I highly recommend taking your friends here visiting the city or looking for a place to go to! It was an overall fun experience. Was there for about 2-3 hours to explore and relax. We were there in cinco de mayo so I ended up getting a chips and quac was 10$ it was delicious but for the price I wish I could get more Quac. Now, the drink was outrageously expensive and I question why I even got it. In my opinion it was NOT worth it. The taste was OK. Price was 21$!! Never again. I get it it's the city and tourist but let's be real. . Lastly I got a horchata and hands down one of the best I've had so to me it was worth the price me and my friend split it. Overall, the experience is a 10/10 5 stars but the food/drinks I give it a 3 stars. The view is very nice though. This is the second time I've been here next time I'll be coming at night to experience it. read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Quac and chips with a margarita - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

On every trip, if my husband can find an adventure that involves heights, he's all in. Me? Not so much. I've mentioned in other reviews that I'm definitely afraid of heights, so going into this, I was a little nervous. But honestly -- this ended up being such a beautiful experience. The views are incredible, and each room offers something a little different, which keeps it interesting the entire time. I thought I'd be anxious the whole way through, but instead I found myself actually enjoying it. It's immersive, unique, and surprisingly calming despite being so high up. If you can, I recommend going during the week when it's less crowded. Later in the day is also a good option if you want to avoid heavier traffic. That said, if you're aiming for sunset and want to grab a drink at the rooftop bar, that's definitely a great experience too. We went the day after Valentine's Day, so they still had their Valentine-themed drink menu, which was a nice bonus. Overall, it's absolutely worth it -- even if you're a little nervous about heights like I am read more

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Summit has been on my bucket list for quite a while now. I finally decided to bite the bullet and bought two tickets to celebrate my best friend's birthday. The process for getting up to the top seems daunting at first but moves rather quickly. There was an airport-esque feel to the whole process. The elevator ride feels super fast and is pretty cool! Getting to 93 floors felt like a zip. The views are incredible!! I truly saw the Manhattan skyline as I have never seen it before. Highlights-Main room with mirrors everywhere, room with the balls, cafe and outside terrace. Cons-A little complicated to navigate and confusing at times. read more

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This place is awesome there so many great places to see in NYC. It's just one of those places that you gotta come out and check out for yourself. We all had a great time here the views are amazing. read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Cheers to the good times - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

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I absolutely loved my experience at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt! My best friend planned my birthday surprise there, and it honestly became my favorite observation decks in NYC. The immersive rooms, mirrors, and glass floors were so unique ;it really feels like you're floating above the city. The balloon room was such a fun and unforgettable touch, perfect for a celebration. The views of the The One World Trade Center,Chrysler Building and Empire State Building were breathtaking, and the skyline views are next level. Oh, and I almost forgot the elevator experience was wild too. Honestly, even that felt like part of the adventure and I loved it! Loved the café upstairs too with NYC classics like hot dogs, bagels, and B.E.C . Overall, such a fun, aesthetic, and perfect birthday experience. Highly recommend! read more

Visited from Chicago and I would say this is the one experience you would not want to miss. They have so many levels and experiences to go through and a lot of different photo ops. The Levitation floor was timed though. The people who took our photos for our wristbands are not allowed to take photos so if you go alone ask someone else to do for you. Overall loved the experience and being able to see New York City was amazing. We picked a day it was raining but was lucky enough to see everything before we left a the clouds covered everything. You can only get in line 30 minutes before your time, no earlier. read more

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The Summit One Vanderbilt Skip the Line Premium Experience was absolutely worth it and was easily one of the highlights of our New York trip. From the very beginning, the premium experience made everything feel smoother, more organized, and much more enjoyable. Being able to skip the long lines saved us a lot of time and made the visit feel far less stressful, especially in such a busy attraction. One of the best parts of the premium experience was that we had a tour guide, which made the visit even better. Having a guide added so much more value because we were able to learn more about the space, the views, and the overall experience instead of just walking through on our own. Our guide helped make everything feel more personalized, informative, and memorable. It also felt like we were able to experience a few extra things that we may not have gotten to enjoy the same way without the premium package, which made it feel even more special and worthwhile. Once inside, the entire experience was incredible from start to finish. The views were absolutely breathtaking and gave such an amazing perspective of New York City. Everywhere you looked, there was something stunning to take in. The skyline, the surrounding buildings, and the city stretching out in every direction made for an unforgettable experience. It truly felt surreal at times. What makes Summit One Vanderbilt stand out is that it is so much more than just an observation deck. The entire experience is immersive, modern, and visually stunning. The mirrored rooms and interactive spaces made it feel unique and unlike any other attraction. Every part of it felt thoughtfully designed and exciting to explore. The premium experience really elevated the visit because it was not just about skipping the lines--it also gave us a more enhanced and complete experience overall. Between the convenience, the guided aspect, and the extra parts we were able to enjoy, it felt like we got much more out of the visit than we would have otherwise. That made the extra cost feel completely worth it. The staff were also friendly, professional, and helpful, which added to the positive experience. Everything felt well organized, and even though Summit is clearly a very popular attraction, the premium experience made it feel much more comfortable and enjoyable. Overall, I would highly recommend the Summit One Vanderbilt Skip the Line Premium Experience to anyone visiting New York, especially if you want to make the most of your time there. Between the incredible views, the immersive design, the convenience of skipping the lines, and the added benefit of having a tour guide and access to more parts of the experience, this was something truly memorable. I would absolutely do it again. read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

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Fair warning: The website/email mentions it can take at least 15 minutes after entry to reach the first floor (and restrooms.) We ended up waiting a full hour in line before finally ascending. Once we're up there, it looked like a dream for trippy, surreal photos. Every turn felt visually stimulating, and the views of the NYC skyline were gorgeous too. Tip: At ascension (the elevator,) ask for glasses to block out the sun. It can be quite blinding up there! The experience seemed playful, immersive, and super Instagram-friendly. Would I do it again? Maybe, with better timing. But if you love art you can step into and don't mind a bit of a wait, it's a memorable way to see the city from a whole new angle! read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - NYC skyline - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

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2/17/2026 You know this might be the most breathtaking, highest, places I've ever been. Getting in was a bit of a wait but everything was so organized you're welcome with shoe covers. All rooms have something special and the views of the city will have camera rolls full. The cafe at the top with the lounge setting was a nice touch after the excitement of the city views. Hot dog highly recommend very clean areas. Gift shop as you find the way out and don't worry about the long line to leave it goes pretty fast. If you thought about going let me tell ya BUY THE TICKET. read more

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Wow what a fun experience!! I had an incredible time and I really enjoyed my tour guide. He was absolutely fantastic, I'll come back and mention his name once I figure it out. He was young with a big curly Afro, great guy, very knowledgeable and was very helpful with assisting with pictures and videos. The view is BREATHTAKING, wow and every room had something different to offer. It makes sense why it's such an Instagram able spot , the views are truly amazing . read more

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Very cool experience. Wish we had more time in the "silver room." Love the view of the city from high in the sky. read more

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The Summit One Vanderbilt is located on 42nd St, next block to the Grand Central Terminal. We drove and found free street parking 2 blocks away on that Sunday. Met family who took the Metro-North (subway and LIRR there too) and found out there's an underground connection to the Summit, with ticket kiosks and where the line forms for the elevators. My mom uses a wheelchair so our whole group was able to bypass the long line to the entrance (where we were given shoe covers and sunglasses (or bring own)), and then to the elevator, which made the start of our experience so much better. The elevator ride was pretty fast but with flashing lights so a staff member asked us before if we were ok with that. We found out what the sunglasses were for once we got to the first level, of 3. Bec of the mirrored walls and floors, it was really bright but got used to it after a while. It also helped that it was a bit cloudy that day; gave the views a bluish and sepia coloring which I liked. Elevators and escalators between floors. Visitors have to follow the route, can't return once you leave the floor - this helped with the people traffic. Aside from seeing NYC from 4 sides (even from the restrooms), there is a "Levitation" area, where we got a few seconds to stand on glass floors in a small space jutting off the side of the building. Was ok but not the same as walking on a longer length of glass. The balloon room was mesmerizing, esp how the balloons stayed on the ceiling and flowed. Had fun playing with them, just be careful not to pop them. Don't miss it. On the last of 3 floors, there is a cafe, with an outdoor walkway to the giftshop. The cafe offers small meals and snacks and I found the food prices to be ok (better than an amusement park and better quality :) ), except the drinks. The Pastrami and swiss sliders were pretty tasty, with a pickle wedge and potato chips. The buffalo chicken was spicy, good for sharing. Restrooms near the elevators. It's been cooler this fall, so with kids and our mom, being indoors was more comfortable and we were able to take our time - marvelling at the NYC views and of course taking lots of photos and videos. read more

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My friend raved a lot about this spot and my husband and I really wanted to check it out. Purchasing a ticket was fairly easy on their website. Once we were there, we had to wait for about 20 min but the line moved quickly. They had a bunch of interesting immersive experiences. A few of the installations were perfect for beautiful Instagram worthy photos. My favorites were mirrored rooms and the city views from 1100 feet. It was incredible! They also have a cafe at the top of the tower that offers delicious food, cocktails and coffee. A few of my friends got a few cocktails and they loved them! All in all, this is a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend it! The views are amazing and the art is beautiful and unique. read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

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We had an amazing time at the summit. When booking the tickets online they let you know the best times to visit to get the best views of the city. I booked a perfect slot and got to see the city views in both daylight and in nighttime which made the whole experience even better. The staff was sweet and friendly. There was one person in particular, Dae B who was sweet and knowledge about the place and the city and guided us well. Take your time in exploring the place and I would suggest booking a timeslot that let's your enjoy both day and night views and capture some amazing pictures. read more

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Had an amazing time at Summit one Vanderbilt, which is an immersive experience 91 floors above the city. Each room was filled with interactive and informative activities. Plenty of beautiful views for amazing photo ops. The café was clean nice with beautiful views of the city. A few areas for improvement would be a coach check or lockers to leave your coats and other things that can't be taken into the experience. read more

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I'm giving it 5 stars, but it's probably closer to 4, since our guide, Mitchell, was so great, I'm going to err on the higher side. I also sprung for the premium experience. Now the premium experience is presented like you have a photographer with your tour group, but there are just a couple of spots where you have one, so that was a little disappointing. They don't explicitly say you will, but that's how I interpreted it. We also waited about 5 minutes for a couple of no-shows, and the tour ended about 5 minutes early. So the tour was closer to an hour and twenty minutes, and not the advertised hour and 30. The premium experience option does give you the ability to skip the lines, which is nice. Summit 1 itself is a nice experience. The mirrored/reflective style is nice, and you should bring your sunglasses, although they have some to give you if you don't remember. Keep your head on a swivel in the ballroom, its fun but chaotic. The views are nice, but equivalent to what you would find at Top of the Rock and/or Empire State. So all in all, the premium experience was worth it, just to be able to skip the lines, even with the photography disappointment. Mitchell, our guide, was great and was informative and fun. Having said I'd consider Summit 1, Top of the Rock, and Empire State to be interchangeable, in that if you're budget conscious and one of those 3 will give you similar views and experiences (in thier own way). read more

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What an experience. We often hear about the seven wonders of the world...well this should be added as number #8. Awe struck with the views and if you are considering making the trip....evenings are it. Tou get to see the city lights at night. We arrived for the 8pm tour and it was absolutely perfect timing. If you are afraid 9f heights you will probably steer clear of the cubes on the 92 floor that extends outside the side of the building. The lines can be long so pack your patience. Tickets were relatively inexpensive and free for military, active and retired. read more

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SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is honestly one of the coolest things I've done in New York. I knew the views were supposed to be good, but seeing them in person is something else. You're so high up that the whole city feels like it's laid out beneath you, and it's impossible not to stop and take it all in. The space is way bigger than I expected too. You move through different rooms, and each one has its own theme and feel some are reflective and trippy, others open up into huge windows with insane views. It's not just an observation deck, it feels more like a full on experience. Walking through everything at your own pace is part of the fun. One minute you're surrounded by mirrors and light, the next you're looking straight out at the Empire State Building from eye level. There's something surreal about it. If you're visiting NYC, this is absolutely something to put on your list. It's memorable, visually insane in the best way, and definitely one of those "wow" moments you won't forget. read more

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I took the wife and children here last week and it was an amazing experience. The check in process was seamless. Once you get to the top and come around the corner, the views are breathtaking. The experience is divided into one large room and several side rooms all with their own unique view the city. However, I will say the true star of the experience was the employee Felipe . My wife is terribly afraid of elevators and almost backed out of coming with the family to the top, not only did Felipe speak to my wife in her native language. He stayed with her the entire time and even wrote the elevator with us to make sure she got the top OK. Without him, I don't think my wife would've came to the top and had the experience and made the memories with my family. I could not thank him enough. read more

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Not only do you get to see amazing views of the city, you're warm and indoors, the experience is interactive, the people are friendly, and there's a cute café at the top if you'd like a beverage or snack. I brought my teen daughter here instead of the top Empire State building. We had a blast. I recommend going in the evening. There's a lot of great views and lights and different rooms to observe the city from. Highly recommend this experience! It's a warm, interactive, engaging place to see the city! read more

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One of the tall buildings in NYC, there's an observation deck combined with three levels of art to align you with the clouds, vast spaces, and a little thrill. Entry on the basement 1 level of the Summit Vanderbilt building right connected to the Grand Central area lower ground floor. Photos on the first floor for the group will later be superimposed on all the room spaces as digital memories you can buy (though not from every room like a Disney trip - this is just greenscreen at work). Glass- and mirrored-floors, although the check-in process took some time and lines, and the scanning of the face was a little long, they do provide sunglasses and covers of the shoes are given to all the guests. Watch what you wear - mirrors on the floor, ceilings, and many other surfaces. The dark hallway to the elevators is trying to make it appear even more dazzling when you get upstairs, I'm sure. First level is the largest space - Transcendance, big mirrored room where we saw a couple get engaged. As the first room, big and bright and lots of people looking at the views. You actually do have better views throughout, it's just a cool floor/mirror/eternity feel with a bit of vertigo if you look around. Supposed to have a great light show at night as sunset costs a little more. Around the corner, an art exhibit of Reflect, with drops of metal mirrored like a little spray of wet metallic mercury floor and an architectural model of the building. Affinity is the balloon ball room, fun and noisy with the popping balls. Second floor starts with the upstairs balcony of Transcendence, then Levitation in a waiting line to get 30s (1-3ppl) or 45s (4+) to take photos in (2 glass boxes that stick out above the ground, looking down you can get dizzy). Unity is a cloud exhibit and big views out again - this is where your bands are scanned and you can see your "face" in the clouds in the video. Shoe covers off at this point, and discarded. Bathroom stop near the escalator up. Third floor has a bar/food and coffee stop, with the access to the glass elevator Ascent (if you pay extra). Outdoor terrace, entry to the glass elevator (if you paid extra and reserved for that), the bar/restaurant, and gift shop - photos and more. Then back down to another gift shop in the G-1 level and back to Grand Central waiting area. Overall a different, fun experience for the mirror and natural lighting combined with great views of the city.. not so much downtown to the harbor, but good of MetLife, Empire State, Chrysler, and some Central Park views. Was definitely magnificent, and took about 1.5hr to wander through slowly. The line took about 30 min of that... read more

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Sadly disappointed in this overrated, highly priced extravaganza. First off, the wait in the long lines to get through the queue to even go into the event is horrendous. Let me just say they're very good at hiding the cues that you need to be waiting in, but understand you will go through one section to one section to one section and do nothing that stand in line. They say that there are three floors, which is true. What they don't tell you, it was the third floor is nothing but a café, and a sales opportunity for them to sell their propaganda. So you essentially get two floors of THREE pretty cool displays. That's it just three displays. You get the mirror section, you get the ball section, and you get the area where you can stand in another line to take a ledge picture. That's it. I would not recommend, and would not repeat this experience. It was definitely not worth the money and it sure as heck was not worth the standing in line. read more

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After researching the various options to see the NYC views we chose this one because of the three levels and art component. Ticket prices were as expected--we did not expect to have to wait over a half hour once we arrived for our reservation. The lines were long and slow. Seems like the reservation system needs work to improve that. But my 14 year old was super impressed with the views and really enjoyed the modern vibe and being able to see the Empire State Building so clearly! I'd love some labels that told you what you were looking at. Also the line inside for the glass boxes was too long after already having waited too much so we had to skip one of the elements we were excited about. And then had to wait in yet another long line just to leave. So great views but be prepared to WAIT! read more

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This experience was absolutely AMAZING and I highly recommend to anyone and everyone! This was hands down my favorite part of our trip and so glad we made the decision to come here. 96 floors high and the design and presentation and interaction of this is just spectacular! Job well done. You start off by checking in -- we actually had tickets for the glass elevator ride but it wasn't operational the day we went so they refunded us the additional cost. When you check in and go thru security, you take your first set of pictures then led to obtain your shoe covers and sunglasses. You can choose to use your own sunglasses however rest assured if you forgot yours like I did, they have plenty for you to use during your exploration. You then go to take your pictures for the clouds that you'll see later in your exploration. Really cool. You can even choose to make a funny face or however you want to see your face be presented in the clouds. Then is the elevator ride up! It does have strobe lights but staff does ask if anyone has a sensitivity to this given they have the ability to turn that off. So, look up and enjoy your ride up! Way up! Once you get out, you'll enter an all glass and mirror room. If you're scared of heights like I am it's going to be sensory overload in the beginning and you'll probably be weak in the knees like me. I just tried not to look down or over any railings and I was ok. That's my tip :) They do have a photographer there that can take your pictures which we opted to do and they turned out FANTASTIC! Highly recommend this. For all prints digitally was $25. Very reasonably priced considering that we paid way over that for only a few prints digitally at TOTR the day prior. I'll definitely be printing these to hang up at home. They have various rooms that you walk thru and each is a different experience to itself along with the breathtaking views of the city. The last part is professional pictures out on the glass ledge. Promise that if I can do this then anyone can. Again, don't look down. read more

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One Vanderbilt is an incredible experience! The building's architecture is stunning, and the SUMMIT observation deck offers breathtaking, panoramic views of New York City. The immersive art installations and glass floors make the visit even more unique and memorable. The entire place is modern, well-organized, and beautifully designed -- a must-visit attraction in NYC! One feedback that I would like to add is about the balloon room, they should require the parents to watch their kids and allow everyone the opportunity to take pictures. It should not be a play ground for little kids. read more

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Summit One is quite the experience. We chose to come here based on the different immersive activities they offer & overall we had a really good time. What I will say is definitely heed the recommendation on the website telling guests to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your reservation because there is a line. I was surprised to see so many people here on a Friday afternoon, as we assumed most people would be working, but it was packed. Luckily you can move through the floors at your own pace, so you will definitely get your money's worth. I also think it's best to try and come closer to sunset or "golden hour" when the sun isn't as harsh, as during the day the glare of the sun reflecting off of the flooring can be very off putting. I also was surprised to see so many scratches/imperfections in the mirrored room, as everyone is required to wear shoe coverings & tennis shoes/slides or sandals. If you're lucky enough to find a corner of a wall/floor that isn't scratched or marked with fingerprints, do take advantage. If you're looking for something to do that your hometown may not have where you're from, or just want to break out of your everyday routine then come here. read more

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An incredibly breathtaking experience. From the moment you step inside, you're transported into a world of art, architecture, and views that are simply unforgettable. The observation decks give you sweeping, panoramic views of the city -- the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and all the way out to the rivers. The mirrored floors and walls create this surreal, dreamlike effect where the skyline feels infinite. And the room full of silver balloons flying around make it both fun and mesmerizing -- you'll have a lot of fun and probably take more photos here than anywhere else in NYC. Time well spent on a summer NYC evening in this immersive experience. Highly recommended for both visitors and also locals who want to have fun and see New York in a whole new way. read more

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Summit One Vanderbilt is my favorite among the five observation decks in NYC! Had a great experience here. Beautiful views, the mirrored floors, the reflections, the immersive experience. Visited this place at sunset. I recommend getting tickets here 1-2 h before the sunset for gorgeous views of the skyline at sunset. Though it rained and was foggy for a period of time during our visit such that we could not see a lot, the sky cleared afterwards and even saw rainbow! Went here 30 minutes before the time in our tickets that I bought online a week ahead. It can get crowded at the entrance plus you'll go through security and take elevators. No work boots or stilettos. They'll give you shoe covers before going in. Since you'll be walking on mirrored floors, short skirts and dresses are not recommended. Do not forget to bring sunglasses! The entire experience can take from 2-3 hours. Take all the experience in and would not rush from floor to floor as the route is one-way only! You will not be permitted to go back to the previous floor. Each exhibit is a wonderful experience: Transcendence 1, 2, Air Affinity, Levitation (glass ledge similar to Skydeck in Chicago). Photography services are available. A must see in NYC. Highly recommended. read more

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Even with all of its beauty, how can one place get SO CROWDED!!!! You select the time slot you want to go and we went sunset time (which obviously will be busier than most) but certain areas felt like you were suffocating! SO MANY PEOPLE! And everyone was sitting at the windows and taking away the opportunity for others to just get a quick glance and photo which is incredibly annoying. Their crowd control, up to the point you get to the 90th floors, is actually really efficient. They did a great job with security and making sure the lines kept moving but it feels like a free for all once you make it onto the actual floors. I really did appreciate all the coworkers taking photos of everyone up there and making sure they liked the photos they took, etc. It's not common to have designated photo taking staff at places like these so I thought that was a nice touch. And the view really is incredible. I just wish the outside part was bigger. read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Night - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

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One Vanderbilt, completed in 2020, is a 1401' tall skyscraper right next to Grand Central Station. It wasn't here when I worked in Midtown Manhattan but, I heard of the plans to transform the midtown east area and this was one of the projects. I'll say that the skyscraper is impressive in its overall design. My son and I bought tickets on Viator for the Summit which is a three floor observatory on top of the building. Prior to going up there is a screening process where they take your photo and then you view a short film about the building. They also show you the current viewing conditions. On the day we went at 11:30am it was overcast. I believe you can opt out and go at another time. You also have to wear shoe coverings like the kind when you go to an open house. This is to protect the flooring which is mostly glass and mirrors. The elevator ride up took less than a minute which is impressive. I'll say the Summit was built as an "experience" with the glass mirrored flooring and artwork that is present. Unfortunately, there was a lot of fog that was slowly dissipating but not enough to see downtown, New Jersey or the rest of the boroughs. I'm sure on a clear day the views are stunning. The one turnoff was the incessant mechanical noise piped through the speakers. I'll describe it as similar to sounds you hear while standing online at Space Mountain. I get that someone thought it would add to the "experience" but after about ten minutes I was like just shut it off. The third floor of the Summit has a small cafe, bar, gift shop and open air seating. It's actually quite nice to hang out, have a drink, and enjoy even more sweeping views if the weather cooperates. Overall it was a good experience and definitely worth a visit. read more

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I really don't know how I just made it here for the first time with the amount of times I've visited NYC. But better late than never! I did take my daughter to the Edge years ago, which was super cool, but this was better. It's also a few hour time commitment while the Edge was more of a quick view of the city so it depends on how much time you want to spend taking in the views. We went around 4pm on a Saturday end of April. I worried the lines would be super long and even considered paying the extra fee to skip the lines. While we definitely waited in a long line to get in, it wasn't that bad and I'm glad I didn't spend the $ to skip the lines. My daughter's friend was with us and said the lines were way worse when she came during sunset another time. I'm sure that's cool to see, but sunset= longer lines. Once we got to the 91st floor my kids wouldn't stop saying how cool it was up there. My son couldn't stop taking pictures of the amazing view. And my daughter and her friend were in tiktok heaven. I don't think you can get a better background for tiktoks. They also had a blast in the floating ball room, which was another perfect tiktok setting. My kids got hungry halfway thru and were happy with a pretzel bite snack. My daughter's friend has celiac so we did have trouble finding a gluten free snack, although she was able to eat the chips. A few more gluten free options would be great! At the end we did the glass elevator, which is listed as the most popular option on their website. There wasn't any line for this so I"m not sure it's that popular. It was cool, but NYC doesn't look that different whether you're viewing it from the 91st or 101st floor so I'd skip that one. I didn't think it was worth the extra charge. Overall, it was such a fun activity and I think the highlight of our quick trip to NYC. It's also conveniently located in Grand Central so if you're coming to NYC by train you can go when you first arrive or when you leave. I just recommend buying tickets ahead of time, especially on a weekend, since they tend to sell out. read more

My boyfriend and I visited Summit One Vanderbilt and I'd say it was worth the hype. Located steps away from Grand Central station, summit one offers gorgeous views of NYC in this observatory deck. It's definitely a more trendy and photo op focused experience than other ones I've been to, but its modern feel makes it fun. Before you begin your journey upstairs you must put plastic shoe covers on to avoid the mirrored floors getting dirty, and you take a photo of your face which is for a surprise later. There are different levels to explore when you get there, and they each have different experiences. You begin your journey in the mirror room, it's trippy walking around but in a good way. Then as you look around you, the view of NYC surrounds. You get a great view of the empire state building from here. Then there's a room with giant silver balls you can throw around and it's a great photo op. We did go when there were children who were being rough and were kicking them so just be mindful if you're bringing children to please avoid that... Then you make your way to the next floor with the bar and outdoor terrance. We got one of the themed drinks which was good and enjoyed the terrance. The terrance areas are always my favorite parts of these observation decks, because I love being able to feel the refreshing air while I admire the beauty in front of me. These were the main things that stood out to me however there are other things such as a digital experience featuring that picture you took earlier and a chance to stand on a glass box for a photo op but it had a long line so we skipped it. Since there is so much to do and experience at this one I feel as though the I didn't stare out the windows as much as I have visiting other decks in other states. But despite this, I really enjoyed this new immersive experience in NYC. read more

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Summit One is my favorite! We had a wonderful experience from beginning to end. You check in at your reserved ticket time, go through the metal detectors, and wait in line to be escorted to the elevator. Our wait time was about 45 mins, on a Saturday evening. We wanted to watch the sunset, so we made reservations for 4:30 p.m. since sunset time is 6:30 p.m. Unfortunately, it was a gloomy day, so we didn't get to experience the wonderful sunset views of NYC. If you want to experience the sunset, I recommend that you purchase tickets 11/2-2 hours before sunset time to give yourself enough time to check in, wait in line, and enter the summit doors. The experience includes multiple interactive rooms. My favorite was the balloon room, which offers many cool photo opportunities. The floors in the first room are mirrors, so you should avoid wearing skirts, dresses, etc. Also, high heels are prohibited because they can scratch the floors. I also recommend that you practice patience, this is a popular place, so you'll more than likely encounter a lot of people trying to take pics, taking over the windows, etc. Once you're done, you'll be welcomed by a cool bar area, where you can sit and take in the beautiful NYC views. Tickets were very affordable and well worth it! read more

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Put this place on your bucket list. I was in New York and this place came up as a must try experience. The day we had originally booked our tickets for had to be rescheduled because of the weather. We ended going later in the evening and I was amazed with the city view in the night. We went up three floors with different experiences. The top deck had drinks and an area you can sit and just look at the views. You are given a wristband that stores all your photos and are assessable at the end of the tour. I got the digital prints and ordered me an add on picture that I liked. Overall the place is amazing. There is a sky box area where they take your picture of you standing what feels like in the air. I enjoyed the room with the silver balls that floated above the ceiling. Definitely something you have to try once. read more

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Definitely worth a visit for the views and the bar located upstairs for a drink. It may get crowded, so best bet is to book tickets ahead on their website or in person on their kiosks. If you want sunset so you can enjoy both daytime and nighttime, note that the journey through security and mandatory photo takes downstairs and elevator queue may take 45 minutes, so plan your entry and hour before sunset for ideal timing. Up top you can enjoy the place at your own pace and pass through areas you don't care about. The glass "box" queue on the second floor for getting photos with glass bottom floor is totally worth it - free, and the line moves quickly as they limit your photos to 30-45 seconds per party. When I say free, you can take your own, of course the professional photos you pose for you have to pay for at the end if you want. Lastly, the extra Ascent elevator was kind of cool in that it's limited in number of guests per elevator, but it is a short journey and probably not worth the extra $25-$30 in my opinion. I may return to the Summit sometime for the sunset or night time views, since I went late morning on my trip. read more

While this is the latest and greatest I wasn't exactly impressed. Great views yes, but long lines and wait times is just too much for me. I didn't like waiting in a line just to get out of the building. Amount of people in at a time is also too much. Price a bit much for me. It was ok. read more

A bit pricy but I think it's still worth it. Well it's NY price. The day we went was raining so no views whatsoever :( but we had fun still. Pretty organized and well staffed overall. Nice art displays. Need shoe covers when entering. Don't wear dresses/skirts as mirrors are on the floor and everywhere. When it's a sunny day, make sure bring your sunglasses. It's right next to Grand Central (actually connecting) and easy to find. Want to visit when weather is nice next time we visit NY. read more

It was an amazing experience. We got caught in the snow blizzard that only happens once every 10 years so we decided to go check out one of these skyscrapers. Even though we could not see far because of all the snow and fog. The main attractions inside the building was very nice. The most fun was definitely the room with all the balloons. They do not rush you to go from room to room, which is something I really loved but I also came on a Monday so it was not as crowded.. read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York

Loved this experience. In my opinion, it's the very best observatories in the city. Super interactive and the views are amazing. Make sure to do your research prior to coming. You can't come in heels or dresses. Comfy shoes are best to not scratch the floors and no dresses because there are mirrored floors. There is a snack area in the end to purchase some snacks and drinks. This experience is pricy but worth it for sure. The only con i have is that the staff isn't nice or friendly. The only nice person was the very last employee at the clear elevator section. Every other person was pretty rude. I'm born and raised in nyc and can deal with that, but it's not fair when people are spending so much money to come here, esp tourist read more

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This was one of the worst "attractions" I've ever experienced in NYC, and the worst I've experienced in my life. For context, there are 93 floors. Our appointment was at 3pm. Many others around us were late and still were being admitted for 2pm appointments when we arrived at 3. After finishing the Summit (which was severely overcrowded), we were forced into a massive, unmanaged line just to exit the building. It took ONE FULL HOUR to move from the 93rd floor to the 92nd floor because there is only one escalator per floor being used for exit. After finally reaching the 92nd floor, we have now been waiting over 30 minutes just to move from the 92nd to the 91st floor (there are only 3 elevators on this floor), and the line is still barely moving. There is absolutely no crowd control. People are constantly cutting the line, and staff only intervene if they happen to notice someone in the exact moment they skip. Even then, those same people simply re-enter the line later with no consequences. Customer service is awful, and staff just don't care about the chaos. The Summit is SEVERELY overbooked, and it completely RUINED the experience. Guests were visibly exhausted. Children were sitting on the floor out of exhaustion and staff were yelling at them to get up instead of offering help or accommodations. They even started passing out candy canes which I can assure them will not sway my 1star review into a 2 star!! There was zero consideration for guests with disabilities or health conditions. Everyone around us was complaining. We overheard multiple people who had Broadway shows and similar reservations panicking because they were going to miss their shows due to the excessive delay just to leave this building. For a so called premium experience, this was unacceptable, unsafe, and poorly managed. The attraction itself is not impressive enough to justify this level of disorganization and disregard for guests!!!!! I would NEVER return and strongly recommend others skip this place entirely!! Concrete jungle was right, especially about this place, and not in a good way!!!! read more

Summit One Vanderbilt - Huge line - Observatories Near Me - New York, New York