One Vanderbilt — Attraction in New York

One of the main highlights of the observatory is the stunning 360-degree panoramic view of New York City. You can see landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Chrysler Building, and the East River. On clear days, visibility can extend for miles, providing breathtaking scenery during both day and night visits. Nighttime views, with the city’s twinkling lights, are particularly striking.

Features and Design:

•   Art Installations: The observatory is unique because it blends its spectacular views with immersive art installations. Designed in collaboration with artist Kenzo Digital, these installations create an almost surreal, mirror-like environment where you feel as if you’re floating above the city. Rooms such as “Air” use mirrored floors, walls, and ceilings to give an expansive, infinity-like effect. •   Interactive Experiences: The space offers several engaging experiences that appeal to both tourists and locals. These include glass sky boxes that jut out from the building, giving you the sensation of hovering over the city streets far below. There’s also a glass elevator called Ascent, which travels along the exterior of the building, providing an added thrill for the adventurous. •   Themed Levels: Each level has a distinct theme and atmosphere, creating a diverse experience. From minimalist elegance to futuristic spaces filled with mirrors and art, there’s something for everyone.

Crowd and Atmosphere:

Although the observatory can get crowded, the spaces are well-designed to allow movement and relaxation. Tickets are timed-entry, which helps control the flow of visitors. The observatory maintains a relatively calm atmosphere compared to some other tourist attractions in the city, making it a great place for reflection, photography, or just soaking in the views.

Pricing:

The ticket prices are on the higher side, especially for premium experiences like the glass elevator ride. However, considering the unique design, art installations, and location, many find it worth the cost. The experience feels upscale and immersive, setting it apart from other observation decks in the city.

Food and Beverage:

There is a café and bar at the summit offering light refreshments. While a bit pricey (as expected at such locations), having a drink with a view of the NYC skyline adds to the overall luxury of the experience.

Pros:

•   Stunning, unobstructed views of NYC. •   Unique blend of immersive art and traditional observatory experience. •   Great location, easy to access via public transport. •   Glass sky boxes and external glass elevator add an extra thrill.

Cons:

•   High ticket prices. •   Can get crowded during peak times. •   May not be ideal for those with a fear of heights, as the glass floors and exterior elements can feel vertigo-inducing.

Overall Impression:

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is more than just an observatory — it’s an immersive, artistic experience that offers both thrilling and serene moments. It combines the wonder of New York’s skyline with...

I reserved a 5pm ticket on a Sunday evening. There was a very short line at the entrance, and the whole process of checking in and getting through the security checkpoints was pretty smooth. They will give you black overshoes so don't bother wearing fancy shoes :) Mask is only required in the elevator, you can remove it when you get up.

The elevator ride was a lot of fun. When we got up (approx at 5.30pm) there were way too many people, even a wedding photoshoot happening in the midde of the room. As I was mesmerized by the view and waiting on the right moment to take some pictures and videos, the people that work at Summit started yelling that the observation deck was closing at 7pm and we should all be moving to a different room. That was too early to announce in my opinion. I didn't even get a chance to see the alcove where everyone is taking pictures 😑

Moving up was a good idea as there were less people, but please note that the biggest observation rooms are the first one where you get off the elevator, and the one on the very top. The room with silver balls is quite small, and you can only see the southern part of the city. As we got up to the highest floor (my favorite videos were taken here), the crowd from lower floors started to come up and the employees of Summit literally started walking to each group of people and telling them to leave (that was at 6.30pm!!). The last point was a bar with outdoor area (way too cold and windy to spend more than 2 min there), a gift shop, and a line to go down. Also, you can get your pictures taken at certain places by the Summit crew and they will offer you a digital version for $25 - totally not worth it in my opinion.

I'm a bit disappointed how employees were kicking the visitors out so early, and I felt bad for the people who purchased tickets after us. They barely got to see anything. Also, I noted there was no limit on how long you can stay there, so I assume if you come in earlier in the afternoon you can catch the sunset.

My advice - don't buy tickets less than 3 hours before they close and don't spend too much time on the first level. I will have to come back one more time and check the views at a different...

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