SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
4.6(35K)google
3.9(718)yelp
ArtMust-See
Overview
Injecting an immense amount of cutting-edge, high-tech entertainment into the city's skyscraper skyline, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt offers a thoroughly revolutionary multi-sensory observation experience designed masterfully by artist Kenzo Digital. Housed inside a monumental skyscraper, the multi-floor destination features infinity mirror rooms that confuse human perception, floating silver balloon halls, and transparent glass ledges suspended over Madison Avenue. It provides tourists with an exceptionally high-vibe, unforgettable adventure where they can stand above the active streets to capture impossible photos.
Practical Info
Every day9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Best TimeAs an award-winning, multi-sensory high-altitude observatory blending glass floors and mirrored art installations, booking online weeks in advance is strictly required. The definitive magic window to enter is late afternoon from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at sunset; late sun rays bounce infinitely off the three stories of mirrors, creating a mind-bending, shifting golden reflection layout enclosing the Chrysler Building.
Getting ThereDominating the upper crown of the One Vanderbilt supertall tower at 45 E 42nd Street in Midtown. Access is flawlessly simple and fully integrated beneath the streets: take the MTA Subway lines 4, 5, 6, 7, or S directly to Grand Central-42 St station; follow the indoor limestone subterranean pedestrian portals straight into the building's lower concourse ticket entry lanes, requiring zero street walking.
Travel Tips
- The multi-floor immersive space utilizes near-total mirror reflective floors and walls; guests are heavily mandated to wear pants or shorts to avoid complete wardrobe reflections.
- To prevent structural scuffing on delicate optical mirrors, all visitors are required to wear museum-provided heavy protective fabric shoe booties throughout the duration of the experience.
- Daytime solar refraction off total interior glass mirrors generates severe, snowblind-grade glare loops; wearing UV-blocking sunglasses is mandatory, and complimentary loans are scarce.
Photo Tips
What to Wear[Important outfit note] Do not wear a skirt! Wear pants and comfortable flat sneakers — to protect the mirrored floors the venue bans stiletto heels and black-soled Doc Martens, otherwise you must put on the provided shoe covers. A free pair of sunglasses is handed out on entry, but bringing your own photographs better.
Reviews
Positive
- The ultimate new high-altitude visual peak in NYC! The multi-dimensional mirror design delivers an unprecedented 3D impact, framing the Chrysler Building flawlessly. Extremely viral.
- The entertainment fun and immersion are unmatched. Playing with silver floating balloons or standing on suspended, transparent glass sky-boxes gets everyone incredibly excited.
- Flawless geographic convenience; it directly connects to the Grand Central Terminal underground Concourse, letting you ride fast accessible elevators straight up without entering elements.
- Highly modern facilities and management; providing free protective shoe covers, smooth ADA elevators, and spotless star-hotel caliber restrooms under a strict timed-entry cap.
Heads up
- Ticket pricing is exceptionally extortionate! It's one of the priciest sky decks in town, enforcing heavy mandatory sunset surcharges that make it lower value for ordinary families.
- Queuing is a long, tedious ordeal; even with pre-booked passes, clearing check-in, swapping shoe covers, and waiting for three separate elevators routinely takes over 40 minutes.
- The full-mirror floors trigger severe, blindsiding light reflections; intense sun glares cause eye strain, and the mirrors create severe upskirt reflection hazards for female guests in dresses.
- Multilingual smart audio is largely missing; bar and beverage prices on the open terrace carry ridiculous markups, and top photo angles are blocked wall-to-wall by noisy crowds.