SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

The NYE party surprised us in the best way. We had our doubts at first, even with the solid organization. The long lines and packed entrance made us worry it might turn into shoulder to shoulder chaos and fall short of the NYE experience we were hoping for. Once inside, everything changed. The event was impressively executed. Even with a full crowd, it never felt overwhelming. There was plenty of room to dance, move around, enjoy the live band, drinks, desserts, and explore all three floors plus the outdoor area at a relaxed pace. Highly recommend it. If this becomes an annual tradition, we will absolutely be back next year to welcome 2027.

My 3.5 Star review will contain several parts, each containing a score. The first is the wait leading up to entry into the elevator. (1) Four Stars - Entry: We purchased 6pm tickets and waited in line for an hour until we entered the elevator with about 10 other spectators. While I'm not a fan of lines, this is not the area that yielded the lowest stars. I anticipated the lengthy wait time and packed my patience. (2) Five Stars - Exhibition: Phenomenal is an understatement and I strongly recommend evening tickets for the NYC skyline experience. It is absolutely breathtaking and each exhibition presents a different experience with skyline view. (3) Two Stars - Aprés Nordic-Style Cafe: Small cafe with a relatively small selection of appetizing dishes. Our small party of three each ordered a different plate and each of our palates were beyond pleased. I ordered a full bagel with cream cheese on each - one half with capers and the other half with salmon. It was delicious!! So, you're probably wondering why I scored it so low. Keep reading for the explanation. (4) Three Stars- Exit: This was a long one and knowing that entry was long, I anticipated a lengthy exit. What I did not anticipate was reaching the elevator after a 45 minute wait, entering the elevators then told to exit because we had our leftover food from their cafe in hand. We were not permitted to leave with food purchased at their establishment and were being escorted by management back to the cafe because I refused to throw my leftovers away. When I requested to be placed at the front of the line once two of us finished our leftovers, our escort denied that request citing we'd be waiting in line ... yet again. Summary: 5 out of 5 recommend Summit One. 3 out of 5 recommend enjoying a sit-down meal at Aprés if you're one to split your plate. This should be listed in their FAQ's along with all other recommendations/requirements. I hope the cafe experience helps someone. Had this been listed on their website I would have split my meal with family or chosen to eat someplace else.

My friend raved a lot about this spot and my husband and I really wanted to check it out. Purchasing a ticket was fairly easy on their website. Once we were there, we had to wait for about 20 min but the line moved quickly. They had a bunch of interesting immersive experiences. A few of the installations were perfect for beautiful Instagram worthy photos. My favorites were mirrored rooms and the city views from 1100 feet. It was incredible! They also have a cafe at the top of the tower that offers delicious food, cocktails and coffee. A few of my friends got a few cocktails and they loved them! All in all, this is a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend it! The views are amazing and the art is beautiful and unique.

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.

Had an amazing time at Summit one Vanderbilt, which is an immersive experience 91 floors above the city. Each room was filled with interactive and informative activities. Plenty of beautiful views for amazing photo ops. The café was clean nice with beautiful views of the city. A few areas for improvement would be a coach check or lockers to leave your coats and other things that can't be taken into the experience.

The Summit One Vanderbilt is located on 42nd St, next block to the Grand Central Terminal. We drove and found free street parking 2 blocks away on that Sunday. Met family who took the Metro-North (subway and LIRR there too) and found out there's an underground connection to the Summit, with ticket kiosks and where the line forms for the elevators. My mom uses a wheelchair so our whole group was able to bypass the long line to the entrance (where we were given shoe covers and sunglasses (or bring own)), and then to the elevator, which made the start of our experience so much better. The elevator ride was pretty fast but with flashing lights so a staff member asked us before if we were ok with that. We found out what the sunglasses were for once we got to the first level, of 3. Bec of the mirrored walls and floors, it was really bright but got used to it after a while. It also helped that it was a bit cloudy that day; gave the views a bluish and sepia coloring which I liked. Elevators and escalators between floors. Visitors have to follow the route, can't return once you leave the floor - this helped with the people traffic. Aside from seeing NYC from 4 sides (even from the restrooms), there is a "Levitation" area, where we got a few seconds to stand on glass floors in a small space jutting off the side of the building. Was ok but not the same as walking on a longer length of glass. The balloon room was mesmerizing, esp how the balloons stayed on the ceiling and flowed. Had fun playing with them, just be careful not to pop them. Don't miss it. On the last of 3 floors, there is a cafe, with an outdoor walkway to the giftshop. The cafe offers small meals and snacks and I found the food prices to be ok (better than an amusement park and better quality :) ), except the drinks. The Pastrami and swiss sliders were pretty tasty, with a pickle wedge and potato chips. The buffalo chicken was spicy, good for sharing. Restrooms near the elevators. It's been cooler this fall, so with kids and our mom, being indoors was more comfortable and we were able to take our time - marvelling at the NYC views and of course taking lots of photos and videos.

I'm giving it 5 stars, but it's probably closer to 4, since our guide, Mitchell, was so great, I'm going to err on the higher side. I also sprung for the premium experience. Now the premium experience is presented like you have a photographer with your tour group, but there are just a couple of spots where you have one, so that was a little disappointing. They don't explicitly say you will, but that's how I interpreted it. We also waited about 5 minutes for a couple of no-shows, and the tour ended about 5 minutes early. So the tour was closer to an hour and twenty minutes, and not the advertised hour and 30. The premium experience option does give you the ability to skip the lines, which is nice. Summit 1 itself is a nice experience. The mirrored/reflective style is nice, and you should bring your sunglasses, although they have some to give you if you don't remember. Keep your head on a swivel in the ballroom, its fun but chaotic. The views are nice, but equivalent to what you would find at Top of the Rock and/or Empire State. So all in all, the premium experience was worth it, just to be able to skip the lines, even with the photography disappointment. Mitchell, our guide, was great and was informative and fun. Having said I'd consider Summit 1, Top of the Rock, and Empire State to be interchangeable, in that if you're budget conscious and one of those 3 will give you similar views and experiences (in thier own way).

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is honestly one of the coolest things I've done in New York. I knew the views were supposed to be good, but seeing them in person is something else. You're so high up that the whole city feels like it's laid out beneath you, and it's impossible not to stop and take it all in. The space is way bigger than I expected too. You move through different rooms, and each one has its own theme and feel some are reflective and trippy, others open up into huge windows with insane views. It's not just an observation deck, it feels more like a full on experience. Walking through everything at your own pace is part of the fun. One minute you're surrounded by mirrors and light, the next you're looking straight out at the Empire State Building from eye level. There's something surreal about it. If you're visiting NYC, this is absolutely something to put on your list. It's memorable, visually insane in the best way, and definitely one of those "wow" moments you won't forget.

I took the wife and children here last week and it was an amazing experience. The check in process was seamless. Once you get to the top and come around the corner, the views are breathtaking. The experience is divided into one large room and several side rooms all with their own unique view the city. However, I will say the true star of the experience was the employee Felipe . My wife is terribly afraid of elevators and almost backed out of coming with the family to the top, not only did Felipe speak to my wife in her native language. He stayed with her the entire time and even wrote the elevator with us to make sure she got the top OK. Without him, I don't think my wife would've came to the top and had the experience and made the memories with my family. I could not thank him enough.

Sadly disappointed in this overrated, highly priced extravaganza. First off, the wait in the long lines to get through the queue to even go into the event is horrendous. Let me just say they're very good at hiding the cues that you need to be waiting in, but understand you will go through one section to one section to one section and do nothing that stand in line. They say that there are three floors, which is true. What they don't tell you, it was the third floor is nothing but a café, and a sales opportunity for them to sell their propaganda. So you essentially get two floors of THREE pretty cool displays. That's it just three displays. You get the mirror section, you get the ball section, and you get the area where you can stand in another line to take a ledge picture. That's it. I would not recommend, and would not repeat this experience. It was definitely not worth the money and it sure as heck was not worth the standing in line.

Nicely organized. By the time you finish walking the 3 observation decks, you feel like you've missed nothing.

After researching the various options to see the NYC views we chose this one because of the three levels and art component. Ticket prices were as expected--we did not expect to have to wait over a half hour once we arrived for our reservation. The lines were long and slow. Seems like the reservation system needs work to improve that. But my 14 year old was super impressed with the views and really enjoyed the modern vibe and being able to see the Empire State Building so clearly! I'd love some labels that told you what you were looking at. Also the line inside for the glass boxes was too long after already having waited too much so we had to skip one of the elements we were excited about. And then had to wait in yet another long line just to leave. So great views but be prepared to WAIT!

One of the tall buildings in NYC, there's an observation deck combined with three levels of art to align you with the clouds, vast spaces, and a little thrill. Entry on the basement 1 level of the Summit Vanderbilt building right connected to the Grand Central area lower ground floor. Photos on the first floor for the group will later be superimposed on all the room spaces as digital memories you can buy (though not from every room like a Disney trip - this is just greenscreen at work). Glass- and mirrored-floors, although the check-in process took some time and lines, and the scanning of the face was a little long, they do provide sunglasses and covers of the shoes are given to all the guests. Watch what you wear - mirrors on the floor, ceilings, and many other surfaces. The dark hallway to the elevators is trying to make it appear even more dazzling when you get upstairs, I'm sure. First level is the largest space - Transcendance, big mirrored room where we saw a couple get engaged. As the first room, big and bright and lots of people looking at the views. You actually do have better views throughout, it's just a cool floor/mirror/eternity feel with a bit of vertigo if you look around. Supposed to have a great light show at night as sunset costs a little more. Around the corner, an art exhibit of Reflect, with drops of metal mirrored like a little spray of wet metallic mercury floor and an architectural model of the building. Affinity is the balloon ball room, fun and noisy with the popping balls. Second floor starts with the upstairs balcony of Transcendence, then Levitation in a waiting line to get 30s (1-3ppl) or 45s (4+) to take photos in (2 glass boxes that stick out above the ground, looking down you can get dizzy). Unity is a cloud exhibit and big views out again - this is where your bands are scanned and you can see your "face" in the clouds in the video. Shoe covers off at this point, and discarded. Bathroom stop near the escalator up. Third floor has a bar/food and coffee stop, with the access to the glass elevator Ascent (if you pay extra). Outdoor terrace, entry to the glass elevator (if you paid extra and reserved for that), the bar/restaurant, and gift shop - photos and more. Then back down to another gift shop in the G-1 level and back to Grand Central waiting area. Overall a different, fun experience for the mirror and natural lighting combined with great views of the city.. not so much downtown to the harbor, but good of MetLife, Empire State, Chrysler, and some Central Park views. Was definitely magnificent, and took about 1.5hr to wander through slowly. The line took about 30 min of that...

This was one of the worst "attractions" I've ever experienced in NYC, and the worst I've experienced in my life. For context, there are 93 floors. Our appointment was at 3pm. Many others around us were late and still were being admitted for 2pm appointments when we arrived at 3. After finishing the Summit (which was severely overcrowded), we were forced into a massive, unmanaged line just to exit the building. It took ONE FULL HOUR to move from the 93rd floor to the 92nd floor because there is only one escalator per floor being used for exit. After finally reaching the 92nd floor, we have now been waiting over 30 minutes just to move from the 92nd to the 91st floor (there are only 3 elevators on this floor), and the line is still barely moving. There is absolutely no crowd control. People are constantly cutting the line, and staff only intervene if they happen to notice someone in the exact moment they skip. Even then, those same people simply re-enter the line later with no consequences. Customer service is awful, and staff just don't care about the chaos. The Summit is SEVERELY overbooked, and it completely RUINED the experience. Guests were visibly exhausted. Children were sitting on the floor out of exhaustion and staff were yelling at them to get up instead of offering help or accommodations. They even started passing out candy canes which I can assure them will not sway my 1star review into a 2 star!! There was zero consideration for guests with disabilities or health conditions. Everyone around us was complaining. We overheard multiple people who had Broadway shows and similar reservations panicking because they were going to miss their shows due to the excessive delay just to leave this building. For a so called premium experience, this was unacceptable, unsafe, and poorly managed. The attraction itself is not impressive enough to justify this level of disorganization and disregard for guests!!!!! I would NEVER return and strongly recommend others skip this place entirely!! Concrete jungle was right, especially about this place, and not in a good way!!!!

A bit pricy but I think it's still worth it. Well it's NY price. The day we went was raining so no views whatsoever :( but we had fun still. Pretty organized and well staffed overall. Nice art displays. Need shoe covers when entering. Don't wear dresses/skirts as mirrors are on the floor and everywhere. When it's a sunny day, make sure bring your sunglasses. It's right next to Grand Central (actually connecting) and easy to find. Want to visit when weather is nice next time we visit NY.

I had a much better time than I thought I would here! My father was visiting and we wanted to do one of the touristy views. I'm taking off one star because the process to get upstairs takes forever. We bought tickets for 11 AM but we had to stand in line for 30 minutes so we didn't actually get upstairs until 11:30 AM. There are only two elevators to go up so the line takes a very long time. Meanwhile, they ask to take photos of you that you can purchase later on. I really enjoyed the rooms with mirrors and the reflective balloons. It gives a unique twist to your New York view photos. There were enough rooms that I felt like there was enough variety and we stayed long enough that I felt like we got our moneys worth.

One Vanderbilt is an incredible experience! The building's architecture is stunning, and the SUMMIT observation deck offers breathtaking, panoramic views of New York City. The immersive art installations and glass floors make the visit even more unique and memorable. The entire place is modern, well-organized, and beautifully designed -- a must-visit attraction in NYC! One feedback that I would like to add is about the balloon room, they should require the parents to watch their kids and allow everyone the opportunity to take pictures. It should not be a play ground for little kids.

Summit One is quite the experience. We chose to come here based on the different immersive activities they offer & overall we had a really good time. What I will say is definitely heed the recommendation on the website telling guests to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your reservation because there is a line. I was surprised to see so many people here on a Friday afternoon, as we assumed most people would be working, but it was packed. Luckily you can move through the floors at your own pace, so you will definitely get your money's worth. I also think it's best to try and come closer to sunset or "golden hour" when the sun isn't as harsh, as during the day the glare of the sun reflecting off of the flooring can be very off putting. I also was surprised to see so many scratches/imperfections in the mirrored room, as everyone is required to wear shoe coverings & tennis shoes/slides or sandals. If you're lucky enough to find a corner of a wall/floor that isn't scratched or marked with fingerprints, do take advantage. If you're looking for something to do that your hometown may not have where you're from, or just want to break out of your everyday routine then come here.

This experience was absolutely AMAZING and I highly recommend to anyone and everyone! This was hands down my favorite part of our trip and so glad we made the decision to come here. 96 floors high and the design and presentation and interaction of this is just spectacular! Job well done. You start off by checking in -- we actually had tickets for the glass elevator ride but it wasn't operational the day we went so they refunded us the additional cost. When you check in and go thru security, you take your first set of pictures then led to obtain your shoe covers and sunglasses. You can choose to use your own sunglasses however rest assured if you forgot yours like I did, they have plenty for you to use during your exploration. You then go to take your pictures for the clouds that you'll see later in your exploration. Really cool. You can even choose to make a funny face or however you want to see your face be presented in the clouds. Then is the elevator ride up! It does have strobe lights but staff does ask if anyone has a sensitivity to this given they have the ability to turn that off. So, look up and enjoy your ride up! Way up! Once you get out, you'll enter an all glass and mirror room. If you're scared of heights like I am it's going to be sensory overload in the beginning and you'll probably be weak in the knees like me. I just tried not to look down or over any railings and I was ok. That's my tip :) They do have a photographer there that can take your pictures which we opted to do and they turned out FANTASTIC! Highly recommend this. For all prints digitally was $25. Very reasonably priced considering that we paid way over that for only a few prints digitally at TOTR the day prior. I'll definitely be printing these to hang up at home. They have various rooms that you walk thru and each is a different experience to itself along with the breathtaking views of the city. The last part is professional pictures out on the glass ledge. Promise that if I can do this then anyone can. Again, don't look down.

An incredibly breathtaking experience. From the moment you step inside, you're transported into a world of art, architecture, and views that are simply unforgettable. The observation decks give you sweeping, panoramic views of the city -- the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and all the way out to the rivers. The mirrored floors and walls create this surreal, dreamlike effect where the skyline feels infinite. And the room full of silver balloons flying around make it both fun and mesmerizing -- you'll have a lot of fun and probably take more photos here than anywhere else in NYC. Time well spent on a summer NYC evening in this immersive experience. Highly recommended for both visitors and also locals who want to have fun and see New York in a whole new way.

Summit One Vanderbilt is my favorite among the five observation decks in NYC! Had a great experience here. Beautiful views, the mirrored floors, the reflections, the immersive experience. Visited this place at sunset. I recommend getting tickets here 1-2 h before the sunset for gorgeous views of the skyline at sunset. Though it rained and was foggy for a period of time during our visit such that we could not see a lot, the sky cleared afterwards and even saw rainbow! Went here 30 minutes before the time in our tickets that I bought online a week ahead. It can get crowded at the entrance plus you'll go through security and take elevators. No work boots or stilettos. They'll give you shoe covers before going in. Since you'll be walking on mirrored floors, short skirts and dresses are not recommended. Do not forget to bring sunglasses! The entire experience can take from 2-3 hours. Take all the experience in and would not rush from floor to floor as the route is one-way only! You will not be permitted to go back to the previous floor. Each exhibit is a wonderful experience: Transcendence 1, 2, Air Affinity, Levitation (glass ledge similar to Skydeck in Chicago). Photography services are available. A must see in NYC. Highly recommended.

Even with all of its beauty, how can one place get SO CROWDED!!!! You select the time slot you want to go and we went sunset time (which obviously will be busier than most) but certain areas felt like you were suffocating! SO MANY PEOPLE! And everyone was sitting at the windows and taking away the opportunity for others to just get a quick glance and photo which is incredibly annoying. Their crowd control, up to the point you get to the 90th floors, is actually really efficient. They did a great job with security and making sure the lines kept moving but it feels like a free for all once you make it onto the actual floors. I really did appreciate all the coworkers taking photos of everyone up there and making sure they liked the photos they took, etc. It's not common to have designated photo taking staff at places like these so I thought that was a nice touch. And the view really is incredible. I just wish the outside part was bigger.

My boyfriend and I visited Summit One Vanderbilt and I'd say it was worth the hype. Located steps away from Grand Central station, summit one offers gorgeous views of NYC in this observatory deck. It's definitely a more trendy and photo op focused experience than other ones I've been to, but its modern feel makes it fun. Before you begin your journey upstairs you must put plastic shoe covers on to avoid the mirrored floors getting dirty, and you take a photo of your face which is for a surprise later. There are different levels to explore when you get there, and they each have different experiences. You begin your journey in the mirror room, it's trippy walking around but in a good way. Then as you look around you, the view of NYC surrounds. You get a great view of the empire state building from here. Then there's a room with giant silver balls you can throw around and it's a great photo op. We did go when there were children who were being rough and were kicking them so just be mindful if you're bringing children to please avoid that... Then you make your way to the next floor with the bar and outdoor terrance. We got one of the themed drinks which was good and enjoyed the terrance. The terrance areas are always my favorite parts of these observation decks, because I love being able to feel the refreshing air while I admire the beauty in front of me. These were the main things that stood out to me however there are other things such as a digital experience featuring that picture you took earlier and a chance to stand on a glass box for a photo op but it had a long line so we skipped it. Since there is so much to do and experience at this one I feel as though the I didn't stare out the windows as much as I have visiting other decks in other states. But despite this, I really enjoyed this new immersive experience in NYC.

I really don't know how I just made it here for the first time with the amount of times I've visited NYC. But better late than never! I did take my daughter to the Edge years ago, which was super cool, but this was better. It's also a few hour time commitment while the Edge was more of a quick view of the city so it depends on how much time you want to spend taking in the views. We went around 4pm on a Saturday end of April. I worried the lines would be super long and even considered paying the extra fee to skip the lines. While we definitely waited in a long line to get in, it wasn't that bad and I'm glad I didn't spend the $ to skip the lines. My daughter's friend was with us and said the lines were way worse when she came during sunset another time. I'm sure that's cool to see, but sunset= longer lines. Once we got to the 91st floor my kids wouldn't stop saying how cool it was up there. My son couldn't stop taking pictures of the amazing view. And my daughter and her friend were in tiktok heaven. I don't think you can get a better background for tiktoks. They also had a blast in the floating ball room, which was another perfect tiktok setting. My kids got hungry halfway thru and were happy with a pretzel bite snack. My daughter's friend has celiac so we did have trouble finding a gluten free snack, although she was able to eat the chips. A few more gluten free options would be great! At the end we did the glass elevator, which is listed as the most popular option on their website. There wasn't any line for this so I"m not sure it's that popular. It was cool, but NYC doesn't look that different whether you're viewing it from the 91st or 101st floor so I'd skip that one. I didn't think it was worth the extra charge. Overall, it was such a fun activity and I think the highlight of our quick trip to NYC. It's also conveniently located in Grand Central so if you're coming to NYC by train you can go when you first arrive or when you leave. I just recommend buying tickets ahead of time, especially on a weekend, since they tend to sell out.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME Views, you can get anywhere, a lot of places if not most for free, and shuffled through like you're in Disney World or ahead of cattle. They said it would take 90 minutes to do the experience, but we waited in a line to get in for 90 minutes, and I'm now waiting to get out for another 30 minutes. Drinks are overpriced at $24-$30; staff acts like they could care less that you're here. BIG HUGE PASS

Summit One is my favorite! We had a wonderful experience from beginning to end. You check in at your reserved ticket time, go through the metal detectors, and wait in line to be escorted to the elevator. Our wait time was about 45 mins, on a Saturday evening. We wanted to watch the sunset, so we made reservations for 4:30 p.m. since sunset time is 6:30 p.m. Unfortunately, it was a gloomy day, so we didn't get to experience the wonderful sunset views of NYC. If you want to experience the sunset, I recommend that you purchase tickets 11/2-2 hours before sunset time to give yourself enough time to check in, wait in line, and enter the summit doors. The experience includes multiple interactive rooms. My favorite was the balloon room, which offers many cool photo opportunities. The floors in the first room are mirrors, so you should avoid wearing skirts, dresses, etc. Also, high heels are prohibited because they can scratch the floors. I also recommend that you practice patience, this is a popular place, so you'll more than likely encounter a lot of people trying to take pics, taking over the windows, etc. Once you're done, you'll be welcomed by a cool bar area, where you can sit and take in the beautiful NYC views. Tickets were very affordable and well worth it!

Put this place on your bucket list. I was in New York and this place came up as a must try experience. The day we had originally booked our tickets for had to be rescheduled because of the weather. We ended going later in the evening and I was amazed with the city view in the night. We went up three floors with different experiences. The top deck had drinks and an area you can sit and just look at the views. You are given a wristband that stores all your photos and are assessable at the end of the tour. I got the digital prints and ordered me an add on picture that I liked. Overall the place is amazing. There is a sky box area where they take your picture of you standing what feels like in the air. I enjoyed the room with the silver balls that floated above the ceiling. Definitely something you have to try once.

The MOST beautiful views of the city will see! There's multiple levels with fun, interactive, photo worthy areas with great views on each level. This honestly took a good few hours to get through because of how beautiful and fun it was! They give you an option to buy their photos that they take around the museum, but you're more than welcome to take your own as well. Our favorite part was the balloon room and the outdoor/indoor rooftop cafe at the end! They had food, coffee, ice cream, and alcoholic drinks for purchase at the end where you and chill and enjoy the views of the city. I recommend going around 4pm the lines to enter can get pretty long and by the time we were at the best viewing spots we were able to catch golden hour and the sunset! I say it's a MUST visit!

This is a great place to go if you like to burn money and stand in lines. I mean, what is the point of a reservation if you're going to stand in line for an hour? It was cool to experience, but not at that price point. It very much is more of a photo op than anything else, so come looking your best.

Such a cool experience. It's the type of thing you can do more than once as well. It was very unique and you get amazing views of NYC. You can take as long as you want there. Definitely go if you're visiting!

Loved this experience. In my opinion, it's the very best observatories in the city. Super interactive and the views are amazing. Make sure to do your research prior to coming. You can't come in heels or dresses. Comfy shoes are best to not scratch the floors and no dresses because there are mirrored floors. There is a snack area in the end to purchase some snacks and drinks. This experience is pricy but worth it for sure. The only con i have is that the staff isn't nice or friendly. The only nice person was the very last employee at the clear elevator section. Every other person was pretty rude. I'm born and raised in nyc and can deal with that, but it's not fair when people are spending so much money to come here, esp tourist

Terrible experience from start to finish. We waited 1.5 hours just to get inside for what is advertised as a "90-minute experience." The overcrowding felt unsafe the entire time, with people packed tightly into long, winding lines and only 2-3 elevators operating. Anxiety levels were at an all-time high due to the conditions. Trying to leave was even worse -- another 1.5 hours stuck inside, jammed shoulder-to-shoulder with no clear crowd control. There are signs in the building stating that event capacity over 185 people is dangerous, yet there were easily 1,000+ people inside at once. We paid extra for the sunset experience, but due to the extreme delays, we missed sunset entirely. We also missed dinner reservations that were made months in advance, which ruined our last day in New York. We went to the lobby and personally informed management that the situation was unsafe and that they needed to stop admitting people. Staff acknowledged and empathized with our concerns -- yet they continued letting people in anyway. This was not just a disappointing experience -- it was UNSAFE and DANGEROUS. A venue charging premium prices has a responsibility to prioritize safety and crowd control, and Summit failed completely.

During my visit, the venue was severely overcrowded, far beyond safe or reasonable limits. While the venue's stated capacity is approximately 185 individuals, there were well over 1,000 people inside at the same time, resulting in restricted movement, unsafe congestion, and prolonged standing with no relief. Staff appeared insufficiently trained and lacked internal communication. Guests received conflicting instructions, and staff were unable to manage crowd flow, waiting areas, or exit procedures. There was no effective crowd control or safety oversight. Environmental conditions were unsafe. The interior became extremely hot, with no visible air circulation and no water provided, despite guests standing stationary for three or more hours. The experience sold as a 90-minute attraction was materially misrepresented. Guests waited three or more hours and were given approximately ten minutes to view or experience. Exiting the venue raised additional safety concerns. Guests were not permitted to use stairs, and there was no clearly accessible or timely exit route, increasing congestion and panic potential in an already overcrowded environment. The venue was severely overbooked, with guests holding 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM reservations placed into the same exit and waiting lines, demonstrating a lack of scheduling controls and disregard for capacity management. Notably, infants and young children were required to stand in prolonged, high-heat lines with no accommodations, seating, or water. The summit fails in occupancy control, crowd management, environmental safety, and consumer disclosure. The experience was not only unenjoyable but posed a legitimate safety risk to guests.

Of all the things we saw in NYC during our trip this was the worst and most regrettable. Do not recommend and will not be going back. Had an appointment for this experience at 6:00PM Didn't actually see any of the events until around 7:30PM. By the time we were done it was 9:15PM. We spent 2 hours and 45 minutes just waiting in lines while employees badgered us with all the things we could not do. The worst part was the 45 minute wait to leave. You are trapped up there and they won't even let you take the stairs. Yes it was that bad that we wanted to walk down 90 flights of stairs. To add insult to injury we asked an employee at the beginning if there would be lines the whole time and he flat out lied to us and said the first 1 hour and 30 minute was the only line we would be in. Would have happily walked away to get our evening back after a colossal waste of time and money. Lots of better attractions in NYC with more bang for your buck than this one.

The view is great but that is dependent on the weather. You also have to wear shoe covers the whole time so be prepared to hide those in your photos unless you don't mind. I chose a 12:00 initially but then asked to switch to 11:30 since that was going to work better for me. I would have had to pay a fee for rescheduling but luckily I called within 24 hours of booking so it was free to change. The line to enter the museum wasn't too bad but make sure you set time aside for this museum so that you can take your time. They let you enter the security line before your appointment but for the line after where they scan your ticket, you have to go in at the exact time and not a minute earlier. It can also get crowded when you're inside the exhibit especially if there's a popular spot to take a photo so you will have to wait your turn. We took lots of photos on each level and even waited for some spots but we were only there for under 2 hours including the wait in the security line.

Our experience at Summit One Vanderbilt was truly VIP from start to finish. My fiancée and I couldn't be more grateful for the incredible team especially Danny Barrera, Mackenzie, and Fabio, who went above and beyond to make everything perfect. Danny did an outstanding job with our photos; his talent and professionalism made the whole session effortless, and we were amazed at how quickly he delivered the final shots. Thank you all for making this such a special and unforgettable experience for us.

Tourist trap worth $50/pp-- bought advance tix and got a partial refund due to Ascent elevator out of order. Required to wear shoe covers, then herded into a dark hall and onto an elevator to the 91 fl. Great panorama, friendly guards take your pix, crowd control is excellent. Didn't take advantage of the coffee shop but enjoyed the ample seating. Enter directly from Grand Central.

This experience is BEYOND spectacular!! Do book your ticket well in advance if you want to get the sun set experience from the 92th floor. We booked the ticket which covered the complimentary drinks as well. It's a different experience having drinks from the 92th floor!! From the elevator ride to the the 3 floors they cover to each floor experience, it is a fun experience for any age group! The wait line can be long depending on the time-slot you choose to go. Our wait time was almost 45 mins. But it was totally worth it! One of the most instragrammable places in NYC. It has a mindblowing rooftop which gives you a wonderful 360 view of the NYC city.. This is a MUST do! Dont miss out on this one!

AMAZING views. Very crowded with general admission but if there ever was an attraction you should splurge for the premium experience this is the one!! You get a private tour and a whole photo album at no additional cost, The tour guide was awesome but I can't pronounce his name. I hate that I can't recall his name becomes he comes highly recommended...

We had sooo much fun here. The glass skybox is such a thrill. Lots of cool interactive art. So worth the money.

I bought tickets to this place expecting it would be a quick experience and boy was I wrong. We arrived a few minutes prior to our scheduled time and we stood in the long line that snaked out into the terminal. There were plenty of workers walking around so I approached one of them to inquire about my tickets. They have a pretty good deal for military personnel (current, present, past) so I was to check in with a staff member for directions. He escorted us past the long line and right into the customer service desk. Here another friendly worker verified my ID and gave us our tickets. We no longer got back in the long line but now waited in this shorter one. There was a TSA style check we went through and the line then snaked its way to the photo op area. After the photo, we were given booties and sunglasses to use from here on out (sunglasses to use because its sooooo bright on the upper floor) After that, we went to another station that took an individual picture of you for one of the interactive screen rooms they have. We then filed into another line and waited for the elevator to take us up, up, up. Once at the top, we were free to explore. There are more then a few rooms to check out and it was so busy! It was crowded, sunny, and very warm. We were super short on time so we spent at most like 5 minutes in each room but easily you can spend up to an hour if you are into taking pictures. Once we snaked our way through every room we headed to the elevator to head back down. Now this line was long and we waited about 25 minutes. Once we made it to the 1st floor, the workers thanked us for coming in and we left. Overall this is a one time experience for me and I'm glad I checked it out. We still had fun although we were rushing! Employees we interacted with were all friendly!

Summit one Vanderbilt was one of my all-time favorite experiences while visiting NYC. There are more multiple levels where you can go to, and there is an interactive aspect on each level as well as amazing views of the city. We went right at sunset, which was honestly perfection because we got to see the sun set across the entire city, and then the city at night with all of the buildings lit up. It truly was magnificent. Once you reach the top level , there is also a full service bar where you can order drinks and appetizers. I would say the only downside was that it took about 45 minutes of waiting in line before you actually reach the summit. They make you go through multiple lines and once you reach the final line, you wait in a relatively dark and smaller enclosed area before taking an elevator all the way up to the top. All in all, spending money on a ticket for Summit One Vanderbilt is completely worth it! If you are visiting NYC, I would highly recommend adding this to your list of things to do as this was quite spectacular especially at sunset!

I bought tickets online prior to our trip. My 2 granddaughters and I had a fabulous visit here. There was a long line, and they checked tickets twice during the wait. It was very organized and moved fairly quick. We were given paper foot covers, and sunglasses if needed. The first thing is to use tablets to take your own photo. Then you watch a short film about the building. Then off to the elevator. There are 3 levels with great views of the city from all. It is very bright (hence the sunglasses) with lots of photo opps. One floor had silver mylar balloons to play with, and the top had a bar, with an outdoor area for photos. There is another spot for professional photos. You can purchase digital photos after you see all the floors, and before the gift shop. I highly recommend. I visited The Edge 4 years ago, and the Empire State Building 18 years ago, but this was the best viewing platform in my opinion.

This was a really fun experience! Each level with new surprises and amazing views! This was heaven, cafe food was good too

Summit One Vanderblit is a great experience, waiting to get inside took awhile for us, it took us about 20-30 minutes to inside and upstairs to the exhibit. There are 3 floors where there are many photo ops, and great views of NYC! I enjoyed the room with the balloons, there were many people while we were but it's also a fun experience and you can take many pictures. We were able to see the city on a gloomy day, still a fun experience.

It's pretty cool but its pretty pricey for a quick self tour. Our time slot was 10:30AM and it took almost 30 mins to get through the line and security. When we got to the top, it was a little bit miserable. The sun hit so hard and you definitely need sunglasses to not blind you. Since the heat was so bad we move to the side with the silver balloons. While this side seems cool, it is very crowded and small. Balloons keep popping which made my little children jumpy. My husband thinks the Edge is better but it was way too cold to do the edge during winter.

One Vanderbilt, completed in 2020, is a 1401' tall skyscraper right next to Grand Central Station. It wasn't here when I worked in Midtown Manhattan but, I heard of the plans to transform the midtown east area and this was one of the projects. I'll say that the skyscraper is impressive in its overall design. My son and I bought tickets on Viator for the Summit which is a three floor observatory on top of the building. Prior to going up there is a screening process where they take your photo and then you view a short film about the building. They also show you the current viewing conditions. On the day we went at 11:30am it was overcast. I believe you can opt out and go at another time. You also have to wear shoe coverings like the kind when you go to an open house. This is to protect the flooring which is mostly glass and mirrors. The elevator ride up took less than a minute which is impressive. I'll say the Summit was built as an "experience" with the glass mirrored flooring and artwork that is present. Unfortunately, there was a lot of fog that was slowly dissipating but not enough to see downtown, New Jersey or the rest of the boroughs. I'm sure on a clear day the views are stunning. The one turnoff was the incessant mechanical noise piped through the speakers. I'll describe it as similar to sounds you hear while standing online at Space Mountain. I get that someone thought it would add to the "experience" but after about ten minutes I was like just shut it off. The third floor of the Summit has a small cafe, bar, gift shop and open air seating. It's actually quite nice to hang out, have a drink, and enjoy even more sweeping views if the weather cooperates. Overall it was a good experience and definitely worth a visit.

This was my second time in New York City and I wanted to try out a new observation deck. The first time we went to Top of the Rock and it was outstanding. This time with kids, I thought that Summit would be a hit since it looks to be very interactive, modern, and new. You start by queuing up and they basically put you into timed groups in the lobby. You watch a video about the building of One Vanderbilt and then you are instructed to put on shoe booties to cover your soles and then you will go up the Ascent elevator. This ride has flashing lights, FYI. The first level they let you off is called Levitation and it features glass-bottom ledges. They do let you know to spend as much time as you want on each level because once you leave that level, you can't return. The next level is the one with all the silver/metallic balloons. Kids definitely enjoyed this one. I think it's called Transcendence. The last level is Après and this one has a café, gift shop, and outdoor balcony. I think this was actually my favorite one, probably helped by the two delicious cocktails I enjoyed (Sunset Margaritas). We were also there near sunset, so it was perfect timing to just sit outside and watch all the lights come on around us. Overall I really enjoyed this observation deck. You get great views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building (my personal favorite). Although I do like all the levels, I think this makes it a little gimmicky. It is also very, very crowded, so that kind takes away from the experience at times. I really do need to go with the Empire State Building next time, even though I have not visited that one simply because when you are up there you can't see it as part of the view. Note: if you don't want or can't use the escalator, you can ask staff to use the elevator to get in between levels.

What a cool place!! Beautiful building and amazing views. Drinks and little coffee shop are really good too

Visited SUMMIT One Vanderbilt at night instead of during the day and was still very impressed. The skyline views and mirrored rooms were stunning, and the small dining menu and bar made it a nice place to relax. Overall, a beautiful and unique experience