The One Vanderbilt skyscraper is the fourth-tallest building in New York. Its total height, including the antenna, is 427 metres, whilst the roof of the top 73rd floor is 397 metres above ground level.

This skyscraper is exceptionally popular with tourists thanks to the highly original multi-storey observation deck, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Here, you’ll experience a unique environment full of mirrors and be transported back to your childhood in a room filled with silvery inflatable balloons.

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Our tips and recommendations:

• Book your tickets in advance to get the best price
• Expect higher prices at sunset
• Allow 60–90 minutes for your visit
• Bear in mind that you’ll need to take your shoes off (free shoe covers are available)
• See more tips on viewpoints in New York

3 floors of unique attractions and breathtaking views

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is not just a simple observation deck.

Spanning three floors between the 70th and 73rd storeys, at heights ranging from 315 metres to 335 metres, you’ll discover a giant mirrored hall, a glass-bottomed floor, a balloon room, a restaurant and bar, and an outdoor terrace.

It’s important to note that you can only move upwards between the floors. Once you leave the first floor, there’s no going back.

Mirror Halls (1st and 2nd floors)

The largest is the first viewing floor, and to some extent the second as well, where, across an area of 30,375 square feet, you’ll experience the otherworldly atmosphere of the giant Hall of Mirrors.

We recommend spending more time on the first, larger floor, which offers better views of the city.

To reach the second floor, you must first pass through the balloon room, and there is no way to get back down to the first floor once you’ve gone through it.

For me, the Hall of Mirrors is one of the most Instagrammable spots not just in New York, but in the whole world. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a unique view on any of my travels.

Unfortunately, we visited SUMMIT OV in bad weather, but even so, thanks to the thousands of mirrors, the views are absolutely brilliant.

Reflection (2nd floor)

In the next section, you’ll find a small hall with an art installation and a view to the north.

From here, you can also see part of the balloon room from the outside.

Balloon Hall (2nd floor)

The main attraction, where you’ll be transported back to your childhood, awaits you on the 2nd floor.

The hall, named Affinity is filled with up to 200 floating silver balloons, which reflect both the visitors and the city skyline.

Not only will children have fun in this interactive room, but I can guarantee that adults will too – and it’s one of the most photogenic spots in the city!

Visiting time is limited to 15 minutes, but in reality nobody checks.

Levitation and Unity (2nd floor)

In the next section, you can walk across a glass floor, with a drop of more than 335 metres below, but as this attraction is free, you should be prepared for a queue of at least 20–30 minutes.

In the adjoining room, there is a large-screen display that uses photographs of visitors taken on entry to create a digital mosaic. It symbolises that, although the New York skyline is iconic, the city’s true magic lies in the people who live here and visit it every day.

Outdoor terrace and restaurant (3rd floor)

The top floor features a restaurant, a bar and a small outdoor terrace, although, as with the indoor areas, the view is only visible through glass.

Before taking the lift down, you can buy a few bits and bobs in the lovely souvenir shop.

Bonus – toilets with a view

It’s not just from the usual viewing platforms that you’ll enjoy stunning views of New York. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt almost certainly also has the toilets with the best views in the whole world.

See for yourself!

Admission and opening hours

The viewing platform is open every day until 10.00 pm (last admission is at this time; it closes at 11.00 pm). It opens at 8.00 am on weekdays and at 9.00 am at weekends.

The pricing structure is simpler than at The Edge, for example – the price is the same on all weekdays, with a surcharge of 6 usd at weekends, and a fixed surcharge of 12 usd applies on all days for visits during sunset.

The price shown below applies to online bookings ( 3 usd surcharge) and includes the final tax, which is only shown in the last step.

Online booking is essential, particularly if you wish to visit the viewpoint at sunset – ideally, book at least 3 days in advance.

Book your tickets on the official website,summitov.com.

At other times of the day, it is not necessary to book tickets – there are usually no long queues.

Weekdays – day/night	51,18 usd
Weekdays – sunset	64,24 usd
Weekends – day/night	57,71 usd
Weekends – sunset	70,77 usd

Only children under 12 are eligible for a discount of approximately 10 per cent.

At the entrance, before boarding the lift, you will be given free shoe covers and a bag for your shoes. This is because you are not allowed to wear shoes anywhere in the viewing area due to the mirrors covering the entire floor.

Hotels nearby

The area around the One Vanderbilt skyscraper is ideal thanks to its strategic location near Grand Central Terminal.

There are several large and predominantly luxury hotels in the vicinity, though their prices are relatively average (by New York standards).

• Hyatt Grand Central New York **** – one of the largest hotels in Manhattan
• Andaz 5t Avenue – a top-class, modern and luxury hotel opposite the Public Library

There is no hotel located within the One Vanderbilt skyscraper itself.

Read our reviews of the hotels we’ve stayed in in New York!

• The Plaza New York
• The Standard, High Line

How do you get there?

The Edge skyscraper is situated in the Midtown area of Manhattan, in Hudson Yards. It’s a 15-minute walk from here to the Intrepid Museum or High Line Park, for example.

Nearest underground station

• Grand Central–42nd St(approx. 50 metres) – green lines 4, 5, 6
  • towards Union Square, the Flatiron Building, the Brooklyn Bridge (Manhattan side), Wall Street and central Brooklyn
• Grand Central-42nd St(approx. 50 metres) – purple line 7
  • towards Penn Station, Port Authority, The Edge, the High Line, the Vessel, Queens

Bus route M42 also runs along 42nd Street, right in front of the entrance to the viewing platform.

Read about our experiences of travelling on the New York subway.

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