SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Observation Deck & Glass Elevator

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/24

Duration1h–3h

Mobile ticketAccepted

Rising 1,210 Feet in Glass: SUMMIT's Three Floors of Art & Views

You arrive at your timed slot, move through three floors of immersive art and 360-degree views of Manhattan, and if you've upgraded to Ascent, you ride an exterior glass elevator 12 stories up the side of the building to the highest viewing point in Midtown. The whole thing takes as long as you want to linger — there's no rush once you're in. Entry, all three floors, and the art installations are included; Ascent is an add-on that costs extra but puts you outside the building, suspended above the city.

1h–3h

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience

Explore three immersive levels
Enjoy 360-degree city views
See Empire State and Chrysler buildings
Upgrade to Ascent elevator ride
Ascend 12 stories in glass elevator
View skyline from 1,210 feet

The Experience

Stepping into the all-glass exterior elevator at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, you rise 12 stories up the side of the building — floor-to-ceiling glass on all sides, nothing between you and the skyline dropping away below. That's the Ascent experience, and it lands you at 1,210 feet, the highest viewing point in Midtown Manhattan. But the real draw isn't just the height. It's the three floors of immersive art installations and 360-degree views that make this feel less like an observation deck and more like stepping inside the city itself.

The building sits right there in the middle of everything — you're looking straight at the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building from angles you've never seen them. The floors themselves are part of the experience: mirrored surfaces, transparent glass skyboxes called Levitation that extend out from the building, multi-sensory installations designed to mess with your sense of space. It's not a quick walk-through. You're meant to move through each level, take in the views from different angles, and let the art and the city do their thing together. The whole visit is timed — you book a specific arrival window and need to show up within 20 minutes of that time, so it's not a drop-in kind of place.

One thing to know: wear pants or tights if you can. The mirrored floors mean you'll see reflections of everything, and the dress code exists for that reason. Comfortable shoes matter too — you're walking across glass and reflective surfaces, and certain heels or boots can damage them, so they're not allowed. No large bags or luggage either, and there's no coat check, so travel light. If you book the Ascent upgrade and it's not operating that day, you still get all three floors and a $24 refund, so you're not locked out of the experience.

What’s included

Admission to all three floors of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
access to all indoor immersive art experiences.
360-degree views of the New York City skyline including close-up views of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building.
access to Levitation, the two transparent glass skyboxes extending from the building. If you upgrade to SUMMIT Ascent, you also get access to the all-glass exterior elevator that rises 12 stories up the side of the building to 1,210 feet.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT

Is this one for you?Right for anyone wanting to see Manhattan from a perspective that's not a standard rooftop bar or typical observation deck — the art and glass installations make it feel like you're inside the skyline, not just looking at it. Plan to arrive on time; the timed-entry system keeps crowds manageable, which is what makes the experience feel less like a tourist cattle run and more like moving through an actual space.