SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is one of the most spectacular attractions in New York City. Here you can expect an impressive mix of breathtaking views, fascinating art installations and an interactive experience that will turn your perception of the city on its head.
Our third day in New York City begins with a mixture of anticipation and a little nervousness. We had booked timed tickets for the Summit Experience, one of the city’s most exciting attractions, and due to a little mishap when we woke up in the morning, we had to rush a little to get there on time.
One Vanderbilt, one of the newest and tallest buildings in Midtown Manhattan, is home to this spectacular experience. It’s not just a viewing platform, but an immersive experience that appeals to all the senses.
From futuristic spaces to breathtaking views over the New York skyline, we couldn’t wait to find out what awaited us. The blend of art, architecture and technology makes the Summit Experience a unique experience.
In this guide you will find everything you need to know about tickets, visiting times, highlights and practical tips – including my own impressions and experiences from our visit during our road trip through New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and Washington.
You can also watch the accompanying video on my channel Alex the traveler, which is embedded directly in this post. It’s worth watching to get a vivid insight into the SUMMIT Experience!
The One Vanderbilt building, a 427-meter-high skyscraper, rises majestically above midtown Manhattan. It is the fourth tallest building in the city and is located right next to the iconic Grand Central Terminal.
The Summit Experience at One Vanderbilt (45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017) is no ordinary observation deck. This experience sets itself apart from others with its artistic design, use of mirrors and light shows and spectacular views of the city.
The Summit Experience spans several floors and offers a series of interactive experiences curated by artist Kenzo Digital.
- Experience SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for yourself and secure your tickets at a discount now! Click on the following link to book and start the adventure of a lifetime: Book your SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket.
Preparing for the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience
Since tickets for the SUMMIT often sell out quickly, you should definitely book them a few days in advance.
We had reserved our time slot in advance to catch the best moment for the view. If you want to save, check out my video on SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for a link to the cheapest discount tickets.
Note: You will be given sunglasses and overshoes upon entry. The sunglasses are not only a cool accessory, but a must, because the bright reflections in the rooms can quickly dazzle you. The overshoes protect the highly polished floors and ensure the perfect experience.
Before entering the elevator that takes us to the 91st floor, you can use a face scanner to create a 3D image of yourself. This image can later be seen as a personalized souvenir in the Unity room – a little highlight that adds a personal touch to your visit.
You can see one of them here. You can see more in my video about our visit to the Summit Experience.
Views from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt – A view of the NYC skyline
The SUMMIT offers you an incomparable panoramic view of New York. The viewing platforms extend over several floors and offer a 360-degree perspective of the city’s iconic landmarks.
In daylight, you can enjoy far-reaching views from the glass viewing platforms at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. The glass walls and floors offer an unobstructed view of the city’s most important landmarks. You can enjoy eastward views of the Chrysler Building, Queens and Brooklyn.
To the south, you have an impressive view of the Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan, while to the west you can see Hudson Yards, the Hudson River and New Jersey. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Atlantic Ocean and the Palisades in New Jersey.
At night
After dark, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt transforms into a magical place where the twinkling lights of the city shine in all directions. New York’s iconic buildings are illuminated and provide a spectacular backdrop. You can also take a quick look at the video at the end.
The view is particularly impressive at sunset, when the city is bathed in warm light and the night lights gradually come on.
The fascinating rooms of the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opens up an immersive world to visitors, combining spectacular views of New York City with art installations and light displays. Each room on the observation deck has been designed in detail by artist Kenzo Digital to challenge perception and immerse visitors in an almost dreamlike environment.
Transcendence 1 – A room without end
The Transcendence 1 and 2 rooms are the centerpiece of the SUMMIT Experience and arguably one of the most impressive installations in New York City. As soon as the doors open and you enter this room, you are immersed in a dimension of light, glass and endless reflections. The mirrored walls and floors create the feeling that reality has been extended in all directions – an effect that literally explodes the depth of the room.
Here, the artist Kenzo Digital has created the illusion that the entire city is floating in all directions. New York is reflected from every angle, so you not only see the breathtaking skyline in front of you, but also below you, above you and in all directions. Visitors often lie down on the floor to see themselves in the middle of this world of endless reflections – or to take photos that capture the surreal effect of vastness and depth. The experience is accompanied by muted music and glowing light effects that enhance the feeling of weightlessness.
The first room, Transcendence 1, is the highlight of the Summit Experience. As soon as you enter this room, it becomes clear that this is something very special. The mirrored walls and floors extend upwards and downwards, creating a fascinating sense of depth. The Manhattan skyline is reflected endlessly in the walls and you get the feeling that the room will never end.
We were completely overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the room. It felt like you were floating between the skyscrapers and entering another dimension. The combination of the reflections, which seem infinite, and the futuristic sound effects, which immerse the room in an almost otherworldly atmosphere, made this moment unforgettable for us.
We found it particularly spectacular how many visitors lay on their backs to take selfies with the countless reflections of the room with the people and the NYC skyline. We also joined in this experience and could hardly tear ourselves away from the sight. The downward reflections create the feeling of floating above a bottomless abyss – an experience that left us speechless.
The futuristic sounds in the room reinforce the feeling of being on a spaceship in outer space, far away from reality. The sounds float around you and you feel weightless and detached from everything around you. It was a moment that allowed us to experience the city from a completely new perspective – in the middle of Manhattan.
At the end of our visit, we found it incredibly difficult to leave the Transcendence 1 room. The depth of the reflections and the captivating atmosphere made it hard to leave. It really is an experience that has to be lived to be understood – and for us it was definitely one of the best experiences in all of New York.
Note: At the end of the Summit Experience, by the way, you return to the upper level of the room to the exit and can then see the whole thing from above. This took us another 30 minutes because it is so spectacular.
Transcendence 2 – A world of endless reflections and weightlessness
In Transcendence 2, one floor higher, the illusion becomes even more impressive thanks to the elevated perspective. Here, the skyline appears even more spectacular, the reflections even more intense. It’s as if you’re floating above Manhattan and at the same time sinking into a world that transcends physical reality – a feeling of almost spiritual freedom that makes the room an absolute highlight of the SUMMIT experience.
Yayoi Kusama’s “Clouds, 2019” – A work of art full of floating clouds
In the course of the SUMMIT Experience, you come across the art installation ” Clouds, 2019″ by world-famous artist Yayoi Kusama, which in my opinion is somewhat underwhelming. Kusama is known for her works, which often take up the theme of infinity and lightness, and with “Clouds, 2019” she fits seamlessly into the concept of the SUMMIT Experience. The installation consists of around 90 cloud-shaped stainless steel sculptures that are integrated into the space.
Affinity – chaotic fun with floating spheres
In addition to the impressive calm and depth of Transcendence 1, there was also a room that provided chaotic fun: Affinity. In this room, silver spheres float through the air everywhere – also with a view of NYC, of course – and every visitor has the opportunity to push them and make them fly through the room. It was a fun and interactive experience that delighted most visitors.
We couldn’t resist the allure of this room either. It was just too much fun to push the balls through the air and enjoy the sweeping view of the New York skyline. The Affinity room is a wonderful mix of fun and technology that makes the Summit Experience even more diverse.
Sometimes a few balls pop unexpectedly, which makes for some surprises and laughs. It’s a nice change of pace from the quieter, reflective rooms and shows just how diverse the Summit Experience really is.
Levitation – Floating above the streets of New York
Levitation is not for the faint-hearted! The platform rises several meters above the edge of the building and is made entirely of glass, giving the impression that you are literally floating above Manhattan.
A clear view down shows you the streets of New York beneath your feet – a moment that is both thrilling and almost surreal.
Each visitor has 30 seconds to enter the platform and take their own photos after a photographer has taken photos from two perspectives. It is an experience that is designed to create a mixture of thrills and awe at the height and vastness. Although we personally didn’t get the big adrenaline rush, the photos taken here are spectacular and a unique souvenir from this height.
Unity space – your own face in the clouds
The Unity Room offers an interactive and personal experience. As soon as you enter, you have the option of using a face scanner to create a 3D image of your face.
Later, in the Unity room, you can see this image among many others floating in the “clouds” – a fascinating effect, somewhat reminiscent of the infinity of the Transcendence rooms.
Even if it is not always easy to find your own image, the experience is personal and almost magical. Your face becomes part of the “clouds” and the installation, which integrates every visitor into the experience in a playful way. Even if we didn’t find our picture in the clouds, it was included in the souvenir photos that you can buy later as a souvenir – a little extra that makes the SUMMIT Experience an unforgettable experience and gives you an individual memento to take home with you.
Ascent – The spectacular elevator with a view
Another highlight of the Summit Experience is the glass elevator called Ascent. This elevator takes you along the outside of the building to lofty heights and offers a spectacular view of the city. It feels like you’re floating above Manhattan as you look down on the city through the glass walls and floor of the elevator.
Important to know: You must buy a separate ticket for the Ascent elevator. This experience is not included in the standard Summit Experience ticket. However, it is worth paying the extra, as the view and the feeling of going up the outside of the building are truly unique.
Aprés experience platform
At the end of the visit, head out onto the terrace where you can enjoy a drink while admiring the skyline.
Aprés is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the spectacular views. This area includes an indoor lounge and an outdoor terrace where visitors can enjoy snacks, sandwiches, cocktails and more. It is the ideal place to unwind after the excitement of the other areas of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and admire the breathtaking views of Manhattan. The terrace offers an unobstructed view of the city, while the lounge provides a cozy atmosphere for a break.
The most spectacular restroom in the world
Another surprise of the Summit Experience was the Restroom. And yes, we are indeed talking about one of the most spectacular restrooms in the world! In the men’s restroom, you have a breathtaking view of New York City through a glass wall while you use the room.
It really is an incredible experience that made us smile. Unfortunately, this view is only available in the men’s restroom of the Experience, while the women’s restroom is in the middle of the building.
Tip: If you have the opportunity, make sure you use the men’s restroom, even if you don’t really need it – the view is worth it! And don’t worry, the ladies also get the chance to enjoy this view, because after the Experience there is another restroom with a view of the city, which my wife also found totally inspiring. That’s why I had to wait a little longer here and meanwhile I bought the photos of us in the Experience from the vending machine.
Tips for your visit to the Summit Experience
- Timed tickets: The Summit Experience is extremely popular, so make sure you book your ticket in advance (Summit One Vanderbilt Official Website). Timed tickets guarantee you access to the Experience, but make sure you get there in time to avoid missing your entry. We also had to rush in the morning to get there on time!
- Best time to visit: Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon is ideal to experience the sunrise or sunset. The light at these times is perfect for photos and bathes the city in a beautiful golden light.
- Camera: Make sure you take a good camera with you to capture the fascinating reflections and views. You can take incredible photos, especially in the Transcendence 1 room.
- Clothing: Due to the glass floors, ceilings and walls, we recommend not wearing skirts – you will be seen from all sides!
- Restroom: The spectacular view in the Restroom is a highlight – even if you don’t have to, just go in and enjoy the view!
- Not allowed: Food, large bags and rucksacks are not permitted in the SUMMIT.
Facts and figures about the Summit Experience
- Address: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
- Building: One Vanderbilt
- Opening Hours: Open daily, times vary by day
- Ticket prices: Standard ticket from $39, Ascent elevator $59 (as of September 14, 2024)
- Attractions: Transcendence 1, Affinity, Ascent elevator, restrooms with a view
The Summit Experience is an absolute must when visiting New York City. It was one of the highlights of the trip for us and definitely one of the best attractions the city has to offer.
- Experience SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for yourself and get your tickets at a discount now! Click on the following link to book and start the adventure of a lifetime: Book your SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket.
Conclusion – An experience for the senses
A visit to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is much more than a classic viewing platform. It is a journey into a world full of reflections, light and sound that gives you the feeling of floating above New York. Whether you use the SUMMIT Experience as a photo hotspot or are inspired by the fascinating art and architecture, this place is one of the highlights of New York.
Address and directions
- Address: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA
- How to get there: Access to SUMMIT is via the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. Easily accessible by car, MTA subway, bus and LIRR/Metro North commuter rail. Google Maps
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