Five years ago, a brand-new observatory opened on top of a brand-new skyscraper next to Grand Central and promised a totally different way to see New York.
Mirrored rooms, floating silver balloons and a glass elevator scaling the side of the building. It sounded a little wild.
Turns out, people were into it. Like, 10 million people into it.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt officially turned five last week, just one week after welcoming its 10 millionth visitor on October 14.
And that lucky guest didn’t just get a pat on the back. They walked away with a trip for two to Paris.
30 October 2026 08:00 + more dates
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
10 million visitors (and one very lucky one)
The 10 millionth guest scored round-trip business-class flights and a luxury hotel stay in Paris, so they can be among the first to check out SUMMIT Paris when it opens in summer 2027.
That’s right: SUMMIT is going global, with its first location outside NYC crowning the top of the city’s Triangle Building, and Tokyo coming next.
To celebrate the big birthday, SUMMIT also sent a fleet of branded taxis out across Manhattan, surprising riders with free fares and tickets.
Its foundation is also donating $25,000 each to five nonprofits to celebrate, including American Ballet Theatre and New York Cares.
So why is everyone going up?
Plenty of NYC skyscrapers have a view, but SUMMIT is something else.
Spread across the 91st to 93rd floors of One Vanderbilt, the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown, it blends 360-degree views with immersive art by Kenzo Digital.
Here’s what makes it a must:
- The mirror rooms. The main experience, AIR, wraps entire rooms in mirrors, floor to ceiling, so it feels like you’re floating above the city. It’s equal parts dreamy and dizzying, and it’s the reason ELLE crowned SUMMIT the “Most Instagrammable Place in the World.”
- The silver balloon room. One of the most famous spaces is filled with bobbing silver balloons you can wade right through. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
- Ascent, the world’s largest outdoor glass elevator. For the brave, this all-glass box climbs up the outside of the building to 1,210 feet, the highest viewing point in Midtown. Heads up: it’s an add-on, so book a ticket that includes it.
- Up-close icons. Few spots put you this close to the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building at the same time. On a clear day, the views stretch for up to 80 miles.
- A drink in the clouds. Wrap it all up at Après, the bar and café on the 93rd floor, with an outdoor terrace that’s tailor-made for a sunset cocktail.
There’s a reason it’s been named the World Travel Awards’ Leading Tourist Attraction in North America three years running.
Tips for visiting
- Getting in: the entrance is on the Main Concourse level of Grand Central Terminal, so it’s super easy to reach by subway or Metro-North.
- How long: budget about an hour to 90 minutes to see everything at a relaxed pace, longer if you stop for a drink.
- When to go: sunset is the sweet spot. You get daylight views, golden hour and the city lighting up, all in one visit.
- Ascent: decide in advance whether you want the glass elevator, since it’s only included with certain ticket types.
- Tickets: Tickets are separated by 30 minute intervals for visit, running from 8 am – 10 pm! Prices range based on day and time, but usual
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