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Your guide to visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt in New York

If you're planning to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt soon, we've got you covered. Here's everything you need to know about the attraction including the opening hours, the best time to visit, insider tips, and more!

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opening hours

Opening Hours - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Timings: 9am to 12am from Wednesday to Monday

Closed: Tuesdays

Last Admission: 11pm

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt timings

Best time to visit

Best Time to Visit - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • The best time to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is just before the sunset for stunning views of the New York skyline.
  • Typically, weekdays are less crowded while weekends are busier. You should visit on the weekends if you like a lively experience or on the weekdays for a more laidback experience.
  • The best season to visit NYC is in spring, which falls between March to June, when the weather is warm and pleasant.
  • We recommend you avoid the peak season, from May to September as it can get crowded.
  • If you don’t mind chilly weather and want lesser crowds, January to March is a good time to visit.

Where is SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located in midtown Manhattan at the intersection of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue.

Address: 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA | Find on Maps
Closest Landmark: Grand Central Terminal

How to get there

By public transport

  • Subway: The nearest subway lines are the 4, 5, 6, 7, and the Shuttle at Grand Central, 42nd Street.
    Closest station: Grand Central - 42nd Street
  • Bus: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt can be reached conveniently by bus via the M101, M102, M103, M1, M2, M3, M4, Q32, and M42 routes.
    Closest stop: East 42 Street/Madison Ave

By car

You can drive down or hire a car to get to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Alternatively, you can take an Uber, Lyft, or any a local cab to the attraction. There are parking lots nearby.

Parking Facilities:

​Getting to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt >

Know before you go

Facilities - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • Cloakrooms: There are no cloakrooms or storage facilities available onsite.
  • Gift Shops: Shop for souvenirs, merchandise, and memorabilia from the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Store called Boutique on the 93rd floor.
  • Restrooms: The restrooms are located exclusively on the top floors of SUMMIT. The basement floor of Grand Central features public restrooms.
  • Restaurants: Après by Snøhetta is a restaurant located on the 93rd floor of One Vanderbilt.
Accessibility - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is fully accessible by wheelchair.
  • Wheelchairs are available on a first come, first-served basis at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. 
  • There are accessible facilities on every level of the Observation Deck.
  • A sighted guide may be requested in advance by those who have no vision or have limited eyesight.
Visiting with Family - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • Strollers are allowed inside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt but ensure that you fold them up in the observatory areas.
  • Level one of the observatory has a designated family restroom.
  • The onsite restaurant Après has a range of kid-friendly items on the menu.
Rules & Regulations - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • While on the property, visitors must always wear a shirt and shoes. Clothing containing any wording that is obscene or threatening is prohibited.
  • Visitors are responsible for their own belongings as there are no locker facilities available inside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
  • Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
  • Photography is allowed but make sure you are not carrying any tripods or heavy and large camera equipment.
  • Baby strollers must be folded before getting inside the elevator and at the observation decks.
Dining - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Après by Snohetta is the latest concept by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events. It combines global flavors with New York City influences for a unique culinary experience at SUMMIT. Visit Apres for a dining experience with a stunning view!

More about the restaurant
Stay - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Budget:

Mid-range:

  • The Hotel at Fifth Avenue (0.7 miles) | Find on Maps
  • Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South (0.6 miles) | Find on Maps

Luxury:

Nearby - visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • The Empire State Building: It is one of New York City's most iconic landmarks. The Empire State Building is a 102-story architectural marvel in Midtown Manhattan with observatory points that provide a 360-degree view of the beautiful New York skyline.
  • MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art is one of the top museums for contemporary art in the world and is home to more than 200,000 pieces by well-known artists like Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and others. 
  • 9/11 Memorial & Museum: The 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which are still felt by both the people of New York City and the survivors of the attack. 
Things to do in New York
visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt has three entrances. You can use any of them to enter SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

  • The first is through the Transit Hall of One Vanderbilt, which is at the intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue and 43rd St.
  • The second street-level entrance is on 45 East 42nd Street.
  • The third entrance is via the Main Concourse Level of Grand Central Terminal.

*You cannot access SUMMIT One Vanderbilt through the main One Vanderbilt lobby.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Entrances

What's inside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?

Ascent

Ascent is the world’s biggest external glass. It takes you 12 storeys above Vanderbilt’s 93rd floor to the highest vantage point of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. You look at the mesmerizing view to the south towards the Empire State Building and midtown Manhattan.

About the elevator experience

Transcendence 1

Transcendence 1 serves as the focal point of Air, a multisensory experience made by Kenzo Digital. Enter a mesmerizing mirror room that has expansive windows that display the city skyline and the Empire State Building in the foreground.

More about Air

Transcendence 2

Transcendence 2 experience is an extension of Transcendence 1, a large floor to ceiling mirrored room. It includes a portal to Transcendence 1 from where you can see visitors arriving into SUMMIT.

Interactive Displays

The observation deck features several interactive displays that allow you to interact with the art displays by Kenzo Digital. These displays include touchscreens, art exhibits, and more.

Face in the clouds

It is a unique exhibit created by Yayoi Kusama where you can see your reflection in a cloud-shaped installation made of aluminum. This installation aims at taking you on an imaginative journey with the mirrored floors and ceilings creating a dream-like experience.

Levitation

Levitation is a holographic installation that gives the appearance that things are floating in midair. Take breathtaking pictures with this installation as you virtually float in the air!

More about Levitation

Shape-Shifting Visual

This dynamic video installation turns the observation deck's walls into a work of art made of light and color. Lose yourself in these wonderfully captivating images!

Après by Snohetta

Après is a restaurant located on the 93rd floor of One Vanderbilt, just below the observation deck. Dine with stunning views of the New York skyline while tasting a unique blend of contemporary cuisines with a touch of NYC in it.

Visit the restaurant

Visitor Tips

  • Purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
  • Dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes. Wear pants or tights to avoid exposure on the reflective surface. Avoid wearing pointed heels as it can damage the glass floor.
  • Bring handheld and personal cameras to capture the gorgeous views.
  • Plan to spend at least 1.5-2 hours at the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
  • Be prepared to go through a security screening before entering.
  • Visit just before the sunset on weekdays for an amazing view and less crowd. 

Frequently asked questions about visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Arriving 10-15 mins earlier than your scheduled entry helps with check-in and security screening, especially during peak times.

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Timings

Directions

About SUMMIT