SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Tourist Trap

Visiting Summit One Vanderbilt

I want to start by saying I had a fantastic experience at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and I will be returning for an evening visit. The lights at night and the colors look great. I want to come just before sunset to capture more spectacular photos. 

“This place is nothing but a tourist trap,” something I read continuously through reviews, or even when I posted it on my Facebook page, I received some backlash. Some people were angry and didn’t enjoy their visit. Sometimes you can’t trust everyone’s reviews; you have to go out and experience places for yourself.

SUMMIT One is a highly recommended must-see when you’re visiting New York. And yes, with visiting New York, there will be tourists. It’s the big apple, the city that never sleeps, and of course, there will be people coming from all directions to visit and explore. However, I will let you know how to avoid them and how to make the most of your visit to this observation deck.

I read the reviews and thought this would be a place I would visit one day. That changed when a few of my coworkers planned a girls’ day out. New York is indeed a beautiful city with wonderful places to visit, but the trains, or if you’re driving, can be discouraging at times. There’s always traffic, but then I laugh to myself. If you can drive in New York, you can drive anywhere. 

How to get to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located at 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, next to the iconic Grand Central Terminal. I prefer taking the train to New York because it’s less expensive. By the time I pay for gas, the tunnel toll, parking, and time spent in traffic, taking the train is more efficient. However, there are several transportation options: cab, Uber, Lyft, or bus.

New Jersey Transit

Metro North Train

Street-level access is located at 45 East 42nd Street, between Vanderbilt and Madison Avenues.

The nearest subway lines are the 4, 5, 6, 7, and Shuttle at Grand Central, 42nd Street.

Hours are Monday through Sunday from 9 am to 12 am, and the store is closed on Tuesday. There are different packages to choose from: general admission, a ride on the glass elevator, or a signature cocktail with food. 

Ticket Options

It is best to purchase your tickets online.

SUMMIT Experience This is a general admission ticket starting at $39 for adults (13+) and $33 for youth (6 to 12).

SUMMIT Ascent: This is the general admission ticket (SUMMIT Experience) plus the glass elevator experience. Start at $59 for adults and $53 for youth.

Ultimate SUMMIT
SUMMIT Admission + Ascent + SUMMIT Signature Cocktail (or mocktail). Online tickets start at $73 for adults and $67 for youth. Those under 21 years old get a mocktail.

 

Things to know before your visit

I wish I had known the codes of conduct before visiting, as I would have been somewhat prepared. There are a few things to know before your visit. I wore a dress and sandals (I had brought sneakers for my walk from the train) and carried a big bag. I suggest wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a light. There are no lockers available to store your belongings or coats.

Let’s get started with my attire: I could see up under my dress and the dresses of others in all the mirrors. My dress was made of thin material, so I could see a few of my pictures through it, but nothing revealing. However, I just want to warn you that the weather is very bright and sunny, which is excellent, and you can see a lot.

I wore prescription glasses and wished I had a pair of prescription sunglasses for my visit. SUMMIT One provides sanitized sunglasses after each use,  but I couldn’t see through them. They only protected my eyes from the glare.

If you have prescription sunglasses, bring them. Wear the proper footwear, and they will be covered with shoe wraps when you proceed to the glass area.

Before your Visit

SUMMIT One is located in the heart of Manhattan; it is 1401 feet tall and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. It’s located on the top three floors, offering more than just views.

There is an art installation by Kenzo Digital called Air. You will be taken on a journey through the looking glass, see your face in the clouds, play in a room of balloons, or come for your Instagram photoshoot. A few ladies dressed in beautiful gowns were having their photo shoot.

Guests are welcome to take photos with a personal, hand-held device; however, selfie sticks and tripods longer than 12” fully extended, and professional photography/videography equipment will not be permitted.

Before visiting, I would make a list of nearby places to visit. There is the Empire State Building, The Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Times Square. The list can go on with places to visit for the ultimate day trip.

Yes, it was busy, but we didn’t experience “the tourist” trap. The lines moved quickly, and it wasn’t overly crowded during our visit. We had tickets for Wednesday at 2 pm. It was a perfect day. Midweek during the day, people would be working. I think the best times to visit are during the week, either day or evening tickets.

Weekends tend to be busier, and you will not have the same experience as you see in Instagram photos. You look on Instagram and see a photo of someone beautifully dressed, and you wonder, “Wow, they took some fantastic pictures.” It seems like the place is empty, and you’re the only one there. In reality, you are waiting while someone else takes their photo, and you can get yours only after they are done.

Ascending to the Top

Upon entry, you will go through security, show your tickets, and receive a wristband with a QR code. This wristband grants you access to your digital experience and captures photos, which you can purchase at the end.

You go through a mini maze that leads you outside to pick up shoe protection and sunglasses if you visit during the day. Before going to the elevators, you will have your face scanned for the Unity Air exhibit.

As you walk through a dimly lit hall toward the elevators, you are lifted to the 91st floor. After a brief walk down a short corridor, you step into Transcendence 1 for the first time, and the experience is astonishing. The weather is perfect, with a crisp blue sky adorned with large, fluffy white clouds. The sun shines brightly on the mirrors, creating a glare, which is why sunglasses are necessary. The room is filled with people striking poses; some even lie on the floor to capture different angles for photos.

Initially, I felt somewhat overwhelmed. I found myself in a mirrored room, reminiscent of a movie scene. I recommend beginning in the corners and gradually working your way around the space. Check out all the views of New York.

The next room you enter is called Reflect, the art installation of Yayoi Kusama. I had the pleasure of visiting her art installation at the New York Botanical Garden. 

The next rooms we entered were: Affinity, filled with shiny silver balloons; Unity, where you can see your face in the clouds (the scan of your face that you took before going up the elevator); and Apres, the indoor lounge that heads out to the elevator to Ascent.

 

Should you visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?

I think this is a great day trip, and you will have a nice day capturing spectacular views of the city. I suggest going during the week, not too close to the holidays. Day or evening experiences are great. I wouldn’t buy the ticket to ride the elevator. It’s not worth spending the money on this. The views don’t change.

If there’s a crowd when you go, be patient. It’s worth it. We spent over 2 hours here, but we could have stayed longer. I highly recommend visiting. Let me know if you go and share your experience in the comment section.

More Unique Places to Visit Near Summit One

• New York Catacombs by Candlelight
• Edge NYC
• One World Observatory
• New York Walking Tours
• Radio City Music Hall
• Rockefeller Plaza (30 Rock)
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• NY Public Library & Library Way