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    Summit One Vanderbilt

    3.9 (735 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    Thaovi T.

    SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is completely worth the hype and easily one of the most unique view experiences in New York City. The 360-degree views of the skyline-especially looking right across at the Empire State Building through the mirrored rooms-are absolutely incredible and unmatched for photos. The only real drawback is the silver balloon room (Affinity), which gets super chaotic and packed with people all trying to grab the same shot at once. Still, between the mind-bending glass floors, modern reflective art, and stunning vistas, it's 100% worth every penny. Just be sure to wear pants instead of a dress because of the mirror floors, and bring sunglasses for the glare!

    Alaleh P.

    High above Midtown Manhattan, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is much more than an observation deck--it's an immersive experience that combines breathtaking views, art installations, and interactive spaces. Located on top of One Vanderbilt next to Grand Central Terminal, the attraction offers incredible panoramic views of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Central Park, and the Manhattan skyline. The mirrored rooms and floor-to-ceiling glass walls create a unique experience that feels very different from other observation decks in New York. We purchased tickets that included SUMMIT Ascent, the all-glass exterior elevator that takes you even higher above the city. The ride was short but exciting, and the views were spectacular. One useful tip for visitors is to book tickets in advance, especially around sunset, as it is one of the most popular times to visit.

    Mitch R.

    Meh. Decent experience but when they say line moves quick and it takes 45m to get in that's ridiculous. The summit, sky deck and Empire State Building views are 4*, the wait is 1*. Even the breakfast burrito Was decent. The glass elevator was not anything special though. Balloon room was just ok, not as fun as the pics/videos online. Overall not bad

    Yee W.

    This was an experience that was totally worth it! I took my kids, 9 and 15 year old as a surprise and we loved it! The different rooms were so cool. We loved the balloon one. We went around 9am so it wasn't crowded at all, no lines. I got a few good shots of the kids with no one in the background. Perfect right!? The see through glass was crazy! Just don't look down if you're afraid of heights. I like that they took photos of us because I'm usually the one taking photos and never in it. I ended up buying all the photos, I can't remember how much it was. I think 25$? And you get all of the photos to download. The views were beautiful. You can see the entire city. I bet it looks hella cool during nighttime with all the buildings lit up. The staff were very nice and friendly. I like the entire vibe I felt. It was such a cool activity to do with the kids. Very well organized. Totally worth it! I recommend going in the mornings or maybe late at night!

    Brigitte L.

    Wonderful experience as usual. The skyline and buildings lit up at night was so beautiful. This place was so crowded when we came. Our time was 8:30pm and I think more crowded than when I came in before. I highly recommend going. But the wait time to leave was just insane. It was line after line and I think it literally took us longer to get out then in.

    The view
    Khloe D.

    Me and a group of friends stopped in to see what the craze was all about. And I can definitely tell you it was worth the hype. I mean the views! They were just spectacular especially at night time with a view of all the cities lights. It's incredibly crowded since it's very touristy but even with that we were still able to get amazing pictures.

    Great views of Manhattan
    Maggi R.

    We had read about Summit One and decided we wanted to check it out on our recent visit to New York before embarking on a cruise. It is located on three floors near the top of one of the tallest skyscrapers in Manhattan and located next to Grand Central Terminal. They opened in 2021. At 1401, it is the 4th tallest building in New York after the One World Trade Center, 111 West 57th Street, and Central Park Tower, and is one of the 30 tallest buildings in the world. It was absolutely stunning. You immediately are thrown into an immersive, multi-sensory experience with art installations, floor to ceiling mirrors, and of course, stunning views of this fantastic city. There are several different fun rooms to explore: Yayoi Kusama's "Clouds" -- mirror-polished stainless-steel floor sculptures that create an infinitely reflective surface underfoot. The Affinity Balloon Room with hundreds of reflective Mylar balloons creating an otherworldly, frequently photographed space which you get to play with as well - Levitation skyboxes -- glass platforms protruding over 1,000 feet above Manhattan for genuine vertigo-inducing views - The Ascent elevator -- traveling along the building's exterior, rising 120 feet with Manhattan visible through the glass floor below. A word to the wise, book your tickets in advance as this is a very popular attraction to visit in New York, and it is so worth it. You will be awestruck by the 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline. A special thank you to Jeremy, Alyssa, and Tae (manager) for their kindness and assistance to us during our visit.

    Quac and chips with a margarita
    Bethany R.

    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.

    Kendra H.

    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.

    NYC skyline
    Tiffany P.

    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!

    Waiting in exit queue
    Eleanor B.

    Amazing views! But the hassle to get in and out takes away from the experience, factor in about 30 minutes to get in and out and you'll be good

    Robert L.

    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.

    Ballon room
    Chezarae L.

    We were the only ones that purchased this package so we had a whole floor to ourselves and it was amazing. Cute place for kids too

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    I was disappointed maybe the rain that day took away from the experience but it was just okay.

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    Ask the Community - Summit One Vanderbilt

    If my backpack has snacks for the rest of my day in Manhattan will they ask me to give it up?

    You can check their website for deets but I copied and pasted this from their info page, "Food and beverage must be consumed only within designated areas of the experience. Outside food and beverage will not be permitted."… 

    Do all individuals in the group have to be NY residents to qualify for the NY resident discount or can a NY resident purchase tickets for everyone?

    The NY resident can purchase the tickets & bring the Fam! Enjoy it!

    What time of day is the least crowded on a Friday?

    Afternoon

    Do they have storage for baby stroller? Or is baby stroller allowed inside?

    I saw people With baby stroller inside

    In this place they ask for the vaccination card?

    No & they don't require masks either. We were there 3/17/22

    How strict are they about the reservation window? For example, if I want to start lining up 30+ minutes prior to my reservation time, would they let me in early?

    It depends on who is working in all honesty. It does take about 15-20 minutes to get through the line anyways so I do recommend getting there early. However when I arrived early I was told it just depends how busy that ticket window is, hence if… 

    Are only cellphone photos are allowed or can guests use their DSLR camera as well?

    Plenty of people with DSLR there, you'll be fine!

    Can someone purchase the ascent elevator ticket there or does it have to be purchased ahead with your main ticket?

    Purchase your ticket ahead of time if you can. They often sell out. Sometime you get lucky though.

    How far in advance should I book tickets if I want to come on a Friday afternoon? Is same day okay or does it typically sell out well in advance?

    you can get tickets same day however because they are timed tickets if you want to view the skyline at a certain time or you want to be there at a less crowded time i would recommend booking a week in advance.

    If I purchase a 5 PM ticket how long are we allowed to stay in the observatory deck?

    As long as u want. Just dont show up late

    Any coat room or storage?

    Hi, they don't have any storage. A lot of people left coats on the floor next to them during pictures. I'd say pack light.

    Do you have to buy tickets in advance?

    Hi Jennifer, All of our tickets are timed-entry tickets so we highly recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time online at summitov.com to guarantee entry at the time of your choice. If you happen to forget to purchase in advance, tickets are… 

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    Review Highlights - Summit One Vanderbilt

    The mirror room, full glass panel views of Chrysler and Empire State, the balloon room, the outdoor terrace.

    Mentioned in 72 reviews

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    Edge

    Edge

    3.6
    (577 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    A great experience. Look for any coupons. I did pay full price right at Hudson Yards. Located…read moreinside the mall. After a short interactive elevator experience, you enter the indoor space. Lots of photo ops here from different angles and in the outdoor section, there's some balcony seating. There's a glass floor window to the bottom, nerve wracking if you have a fear of heights. On a windy day, terrifying! I couldn't even sit on it. Overall, a great experience. There seem to be a few more of these high view point experiences besides the Empire State Building popping up in NYC. Definitely check it out while you are visiting.

    I was very disappointed with Edge. Originally, I had wanted to do the City Climb experience, but…read morethey were doing renovations to it, and it wasn't available. In hindsight, it was for the best. As it was, I paid extra for priority access, which allows you to skip the lines. But there was no line to get in, and no line for the elevator up. There was a line for the elevator down that I got to skip, but it was only about 10 people, so I basically saved 5 minutes. The whole experience took me about 15-20 minutes. With Top of Rock, you've got the beam, the lift, and the short fun little movie at the beginning, with Empire, you have the historical aspect of it, and with Summit 1, you have the ballroom. There's nothing special or drawing to Edge. The views are ok, but the deck is on the smaller side of the ones I've been to. Security was a little rude and off-putting. The first security guard said I set the alarm off and sends me over to the side. That guy waves me through, then the original guy starts freaking out for me to stop. I go back to the 2nd, and I'm like you waived me through, and he just keeps saying it's ok. And pawing at my stuff, mind I had a clear bag so you see everything in case I set an alarm off. Anyway, It better be ok, I went to stop, and YOU waived me through. Overall, of the observation decks I've done, Edge has been the worst. 1. Top of the Rock 2. Summit 1 3. One Times Square 4. Empire State 5. Edge

    Photos
    The edge NYC
    The edge NYC
    Edge,NYC_Yelp_Sanju-39
    Edge,NYC_Yelp_Sanju-39
    NYC's largest kaleidoscope room at Edge NYC

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    NYC's largest kaleidoscope room at Edge NYC
    Empire State Building

    Empire State Building

    4.0
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Wow! What an amazing and immersive experience! The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco…read moreskyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, famous for its iconic design, rapid construction, and its status as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years. My wife was a bit reluctant to go on this tour (she's scared of heights, obviously), but somehow I managed to convince her (with my charm of course). And she was so happy I did. The Empire State Building remains a defining global symbol of New York City. Its total height reaches 1,454 feet (now that's tall). I'd be lying if I didn't say that was a bit intimidating. But when we got to the 86th floor (observation deck), there was an apparent stillness and quietness in the air. Kind of peaceful! Looking down from above, everything seemed minuscule- like the world below us was built with little tiny Legos. It truly was quite the experience!

    This is a review of purchasing your tickets online ahead of time. DO NOT get scammed by the Empire…read moreState Building. Let me explain. DO NOT book in advance unless you know all the conditions of NYC, the Empire State building and whatever else the DAY OF your visit while you are standing in NYC. Better to wait in line because you know that you are able to go to observation deck. Or call them if they are opened before making the trek to get into a line. I have wanted to go here and see the building. It has a wonderful history. I had my day in NYC. Check. I had my flight to NYC. Check. I saw the weather the day of good. Check. I got my ticket to Empire State Building. Check. My problem, I do not live in NYC. The day before getting to NYC, there were severe flooding and possible tornado. My flight got canceled, I was stuck in DC. I called the Empire State Building to ask about a refund and the employee on the phone said they had to cancel tickets for all the people that day due to bad views and storms! She said contact the sales and maybe they will give me a refund. I emailed and immediate reply.. no refunds per our website. I explained that my flight was cancelled and that it was not myself that was causing the issue. No response. I even asked for a voucher for a future visit since I go to NYC for work in a few months. No response. Yes, the website warns you "Tickets are non-refundable. No refunds due to weather conditions, length of lines, or wait times at the building. The Empire State Building reserves the right to close the Observatory early on very busy." So not only myself but potentially hundreds of people were denied entry to Empire State Building because of the storms and lost $57 (cheapest ticket). Do yourself a favor and don't book in advance and wait till the day of so you can assess the situation, call them to confirm if they are letting people up to the observation deck and then go purchase a ticket. No desire to go on a tour in the future. Off my list. There are many other cool things to see/do in NYC.

    Photos
    King Kong poster
    King Kong poster
    Ahhhh godzilla got me
    Ahhhh godzilla got me
    Empire State Building image 2023

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    Empire State Building image 2023
    The Telectroscope

    The Telectroscope

    4.7
    (7 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    In 19th century London, a crackpot Victorian engineer named Alexander Stanhope St. George dreamed…read moreup an undersea tunnel to serve as a speedy traffic conduit from London to New York. (He hated travel by boat) His traffic corridor was never realized, but his enterprising great grandson Paul St. George recently discovered the mysterious blueprints of his great-grandfather's incomplete dig. The younger St. George has installed fiberoptic cables running under the Atlantic, through the completed tunnel, from the Brooklyn Bridge to London's Tower Bridge, allowing New Yorkers and Londoners to greet each other in real time, across the pond! St. George's story is so intriguing and fanciful--and it really is quite a marvel to wave at our friends over in London and see them wave back. In fact, it's so much fun to tickle our brains with St. George's fantasy, don't you dare think for a second about skype, cellphones, the internet, streaming video or other inventions of our non-Victorian age, or your creeping doubts may just ruin this enchanting tale. Go see it for yourself, until June 15th.

    I wish it would have been here permanently. They could easily make it a paid attraction. It was the…read morefirst time I did anything like this. Since then I have called people and waved from web cams. But this was just too cool and so much fun! I e-mailed people in London to meet me at a certain time in front of the Telectroscope and they did. Look at the picture I have. It is priceless. It is a family in London and see the bridge in the background!. I wish it would come back!

    Photos
    The Telectroscope
    The Telectroscope
    The Telectroscope

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    Queens Theatre

    Queens Theatre

    4.3
    (63 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    Historically speaking I had never been to the Queens Theatre before the other night when I caught…read morethe NYC appearance by the band Rolling Quartz. The band had embarked on their North American tour from their native South Korea. Since I had never seen the band before as well, the adventure to a new space for me made the whole thing more interesting to me. Now I travel via the MTA, and from Bay Ridge this event space is a bit of a hike. It's the R train to the N to the 7 to a fairly decent walk. Those who are driving or taking an Uber might have a little better trek experience than I did but that being said once I made it past the famed Unisphere and over to New York State Pavilion, it was time to go into the Queens Theatre. When I arrived there were already about 100 attendees lined up because the band was doing all sorts of VIP things with them. A cool part of the agenda for sure. Inside the theatre is a spacious lobby area with seating all around near the windows. There are concessions there but I only saw drinks being sold when I looked. There was a small merchandise table for the band set up and I imagine that when other shows happen here this will be their space as well. Right off the bat I connected to a complimentary WiFi signal which was good but seemed to go on and off during the course of the performance. Once I was in the actual performance space I was quite impressed. The stage is sizable which was great because this was a five member band with a full backline and the seats were oh so comfortable. Yes this was a Rock Show and people would likely be standing throughout the performance but when it was time to sit you could do so in comfort. I positioned myself in the eighth or so row on the aisle since I needed to shoot photographs and I was happy to report that there were no bad sightlines in the theater. The sound was also clear and impressive which was partially a testimony to the bands team on the tour. While I didn't get to explore the venue all that much outside of the show, I did see one of the spacious side rooms which I guess they do talks in or smaller events. The band has set up their meet and greets there so it was in and out in terms of time to examine. There was a complimentary WiFi that I did find to be spotty at times but I feel this was based on the amount of people choosing to live stream the show. There were obviously restrooms and while I can only speak for the men's facility it was quite clean which is always a pleasant find. Overall this was a great experience for me but I cannot fathom when and if I might make a return based on the logistics and scarcity of what most interests me happening here. I will be keeping tabs on their calendar for good measure just in case and maybe some other localized Hard Rock bands can look into it or even local promoters who wish to do something that is no too crazy.

    This was my first visit to the Queens Theater. I secured tickets through the library cultural pass…read more We went to watch "Sugar Skull - A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure." We had a hard time finding parking as the show was about to start and the park is always busy. There were two small lots nearby that were full. Upon entering check in was easy. They had a small concession stand. The seating was great with no obstructed views. The play itself was kid friendly and told the meaning and traditions of the special day. It was very informative and entertaining. I enjoyed the different styles of dances performed, the colorful outfits, the creative scenery (which was simple but effective). I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to visiting again.

    Photos
    Set of Great Expectations; Act II
    Set of Great Expectations; Act II
    Casa de Munecas 2 (A Doll's House, Part 2)
    Casa de Munecas 2 (A Doll's House, Part 2)
    Queens Theatre

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    Summit One Vanderbilt - observatories - Updated August 2026

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