SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is the latest world-class observatory to come up in New York City, after the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, and The Edge.
The observation deck is on the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd floors of One Vanderbilt, Manhattan’s tallest commercial skyscraper.
The SUMMIT offers 360-degree views of New York, including Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
Table of contents
- Where to book tickets
- Cost of Summit One Vanderbilt tickets
- Summit One Vanderbilt tickets
- Frequently asked questions about tickets
- What to expect at Summit One Vanderbilt
- Observation deck’s timings
- When should you reach The Summit?
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to visit the observatory
- Summit One’s Dress Code
- Elevators at the attraction
- How to reach Summit One Vanderbilt
Where to book tickets
Ready to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt? Grab your tickets online—it’s the smarter choice!
Buying your tickets online is not only cheaper than getting them at the door, but it also saves you time.
Skip the long lines and forget about the stress of sold-out signs.
Plus, it’s super easy. Choose your date and time, make the purchase, and boom! Your tickets land straight in your email.
No need for printouts. Just flash your e-ticket on your smartphone at the gate for a hassle-free entry.
Insider tip! Online tickets help you avoid wasting time in the ticket counter queues, which sometimes can last 20 minutes or more.
Cost of Summit One Vanderbilt tickets
From Monday to Thursday, Summit One Vanderbilt’s tickets cost US$43 for adults aged 13 and older, while kids aged six to 12 pay a discounted price of US$37.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, adult tickets cost US$49, while the children’s tickets cost US$43.
From 5:30 pm to 8 pm every day, an additional peak time cost of US$10 is added to each ticket.
Kids under five years of age can enter for free.
| Day | Regular tickets | Sunset time tickets* |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | US$43 | US$53 |
| Tuesday | US$43 | US$53 |
| Wednesday | US$43 | US$53 |
| Thursday | US$43 | US$53 |
| Friday | US$49 | US$59 |
| Saturday | US$49 | US$59 |
| Sunday | US$49 | US$59 |
*The sunset time slots are 5.30 pm, 6 pm, 6.30 pm, 7 pm, 7.30 pm, and 8 pm.
Summit One Vanderbilt tickets
There are a couple of ways to experience New York’s premium observation deck.
You can opt for a self-guided tour and roam at your own pace, soaking in breathtaking views and cutting-edge art installations.
If you prefer a bit of storytelling, a guided tour of the observation deck adds a rich layer of narrative, making each sight even more memorable.
Or, why not make it the ultimate sightseeing adventure? Combine your visit with tickets to other iconic observation decks, such as the Empire State Building or The Edge at Hudson Yards.
Each choice offers a unique perspective of New York City.
Standard Skip The Line tickets
This is the cheapest and most popular way to explore the New York observatory.
More than 90% of the tourists and locals go for this self-guided tour of The Summit.
This Skip The Line admission ticket gives you access to everything – AIR (Transcendence 1, Transcendence 2, Affinity, and Unity), Reflect, and Levitation.
You will walk through three floors, enjoying the New York skyline and stopping by interactive art installations and mirror rooms.
You also get access to the Apres, the observation deck’s restaurant.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (13+ years): US$43 to US$59
Child Ticket (6 to 11 years): US$37 to US$53
Infant Ticket (up to 6 years): Free
Private guided tour
If you want to feel like a VIP and look down on the New York skyline from the Summt One Vanderbilt’s observation deck, we suggest you opt for the private guided tour.
The inclusions of this 90-minute tour are:
- Entry tickets for up to six people
- Fast-pass entry
- Tour guide
- One cocktail per person
- Digital photo gallery
After booking your private tour, you must reach the Summit’s box office on time.
An ambassador will be waiting for you and escort your group through the experience.
After the tour is over, you can hang around at the observation deck for as long as you want.
Tour Price: US$ 1,088 for up to six guests
Combo tickets for The Summit
There are three reasons why tourists buy Summit One Vanderbilt combo tickets –
- They want to compare The Summit to other observation decks like the Empire State Building or The Edge at Hudson Yards
- Since it takes only 90 minutes to explore the viewing platform, they want to add one more nearby attraction to their day’s itinerary
- These combo tickets come with 10% to 30% discounts
| Combo Ticket | Cost |
|---|---|
| The SUMMIT + Edge Hudson Yards | US$68 |
| The SUMMIT + Empire State Building | US$82 |
| SUMMIT One Vanderbilt + MoMA | US$72 |
| SUMMIT One Vanderbilt + The Guggenheim | US$68 |
| Summit + AMNH + Central Park Zoo | US$83 |
Recommended Reading
# SUMMIT One or Empire State Building
# SUMMIT One or Top of the Rock
# The Summit or One World Observatory
# SUMMIT One Vanderbilt vs. The Edge
Save time & money! Buy New York CityPass and visit 5 iconic attractions of NY like the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Guggenheim Museum, and many more. Book now and get up to 40% discount. Find out if The Summit is part of the New York Pass package.
Frequently asked questions about tickets
Here are some questions tourists ask before purchasing their tickets for Summit One Vanderbilt, one of New York’s finest observation decks.
While visiting The Summit, children five years and younger can enter for free – they don’t need to buy tickets. All visitors six years and above require a paid ticket to access the observation deck and its immersive experiences.
Yes, tickets for One Vanderbilt Observatory are available at the venue’s Box office. However, the popular timeslots may sell out due to high demand, so getting them online in advance is better.
Visitors can present their tickets on mobile devices, but printed tickets are also accepted at the Summit One Vanderbilt entrance.
When you book your Summit tickets, you must select a preferred time of visit. You must be at the venue at least five minutes before this time, which will be mentioned on your ticket.
If you arrive after your ticket time, they’ll try to accommodate you based on capacity, but you may have to wait for long. That’s why arriving five minutes before the time mentioned on your ticket is better.
The observation deck offers New York and Long Island residents discounted admission tickets via its store on the official website.
Unfortunately, the observatory does not offer a dedicated student discount on their admission tickets.
Kids aged six to 12 years get a US$6 discount on the adult ticket price, while children aged five years and below enter for free.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt offers a complimentary SUMMIT Experience admission ticket to all active duty and retired United States Armed Forces members, as well as 50% off for up to 4 guests of our military family.
Present an active duty or veteran’s ID at the Welcome Desk upon arrival to receive the offer.
Don’t hesitate to contact Guest Satisfaction Ambassadors at 1‐877‐682‐1401 from 9 am to 8 pm EST to make a reservation for your visit.
The New York Pass has not yet included The Summit in its go-to sightseeing list.
But it gets you free access to Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, etc.
Summit One Vanderbilt has a strict non-refundable ticket policy.
This means that once you purchase tickets, you cannot receive a refund regardless of the reason for cancellation or no-show.
This policy applies to all ticket types, including adult, child, and discounted tickets.
While the observation deck has a strict non-refundable ticket policy, they allow you to change the date and time of your visit for a small fee, subject to availability.
You can request this change through their website by logging in to your account or contacting their customer service team directly.
One Vanderbilt Summit is an all-weather experience – so all tickets are final and nonrefundable.
Got more questions? Check out our Summit One Vanderbilt’s FAQs page
What to expect at Summit One Vanderbilt
Recommended Reading: Is visiting The Summit worth it?
Choosing between day and night visits depends on preferences. Daytime offers clear, panoramic views and full exposure to the architectural details. At night, however, the city lights create a magical atmosphere, perfect for a more dramatic and intimate experience. Nighttime visits to The Summit can feel truly special.
Observation deck’s timings
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opens at 9 am and closes at midnight on all days of the week.
The last entry is at 10.30 pm – 90 minutes before the closing.
When should you reach The Summit?
While booking their tickets, guests must select a preferred time and date for a visit, which is indicated on the ticket.
You must arrive at your scheduled time on the day of the visit.
Since SUMMIT Observatory operates at full capacity, you might not be able to get in if you arrive more than 20 minutes late.
If you miss your time slot, you can try rescheduling your visit—subject to availability, a rescheduling fee, and a possible ticket price difference.
How long does the tour take
Most visitors spend 90 minutes exploring everything that SUMMIT One Vanderbilt has to offer.
This will give you ample time to explore all the exhibits, take photos, and even grab a bite to eat at the cafe.
Best time to visit the observatory
The best time to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is about an hour before sunset.
When you are at the observation deck’s entrance an hour before sunset, you see the views of New York in daylight, then see the sun go down and bring up all the colors, and finally enjoy the city all light up in the dark.
If you want to avoid the crowd, the best time to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is as soon as it opens at 9 am.
Weekdays at the attraction tend to be less crowded than weekends.
Recommended Reading
# Restaurants near Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit One’s Dress Code
Summit One Vanderbilt is full of extensive mirror-like surfaces which is why we recommend wearing pants, shorts, or tights instead of skirts.
Comfortable, non-scuffing shoes like sneakers are ideal, as stiletto heels, work boots, and cleats are not permitted to protect the glass floors.
Remember, the mirrored design can make the space quite bright, especially on sunny days. Don’t forget your sunglasses to enjoy the views comfortably.
While exploring, please wear a shirt and shoes at all times.
Come dressed for comfort, safety, and respect, ensuring a pleasant experience for all.
Elevators at the attraction
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt transports visitors to its observation decks at different levels by fast-paced elevators, each offering a jaw-dropping view.
The latest observation deck of New York has two elevators:
Internal elevator
The interior elevator takes visitors from the ground floor to the 91st floor and the subsequent floors.
This elevator provides access to Transcendence 1, Transcendence 2, Reflect, Affinity, Unity, Levitation, Apres, and the outdoor terrace.
External elevator
Ascent is an all-glass elevator that moves along the outside surface of the building. It takes guests over 1200 feet (366 meters) and offers a much more exhilarating experience.
How to reach Summit One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located at the intersection of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
Address: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA. Get Directions
You can reach SUMMIT by public transport or car.
SUMMIT Observatory’s entrance
The entrance to SUMMIT is located on the Main Concourse Level of Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal, inside the Vanderbilt Passage.
You must follow the signage that says, ‘Observation Deck.’
Or you can take the 42nd Street subway entrance next to TD Bank.
You must proceed down the stairs or elevator (not the escalators) and head towards the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt entrance.
Only guests with the Summit One Vanderbilt tickets are allowed beyond the entrance.
Public Transport
The nearest subway lines are the 4, 5, 6, 7, and Shuttle at Grand Central, 42nd Street.
One Vanderbilt is conveniently reached by NYC bus via the M101, M102, M103, M1, M2, M3, M4, Q32, and M42.
Metro-North trains on the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines arrive at Grand Central Terminal from the surrounding suburbs.
If you want to drive to the attraction, turn on Google Maps and get started! There are many parking garages nearby.
Sources
# Summitov.com
# Wikipedia.org
# Tripadvisor.com
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