A Guide to Enjoying Summit One Vanderbilt: Things to See & Do

Klook ANZ

Last updated 3 Apr 2024

Image credits to Klook

When you're in The Big Apple, you need to think BIG! And by that, we mean go to Summit One Vanderbilt, the tallest commercial skyscraper in midtown Manhattan, for big, overlooking views of the New York City skyline.

But this isn't just your ordinary observation deck or observatory. Three floors of immersive experiences are at the summit of this building, so keep reading to learn all about it!

What is Summit One Vanderbilt?

One Vanderbilt is a 93-floor office building in New York, right beside the Grand Central Terminal. The top three floors serve as an immersive observatory open to the public.

The concept of this summit first came about when artist Kenzo Digital envisioned a space where people could experience New York in a way that had never been seen or felt before, inspired by the city's energy and history.

And that's exactly why this ultra-modern building has quickly become one of the hottest tourist attractions in New York City!

People don't come here just for the views. The makers of Summit One Vanderbilt made sure that this space is where you can experience both thrill and calmness while questioning your perception of the place. It's an experience you won't get from any ordinary observatory, where you'd normally just take a few snaps and move on to the next thing on your itinerary.

Fun fact: the Summit One Vanderbilt glass-floor elevator is one of the largest in the world!

Best time to visit Summit One Vanderbilt

The best time of the day to go is an hour before sunset. That way, you get both golden hour and nighttime city light views from the skyscraper! And word on the street is that New York's sky is the clearest during September.

It's important to take note of this so that grey clouds won't cover your views, and your photos will defo turn out better with a clearer skyline. Besides, there are many fun autumn activities in the US during this time, like apple picking and pumpkin festivals, right when these are ready for harvest season!

What to Expect in Summit One Vanderbilt

The Summit One Vanderbilt is made up of three floors that are part of the observatory. Let's go through an overview of what you can expect to see on each level, shall we?

Transcendence One

Welcome to the first level of the immersive observatory! Once you get off the elevator at level one, you'll immediately be greeted by pretty trippy floor-to-ceiling mirrors. This room is where you'll start to question your perception of your surroundings!

The reflective surfaces give the illusion that the place is much bigger. Just imagine how gorgeous this place would be when the golden hour light hits!

You then go to a smaller room, which is much more peaceful and calm. On the floor, you'll see art installations inspired by clouds by the talented Yayoi Kusama.

You'll also be entering a room with floating silver balloons to play around with. From here, you'll see Central Park to the north.

Transcendence Two

Like the first room in Transcendence One, Transcendence Two starts off all-mirrored. You've made it to the second level of the observatory, so you can now look down on level one through some portals to view the floor below.

This level is where you'll experience the thrill of stepping into a glass box with a glass floor, with the streets of New York right under you!

Say cheese and strike a pose because the Summit One Vanderbilt staff can take a proper photo of you for a small charge. If you're afraid of heights, we don't reckon you do this. Next is the Unity room, where you can see your face in the sea of clouds projected on the wall.

Aprés

Now, on to the last level of the summit! You're probably hungry by now and want a little munchie, which is perfect because this is an indoor lounge area with a bar on the outdoor terrace. Enjoy a cocktail, have a sammie, and soak in the views of Manhattan.

Once you're done, you can either go to the gift shop or pay extra to experience Ascent. This is where you can take an elevator ride with glass floors and ceilings that take you up over a thousand feet higher! When you get up, you can see the iconic Empire State Building.

#KlookTip: Once you enter a room or go up each level, you can't go down again. The only way is through, so it's basically a one-way journey through Summit One Vanderbilt. So, make sure to really take in the experience at each room/level before you move on to the next.

How to get to Summit One Vanderbilt

Subway

Getting here via subway is super convenient because the Grand Central Terminal is just beside the One Vanderbilt building. Look for the 42nd Street exit, followed by Vanderbilt Avenue at 42nd and 43rd Streets. Then, continue going straight until you see the building.

Taxi/Car

If you're staying at the famous Plaza Hotel, you can easily grab a taxi or rent a car to the observation deck. From your hotel, turn right onto 5th Avenue and go straight. Then turn left onto 42nd Street, and your destination should be on your left! It'll take you only five minutes, tops.

Drive around the city with ease when you rent a car on Klook.

Having a car is also an easy way to visit several legendary spots in one day without struggling to commute. We also suggest hitting up MOMA New York, which is only seven minutes away from One Vanderbilt.

Bike

If you've rented a bike to explore midtown Manhattan, getting here from Times Square is just a five-minute ride away. In fact, it's literally just on the same street! You'll know when you get to One Vanderbilt when you reach the corner of Madison Avenue and 42nd Street.

Biking in NYC is a much more fun and pleasant way to explore the city without having sore feet from walking by the end of the day. So have a go at a bike rental and enjoy the ride!

Explore The Big Apple at your own pace by renting an e-bike!

How to get Summit One Vanderbilt tickets

Now that you're pretty much convinced to go to the Summit New York, here's a step-by-step of how to purchase your general admission tickets through Klook! We highly suggest buying your tix ahead to save yourself the hassle of scrambling to book on the spot.

Through the Klook website

Step 1: Go to the Summit One Vanderbilt admission page
Step 2: Choose a date and time for your visit
Step 3: Select the number of adult and/or youth admission tickets you'd like to purchase
Step 4: Click on the "Book now" button
Step 5: Enter your contact details like first and last name, contact number, and email address
Step 6: Enter your debit or credit card details, pay the full amount, and then click the "Pay now" button.

Through the Klook app

Step 1: Search "Summit One Vanderbilt ticket" on the search bar on top and click the Klook page that appears
Step 2: Choose a date and time you'd like to visit
Step 3: Select the number of adult and/or youth admission tickets
Step 4: Click on the "Book now" button
Step 5: Place your contact details like first and last name, contact number, and email address
Step 6: Click "Go to payment", pay using your debit or credit card, and then click the "Pay now" button.

That's it! The process is very easy to follow. When you get to Summit One Vanderbilt, you'll just have to scan the Klook QR code from your booking to enter.

Book your general entry tickets through Klook for a seamless transaction!

What are the Summit One Vanderbilt operating hours?

The Summit One Vanderbilt is open from 09:00 to 00:00 and is closed every Tuesday. Even though it technically closes at midnight, they stop accepting entries at 22:30, so if you plan on visiting at night, make sure to go by then.

Tips when going to Summit One Vanderbilt

Tip #1: One major no-no is wearing skirts, dresses, or short shorts. You'll be walking on mirrored floors, so you wouldn't wanna have any oopsie moments. It's best to wear full-length bottoms like jeans, trousers, or leggings.

Tip #2: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled booking time to allow some wiggle room for lining up by the entrance. You wouldn't wanna be late from being caught up in line!

Tip #3: Buy your tickets ahead, of course! The line to purchase tickets on-site tends to build up, and tickets can get sold out. So secure your slot by purchasing ahead on Klook! When you get to One Vanderbilt, you just need to go through a quick line at the entrance, scan your QR code, and you're in!

Tip #4: We recommend bringing a pair of sunnies if you're visiting during the daytime, as the sunlight can be a little glaring, especially if you have sensitive eyes. With that being said, don't forget to load up on your sunscreen, too!

Tip #5: Prepare an extra 30.48 AUD if you want to take the Ascent elevator ride—an all-glass elevator from floor to ceiling that takes you high up to see views of the Empire State Building.

Is Summit One Vanderbilt worth it?

Oh yes, absolutely! Apart from the banger views from the observation deck, it really is an immersive experience. Each room leaves you in awe with its multisensory features. Of course, Summit One Vanderbilt has different scenery and takes on a super modern twist with its architectural design. Also, how many people can say that they've been up to the tallest skyscraper in Manhattan? We thought so.

FAQs

Where is Summit One Vanderbilt located?

Pin this as the exact location: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017. The entrance is located on the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal.

How much is a general entry ticket?

If you book through Klook, one general entry ticket for an adult starts as low as 69.09 AUD, and 59.25 AUD for your ankle biters ages 6-12. Those under five years old can enter for free!

What shoes can we wear?

To keep the place in pristine condition, high heels, work boots, cleats, or any shoes that can heavily scratch or leave a mark on the glass are not allowed.

Are there places to eat or dine?

Yup! As mentioned, you can grab a quick bite on the third level of Summit One Vanderbilt. There's also a café if you wanna sip on a cuppa coffee or a bar for some sunset hour cocktails. If you want to splurge on a fine dining experience, Le Pavillion NYC by Chef Daniel Boloud is nearby.

Their menu offerings are centred on seasonality and locally sourced ingredients. One of their best-sellers for mains is a Saint Jacques Crevette. It's essentially scallops baked in kombu red prawns, topped with a Monterey Bay seaweed vinaigrette. Sounds delish!

And that concludes our guide to Summit One Vanderbilt. We promise you won't regret spending a few hours of your day visiting this place. After all, choosing to spend on multi-sensory experiences is always a great idea! You'll be inspired by the lively New York spirit and get a bird's-eye view of the city that never sleeps. Now, what are you waiting for? Gather your closest mates or family and get to booking!

Written by: Mara Go