Almost every tourist visiting New York City is in search of the perfect holiday photo, and in the Big Apple, that means an epic shot with the iconic city skyline in the background. There are several observation decks across the city, and most tourists flock to the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock. However, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt has reimagined the concept of an observation deck by not only constructing the tallest commercial building in Midtown but also creating an immersive art and scenic experience that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. With all the hype surrounding this relatively new New York City attraction, you might be wondering how to buy tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, whether it’s worth a guided tour, and how to get the most value for your money. We’ll cover all this and more in this guide to visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
Quick Answer – How to Buy Tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: The most cost-effective way to purchase tickets for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is to buy them online in advance through this link. These tickets are cheaper than those on the official website and offer the added benefit of being refundable up to 24 hours before your visit, unlike tickets purchased directly from the official site.
Best Ways to Get Tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened in 2021, offering an immersive art experience coupled with an incredible 360-degree view of the Big Apple. Below, we’ll lay out all your options for buying tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
Line Up in Person (Not Recommended)
Since SUMMIT One Vanderbilt sees over one million tourists a year, it’s safe to say you won’t be the only one visiting the observation deck. Lines can get very long, as the attraction uses a timed entry system, allowing entry for groups every half hour. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt encourages visitors to book their time slots in advance online because timeslots usually sell out, leaving walk-in ticket buyers waiting 30 minutes or more to see if they can get in with the next group.
Buy a Ticket Online in Advance (Recommended)
Booking tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt in advance is the best way to ensure a seamless experience. While you can purchase your ticket on SUMMIT’s official website, we highly recommend booking through GetYourGuide instead. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt tickets purchased on the official website are nonrefundable, even in the event of bad weather. With GetYourGuide, you can buy a refundable ticket up to 24 hours before your visit, so if you see a storm in the forecast, you can postpone. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt tickets are also more expensive on the official website, as the company charges a $3 processing fee and an additional $10 for sunset timeslots. None of these fees are on GetYourGuide, so enjoy convenience and a good deal by getting your tickets through them.
Book a Private VIP Guided Tour
This VIP guided tour of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is an excellent option for those seeking more out of their visit, and it’s available exclusively on GetYourGuide. Tourists will meet with a private guide for a VIP tour of the deck and gallery, learning about the building and artwork installations. The package includes entrance for up to six people and a complimentary welcome cocktail from SUMMIT’s chic restaurant, Après, to enjoy while gazing at the city skyline, along with a digital photo package. The tour lasts about an hour and a half.
Book a Combo Guided Tour Ticket to Midtown
If you’re looking to explore multiple attractions in one day, consider booking this guided tour of Midtown with a ticket to the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt observation deck. Visitors can explore iconic landmarks like the Broadway Theater District, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Radio City Music Hall on a guided tour before heading to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to view the city from above. The tour includes up to 20 people and lasts two hours, after which visitors can spend as much time as they’d like at SUMMIT.
Useful Information for Visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
What’s the Best Time to Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?
The best time to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt depends on what you’re hoping to experience. If you want to avoid crowds and get a solo picture at the top, we recommend booking an early morning timeslot. However, sunset at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is world-class, as you’ll watch the golden light shine on iconic buildings like the Empire State Building, creating a spectacular scene for tourists and photography enthusiasts. Sunset is such a popular time that it’s often booked out days in advance, so be sure to grab your ticket early.
What Are SUMMIT One Vanderbilt’s Hours of Operation?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is open every day except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. The last time slot for entry is at 10 p.m., and the last entrance is at 10:30 p.m.
How Do You Get to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located in Midtown Manhattan, one of the busiest areas to drive in the city, on East 42nd Street. We don’t recommend driving due to heavy traffic and expensive parking. The best ways to get there are by public transit or taxi/rideshare. Grand Central Station is located right next to the building, making it easy to arrive by train, Metro-North, or subway. Several buses stop nearby, including the M1, M2, M3, M4, M101, M102, M103, Q32, and M42.
There are three entrances to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, but none are through the One Vanderbilt lobbies. Visitors should enter via the Transit Hall at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and 43rd Street, a second street-level entrance at 45 East 42nd Street, or the Main Concourse Level of Grand Central Station.
How Do SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Tickets Work?
As mentioned, SUMMIT uses a timed ticket entry system where visitors pre-book time slots to ride to the top. This can be confusing when searching for skip-the-line tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Essentially, the only ticket that isn’t skip-the-line is one purchased in person. Tickets are required for all visitors except those aged five or younger.
Those who purchase a ticket online in advance must show up before their specified time slot, or they risk missing their ascent. If you arrive late, you’ll be denied access to your time slot and must pay a rebooking fee for the next available time. Once you check in, have your digital ticket ready to show. You can also print your ticket or use one of the kiosks at check-in to print it. Visitors board an internal elevator to the 93rd floor and can explore three floors of sensory-inducing art installations before reaching the observation deck and restaurant. Visitors are not allowed to return to a floor after visiting it, so be sure to see everything you want before heading up to the next level. Those with a SUMMIT Ascent ticket will board an exterior elevator, the largest exterior glass-floor elevator in the world, for an even higher view than the main observation deck.
How Much Do Tickets for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Cost?
The price of tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt varies based on the type of ticket and where you buy it. SUMMIT offers discounted tickets for NYC and Long Island residents, along with complimentary tickets for active and retired military personnel, plus a 25% discount on up to four family and friends’ tickets. Children aged five and younger do not need a ticket.
A standard SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket for adults (ages 13 and older) costs $43, and a youth ticket costs $37 on the official website. This price does not include taxes, a $3 service fee, or the $10 charge for sunset time slots. A standard adult ticket on GetYourGuide costs $46.81, including taxes and fees, regardless of the time slot, making it a more affordable option than the official website.
The next tier is the SUMMIT Signature Experience, which includes all the same access as a standard ticket plus a complimentary cocktail at Après, SUMMIT’s rooftop cafe. This ticket is sold only on the SUMMIT website for $57 for adults (excluding taxes and service fee) and $51 for youth. These prices do not include the additional $10 fee for sunset timeslots. GetYourGuide offers a similar VIP Guided Tour package with a cocktail, personal guide, and digital photo package for $1,088.75 for a group of six.
For daredevils looking to ride Ascent, SUMMIT’s record-breaking exterior glass elevator, you’ll need to purchase a SUMMIT Ascent ticket. It includes all the access of a standard ticket, plus a ride on the famous glass elevator to go even higher than the observation deck. Ascent tickets cost about $63 for adults and $54 for youth (taxes and service fees excluded). The sunset fee applies to these tickets as well.
If you want to book a two-hour guided tour of Midtown Manhattan with a ticket to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, you can do so on GetYourGuide for $89 for adults and $85 for children ages 6 to 12.
What Are the Best Hotels Near SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?
There are a plethora of attractions in Midtown Manhattan, where the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt building is located, so it might be worthwhile to stay nearby.
One of the best places to stay near SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is LUMA Hotel. This four-star hotel offers a modern motif with an on-site café and bar, a nearby parking garage, and room service. LUMA provides large, bright, air-conditioned rooms with views of Times Square, along with family rooms and accessibility-friendly rooms with ADA hearing/visual aids.
Another great option for travelers is the Hilton Club The Central at 5th New York. This highly rated three-star hotel is located just five blocks from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and boasts a fitness center, nearby parking, and occasional live music performances. All the rooms are fitted with heating and air conditioning, along with Japanese toilets and complimentary water and coffee/tea.
For a great room at a great rate, check out Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection, located a block away from Times Square. Visitors will find plenty of amenities at Casablanca, including an on-site bar, restaurant, business center, and complimentary breakfast. The interior is beautifully designed in a classic boutique European style, with a warm wooden facade, ambient lighting, and a large fireplace in the lobby. All suites come with complimentary slippers, a flat-screen TV, and a seating area.
What’s the Security Process at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt?
Those planning to tour SUMMIT One Vanderbilt should be prepared for a security check prior to entry. Several items are prohibited from entering the premises, including firearms, knives, laser pointers, mace, construction tools, outside food and drinks, transportation devices (hoverboards, scooters, bikes), bags/luggage larger than a standard backpack, selfie sticks, drones, and tripods/monopods longer than 12 inches when fully extended.
When it comes to strollers and carriages, only foldable or collapsible versions are allowed. There is no stroller storage at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, so you’ll have to keep the stroller with you at all times.
What About Visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt With a Disability?
I have high praise for SUMMIT’s accessibility, as they have crafted a virtual Accessibility Playbook that allows tourists to experience a virtual walkthrough of all the spaces in SUMMIT with captions providing an accessibility overview of each area. This is a game-changer for travelers with disabilities, as they can analyze the attraction in advance to determine whether they can enjoy it fully. SUMMIT features full wheelchair accessibility on all floors, along with accessible bathrooms on each level and a family bathroom on Level OB1. Visitors with low or no vision can contact SUMMIT before their visit to request the assistance of a sighted guide.
FAQ About SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
When Was SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Built?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened to the public on October 21, 2021.
What Makes SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Different From Other Observation Decks?
SUMMIT is a unique attraction for many reasons. Not only is it New York City’s fourth-tallest building, with a height of 1,401 feet (427 meters), but it also offers more than just an observation deck. The attraction includes two floors of interactive art installations designed to create a multi-sensory experience, along with incredible 360-degree views of NYC’s skyline. Visitors can also ride Ascent, the world’s highest rack and pinion elevator and largest exterior glass-bottom elevator, and enjoy a meal or cocktail at Aprés, the on-site indoor/outdoor restaurant with sweeping city views.
Where Is SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Located?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located in Midtown Manhattan on East 42nd Street, next to Grand Central Station.
How High Is SUMMIT One Vanderbilt’s Observation Deck?
Visitors to SUMMIT’s observation deck will find themselves at a height of 1,210 feet (368 meters) above NYC.
What Happens if I Am Late for My Entry Time Slot?
If you arrive after your designated time slot on your SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket, you will need to pay a rebooking fee to access the observation deck at a later time.
Are There Skip-the-Line Tickets?
Technically, every ticket purchased in advance online is a skip-the-line SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket since the attraction operates on a timed ticketing system.
Does SUMMIT Offer Accessibility Tickets?
No, as of 2024, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt does not offer accessibility tickets. However, the entire attraction is fully wheelchair accessible.
Now that you’re an expert on how and where to buy tickets for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, all that’s left is to choose how you want to experience the attraction. Will you enjoy a lavish meal with a view, or do you dare to ride the Ascent elevator? Either way, you’ll snap some incredible pictures and create lasting memories at this Big Apple attraction.
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