There’s a moment at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt when the city almost doesn’t feel real. You’re standing inside a skyscraper made of mirrors and glass, floating above Midtown Manhattan, watching the city do what it does best—move. Yellow cabs zip below, rooftops buzzing, and streets stretch endlessly into the distance. It’s not the usual kind of viewpoint. It’s part funhouse, part space station, and all New York.
The kind of views you get from each zone
Air is where most people begin. It’s the main observation floor and it's wrapped in floor-to-ceiling mirrors, including the floors. You’re not just looking out at the skyline—you’re seeing it multiply in every direction. You’re facing the east and west sides of Manhattan here, with views of the Chrysler Building right next door, and beyond that, the East River. Look the other way, and the Hudson River glints through the buildings. If it’s a clear day, you’ll see all the way to New Jersey and maybe even Long Island Sound. The reflections are disorienting in the best way.
Levitation is a glass ledge that juts out from the side of the building. Step out, and you’re literally standing on a transparent platform, suspended over Madison Avenue. It faces south, so you get a direct line of sight to the Empire State Building, which is just right there. During the day, it looks commanding. But at night, when it lights up in color, it's even more magical. You can also see Times Square glowing in the distance, Grand Central’s rooftops, and if you look closely, tiny flashes from traffic signals and taxi headlights.
Ascent is for those who want to go a little higher. It’s a glass elevator that climbs the outside of the building to the topmost point of the experience. As you ride up, you face east and get a direct view toward Queens and Roosevelt Island. Once you're up, you're more than 1,200 feet above the city. That’s higher than the spire of the Chrysler Building. You get a quieter moment up here, more wind, more sky, and a view that feels a little less chaotic and more cosmic.
The glass box area (technically part of Levitation, but it deserves its own mention) gives you that iconic “standing over the city” shot. This one faces south and is completely see-through on the floor, sides, and even overhead. You can spot the MetLife Building, One World Trade in the distance, and when the light hits just right, you’ll even see boats dotting the water far beyond the skyline.
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How far can you see from the top?
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt rises to about 1,401 feet at its very tip, though the observation areas are just under that. From the main viewing platforms—around 1,100 feet up—you can see 60 miles out on a clear day. That includes parts of New Jersey, the Atlantic Ocean, and slices of upstate New York. The lower city looks almost like a miniature model—trains snake their way toward Grand Central, and from this height, the sound of sirens and horns turns into a faint industrial hum.
Then night hits. The rooftops start to twinkle. Streetlights and traffic form glowing veins through the city. The Empire State Building stands directly in front of you, fully lit and often changing colors. It’s one of those rare places where the view somehow feels even more alive after dark.
And if you want to get a little preview before you visit, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt’s official website features a live EarthCam from the top. You can check out what the city looks like in real time—from weather to sunset light to that magical nighttime glow—before even stepping in the elevator.
