Celebrate summer above the city at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Take in the views, sip sky-high cocktails and explore three immersive floors 1,100 feet above NYC this summer.
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Written by Colleen Hamilton for Time Out in paid partnership with SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
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There’s nothing like summer in NYC, especially in the year the city turns 400. The days are longer, the nights are warmer and the city’s energy is at full volume. For a view that matches the moment, head 93 stories above the streets of Manhattan to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

With three immersive floors and floor-to-ceiling views that stretch for miles, SUMMIT offers a sky-high take on summer in the city. Guests can explore the full experience, then wrap it up at the terrace café with a cocktail in hand and the skyline all around.

Whether you’re hosting out-of-towners or just want to see the city from a new perspective, SUMMIT is the kind of place that makes even a regular afternoon feel unforgettable. There’s room to roam, views to take your breath away and plenty of photo-worthy views if you’re so inclined.

With long days and clear skies ahead, this is the season to see NYC from above. Visit during the day or come after the sun has set for the evening lightshow, but don’t miss your chance to enjoy summer 2025 at the top.

Step into infinite reflections in the Transcendence room

Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

After you ride 91 floors to the top floor of SUMMIT in less than 43 seconds, you will enter Transcendence, a two-story room covered in thirty thousand square feet of mirrors. Standing in the room is akin to being at the center of a disco ball, watching as light from the sun refracts across the room. In the Transcendence room—one of 4 rooms designed by the visionary artist Kenzo Digital–New York City comes alive as you gaze at the seemingly endless reflections of the city below.

Embrace your playful side in the room with floating orbs

Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Summer delivers a certain carefree spirit, and the room with floating orbs—dozens of silver, balloon-like objects that freely float through the space—will deliver. You may have already seen this room on Instagram, as it often tops lists of "Most Instagrammable places," and that's for a reason. The shimmering silver beams offer endless chances to take photos as the orbs pop and spin around you. It's the perfect spot to let loose, have fun and take pictures that are sure to rack up dozens of comments. 

Experience a sky-high adrenaline rush

Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

After you've embraced your playful side, thrill-seekers can step into SUMMIT's transparent sky boxes, a series of glass-encased rooms that protrude from the building. As you stare out at the city, only a thin sheet of glass will separate you from the bustling streets 1,100 feet below. While this can be a thrilling (and, yes, slightly terrifying) experience, it also means that you'll be able to see the floods of people that move through New York's streets in a whole new way. 

Enjoy the sunset during summer nights

Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

In their natural state, sunsets in New York City are extraordinary. Sherbert orange and pink light bursts above some of the most iconic buildings in the world. However, SUMMIT takes it to an entirely new level. You won't only have unparalleled views of the entire city skyline; the mirrored columns within the Transcendence room illuminate with vibrant colors synced to mesmerizing sounds, creating an immersive sensory spectacle unlike any other summer activity in New York.

Savor a drink on the rooftop terrace

Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

At the end of your visit, you can enjoy curated food and cocktails in the Après Nordic-style café designed by Snøhetta on the 93rd floor with an outdoor bar on the rooftop terrace. You'll have over eighty miles of unobstructed views as you sip spring-inspired drinks like the SUMMIT Solstice—a refreshing mix of mezcal, yuzu curacao, shiso and lemon—or the watermelon spritz mocktail. The Après cafe also offers a variety of fresh, seasonal dining options like a mezze plate or caprese panini. It's the perfect moment to grab a snack before diving back into the celebrations below. 

Ready to celebrate the Fourth of July in an extraordinary new way? Tickets will be on sale starting mid-June.

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