New York City is home to some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers. Among these, two famous ones stand as THE titans that have forever reshaped the city’s skyline… Many visitors are wondering if they should visit the Empire State Building VS Summit One Vanderbilt… Here is a detailed answer!
Both share the commonality of being towering figures in the heart of Manhattan, the best area to stay in New York for first-timers.
However, each tells a unique story of New York’s architectural evolution, offering visitors distinct experiences.
This article will delve into the similarities and differences between these two architectural marvels and explore what makes them must-visit destinations for first-time tourists in NYC.
⭐ We ranked the Empire State Building VS Summit based on height, view, price, location, opening hours, accessibility and kids-friendliness.
Empire State Building VS Summit One Vanderbilt: introduction of the big two
Empire State Building: Classic Icon
The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, is a symbol of New York’s rich history and its rise as an economic powerhouse. It was the world’s tallest building for four decades until surpassed by the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1971.
The building’s Art Deco design, characterized by geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation, is a testament to the architectural style of its time. Visiting it even if you only have a packed New York one day itinerary is highly recommended!
The Empire State Building is widely regarded as an iconic symbol of New York City and is recognized globally. It has appeared in numerous films such as King Kong, Sleepless in Seattle, and An Affair to Remember, as well as in literature, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
Summit One Vanderbilt: Modern Marvel
On the other hand, One Vanderbilt is an embodiment of the 21st-century workplace and a shining example of modern architecture.
Completed in 2021, this supertall skyscraper stands at 1,401 feet (427 meters), making it the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan and among the top 30 tallest buildings in the world.
Its sleek and sustainable design, featuring a glass curtain wall and diagonal bracing, sets it apart from the traditional Art Deco style of the Empire State Building.
Summit One Vanderbilt architect, Kohn Pedersen Fox, ensured that the building’s exterior was faceted. Its carefully sculpted form is designed to provide maximum daylight inside the offices, while its tapered profile reduces the impact of the sun.
Summit One Vanderbilt VS Empire State Building: A Comparative Glance
We can’t choose the right observatory deck for you, but we can give you the keys to making the best decision based on your preferences! The following questions will help you compare the two down to the last detail.
Is Empire State or Summit taller?
How tall is the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building stands at 1,250 feet (380 meters). If you consider the antenna as part of the building, it reaches 1,454 feet (443 meters). That is what you call a skyscraper, right?!
As of now, it is the 4th tallest building in New York City, and the 43rd highest in the world. However, that doesn’t mean you can climb to 1,454 feet (443 meters). Or you’d have to stand on a spire and antenna, which we don’t recommend.
There are two observation decks at the Empire State Building, one on the 86th floor and another one at the 102th floor. Therefore, the higher you can get is the 102th floor, at 1,250 feet (380 meters) from the ground.
🤫 Secret: there is a 103rd floor at the Empire State Building, that is not open to the public. It is only accessible to VIPs or special event!
How tall is the Summit One Vanderbilt?
The Summit One Vanderbilt stands at 1,301 feet (397 meters), making it higher than the building of the Empire State. It also has a spire that is 1,401 feet (427 meters) above the ground!
Thanks to these impressive numbers, the Summit is the 28th tallest buildings in the world, or 4th tallest one in New York City. So, how high can you really get when visiting it as a tourist?
Summit One Vanderbilt’s last floors are the 91 to 93rd floors. The highest you can get is 1,210 feet (368 meters) above ground.
The Summit building is taller than the Empire State Building, but its highest observation point is 12 metres lower than that of the Empire State Building!
Which NYC observatory deck has the best view?
What can you see from the Empire State Building?
The observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors provide breathtaking views of NYC. The 86th-floor deck is open-air, giving visitors the chance to really appreciate the city’s skyline.
As the Empire State Building is very central, you can see the Rockefeller Plaza Center, Chrysler Building, Central Park, One World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty and even the Brooklyn Bridge!
On a clear day, you can even see further than New York City.
From The Empire State Building viewpoint, you can see five other states: Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts, especially if you take the lift up to the 102nd floor which offers an enclosed viewing area.
There is also a narrow and vertigo-inducing observation deck with a knee-high parapet on the 103rd floor with limited access to only VIP guests.
✔️ Top tip: you can play a game and try to spot different landmarks, such as the DUMBO Manhattan Bridge view. It’s not every day you can see all of New York from one point of view!
What can you see from the Summit One Vanderbilt?
The observation deck, known as SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, takes the concept of NYC “observation decks” to entirely new heights.
This four-level 6,039 square meter (65,000 square foot) observatory includes an outdoor space that offers a an unparalleled vantage point of New York’s most well-known attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the East River and even the Atlantic Ocean.
If the sky is cloudy, you won’t see this far, but the atmosphere is crazy!
Location: is Summit or Empire State Building easier to get to?
How to get to the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building is located on the 20 W 34th Street, just a few meters away from the 5th Avenue. It is easily accessible, located just a short walk from the equally famous New York City Subway and several bus stops.
🚇 You can hop on the the 1, 2, or 3 train to the 34th Street/Penn Station. The lines B, D, F, Q, R, M, N and W can also take you to the Empire State Building, you would need to stop at the 34th Street/Herald Square station.
🚌 If you are coming by bus, many lines stop the the Empire State Building and you should the most convenient one for you. Among them, you can find the M101, M102, M103… You can stop at the Lexington Av / E 34 St station.
How to get to Summit One Vanderbilt?
Summit One Vanderbilt is at the 45 E 42nd Street, in Midtown Manhattan. It is also conveniently located at the corner of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, directly connecting to the city’s transportation network.
🚇 To get there, you can take the subway lines 4, 5, 6, 7 to Grand Central – 42 Street Station, which is only one minute away to the entrance of the Summit One Vanderbilt. As many people visit the Grand Central Station anyways, we could say that Summit benefits from it! Gossip girl fans know why.
Does Summit or the Empire State Building offer the best experiences?
Attractions at the Empire State Building
After visiting the 86th and 102th observatory floors of the Empire State Building, we recommend that you visit some of their historical exhibits. Those are very worth visiting even if this is not what you came here for at first!
History exhibits at the Empire State Building
You will several rooms retracing the – almost – 100 years of the Empire State Building. From black and white pictures, to replicas of old elevators and bronze status of construction workers, those history rooms tell the whole story of this impressive building of all records.
Celebrity and Movie Walls
In a different kind of story, the Empire State Building likes to remind the public who visited it and in what movies it features. First, there is a room where you can watch all 600 clips of movies, commercials and comics where the building is filmed!
As if it was not impressive enough, the next room pictures all the celebrities that visited the Empire State Building. This is a photo collections of famous people, posing at different observation levels of this famous tower.
Attractions at the Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit offers many incredible activities other than looking at – yet impressive – views of the big Apple. The most famous ones are the Air art installation, the Ascent and the Levitation.
Air by Kenzo Digital
This futuristic art installation truly adds something to the Summit One Vanderbilt’s experiences. It features 3 parts : affinity, transcendence and transcendence 2.
The infinity room is a glass room with hundreds of floating silver balloons in which you can see your reflection. This is a very cool and instagrammable art installation as the public can interact with it.
The Transcendence Room is an infinity mirror room. You might have already been in one before, but certainly never in a building this high and with this many floors! The views are insane.
Transcendence 2 is similar, but they’ve added round mirrors that look like teleportation portals to get in and out of the building. This is obviously not the case, but the illusion is very real!
Ascent
The Ascent is a glass elevator that takes you to the highest point of the building. The views from it are, as you can guess, pretty stunning!
Levitation Room
Those are two spaces perched above the void, with transparent floors and windows! It feels unreal to walk above a glass this high, seeing the small Madison Avenue above your feet.
This is an excellent photostop, that everyone wants to go to. But as everyone wants a picture without anyone else in it, the Summit staff took care of it. They time your time in the glass boxes and take pictures for you!
How much do NYC observation decks cost?
Empire State Building price
Separate tickets are required to access the 86th and 102nd floors of the Empire State Building and you can choose between a standard ticket or an express one for your visit.
If you wish, you can purchase an online ticket for the 86th floor and then upgrade it on-site at an additional fee to access the 102nd floor.
The standard ticket price is $44 for adults aged between 13 and 61 years. For seniors (aged 62 and above), the price drops to $42, and children get a discounted ticket price of $38.
The 102nd floor observation deck tickets are priced at $79.00 for adults, $73.00 for children, and $77.00 for seniors.
📌 For those wanting to skip the lines with an Express Pass to both the 86th and 102nd floors, it costs $119 per person for all guests aged six and over.
Summit One Vanderbilt price
There are three kinds of packages to access the Summit One Vanderbilt: Summit Experience, Summit Signature Experience or Summit Ascent! All includes access to the observatory decks and the air and levitation experiences. You can also access a bar called the Après with all tickets.
The Summit Experience is the basic package and costs $42 USD per adult and $36 USD per children under 13 years old. Children under 5 do not need a ticket.
The Summit Signature includes a signature cocktail or mocktail, and costs $56 USD and $50 USD for children between 5 and 13 years old.
Last but not least, if you wish to access the famous glass elevator called the ascent, you will need to pay the Ascent ticket at $62 USD per person.
When are the best observatories in New York open?
Empire State Building opening hours
The opening hours of the Empire State Building depends on the period of the year. They open between 8 AM and 10 AM, and closes between 10 PM and 1 AM. The last entrance is 45 minutes before the closing time.
The widest opening period is usually during the school vacations, when tourists are most numerous! Check the Empire State Building website for accurate information.
Summit One Vanderbilt opening hours
Summit One Vanderbilt is open to visitors from 9 AM to 12 AM. The last entrance is one hour before the closing time, at 11 PM. Visiting it at night is a completely different experience. The New York skyline lights up and the views are unparalleled!
Which observatory deck is the most popular, and therefore, crowded?
How many people visit the Empire State Building per year?
More than 4 millions people visit the Empire State Building every year. This emblematic landmark of New York City will soon celebrate its 100th birthday, and has an exceptional worldwide reputation. It is for sure one of the most visited buildings in the world.
How many people visit the Summit per year?
The Summit One Vanderbilt only opened in 2021 but is already quite famous in the United-States, and in the world! During its first year, and despite the pandemic, it welcomed 1,4 million visitors.
Are the observation decks in NYC accessible?
Is the Empire State Building accessible for people with disabilities?
The Empire State Building is fully accessible for people with disabilities, motorized or non-monotorized wheelchairs. If you have a dissability, you will be able to go in through the main entrance, at 20 West 34th Street.
They are elevators and ramps through out the venue. They are also accesible restrooms at the 86th floor observatory deck. Last but not least, service dogs are allowed inside the Empire State Building.
Is the Summit One Vanderbilt accessible for people with disabilities?
All levels of the Summit One Vanderbilt are fully accessible for people with a wheelchair. Service animals, trained or in-training, are welcome in the building. Sign Language interpreters are also available if you submit a request at least 3 weeks before your visit.
As Summit offer a multisensorial experience with lights and sounds, they can also provide ear plugs and sunglasses for people that don’t like it.
What is the best observatory in NYC for kids?
Can you visit the Empire State Building with kids?
Yes, it is totally allowed (and recommended!) to visit the Empire State Building with kids. They will definitely be impressed by the views, and find the movie display and celebrity rooms funny. This is also a fully-secured space to visit with kids.
Is the Summit One Vanderbilt kids-friendly?
You can absolutely visit the Summit One Vanderbilt with kids. It’s a safe and closed space, and they will love the different art installations! Silver baloons, light and music? Any kid would probably say “sign me in!”.
Where to stay in Manhattan?
Where to stay near the Empire State Building?
Arlo NoMad – this hotel’s rooftop terrace offers a view on the Empire State Building! Its rooms are as incredible as the rooftop. They are located at high-floors and have big windows for you to feel like you are part of the Manhattan skyline! The views are pretty fabulous.
LUMA Hotel – Times Square – only a 13-minute walk from the Empire State Building, and even less from Times Square, this hotel offers spacious rooms with private bathrooms. Its big windows offer incredible skyline views.
Where to stay near the Summit One Vanderbilt?
Library Hotel by Library Hotel Collection – a stunning brown-briques hotel in the middle of Manhattan, and only 100 meters away from the famous Summit One Vanderbilt. The rooms are decorated in the traditional classy american style.
Andaz 5th Avenue-a concept by Hyatt – if you have been dreaming of renting a New York suite on 5th Avenue, this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to live your Gossip Girl dreams!
This hotel offers large rooms with a king-size bed, a living-room area, and of course, floor-to-ceiling windows for you to admire the New York skyscrapers.
The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue – this hotel, located 500 meters from the Summit, is next level in terms of hospitality. Always dreamed of being treated like a superstar? This is your time to shine!
To make it even better, the rooms are just as good as the staff and there is an onsite Michelin-star restaurant, called Ai Fiori.
Is the Empire State Building or Summit better?
While both buildings offer stunning panoramic views of NYC, the experience they provide is markedly different. The truth is, no matter which building you choose to visit, you will be impressed and have an amazing experience!
The Empire State Building carries with it a sense of nostalgia and classic New York charm, One Vanderbilt in contrast represents the city’s modern, cutting-edge persona.
Both buildings are well-connected to public transport, although One Vanderbilt’s direct connection to the Grand Central Terminal gives it a slight edge for convenience.
As far as observation decks go, while the Empire State Building’s open-air deck provides a more traditional 360-degree view of the city, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt’s multi-level observatory promises a more unique, immersive experience.
👉 READ NEXT: the best stops for an epic New York to Maine road trip 🏞
Or the coolest things to do in Georgetown DC at night 🌃
Empire State Building VS Summit One Vanderbilt: The Verdict
Choosing between the Empire State Building and One Vanderbilt ultimately depends on what you’re looking for in your NYC visit.
If you’re a history buff or a fan of classic architecture, the Empire State Building is a must-see.
If, however, you’re more interested in modern architecture and want to experience the latest addition to NYC’s skyline, then Summit One Vanderbilt is the place to be.
No matter which skyscraper you choose to visit, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience that encapsulates the spirit of New York City: a place where history meets innovation, and tradition coexists with the cutting-edge.
In the end, why choose? You could also visit both! This New York walking tour will take you to both, as well as the Chrysler Building and Madison Square Park.
After visiting the highlights of Manhattan, we highly recommend having a look at the best things to do in Brooklyn in September.
