ASCENT

Name: SUMMIT Ascent
Brand: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Ride Ascent, the exterior glass elevator in NYC for breathtaking skyline views from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt’s highest level. Buy tickets today.

WHAT ASCENT FEELS LIKE

The doors close. The journey begins.

Ascent travels up the building’s exterior, enclosed entirely in glass. With only transparent panes between you and the skyline, street grids and rooftops grow smaller as both rivers come into view, and sightlines stretch well beyond Midtown.

For the first few feet, you experience a moment of awareness as the ground seems to disappear beneath you. As the immersive elevator continues to rise, you quickly gain clarity.

From this height, the city can feel less abstract. You notice relationships between neighborhoods, waterways, and architecture that are impossible to grasp from below.

Why Ascent is unlike anything else in New York

Ascent offers a form of access that’s rare in New York.

An exterior glass panoramic elevator that moves beyond the interior of the building.

A continuously changing view shaped by motion, and a physical sense of height that’s felt, not just observed.

Where other parts of SUMMIT invite reflection and interaction, Ascent levels up the immersion. It places you outside the building, enclosed in panoramic all-glass panels, suspended between the sky and the city around it. From this vantage point, the skyline stretches from Queens to New Jersey, unfolding before you like a living map.

Take your summit experience even further

Some moments become entangled with how you remember New York.

Ascent is one of them.

Rising along the exterior of One Vanderbilt, Ascent delivers a level of elevation and connection that changes how you see the city. Surrounded in glass, you move upward as the skyline widens, revealing the city’s structure, scale, and complexity all at once.

If a visit to SUMMIT is about shifting perspectives, Ascent is what makes that shift complete. It’s the point where the experience opens outward, and you’re rewarded with a breathtaking payoff.

Ascent is for those looking to discover New York from a place few ever reach.

ASCENT FAQs

What is Ascent?

It is the world’s largest all-glass exterior elevator, a unique experience above Midtown Manhattan.

Is Ascent included with general admission?

To experience Ascent, select the SUMMIT Ascent ticket, which includes general admission and access to the exterior elevator on the 93rd floor. Ascent tickets can also be purchased on-site at the self-service kiosks or at the Welcome Desks with support from our Guest Services team.

How High does Ascent go?

Ascent rises an additional 12 stories higher than SUMMIT’s 93rd floor to give you a unique perspective on NYC and beyond.

What does the experience feel like?

Ascent is smooth and controlled, with floor-to-ceiling glass that creates a magnificent sense of height and openness. It’s a highlight of a visit to SUMMIT and one of the most fun things to do in New York, offering a perspective that is truly lasting.

Can I take photos or videos during Ascent? ?

Photos and videos are encouraged during your Ascent journey, as you will have a spectacular point of view of the city and beyond.

Is Ascent accessible to guests with disabilities?

Yes. SUMMIT is designed to be accessible, and Ascent is available to guests with disabilities. Elevators, pathways, and key experience areas throughout SUMMIT are wheelchair accessible, and our team members are available to assist as needed.

Guests with specific accessibility questions are encouraged to review our detailed accessibility information or contact our team prior to arrival.

Can I experience Ascent at night?

Yes, Ascent is available during both daytime and evening hours, making it one of the most unique things to do in NYC. As the city lights sparkle in the evening, the movement upward reveals illuminated streets and landmarks from a stunning new perspective.