New York City’s infamous Vessel joined in on the holiday festivities this past winter by lighting up for the first time since its 2019 debut–but it’s got more in store than just a couple (or, well, two million) twinkling lights. The honeycomb-shaped structure is now set to reopen to the public this March, welcoming visitors back just in time for spring.
Starting Monday, March 9, 2026, visitors can once again climb Vessel and take in its striking architecture along with panoramic views of the West Side, the Hudson River, and beyond.
Designed by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio, Vessel quickly became one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks, drawing over two million visitors each year. Its shimmering bronze-colored steel and glass exterior changes with the light, captivating both those who climb its 150-foot spiral staircase and those who admire it from afar.
Its history hasn’t been without controversy, though.
The structure has closed multiple times following tragic incidents, raising safety concerns. After shutting to the public in 2021, all but the top level of Vessel reopened in October 2024, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling steel mesh barriers.
Still, the 154 flights, 2,500 stairs, and 80 landings offer a one-of-a-kind vantage point of the skyline–views that visitors clearly still crave. “Not a day goes by that we don’t have visitors walking up to our staff asking where they can buy tickets and when it will reopen,” Related Companies CEO Jeff T. Blau said in 2024.
Tickets are available now online, released on the last Friday of each month at 9 am for the following month. New York City residents can claim complimentary Thursday reservations released monthly, along with a limited number of free day-of tickets.
Whether New Yorkers are excited to climb back up or remain wary, Vessel’s return is sure to reignite conversation over the city’s most talked-about architectural experiment.
Know Before You Go
- 📍 20 Hudson Yards
- 🗓️ Open daily, beginning March 9, 2026
- ⏰ 11 am – 7 pm
- 🎟️ Tickets available online
- ⁉️ Learn more