeller Plaza—specifically the corner of 48th Street and Rockefeller Plaza. This is the heart of the action. This is where the magic happens, or at least where you hope Al Roker might give you a high-five while you hold a neon-pink poster board.
The Literal Path: Today Show Directions for Every Mode of Travel
Let's get the basics out of the way. If you are taking the subway, you are looking for the B, D, F, or M trains. You want to get off at the 47th-50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station. This is the most direct route. Once you emerge from the subterranean depths, you’ll likely feel disoriented. It happens to everyone. Look for the massive GE Building (now technically the Comcast Building, but locals still call it 30 Rock). Walk toward 48th Street.
If you're coming from the East Side, the 6 train to 51st Street is your best bet. It’s a bit of a hike, maybe ten minutes, but it's a nice walk past St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Just head west on 50th or 49th.
Bus travel? The M1, M2, M3, M4, or M5 all run down Fifth Avenue or up Madison. Get off near 49th Street. It’s basically a hop, skip, and a jump from there.
Walking is simple if you're already in Midtown. Just remember that Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) are your boundaries. Rockefeller Plaza is a "private" street that runs between them. Don't go looking for it on a standard grid map expecting a through-way for cars; it's mostly pedestrian-centric in the early hours.
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Why Your GPS Might Fail You
The buildings here are tall. Really tall. This creates what engineers call "urban canyons," where GPS signals bounce off glass and steel like a pinball. Your blue dot might show you being three blocks away when you're actually standing right in front of the NBC Studios. Trust your eyes over the screen. Look for the flags. Look for the crowd.
When to Actually Get There
People ask for Today Show directions thinking the physical route is the hard part. It’s not. The hard part is the "direction" of your schedule.
The show starts at 7:00 AM.
If you arrive at 7:00 AM, you are effectively invisible. The "front row" of the plaza usually starts forming around 5:30 AM or 6:00 AM. If it’s a concert day—think the Citi Concert Series—people have been there since 4:00 AM or even the night before.
- Regular Weekdays: Aim for 6:15 AM to get a decent spot near the windows.
- Concert Fridays: If you aren't there by 5:00 AM, bring binoculars.
- Winter Months: It’s colder than you think. The wind whips through those side streets. Dress in layers or you’ll leave by 8:15 AM out of pure misery.
Security and Logistics: What You Can't Bring
You can't just wander onto the plaza with a giant suitcase. Security is tight. They are looking for weapons, obviously, but they also don't love giant backpacks that take up space.
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Keep your signs reasonable. If your sign is big enough to be a sail on a boat, the producers might ask you to move it. They want to see faces, not just cardboard.
NBC staff and "Pages" (the ones in the blue suits) are everywhere. They are actually very helpful. If you’re lost, just look for the peacock logo. They’ll point you toward the "Fan Zone."
The Secret of the Concourse
If you're early and freezing, go underground. The Rockefeller Center Concourse is a subterranean mall that connects almost all the buildings. There are clean bathrooms (a rarity in NYC) and plenty of coffee. Blue Bottle Coffee and Starbucks are right there. Grab your caffeine before you stake out your spot on the bricks. Once you’re in your spot on the plaza, leaving to pee means losing your spot forever. Plan accordingly.
Navigating the Crowd: Where to Stand for TV Time
The "Today Show" isn't just one static location. They move.
The main desk is inside Studio 1A, which has the famous glass windows. If you stand on the 48th Street side of the plaza, you are looking directly into the studio. This is where you see Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.
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However, the hosts frequently come outside to the "Plaza" for segments. This usually happens around the 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, and 8:30 AM marks.
Pro Tip: If you see a camera crew setting up a jib (one of those long robotic arms) in a specific corner, move toward it. That’s where the outdoor segment is going to happen.
Don't be the person screaming at the top of their lungs. The producers like energy, but they don't like "unhinged." If you want to get on camera, have a sign that is clever, colorful, and mentions a specific hometown or a milestone like a 50th anniversary. "Hi Mom" is classic, but it's boring. "Travelled 3,000 miles for a Hoda hug" gets you a producer's attention.
Beyond the Plaza: What Else is Right There?
Once the show wraps up (or at least the outdoor parts you care about), you’re in the center of the world.
- The Nintendo Store: It’s right on the corner of 48th and Rockefeller. If you have kids, you’re going there anyway.
- Top of the Rock: The entrance is on 50th Street. The views are better than the Empire State Building because you can actually see the Empire State Building from the observation deck.
- Radio City Music Hall: Just one block over on 6th Avenue.
- Magnolia Bakery: If you need a sugar crash after the adrenaline of the show, it's on 6th Avenue and 49th. The banana pudding is a cliché for a reason. It’s good.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To make your trip successful, follow this checklist instead of just winging it:
- Check the Guest List: Look at the Today website the night before. If a K-pop band or a massive movie star is scheduled, double your travel time. The crowds will be triple the size.
- Download the Transit App: Use "Citymapper" or "Transit" instead of just basic maps. They give better exits for the subway stations so you don't come out on the wrong side of the street.
- Charge Your Phone: Between filming and looking at Today Show directions, your battery will die by 9:00 AM. Bring a portable brick.
- Sign Prep: Use thick markers. Thin Sharpies don't show up on camera. Use neon poster board; it pops against the grey stone of the buildings.
- The Exit Strategy: When you’re done, don't try to hail a cab on 48th Street. Walk two blocks north or south to get away from the immediate Rockefeller congestion. It'll save you twenty minutes of sitting in a stationary yellow car.
Getting to the Today Show is a rite of passage for New York visitors. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, and it requires waking up at an hour usually reserved for bakers and monks. But when you see yourself on that giant screen for three seconds, it feels worth it. Just remember: 48th and Rockefeller. Don't let the GPS tell you otherwise.