SUMMIT One Vanderbilt – tickets, map, sightseeing, interesting facts
Refresh New York
The idea of building the One Vanderbilt skyscraper, and with it an observation deck, was born around 2000, when the owners of the land adjacent to Grand Central Terminal were looking for a way to develop it. The concept from the very beginning was to create something exceptional in addition to another skyscraper, something that would attract more people to this part of Manhattan and breathe additional energy into it. The place seemed perfect, because right next to it is the legendary Grand Central train station, which provides an excellent opportunity to get practically to the skyscraper. Although the concept of another observation deck (there are already several in New York) did not seem like the best idea, the way the investors approached the matter changed everything. Someone noticed that all the observation decks are almost the same. They do not differ much from each other, only offering a similar view of the city from different positions and heights. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was supposed to be different. It was supposed to be an attraction in itself, where a person would move inside an attractive artistic and visual space, becoming part of an unusual and unique installation. The beautiful and extensive panorama of the city available from the terrace was supposed to be only an additional element, as if an extension of reality that constituted one, connected space with the terrace.
Probably when you read this description it doesn't tell you much yet, because the idea is so abstract that it's hard to describe. However, if you see the pictures, watch YouTube video, and best of all, visit this place in person, then everything will become clear.
Was it successful?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened in October 2021. Whether it was a success is evidenced by the fact that it is currently probably the most visited observation deck in New York. I accidentally came across sales statistics somewhere, which showed that SUMMIT One Vanderbilt currently sold the most tickets. It probably won't sell any more, because due to its popularity, limits have been introduced on the number of people allowed into the facility at one time. I must admit that I went here with mixed feelings, not really knowing if I wanted it. Simple curiosity and the need to see if it really looks like the pictures won. What are my impressions?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is not an ordinary observation deck. It is a combination of a modern, excellent observation point with an art installation and optical illusions. Honestly, I thought that the advertising photos of the terrace were a bit deceiving and that on the spot it would turn out that it is not as interesting as in the photos. And in reality? The reality turned out to be even more interesting. The omnipresent mirrors create the impression of infinity, which opens not only to the horizon, where the wonderfully looking city stretches around. Infinity also stretches up and down ... in fact, it goes in all directions! The mirror installation wonderfully deceives our senses! We feel as if suspended in the middle of this infinity stretching everywhere, we are as if the center of the world, from which everything originates, and then there is New York, the sky and subsequent layers of reality ... and so on to infinity. Simply GREAT! Attractive, ultra modern and with an idea! I have been there and would go again, although it is not cheap.
Tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
The attraction has won the hearts of tourists, so there are more people willing to go than there are places. You buy a ticket for a specific day and time. I recommend doing it in advance. The ticket distributor provides a calendar that takes into account the availability of tickets in real time. You can find this calendar below. The days highlighted in the calendar mean that there are still tickets. However, I recommend checking this carefully! Why? If, for example, there is only one ticket left for 21:30 p.m. on a given day, then such a day will be visible in the calendar as highlighted, suggesting that tickets are still available. In practice, tickets for the most popular times of visits sell out really quickly, so if you want to see if you still have a chance to get a ticket, first select the day and then look through the list of available times. Otherwise, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Another way to purchase a ticket is to purchase a ticket package (often at a discounted price) that includes admission to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. This is often a better and cheaper option. Below are links to two sources for different ticket packages that include admission to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
check out: SUMMIT packages on Tiqets – [click]
check out: packages for SUMMIT on GYG – [click]
Please allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes for your visit to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
The terrace is open every day:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 - 22:00
Friday - Sunday: 9:00 - 24:00
Children under 5 years of age can enter for free.
SUMMIT on the New York map
The location of the observation deck is shown on the map below. For better orientation, I have also marked other attractions on the map that are located near the deck. I have also described these attractions in my New York sightseeing plan.
Below the map you will also find precise GPS coordinates of the main entrance to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt along with a link to navigation. After entering the skyscraper, you need to go down the stairs one floor and turn right (behind the stairs).
Main entrance to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, GPS coordinates:
40°45’09.9″N 73°58’43.4″W
40.752736, -73.978733 - click and route
Terraces, installations and numbers
One Vanderbilt is the fourth tallest building in New York City (it is 427 meters high). The viewing platform is 335 meters (1100 feet) above ground and occupies the three highest floors of the building (91 to 93). When visiting the terrace, you will move between these floors, but NOTE: the traffic inside the terrace is one-way and moving to the next rooms means you cannot return to previous places. Only move on after you have taken all the desired photos and seen everything that is available in the current room.
Main exhibits available inside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
"Air" Exhibition
Air is the installation I liked the most. It combines art with infinite space thanks to mirrored walls and floors, creating the illusion of being suspended in the air. The huge room lined with mirrors gives amazing effects and space to take unique photos.
ATTENTION for ladies!
There are mirrors everywhere (including on the floor), so ladies will feel much more comfortable coming here in pants.
"Levitation" exhibition
The main feature of Levitation is the glass platforms (or rather glass boxes) that you can stand in. They extend beyond the building’s facade, offering a thrilling experience of “levitating” above the streets of New York. For many, this is one of the most memorable moments of a visit to Summit One Vanderbilt.
“Levitation” Exhibit at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, New York
"Affinity" exhibition
Affinity is an interactive installation where you walk among free-floating giant silver balloons, creating your own unique way of interacting with art. Kids and adults have a lot of fun in these balloons.
Affinity Exhibit at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, New York
Outdoor terrace and bar on the top
At the very end of the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt tour, you will reach an outdoor terrace where there is a bar, mainly serving various drinks, not necessarily non-alcoholic. Many people like to spend extra time here, especially when the weather is nice.
Hotels and lodging near SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Below I am posting a few links to hotels located near SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Do not treat them as a specific indication of the hotels that I recommend. Treat them as a good start for further searches. The links I have posted use the search engine mechanism, which, in addition to a specific hotel, always offers other, similar offers, often more attractively priced. Additionally, the links contain filters that I have prepared. They prevent the display of many offers that could unnecessarily clutter the search results and appropriately narrow the search area to the area that interests us. So you do not have to do it manually every time. I recommend using these links, because they make searching easier and save time.
Tuscany by LuxUrban – [click]
Under 39 – [click]
70 Park Avenue Hotel – [click]
New York City Sightseeing Plan
This entry is part of a large guide to New York, which is available at: New York - sightseeing plan [click].If you are here and have skipped the main post, then definitely I recommend that you read it first. It contains a lot of practical advice related to moving around the city, access to attractions, organizing sightseeing, access to the Internet, etc. It contains additional maps with the location of all attractions, supporting the creation of your own routes and sightseeing plans, and a lot of helpful information allowing for quick orientation in the area.
In the main post you will find plans and descriptions of tours of some of the most interesting neighborhoods in New York:
- Central Manhattan
- Upper Manhattan
- Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty
- Brooklyn (neighborhoods: Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Williamsburg)
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