NYC Observation deck: Visiting The Summit at One Vanderbilt in 2024

The Summit at One Vanderbilt is a unique observation deck and nothing beats seeing New York City from above.

While there are a number of other classic New York observation decks, One Vanderbilt has garnered a lot of social media buzz since its opening in October of 2021. So we ventured in to visit!

Timelapse of the Summit at One Vanderbilt observation deck.

Table of Contents

Getting to the Summit

Access to the Summit is through Grand Central Terminal at the Vanderbilt passage. It’s not too easy to find, so best bet, look for someone in uniform and ask, even if that means squelching your husband’s aversion to asking directions ;) It will save you a lot of wandering around. But if you haven’t been to Grand Central before, by all means, wander.

Debbie and John reflected in a silver ball at the observation deck.

Playing with silver balls high above New York City. Photos by John O’Boyle / The Empty Nest Explorers

What to expect visiting the Summit at One Vanderbilt

The Summit at One Vanderbilt is not your parents’ observation deck date-night experience. It is designed with the selfie generation in mind. It consists of three floors at the top of the One Vanderbilt Avenue skyscraper (the fourth tallest in Manhattan) designed to be a walk-through art installation of mirrored floors, sweeping views, and somewhat over-stimulating sensory experiences. In other words, it’s really something.

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You’ll need at least 30 minutes just to get in. The lines can be a little long, even with your timed ticket. You need to go through security, which is almost military in its efficiency, though all personnel were very nice and seemed well trained.

You’ll get your photo taken (as it is with most observation deck experiences) which you can purchase later. We never bother. They aren’t the best photos - faked up as they are. Take your own at the top where the real action is. There’s no shortage of inspiration. But if you are interested in the photos, it’s all coordinated through your QR-coded wristband.

You will be required to put on shoe coverings so as not to scratch the mirrored floors. Stilettos, steel-toed boots or sports cleats are not permitted. I also would advise against wearing a skirt in a hall of mirrors! Since we were going up in the middle of the afternoon, sunglasses were offered for the ascent. Take them. You’ll need them if you don’t have your own. Trust me on this.

If it didn’t already feel like a sci-fi movie, next you get your face 3D scanned. Yes, you read that right. It’s for the Unity Air experience upstairs. And then it’s off through a circuitous route of dark hallways that absolutely gives you the feeling of being abducted by aliens. The eerie, ringing soundtrack that permeates the air adds to the strangeness.

I’m not a person who sees well in the dark, so the single-file march in the dark to the elevator was a bit unnerving for me. But soon enough, we were piled into a mirror-paneled elevator that featured a dazzling light show as we were whisked to the top in a matter of seconds as if entering the latest thrill ride at Disney World.

People take photos in all directions at the mirrored The Summit at One Vanderbilt observation deck

Transcendence 1

And then we stepped onto the surface of the sun.

Ok I’m being slightly dramatic here, but the difference from the dark beginnings of this journey and the first room you step into is quite a jolt. Called Transcendence 1, it’s a room made of mirrors, lit by giant windows offering your first views of the city. Since we were here at the height of the afternoon sun, it was not only blindingly brilliant but quite hot. It was February and we had jackets and masks on, and after spending a half hour being marched through some very warm hallways, it wasn’t exactly comfortable. This is where you definitely will want those sunglasses!

I imagine a visit at a different time of day would make it less oppressive, escaping the afternoon sun, but there was absolutely no escaping that strange alien ringing sound! It is definitely intended to be part of the multi-sensory, otherworldly experience, but it is one I did not enjoy much.

But that is not to say we weren’t impressed. It’s quite a unique visual experience, even though it can be a little disorienting at first. Visitors were sitting and lying about in their shoe mitts, cell phones drawn and shooting away. Almost endless opportunities for photos here, so go ahead and pad your Instagram. And have I mentioned the views? You can look out in all directions and it’s pretty spectacular.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell up from down at the stunning The Summit at One Vanderbilt.

Reflect & Affinity

The next two rooms were a sensory relief for sure. Reflect contains an art installation of chrome clouds, and Affinity features bouncing chrome helium balloons to toss and play with, all extremely photogenic. Even the screeching alien sound was subdued a little with the input of music, though still somewhat loud.

Chrome is definitely the overarching color scheme of the experience - even the gift shop items I would later see, shirts, mugs, etc, were all shiny chrome, which I thought was a nice touch of coordination.

Stunning view of the Empire State building and World Trade Center from One Vanderbilt.

Transcendence 2

Up the escalator to the next level, titled Transcendence 2, and before us was another sprawling room of mirrors. But this one, larger and with views into the level below through circular glass portals, was even more impressive. Since it was a bigger space, it felt less crowded even though it was far from empty. I think this was my favorite area.

The photo possibilities seemed endless, and though it still felt a little sci-fi to me, it was a more friendly version - think Star Trek and the Federation of Planets trying to impress us with its view of the universe, the brotherhood of man meets the beauty of technology, blah, blah, blah.

We actually skipped a few things at this point. Levitation, a glass box you can step into to get the sensation of floating above the city, didn’t seem worth it. Firstly, there was a queue that was fairly long. Secondly, once your turn comes, you can’t take your own photos or hang out in the box to look about; you have to turn your back on the view (!) and smile up into the Big Brother camera for your corporate snap, then move on promptly.

Photo gallery from the Summit at One Vanderbilt

We also skipped Unity, for which my face was scanned earlier. Apparently, they read your wristband to locate said disembodied face then project it into cloud formations in a small mirrored room. Yeah, a little too “Meta” for me, no thanks. 

Worth mentioning are the stunning views from the corner restrooms. The most beautiful pee you’ll ever take.

Apres

So one more escalator up to Apres, an indoor lounge with an outdoor terrace. Being outside for the views was actually quite delightful, as it was a beautiful day and it was a joy to get some real air and get away from that infernal alien noise. The wind was a bit crazy! But I have to say, I loved it.

You can buy snacks and beverages in the lounge (we did not) and this is also where you order your special cocktail if you bought the ticket package that includes that (also did not).  The gift shop is also on this level, full of chromed delights. Here is also where you can catch the glass elevator ride for another few floors worth of perspective, which I’m sure is fabulous, but we did not feel it was worth another 20 bucks for that little bit of “extra”. 

And that’s when you whoosh down in the Back to the Future elevator. Journey around the sun, complete.

View of the Chrysler Building from One Vanderbilt observation deck.

Parting thoughts about the Summit at One Vanderbilt

My basic take on the Summit at One Vanderbilt is – do it.

There really is nothing quite like it. A very modern take on the observation deck experience - the uniqueness revealed in the fact that most photos you see of it are not of the view - which is spectacular - but of the exhibit itself. It is definitely something to see and experience.

I do think it’s a little expensive, but the basic ticket is enough to enjoy it fully. No need to buy the extras. Here’s a link to the different packages and prices. Sunset is obviously the most popular time, so book it early if that’s your plan. I imagine an evening visit would be quite beautiful as well. 

You need 2 or 3 hours for this visit. And it really is a bit of sensory overload, so I wouldn’t pair it with a busy day of other sightseeing unless you have an unusual amount of stamina. We were both pretty exhausted after doing it, just due to the overstimulation. Afterward, I was definitely saying “huh? Speak up!” and having flashbacks to my son’s fourth-grade Variety Show rehearsals when his little band of buddies did a bucket drum performance. (Pass the Advil, please.)   

Overall, a chrome-plated thumbs up.

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If you caught a glimpse if Central Park out the window and thought it would be a great place to visit, here’s a blog post about how to visit Central Park for the first time.

If you are looking for info on how to take the NYC subway check out our post: How to ride the NYC subway, tips for visitors

Helpful links for your visit to The Summit at One Vanderbilt.

The Summit website - link

If you are interested in observation decks check out the post: 24 Hour visit to Chicago: what attractions to see in one day where we discuss visiting Chicago’s Willis Tower (Sears Tower) observation deck.

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