SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt promises breathtaking moments from the first elevator ride to the last step off the glass ledge. Still, thoughtful planning can transform a good visit into a great one. Arriving with a strategy helps avoid long lines and crowded viewing areas, especially during sunset and weekends. Pre-booking tickets online is a must, not only for savings but for guaranteeing a slot.

• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or evenings after 7 pm offer fewer crowds and golden light, especially in spring and fall.
• How to get there: Take the subway to Grand Central–42nd Street; from there, entrances to One Vanderbilt are clearly marked and accessible via escalator or elevator.
• Accessibility: Elevators reach all public areas. Strollers and wheelchairs fit comfortably, though some mirrored rooms disorient those with sensory sensitivities.
• Average visit duration: Plan for about 90 minutes, with extra time for the café or rooftop bar.

At SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, dazzling art installations transform the usual observation deck into a multi-sensory playground. Sunlight bounces off mirrored walls; clouds float just below your feet. Each of the three levels brings unique thrills, and the experience never feels one-note.

• Key sights or features: The "Air" room, lined with mirrors and silver orbs, blurs the line between sky and floor. The sky boxes, with glass floors and walls, make you feel as if you’re floating above Madison Avenue.
• Unique experiences: Soar 1,100 feet up in glass elevators for panoramic city views; stand on glass ledges that jut out over Midtown; explore "Levitation," a perch for serious daredevils.
• Photo-worthy locations: Floor-to-ceiling windows on the southwestern side frame the Empire State Building and Hudson River. The mirrored corridors give every photo an endless-city effect.
• Cultural or historical facts: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened in late 2021 and sits atop one of New York’s newest supertall skyscrapers, right next to Grand Central Terminal—linking futuristic design with railroad-era history.