Review

The Summit One Vanderbilt

If you’re looking for an immersive attraction with amazing views of New York City, you should visit the Summit One Vanderbilt. The Summit offers an observation deck on the ninety-first floor that displays the city skyline through large, ceiling-high glass windows.

Upon entry, I was met with a line that moved pretty quickly through the lobby and into the security check-in area. The process takes no longer than 15 minutes, and then the experience begins.

The first thrill begins on the way to the elevator doors. Pulsating LED lights glow from the ceilings and the background, adding a suspenseful feeling to start the journey. Once I entered the elevators, bright lights and mirrors captivated my surroundings, giving off an illusion that I was inside a U.F.O. spacecraft of some sort.

The elevator then catapulted to the ninety-first floor and then the elevator door slowly opened. The first room is spacious and has a 360-degree view of the entire city. The floors are glass and the ceiling is mirrors. The second room is an exhibit of some sort, which seems to be large stones made of contorted metal and shaped to mimic water droplets.

Photo Credit: Christopher Carmant.

Next is the balloon room, the most anticipated and notable room of the entire experience. This room features an interactive element that allows visitors to engage in a compelling experience in an entire room full of balloons. The balloons provide a fun and joyful experience along with the amazing views. Personally, this room was my favorite part of the experience. Beyond this point, there are other rooms with more amazing views of the city and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Throughout my visit, I also overheard electronic sound effects that mimicked the attraction in a sequence that added to the overall experience.

Photo Credit: Christopher Carmant.

The employees offer visitors the option to take their picture with a view of the background, which could then be printed and framed at the checkout area. 
If you have not seen this amazing attraction, I highly recommend checking it out. It is definitely an experience that stays with you for a lifetime. Tickets can be purchased online on their website along with add-ons to fit the needs of your experience.

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