Summit One Vanderbilt Review – 2024 Insider’s Guide

A sprawling metropolis of glass and steel, New York City is so full of towering skyscrapers and Art Deco masterpieces it can be hard to know where to turn for the best views of the city. From the World Trade Center to the Empire State Building, there are seemingly endless edifices from which to score swoon-worthy sights of Central Park or Midtown Manhattan.

However, for an unparalleled vantage point that will leave you breathless, head to Summit One Vanderbilt. Follow along to learn everything you need to know before you go, including Summit One Vanderbilt reviews.

Discover the feeling of floating through space, or embrace the thrill of riding in the world’s largest external glass bottom elevator.

Capture the panoramas provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows or marvel at the artistic expression of NYC Air by Kenzo Digital.

Ready to experience this immersive experiment of art and technology for yourself? Read on..

Summit One Vanderbilt Tickets

Can’t wait to float in a sea of clouds? Before you become part of the infinitely evolving night sky, you’ll need to pre-purchase your Summit One Vanderbilt tickets. The Summit One Vanderbilt tickets price will vary depending on the level of ticket you select.

Off Peak admission will be the cheapest, while Peak Holiday admission will be the most expensive. Whatever ticket you select, we advise making your purchase well ahead of time as this is an extremely popular Manhattan attraction.

What to Know Before You Go

Don’t let a fashion faux pas or a parking snafu ruin your Summit One Vanderbilt day. Come prepared to Summit One Vanderbilt, and you’ll get even more out of your ‘transcendent’ experience.

Summit One Vanderbilt Hours: Summit One Vanderbilt is open every day except Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Please note that the last entry to the attraction will be at 11:00 p.m.

Summit One Vanderbilt Address and Directions: Summit One is located at 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017. The entrance can be found on the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal. For detailed directions via public transit, please click here.

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Parking: Visitors should be aware that there are a number of nearby parking garages in the area for private vehicles available for an additional charge. Rates, hours, and space availability may vary.

Enhanced Security Checkpoint: Please note that there is enhanced security, and for the safety of all quests and Summit employees, visitors will not be able to bring in any of the listed prohibited items here.

Food or beverages: while there are plenty of options for on-site snacking, no outside food or beverages are permitted within the Summit One grounds.

Cameras: visitors can feel free to bring along their own phones and/or cameras. However please note that all professional camera equipment will not be allowed on the premises.

View of Summit one Vanderbilt skyscraper with NYC in the background under a blue sky
Photo Credit: Emily Anderson via Facebook

Summit One Vanderbilt Highlights/Experiences

Every second of Summit One Vanderbilt is exceptional. However, the building’s unparalleled attention to detail and commitment to the visitor experience make the journey truly unforgettable. A few of the highlights from Summit One Vanderbilt include:

  • The Summit One Vanderbilt Elevator – known as Ascent, this high-flying ride to the observation decks will leave you on the edge of your seat. In fact, this elevator is the highest rack-and-pinion elevator system in the world. And at 90 square feet each, it is the largest glass floor elevator in the world
  • Air Art Installation by Kenzo Digital – reflective orbs, a dream-like innocence, and physical connection interplay in perfect harmony with AIR. Kenzo specializes in crafting mind-bending narratives through his art. Here guests can admire the bold strokes of his creativity, as exemplified by the 1000-foot-high canvas of Summit.
  • Mirrored Room – swear you’ve been transported to your REM state when you lie down in the Mirrored room or snap ethereal selfies during AIR: Infinity.
  • Transcendence 1 – achieve inner peace as you meditate on the art installation by the renowned artist Yayoi Kusama.
  • AIR: Unity – become the master of your own Summit dreams when you take center stage during this curated, personalized, digital experience
  • Summit One Vanderbilt Night – as day melds to night, observe the changing colors of the sky and the magic of the blooming evening. Train your eyes to the heavens as Summit One Vanderbilt becomes a beacon of energy, light, and power. This is an unmissable experience visible to all of New York City and beyond.
  • Cafe Program – feeling peckish? Enjoy a refreshment thanks to food and cocktails provided by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events.
View of Summit One Vanderbilt observation areas with the sun shining on the building at dusk
Photo Credit: Summit One Vanderbilt via Facebook

Summit One Vanderbilt Nearby Restaurants

Flying through a sea of dreams can really build up that appetite! While there is a Summit One Vanderbilt restaurant known as Apres, where guests can enjoy Nordic-themed snacks, cocktails, and more if you feel like leaving the premise, there are plenty of close-by options:

  • The Smith – mouth-watering burgers, BLTs served on a croissant, and addicting black truffle arancini make the Smith a great go-to for an elevated lunch. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a perfectly shaken, not stirred martini during their special happy hour.
  • Shake Shack Midtown East – satisfy hangry toddlers, teenagers, and more when you load up on the signature crinkle cut fries, frozen custard, and 100% Angus blend beef burgers of Shake Shack.
  • Rossini’s – inject your Big Apple dinner with a bit of class when you say Ciao to the fettucini alfredo or spaghetti alla carbonara at Rossini’s. Wrap things up with a sweet order of cannolis to accompany your quad espresso.
Close up of a table filled with burger and fries and chicken from Shake Shack in NYC, New York
photo credit: Shake Shack

New York City Attractions

The City that Never Sleeps deserves an equally arresting itinerary of activities and attractions. While it could easily take months to conquer everywhere from the Flatiron to the Financial District, we suggest craving out an afternoon or two for the following epic excursions:

  • One World Observatory – still eager to soak in more spellbinding views of the Big Apple? One World Observatory lets you top the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and see as far as forever.
  • Central Park Bike Tours – put the pedal to the metal when you work up a sweat biking almost 7 miles through the gorgeous scenery of Central Park. Take in beloved sights such as John Lennon’s memorial, the Cherry Hill Fountain, and the Alice in Wonderland statue.
  • Midtown Mix Guided NYC Tour With Food – bring along your appetite as you’ll be eating and drinking like your true inner New Yorker on this midtown food crawl. From pizza to cupcakes to deep-fried Oreo delights, you’ll get to savor morsels at the same eateries as the locals.

sun shining through trees over central park in nyc, New York, USANew York City Hotels and Lodging

Just because you’re visiting the Empire City doesn’t mean you need to blow your vacation budget. Ensure you rest like royalty without breaking open your piggy bank when you book any of our fabulous New York City Hotels.

From charming boutique accommodations on the Upper West Side to thrifty Midtown offerings, we offer lodgings for every budget and style. As always, make your reservation stress free, knowing you are always guaranteed our lowest rates online.

About Summit One Vanderbilt

Curious about what encompasses this mesmerizing journey that bends the laws of gravity? Prime yourself for awe-inspiring views and a multi-sensory immersive experience when you witness the beauty of this art installation firsthand. Summit One Vanderbilt incorporates elements of both art and technology to re-imagine what an ‘observation deck’ could be.

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Visitors can embrace the adrenaline that accompanies stepping out on the side of the building onto two glass ledges suspended over a thousand feet above Madison Avenue. Embed yourself into realms beyond terrestrial structure as you soak in views of the Chrysler Building or become part of the space with a Cloud Portrait.

Wondering about the Summit One Vanderbilt height? Summit One is setting a new standard for both architecture and height in New York, measuring 1,401 feet tall. This makes it the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan and among the top 30 tallest buildings in the world.

While there is no inopportune time to revel in the enchantment of Summit One, we believe the best time to visit Summit One Vanderbilt is early morning or sunset.

Dimmensional mirrors and glass indoors at Summit One Vanderbilt
Photo Credit: Summit One Vanderbilt (kennymathieson/IG) via Facebook

Summit One Vanderbilt Review

Still not ready to pull the trigger on your Summit One Vanderbilt experience? Don’t just take our word for it; read real Summit One Vanderbilt reviews from travelers just like you here.

Massive LED screens entertain Times Square, the sparkling lights of Broadway, and the tranquil tree-lined paths of Central Park. Everywhere you look in the Big Apple, there are wonders to behold.

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However, sometimes to gain perspective on this glittering jewel of a city, you need to change things up.

Blend your sightseeing with art when you escape Earth and revel in the celestial beauty, symmetry, and scenic vistas of Summit One Vanderbilt.

Surround yourself with dozens of metallic floating orbs as you create unforgettable content. Or swear you are truly levitating when you pluck up the courage to stand on a glass-bottomed ledge extending 1,100 feet over Madison Avenue.

Let your mind explode over the possibilities of standing in a 30,375 square feet room of mirrored wonder or admire the architectural prowess of the Chrysler Building as the sunset turns the evening sky into a cacophony of cotton candy-colored hues.

Ready to summit your NYC scenery dream? What are you waiting for? Book your Summit One Vanderbilt trip today.

Tell us, Have You Visited Summit One Vanderbilt?

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Written by Isis Maya Nissman

A New York native, Isis-Maya spent most of her professional life working in TV production until a vacation whisked her away to Central...


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