The Summit One Vanderbilt: Info, Schedules, Prices, Tickets
One Vanderbilt is a midtown Manhattan skyscraper that was completed in September 2019, and is now the 4th tallest building in New York City. The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Observatory opened its doors on October 21, 2021, to offer its visitors a unique observation experience in the world.
Here’s a little preview of what the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt has to offer, which could very quickly become one of New York’s new must-see attractions.
The Summit One Vanderbilt: More Than Just A Viewing Platform
During your trip, how about observing Midtown, Manhattan and more, from a unique vantage point located more than 300 meters above the ground ? That’s what this new viewing platform at the top of One Vanderbilt offers.
The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is part of the Air installation, made by Kenzo Digital. Today, this installation allows you to live a unique experience in 7 rooms, an outdoor space and even an outdoor elevator. There you will find 4 main attractions: the Air exhibition, the Ascent elevators, the Levitation glass boxes, and the After bar.
- Air: This is the main indoor experience created by artist Kenzo Digital. You will discover 3 spaces in which you will live a true multisensory experience. In the first spaces, Transcendence, you’ll discover rooms filled with reflective surfaces, notably showcasing the New York Skyline. As you move through the room, you’ll discover new perspectives around every corner! In the last room, Affinity, you will be able to interact with silver helium balloons, which will allow you to discover a new angle of view!
- Ascent is the name of the two elevators at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Entirely glazed and transparent (even on the ground), they slide along the building and allow you to reach the terrace located 364 meters high. These glass elevators are located outside the building, along the wall, and allow you to enjoy a particularly impressive panoramic view throughout the ascent.
- Levitation is a thrilling experience, which invites visitors to sit in glass boxes that can move away from the building, to give the bravest visitors the impression of floating in the void 324 meters above the ground. of Madison Ave.
- After is a bar where you can have a cocktail or enjoy a light meal while enjoying an incomparable view of the Manhattan skyline. These drinks can be enjoyed on the SUMMIT Terrace, the large outdoor terrace at the top of the building. It occupies the south and west sides of One Vanderbilt, and offers absolutely incredible views of New York City.
The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is therefore more than a panoramic observatory: it is a large entertainment space that extends over 4 floors and more than 6,000 m². The mixture of art, light and cutting-edge technologies allows visitors to find themselves fully immersed in a new sensory experience, which highlights the vastness of New York City more than ever.
What Is The View From The Summit?
From the different observation points of One Vanderbilt, you can rediscover monuments and mythical buildings such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building from a whole new angle.
If you look down, you can also see Times Square and Bryant Park. The perfect opportunity to take original photos, with the reflections in the mirrors!
Summit One Vanderbilt : Entrance Fees
To enter the One Vanderbilt building, you will need tickets, which are available online. It is also possible to buy them on site, but I strongly advise you to buy them online, as they sell out quickly and you risk arriving on site and being disappointed!
When purchasing your ticket, you will need to choose a date and time slot for your visit. You will have the choice between a day visit, and an evening visit at sunset. Three experiences are available, each offering its specificities:
|
Ticket type |
Gives access to |
Adult day rate |
Child day rate |
Evening price adult and child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SUMMIT experience |
The Air + Levitation + Bar exhibition (no access to elevators) |
43 € |
36 € |
60 € ( 54 € for children) |
|
SUMMIT Ultimate Experience |
The Air + Levitation + Bar exhibition (with a cocktail) + glass elevators |
75 € |
69 € |
85 € |
|
SUMMIT Ascent Experience |
The Air + exhibition Levitation + Bar + glass lifts |
61 € |
54 € |
71 € |
Practical Information
What To Know Before Visiting Summit One Vanderbilt ?
If you want to discover this new attraction in New York, a few precautions can allow you to fully appreciate this experience. Certain rules must also be observed.
First of all, be careful during your visit! If you are curious, you will probably want to discover the rooms quickly and return to the ones you liked the most later. However, once you’ve moved from one floor to another, you can’t go back! So make the most of every space.
Don’t forget to take sunglasses The countless windows and mirrors in the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt mean that the light there is particularly strong during the day.
Dress appropriately. If you visit the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, you will be required to walk through several floors, and to walk on transparent glass floors. The floors are transparent, so some ceilings are too! People below will therefore be able to see you by raising their heads, and those walking above you will only have to lower their heads to see you. Some floors even have mirror effects! I therefore let you imagine why it is not necessarily recommended to wear a skirt or a neckline…
Wear shoes with classic soles. Shoes with stiletto heels, boots with steel toes at the end of the soles or any other type of shoes that could damage the floor coverings are prohibited.
Drinks and snacks can only be consumed in the spaces provided for this purpose. They are not permitted in outdoor spaces.
For visits, also note that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Schedule
These hours are subject to change, but for the moment, the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is accessible from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight, and the monument is closed on Tuesdays.
A good plan to visit New York
If you want to spend time in Central Park and visit some of the emblematic places of New York in the best possible way, I recommend the Central Park Pass, which will allow you to combine your visit to the SUMMIT with, in particular, that of the Museum of Natural History in New York ! You’ll save time and money on your activities, and you’ll have access to a great cultural experience in New York. Remember to book in advance so you don’t risk missing out!
How To Get To The Summit?
The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located at the intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue and 42nd Street, directly across from Grand Central Terminal. The entrance to the building is on the main concourse level of Grand Central in Vanderbilt Passage.
You can get there using the New York City Subway by taking lines 4, 5, 6 or 7 and getting off at Grand Central — 42nd Street station. Buses M1, M2, M3, M4, M101, M102, M103, Q32 and M42 also pass close to One Vanderbilt.
What To Do Around Summit One Vanderbilt?
Located in the heart of Manhattan, take advantage of your visit to the SUMMIT to see other cult places around!
The Empire State Building
Mandatory passage in New York, plan your day with the visit of the Empire State Building ! I advise you to go there at the end of the day. At sunset, the view is breathtaking: the sky takes on a red-gold hue and the city sparkles with a thousand lights!
Different experiences are available, including a double entry to go during the day and at sunset, or a ticket with a dinner at STATE Grill and Bar, the restaurant of the building where you can eat a three-course menu. Tickets are going fast, so remember to book in advance!
Grand Central Terminal
If you come to see the SUMMIT and pass by Grand Central Terminal, take the opportunity to visit it: it is the largest railway station in the world which, in my opinion, will not disappoint you! Between its shopping mall, its restaurants, its shops and its magnificent starry ceiling, don’t miss this place steeped in history.
Moreover, why not discover the many secrets of this station during a guided tour with a local? Don’t forget to book in advance!
Bryant Park A Quiet Moment
If you’re looking to take a short break after your visit, why not take a trip to Bryant Park ? You can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while savoring a delicious afternoon tea on the café terrace. Although it is one of the smallest parks in Manhattan, it is very well located: you will be just a stone’s throw from Times Square and the New York Library.
The Madame Tussauds : Wax Figures
Would you like to meet stars during your trip to New York? You can optionally round off your day with a visit to Madame Tussauds, where you’ll see wax statues of world-famous stars.
In addition, the entrance is often included in the passes, which will allow you to save on average up to 30% in your activities! Today there are 4 passes: I therefore advise you to take a look at my comparative article on New York passes to find out which one to go for!
5th Avenue A Shopping Trip
Do you want to end the day with a bit of shopping surrounded by skyscrapers? It’s hard to miss 5th Avenue, one of the most famous avenues in the world. Whether you are looking for luxury boutiques or more affordable stores, you will find what you are looking for! You can also see museums such as the MET, the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York or must-sees: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the Rockefeller Center, or the Flatiron Building.
We are coming to the end of this article! I hope you liked it, and that you now know more about the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. In any case, if you don’t know what to do in New York yet, know that this visit is to be done at least once