Admire New York City’s skyline from every angle on this architecture-focused walking tour that ends with a jaw-dropping visit to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. This is an inside look at how Manhattan grew upward, outward, and boldly into the future, with a guide who brings the city’s architectural evolution to life. From early Beaux-Arts masterpieces to cutting-edge glass towers, you’ll explore the stories, rivalries, and visionaries who shaped the city’s iconic look.

As the tour winds through Midtown, you’ll see some of the most celebrated facades and engineering feats in New York. The finale takes you high above the streets at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, where mirrors, glass, and sky blur together for one of the most surreal and exhilarating views in the city. It is part history walk, part design deep-dive, and part sky-high spectacle in the heart of Manhattan.

Itinerary

• Bryant Park: Discover how this beloved green space went from a neglected patch of land to one of NYC’s most vibrant public parks, surrounded by striking architecture on every side.
• New York Public Library (exterior): Admire this marble landmark and hear about its Beaux-Arts design, iconic stone lions, and the engineering that hides beneath its floors.
• Times Square (brief walk-through): Step into the electric heart of Manhattan and learn how zoning, signage, and redevelopment shaped one of the most recognizable intersections in the world.
• 42nd Street Corridor: Trace the evolution of this historic street, from early skyscrapers to modern towers that redefined the Midtown skyline.
• Chrysler Building (exterior): Get an up-close look at this Art Deco masterpiece while uncovering the fierce rivalry that drove its race to become the tallest building of its time.
• Grand Central Terminal: Learn how this transportation hub sparked the preservation movement and why its celestial ceiling still captures imaginations more than a century later.
• One Vanderbilt (exterior overview): See how this modern supertall connects to both old and new Manhattan as your guide explains its design, engineering challenges, and bold profile.
• SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Head inside with your included ticket and ride up to immersive, mirrored spaces and panoramic views that stretch from the East River to the Hudson. Enjoy a self-guided visit at your own pace as the tour concludes.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome. Children must have their own ticket.
• Health limitations: Guests with vertigo, sensitivity to heights, or conditions affected by reflective surfaces and glass floors should use discretion when visiting SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
• Physical limitations: This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk approximately 1–1.5 miles and stand for extended periods.

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: Children are welcome, but all participants must have a paid ticket. SUMMIT may require additional safety guidelines for young children due to glass floors and high-altitude views.
• Individuals with disabilities: The walking route and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt are wheelchair accessible.
• Languages: The tour is conducted in English.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed, except for service animals.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours, including the 90 minute guided walking tour and the time spent at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
• What’s included:
  • Guided architecture tour through Midtown Manhattan
  • Stories behind New York City’s skyscrapers, urban design, and engineering feats
  • Timed entry ticket to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • Access to all three immersive SUMMIT levels, including glass floors, observation decks, and multimedia art installations
• Who will be present: A licensed guide will lead the walking tour. Other guests will be part of the same group, typically up to 15–20 participants. SUMMIT staff will be present during the observation deck portion.
• Spectators: No spectators are allowed; all individuals must have their own ticket to join the walking tour and SUMMIT entry.
• Photo / video: Photos and videos are encouraged. SUMMIT has areas that are highly reflective, so guests should follow posted photography guidelines.
• Specific rules to follow:
  • SUMMIT requires visitors to wear shoe coverings in certain rooms.
  • Reflective surfaces may require clothing adjustments to protect personal privacy.
  • Large bags may not be permitted inside observation areas.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: The walking portion runs rain or shine. SUMMIT is an indoor experience with panoramic views.
• Arrival: Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in and meet the guide.
• Parking: Limited street parking and paid garages may be available, but public transit is recommended due to Midtown congestion.
• What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes. Guests visiting SUMMIT should avoid skirts or loose clothing due to reflective floors.
• What to bring:
  • Water bottle
  • Camera or phone
  • Weather accessories for the walking portion
  • Valid ID if required for ticket verification
  • What’s not allowed:
    • Food or open drinks inside SUMMIT
    • Tripods or large camera equipment
    • Large backpacks or luggage
• Restrooms / lockers / changing rooms: Restrooms are available inside SUMMIT. Lockers for bags may be provided prior to entering reflective areas.

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• The timed-entry portion at SUMMIT may require queuing depending on crowd levels.
• The walking tour occurs outdoors in busy Midtown streets; attentiveness during crossings is important.
• The experience covers major landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and other iconic skyscrapers before concluding at SUMMIT.

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for anything else in our marketplace, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference, but if you choose one that costs less, you'll receive a credit towards your next booking.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 48 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 48 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.