Last Updated on June 1, 2021
If you are heading to New York City, your itinerary is most likely filled with places to visit. With endless amount of attractions, you can easily spend days without running out of things to do. If that wasn’t enough, the city is constantly adding new attractions. One of the latest additions to the city’s landscape is the Vessel, a funky art installation, that sure stands out among the typical skyscrapers. If you like cool architecture, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Vessel in NYC.
What is the Vessel in NYC?
The Vessel in NYC is a unique open air structure, that is part of the Hudson Yards project, the largest private real estate development in New York City. You’d think, that there’s no way the city can fit any new construction, but the newly opened neighborhood in Manhattan’s West Side proved otherwise. The 14 acre space features a garden, several luxurious apartment buildings, office space, shopping mall and in the center of it all: the Vessel.
The 150 ft copper colored structure was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, a British architect and first opened in March 2019. Because of its unique appearance, it quickly became a landmark and hot new spot for that perfect Instagram shot. Of course, as always, the reviews are mixed and while some people love it, others hate it. One thing you can’t deny is, that the Vessel sure is eye catching.
In its short existence, the Vessel managed to earn quite a few nicknames, mostly inspired by its appearance. You can hear it being compared to the beehive, shawarma, pine cone or even a trash can. Its actual name is supposed to be just temporary, so the Vessel might not be the Vessel in a little while.
Visiting the Vessel in NYC – what to expect?
First of all, lots of steps, 2,500 to be precise. But don’t let that number scare you or keep you from climbing to the top. The entire place is made up by 154 interconnected staircases with 80 landings along the way, giving you the opportunity to stop and admire the unique architecture from different angles. If you thought, the structure is impressive from the outside, just wait till you get inside.
If you are a visitor in a wheelchair or have other mobility issues, there’s an elevator inside of the Vessel. It operates every 15 minutes and stops at levels 5, 7 and 8.
The views from the Vessel
To be completely honest, the views from the Vessel are just OK. The structure is simply not tall enough to offer spectacular views of the city, and the view you do get is somewhat obstructed by the tall buildings around. And there are more buildings coming, as the Hudson Yards project is still work in progress. So definitely don’t come here expecting views comparable with those you get from one of NYC’s observation decks.
Is the Vessel still worth a visit? Absolutely! The Vessel’s biggest appeal and the reason you should put it on your New York City itinerary is its unique design.
Things to know before you visit
- The Vessel is open daily 10 am – 8 pm and 10 am – 7 pm during winter months.
- There’s no limit on how long you can stay, but I’d say 45 minutes is more than enough.
- Being an open air structure and located by the Hudson River, it can get windy when you get to the top.
- Tripods and selfie sticks are NOT allowed.
How to get tickets to the Vessel in NYC
Visiting the Vessel is free, but you do need a ticket with a timed entry. To control the crowds and comply with the safety regulations, there’s a limit of 700 people allowed at a time. You can book your ticket online in advance ( as early as 2 weeks before you visit ) or get one on the spot for the next available time slot. Keep in mind though, that if you visit on the weekends or during the busy summer season, you might have to wait a while for the next available time.
Another option is buying a Flex ticket for $10, which allows you to visit anytime of the day you arrive. I personally recommend planning ahead and reserving your free ticket. NYC is expensive and there will be plenty of other attractions you have to pay for, so why not take advantage of the freebie.
2021 UPDATE: Following a series of unfortunate accidents, the Vessel was closed for several months and reopened at the end of May 2021 with a set of new rules. The attraction will remain free, but only for the first hour of the opening, afterwards the admission will be $10. Also, you will no longer be able to visit the Vessel alone. In order to enter, you will have to be in a group of 2 or more. You can purchase your Vessel tickets here.
How to get to the Vessel
The Vessel is located in Manhattan’s West Side, in the middle of Hudson Yards Plaza. The official address is 20 Hudson Yards.
- Walking – reaching the Vessel on foot is certainly possible, depending on which part of Manhattan you’re coming from. If you are near Times Square, that’s probably a 30 minute walk.
- Subway – you can get to the Vessel by taking the 7 Train. The closest subway stop is 34th St Hudson Yards, about a 5 minute walk away.
What else to see nearby?
Once you are at the Vessel, why not combine it with the nearby attractions?
The Shops at Hudson Yards
If you enjoy shopping ( or even just window shopping ), you might get a kick out of the Shops at Hudson Yards. The 7 floor shopping center has over 100 stores, from luxurious brands like Cartier, Dior or Tiffany’s to more affordable ones.
You’ll also find a few coffee shops and restaurants, both fancy and casual. One place you should definitely check out is Mercado Little Spain. Many describe it as a Spanish version of Eataly and I find the comparison to be very fitting. It’s a market like setting, with several options of food stalls serving authentic Spanish food.
The Edge
One thing you simply must do when you visit New York City is to see it from one of the observation decks. The Edge is the newest one, that just opened and it happens to be the highest outdoor sky deck in Western Hemisphere. From the 100th floor you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city. Also, part of the deck has a glass floor, so you can look down onto the street below.
You can book your tickets online ahead of time, or from automated machines outside of the entrance. There are 2 types of tickets to choose from:
- General Admission – you pick a specific date and time to enter.
- Flex Pass – you pick the date, but can visit anytime during that day.
PRO TIP: The Edge is the newest, highly anticipated attraction, so to get your preferred time slot, I recommend booking your tickets online in advance. It will also save you $2.
High Line
Combining your visit to the Vessel with a stroll on the High Line is basically a must. The elevated 1.45 mile walkway is just steps away and basically connected to Hudson Yards. It stretches through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, with 13 entrance points along the way. The High Line is actually one of my favorite parts of New York City. It’s also a perfect example of how to take an abandoned area, in this case old railway tracks, and turn it into an interesting place. And let’s face it, in New York City, the concrete jungle, any open green space is much welcomed.
READ: For more free NYC attractions and activities check out 10 Free Things to do in New York City.
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You have some great pics of the Vessel! I think it’s hard to photograph, but I loved yours! I think a sunny day helps too!
Thanks and yes, it definitely does!
The edge is so unique! I recommend everyone to see and climb it!