SUMMIT One Vanderbilt in
New York (NY)

This was an awesome experience if you just want to relax and enjoy the views and/or see the sunset over the city. The area with the balloons can be a bit chaotic with children in there but still pretty cool. We spent almost 2 1/2 hours there. Getting back down to the bottom was quite a process with so many people leaving at once but, I'm sure the time frame of when we left (approximately 7pm) was a factor. I would definitely go again and recommend it!

What a gorgeous view! I'm glad i went with this place over any other. I had lots of questions and an issue with ticketing and Skylar was so incredibly sweet and helpful, she really made the experience a great one and solved all my problems with patience. I come from out of state so to have someone so helpful was really nice. Highly recommend and thank you Skylar!

Despite having booked at a precise time it takes us more than 1 hour to get in. Staff takes us to the service elevator, beeing forced to go backstage is not a good experience. Don't sell to many tickets if you are not able to manage it. We were told to pass the 'face cloud' experience. You rather go to Empire State, better experience. And if you choose the Summit, by day it's much better, because of so many reflections on windows during night time.

Our experience was amazing! At first, the lines looked long and I was worried we wouldn’t get to see everything, but we did and it was absolutely worth it. Even with the large crowd, it never felt overcrowded. There was plenty of space to move around, explore, and truly enjoy everything. The scenery was beautiful, truly breathtaking. The drinks were excellent and well worth the money; they definitely didn’t cut corners. I would absolutely recommend this to friends and family, and I’d love to come back during the day to experience it all over again!

Well worth the wait and the money! I chose the 5:30pm time range so see the sunset views. Depending on the time of year I would see what time sunset is to plan around that. This is a 3 level view. 91st floor is your first stop. They say it takes an hour but it can be longer. Be prepared for long wait times for the elevator up and down.

One of the most beautiful observatories I have visited. The organization is excellent, but the line is long because there is a lot of interest in this place. On all three floors, there are stunning views of NYC. Light and architecture come together to create a 360-degree view. You can take wonderful photos, and on the top floor you can even enjoy a coffee and warm food. If you’re in New York, you definitely shouldn’t miss considering this place.

Summit One Vanderbilt is a truly unforgettable experience and one of the most impressive attractions in New York. The combination of breathtaking views, modern architecture, mirrors, glass floors, and immersive spaces creates a unique and almost surreal atmosphere. From the moment you enter, everything feels carefully designed to highlight the city from a completely different perspective. The panoramic views over Manhattan are stunning, both during the day and at sunset, offering incredible photo opportunities. The space is very well organized, clean, and managed smoothly despite the number of visitors. Overall, Summit One Vanderbilt offers a modern, exciting, and visually striking experience that stands out among New York’s observation decks.

Must go to place in NYC. Especially at night, though sometimes the wait time is long and place can be crowded. It is still enjoyable and a fun experience. They have many rooms and mirrors everywhere to give a surreal experience. They have an elevator that brings you to the top really fast so be prepared but it’s nothing scary.

Absolutely loved it. A whole other experience than other observation towers in NYC. Definitely try to opt for a sunny day as the platform with mirrors was magical. Offered indoor as well as outdoor viewing areas and wasn't too crowded overall. Pro tip: restrooms have a magnificent view, definitely don't miss that stop lol.

We had a great experience. Our group had accessibility needs, and the staff was very accommodating. We used a provided wheelchair for ease. The staff was helpful with directions, allowed us to skip lines, and helped us through the experiences. Jeanine gave us a free photo book, which was an incredible gift at the end of our visit. Thank you!

The best part of our trip was the Private Tour. By far the best views of this beautiful city and welcome relief from the unrelenting cold. The tour guide, Shaun, was exceptional and added to the experience. We got the best pics and were made to feel super special. I highly recommend you go at sunset. Sensational views!

First floor amazing the rest was okay. Staff only allow you to take up floor space if you look the part so all 6 in our party felt rushed. First floor and'free' drink only good parts of this experience. We also paid $25 for our photos, unfortunately some of these had been edited and photoshopped and some of the group looked unrecognisable. Wouldn't rush back and quite sad as waited 3 years to visit this place.

We had quite a mixed experience with Summit One Vanderbilt. The timed ticketing definitely didn’t work. We had booked for 3pm on a December day, wanting to allow plenty of time to be there for sunset. We joined the queue at 2.50pm and queued for over an hour before getting into the first lift. There is no information to read or anything to keep you occupied while you are waiting. Also no seating which might matter for some people. We had booked the tickets when they became available (several months months before). Many people were trying to buy tickets on the day but it was fully booked so securing reservations in advance is recommended. We went through security checks and after more queuing we were eventually taken out into a ‘backstage’ area that looked a little dodgy, and were put in a lift to the first level, level 91. It’s a one way flow system. So once you have spent time in the first level (no rush, stay as long as you want) and head upstairs (level 92), you can’t go back down. Same for then heading up to level 93. The ‘experiences’ on each level were a bit gimmicky for us, but might really appeal to some people. The room with the silver balls, the reflection room, the moving clouds etc. We were there for the view, and that did not disappoint. The view of the Chrysler Building, The Empire State Building and the city in general, were amazing! The rooms were pretty crowded, which was disappointing and we had to line up to get a spot at the window to take a few photos then leave so the next person could do the same. The top level is the smallest and also where the bar is. We had an included cocktail in our ticket which was definitely better than expected. There aren’t many seats in the bar area and we completed lucked out and got 2 stools over looking the Empire State Building literally at sunset, and this made the experience for us. We ended up having hot dogs there for dinner (and another cocktail!). There was both an inside and outside viewing gallery on this level, although the outside gallery was still behind glass. Having such amazing seats in the bar area was definitely the highlight of the experience for us. There are several interactive options on all the floors that would definitely appeal to some and make it more ‘fun’. To leave you had to queue again to get in a lift back to street level. That queue was about 25 minutes and added to the frustration of feeling like the experience was over subscribed. So while the queuing system seemed to fail on many levels, the view was incredible.

Stunning, Beautiful!! But it took me more than one hour to get up there. You should bring a lot of time with you. But when you are up there it's totally worth it. Maybe the SUMMIT should not let too many people in there, so it would not feel like there are a million people at the same time

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a lovely weekend in NYC the week before Christmas, and visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was easily one of the highlights of our trip. My wife and I originally thought our tickets were for earlier in the day, so we showed up around 2 PM, only to realize our entry time was actually 10 PM. At first we were disappointed, but wow… we are so glad it worked out that way. Seeing the city at night from SUMMIT was absolutely incredible. The views were breathtaking, and the entire immersive experience was unlike anything we’ve done before, from the mirrored glass floors to the floating silver balloons and the glass sky box that suspends you 91 feet above the street below. It was thrilling and unforgettable. If you want really stunning pictures to make your NYC trip memorable, this is the place to do it! We even purchased the photo package at the end with the keepsake book, which was well worth it. Overall, this was a fantastic value and a true 5-star experience. Don’t skip this one if you’re in NYC…very cool and highly recommended!

I’ve been several times now and think it’s possibly the best elevation in the city. I took my family before Christmas and the crowd was thick. They move people quickly and have great crowd management, but I think it’s worth going off season and early morning if you can. Sunset is incredible, but allow 2+ hours to get up, get around and get back out. The exit has a line too, so if you have somewhere to be after, factor that in!

I visited Summit in December 2025, due to holiday season it was crowded. It was very professionally managed. As compared to Edge, Rocker feller & Empire State, it has nice & bigger indoor observatory. It has a nice but smaller outdoor observatory, by the time you will reach outdoor observatory, you won't find view appealing since you must have seen those from indoor view. Summit Acent is absolutely fantastic & must do experience. There is a whole glass elevator which takes you to the top of the building & the whole experience is stunning. I highly recommend to experience this during dusk time to avoid sunlight.

I went back and forth with going during the day vs. night. I chose night and I’m so glad that I did! The views were spectacular. Your reservation time is the time that you are able to get in line. Don’t let the line scare you - they have it very organized and it runs efficiently. Just be sure to budget 60-90 mins in the time that you choose. My family had a 9:30pm on Dec 20th and we were up to the top by 10:10pm. The ride up isn’t scary at all and actually moved much quicker than our hotel elevator. We were at the 91st floor in no time but it didn’t really feel like we were moving. I highly recommend bringing your patience and checking this place out! It connects to Grand Central so that’s bonus.

The views, immersion sounds and spaces were worth it! It was sold out my visit but plenty of space and time to take pictures, watch the lights. Be prepared to stand in line at the beginning and the end. The staff were polite and managed the chaos well.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is hands-down the best viewpoint in NYC right now! It’s way more than just an observation deck; it’s an immersive, mirrored art experience that feels like you’re floating above Manhattan. The Highlights: • Location: Super convenient. It’s located right at Grand Central Terminal and only a 10-minute walk from Port Authority, making it an easy stop even if you’re only in the city for a day. • The Views: Unbeatable 360-degree views. You get a perfect face-to-face look at the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. • Experience: The "Air" mirror rooms are mind-blowing, and the silver balloon room is a blast. Quick Tips: 1. Wear sunglasses! The reflections are very bright on sunny days. 2. Avoid skirts/dresses due to the mirrored floors. 3. Book sunset tickets for the best photos.

Such an incredible place to visit. HIGHLY highly recommend! It was so great to not only get to see NYC skyline, but to also get to experience such unique art exhibits and get some incredible photos. I got the 8am appointment on a Monday and I HIGHLY recommend it! Most of the exhibits were COMPLETELY empty so I was able to get incredible photos and never felt rushed in any of the areas!

We booked in advance for a Friday sunset time visit. No words, the whole experience is amazing. It's not only that you pay to see the view from the top, the whole experience and organization until you get to the top is unique. You go through security, then watch a trailer about the history of the building and then head to the elevators. There are special effects and sounds everywhere. When you go to the top, there are three floors with different themes or experiences and also a roof terrace. I don't think any other places could compare to Summit right now. It's highly recommended! Note that to go through security you need about 30min, make sure to arrive 30min before your timeslot.

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.

I’ve visited a few attractions like this including the Empire, Willis & a few overseas. While still pricey I felt it rendered more value as it wasn’t just a view. Here they splash in other activities to shake things up ranging from below views to mesmerizing illusions. My 9 year old son had a blast as well as my friend. The UX happens over 3 floors (+ 4th if you pay more). Similar to an amusement park photo opportunities are copious and somewhat forced). A lot of people were inside yet it never felt uncomfortable because the way it’s set up. You will not feel like you’re stuck in a traffic jam. Explore some of my pics to get a sense. I think this is something you should just try out because words can only do so much. I’d like to point out that they offer a generous military discount. I think this is great.

Luckily this was recommended to us and it was one of the best value for money experiences of all the touristy options. We went in the morning and there was a queue, but it moves quickly. The views and photo opportunities are great and you don’t feel like there is any rush to get through the different rooms. Kids LOVED the silver balloon room and it was good for them to have a fun part amongst all the views. We also did Top of the rock and that felt more historical and romanticised, so would still do the two, but I think the kids preferred Summit One and it did feel friendlier and more of an experience. It’s also right next door to Grand Central and the contrast of super modern and super beautiful old was stunning.

An amazing experience. We had the greatest time, it’s so fun. Take your time while walking through. You are in no rush. Enjoy, take pictures, be playful and happy. All three floors are fantastic, first floor is the one with all the mirrors, second floor has the platinum balloons and the third has the food and drinks. The cocktails are nicely loaded, grab one and hang out on the top floor soaking in the views. We spent 3 hours there, including around 39 minutes of line. It’s a popular attraction. One last tip, at the end you will be asked to buy digital prints or a booklet with your pictures. They mention you can’t take pictures of the screen but do not be alarmed, you can just scan your own bracelet and have access to the pictures. The booklet or the framed picture are the best option if you are going to spend money. Oh! I almost forgot, the bathroom after the snack/bar area has the best view, if you can, make sure to save a p double o, p for that. Fantastic experience!!

Absolutely spectacular. We recommend visiting in the evening to see the city lights. We were planning to visit the Empire State building, but this building included the Empire State Building in our view. The experience was awesome. From the moment we walked into the elevator, through the entrance walkway, onto to the first observation floor 91. Calming audio was playing, very celestial. And the view of downtown was the first site to see. From our vantage point, we were able to see the Empire State building, Crysler building, all the way down to the world trade. We are also able to see 30 Roc, the darkness of Central Park, and the glow of lights coming from the neighborhood of times Square. You could easily see Brooklyn and essentially the entire city of New York from that advantage point. One of the rooms had this bonkers set up silver balls, floating in the ceiling and on the ground, it was pretty cool to see. The experience allowed us to go on floor 91, 92, 93 with an open aor experience at the 93 floor. I would recommend this experience to anybody visiting New York. World class views as far as I can see.