By Laura LaVelle, Wonder Shuffle Culture Editor:

Up, Up & Away

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is the place to dazzle your country cousin or show a little kid (or a little kid at heart) a good time.

Head over to One Vanderbilt, one of NYC's newest skyscrapers, conveniently adjacent to Grand Central, and check out their observation deck for truly stunning views.

Going there is actually quite a lot like going to one of the Disney theme parks--even with a ticket purchased in advance, you have to wait on a line for security, a line to get those tickets scanned in, a line to put disposable booties over your shoes, a line to get a wristband with a QR code, a line to get your photo taken (you can purchase it later if you'd like), and a line to take the elevator up to the top.

No matter...it's a good-natured crowd, and the staff keeps the lines moving along and assists anyone struggling with their cellphones.

Once you arrive at the observation deck--just enjoy the scenery. It's a treat to look down at the Chrysler Building and across at the Empire State Building. Take some photos--they'll be lovely.

The experience isn't just the view (dramatic and gorgeous as NYC can be from on high); there are art installations and mirrors everywhere.

A crowd-pleaser is the room full of silver balloons--it was really joyful to see kids, full grown adults, tourists from everywhere, and locals showing their visitors around, all simply enjoying the sheer fun of the environment.

Toward the end, you can (if you so choose to wait in another line) visit a glass-enclosed skybox to have your photo taken there. (Honestly, we all look pretty good with that background.)

You can buy a drink at the lounge if you would like to relax and enjoy being on top of NYC for a bit. And why not? It's beautiful, no matter how cynical you may be about tourist attractions.

Exit through the gift shop (of course--I told you it was like being in a Disney theme park!) where you can purchase those photos to download (just scan your wristband and a credit card). It's absolutely worth doing once.

Inside Tips 📌

You will encounter mirrored floors so do not wear a short skirt.

And...they charge extra for the peak times but the view at sunset is stunning. And if you stay around a bit longer, you can see the view at night.

Also, don't rush. You can only go in one direction, so get all of your photos and soak up the atmosphere before you leave each area to head up to the next one--they won't let you go back.

Contact

Website: https://summitov.com/

Hours: 9:00am until midnight (last entry at 10:30pm)

Address: 45 East 42nd Street, New York

Tickets for purchase: https://summitov.com/tickets/

About Me

Laura LaVelle is Wonder Shuffle's Culture Editor. A fan of the great indoors, you can find her in her native NYC, her home in Connecticut, or at a concert, play, library, bookstore, or museum just about anywhere in the world.