Summit One Vanderbilt or Empire State Building

Both Summit One Vanderbilt and the Empire State Building offer incredible views of New York City but provide distinct experiences.

Pricing for both attractions is similar, with tickets ranging from $47 to $53 for Summit One Vanderbilt and $47 to $57 for the Empire State Building.

In terms of height, Summit One Vanderbilt stands slightly taller at 1,100 feet (336 meters) compared to the Empire State Building’s 1,050 feet (320 meters).

Both observation decks have outdoor viewing areas, but the best time to visit differs—Summit One Vanderbilt is best in the evening, while the Empire State Building offers better views during the day.

Summit One Vanderbilt is known for its immersive art experience and thrilling glass elevator, offering a unique and otherworldly atmosphere. In contrast, the Empire State Building is a historic landmark featuring two observation decks and a rich architectural history, making it ideal for history buffs.

Both attractions require ticket purchases in advance, and visitors can choose based on their preference for a modern, artistic experience or a classic NYC landmark.

Now, let’s get into these similarities and differences in detail.

What’s ahead

Quick summary

Observation Deck	Summit One Vanderbilt	Empire State Building
Price	$47 – $53	$47 – $57
Height	1,100 feet (336 meters)	1,050 feet (320 meters)
Opening Hours	9 am to 12 am	9 am to 11 pm
Outdoor Deck	✔	✔
Best Time to Visit	Evening	Daytime
Unique Features	Immersive art experience, glass elevator	Historic landmark, two observation decks
Best For?	Unique, otherworldly experience	History buffs
Ticket Purchase	Buy Tickets	Buy Tickets

Tripadvisor ratings & reviews

Height of the observation deck

The Empire State Building’s observation deck on the 102nd floor reaches a height of 1,250 feet (381 meters), with an additional viewing area on the 86th floor at 1,050 feet (320 meters), delivering a classic panoramic view of the city. 

Summit One Vanderbilt’s observation deck, situated on the 93rd floor at 1,100 feet (335 meters) and levels on the 91st and 92nd floors, provides a more immersive experience with varied skyline perspectives. 

While the Empire State Building offers a higher elevation, Summit One Vanderbilt enhances the viewing experience through its multiple levels, each offering a unique vantage point.

Winner: Empire State Building

Enhance your ESB experience

Express Pass for faster access
Experience breathtaking heights at 102nd floor
Night at the Empire State
Witness magic as the sun sets
Begin your morning at ESB

Outdoor vs indoor decks

Summit One Vanderbilt’s 91st and 92nd floors are fully enclosed in glass, providing panoramic indoor views, while the 93rd floor features an outdoor observation deck. 

The 93rd floor also hosts the Après Restaurant, which offers an indoor lounge and an outdoor terrace for dining. 

The Empire State Building features indoor and outdoor observation decks, with the outdoor 86th-floor deck providing an open-air experience that allows visitors to feel the wind and enjoy unobstructed city views. 

While the Empire State Building’s outdoor deck brings a classic, open-air sensation, Summit One Vanderbilt’s indoor decks offer a modern, climate-controlled environment with unique design elements, including a sky-high glass floor for a more immersive experience.

Winner: Both

Enhance your SUMMIT ONE experience

Discover breathtaking views at Summit One
Experience Summit One Vanderbilt at night
Soar high in the Glass Elevator

View from the observation deck

The views from Summit One Vanderbilt and the Empire State Building each offer unique experiences. 

The Empire State Building’s 86th-floor open-air deck provides classic, panoramic views of New York’s skyline, including landmarks like Rockefeller Plaza and Central Park. 

On clear days, the 102nd-floor enclosed deck extends your view to five neighboring states, and the 103rd floor-is reserved for VIPs.

Summit One Vanderbilt offers a fresh perspective with its four-level, 65,000-square-foot (6039-square-meter) observation space. 

At a higher altitude, it provides breathtaking views of the Central Park, the East River, the Statue of Liberty, and even the Atlantic Ocean on clear days. 

Both spots offer stunning views, but Summit One Vanderbilt’s contemporary style and higher elevation give it a modern edge.

Summit One Vanderbilt also has a glass elevator called Ascent, which takes you up the side of the building for spectacular views of the Central Park and the East River, though it’s been in maintenance mode since March 2023.

Winner: Summit One Vanderbilt

Exhibits to experience

At Summit One Vanderbilt, the experience is all about modern, high-tech excitement. 

Visitors can explore multi-sensory exhibits featuring mirrored rooms, light shows, and interactive installations that create a surreal, futuristic atmosphere. 

Air by Kenzo Digital is an immersive art installation featuring multiple sections, such as Transcendence 1 & 2 (a mirrored space), Affinity (an interactive and playful exhibit), Unity (an interactive experience where your face appears in the clouds), and Air at Night (a light show).

There is also Levitation, a glass ledge, and Reflect by Yayoi Kusama, a shape-shifting visual immersion experience.

These displays blend art and technology, making the journey to the observation deck as unforgettable as the views. 

On the other hand, the Empire State Building offers a more traditional yet equally fascinating experience. 

Its exhibits focus on the building’s rich history and cultural impact, showcasing historical artifacts, photos, and interactive displays. 

The “Dare to Dream” exhibit tells the story of the skyscraper’s construction, while the 80th-floor immersive experience highlights its influence on popular culture. 

Both offer unique and engaging ways to experience these iconic landmarks before soaking in the stunning city views.

Winner: Both

Ticket options

At Summit One Vanderbilt, visitors have two main options for experiencing the observation deck. 

Most choose the timed skip-the-line tickets, priced at $53 for adults aged 13 and older, ensuring a smooth visit without long waits. 

A premium option is the guided tour that costs US$1,066 for a group of six, though fewer people opt for this. 

The Empire State Building generally offers slightly lower prices, with adult tickets ranging from $48 to $51 and children’s tickets between $42 and $45. 

Senior tickets are priced between $46 and $49. 

For those wanting to skip the lines for faster entry, an Express Ticket at the Empire State Building is available for $89. 

Both attractions provide free entry for children under six years old, making them accessible options for families.

Winner: Empire State Building

Crowd to expect

The Empire State Building attracts large crowds, especially during peak times. It drew more than 4 million visitors annually, averaging about 11,000 people daily. 

Even though the Empire State Building has an Express ticket, which helps you avoid all the crowds, since it’s highly-priced, it ceases to be an advantage. 

Though popular, Summit One Vanderbilt typically has fewer visitors, providing a more relaxed and less crowded experience.

Winner: Summit One Vanderbilt

Dress code

There is no strict dress code for visiting the Empire State Building observation deck, but wearing comfortable clothes and shoes is what we recommend.

On the other hand, Summit One Vanderbilt has a slightly more extensive dress code because of its reflective surfaces. 

They recommend wearing pants, shorts, or tights to avoid unintended exposure. If you find out about this specification at the last minute, don’t worry. The Summit provides free stretchy black shorts upon request.

To protect the glass floors, stiletto heels, work boots, and cleats are not allowed, so it’s best to wear comfortable, non-scuffing shoes like sneakers.

Remember, the dress code is to ensure the visitors’ privacy and comfort. So, it’s better to be prepared with the apt clothing and footwear.

Winner: None

Which deck is better for night time visit

The Empire State Building and Summit One Vanderbilt offer vibrant, colorful nighttime experiences with stunning 360-degree views of New York City.

However, Summit One Vanderbilt stands out if you plan to visit the observation decks at night. 

The four exhibits at Summit—Air, Clouds, Transcendence, and Levitation—provide unique and immersive experiences that become particularly striking as the city lights up and darkness sets in.

Winner: Summit One Vanderbilt

More about Summit One Vanderbilt

# How to reach Summit One Vanderbilt
# Opening hours of The Summit
# Glass Elevator at The Summit
# Summit One Vanderbilt at night
# Summit One Vanderbilt’s Observation Deck
# Après Restaurant
# Frequently Asked Questions