All You Need to Know Before Visiting The Vessel NYC at the Hudson Yards
If your Instagram hasn’t been blowing up with a new piece of honey comb like architecture in New York City, then start buzzing your way through your feed. If you’re visiting New York for the first or the eighth time, The Vessel NYC at the Hudson Yards is one of a kind. It’s a unique piece of architecture that will have you experience FOMO (fear of missing out) if you didn’t walk up the thousands of steps.
History of The Vessel New York City
The Vessel NYC is a newly built structure that was a part of the redevelopment of the Hudson Yard Projects. Construction began back in April 2017 and was completed in March 2019. It took a whole two years to get this beautiful piece of art come to life. The Vessel was inspired by Thomas Heatherwick, a British designer whose worked on a several large projects, The Vessel NYC being one of them.
The honey-comb like building is 16 stories high, has a total of 2,500 steps and 80 landings for visitors to run around. And if you’re a Fitbit junkie like me, you’re going to thank the Vessel for allowing you reach your 10k step goal for the day, assuming that you walked to the Vessel from the Q or the 7 train.
So let me answer some underlying questions that you may have about The Vessel before you step foot into this $200 million building.
Where is The Vessel NYC located?
The Vessel is located all the way on the west side of New York City between 10th and 11th Ave, located right by the Shops and Restaurants at the Hudson Yards. You can get off at Penn Station and walk a few avenues west, or get off the Q or 7 train.
When is The Vessel Open?
The Vessel is open every Monday to Sunday from 10AM – 9PM.
Unfortunately, you cannot catch sunrise during open hours of operation, but you can sure catch the sunset! I’ve visited the Vessel twice and have purposely only gone during sunset. The views are impeccable and worth every minute being there. Because you are elevated on 16 flights of stairs, you can see all the shades of the sun setting behind the buildings across Jersey’s horizon. So that leads me to my next question…
When is The Best Time to Visit The Vessel New York City?
In my opinion, the best time to visit The Vessel NYC is during sunset. Obviously depending on when you’re reading this, the sun sets at different times throughout the year. So, I’d recommend getting to The Vessel about an hour before sunset so that you have enough time to get all the photos you need for your Instagram, and to also have enough time to just gaze at the sun setting. Until closing, you don’t have a time limit of how long you can stay at the Vessel for, so it’s really relaxing going there with friends and just hanging out.
Do you Need Tickets for the Vessel NYC? Is the Vessel NYC free?
Yes, you do need tickets for the Vessel and yes, visiting the Vessel is free! You can purchase the tickets for the Vessel here but keep in mind that they are very strict that you have a ticket.
The first time I went to the Vessel, I had no idea that you needed tickets to get in so as I waited in line, the ticket guy told me that I couldn’t go in. I told him that I came all the way from Jersey just to catch the sunset at The Vessel but still refused me. So note that whatever excuse you have, just note that you need to get a ticket to get in!
But although this happened, that also doesn’t mean that I didn’t get in… because I have my ways.
>> Read More: How To Get Into The Vessel Without Getting a Personal Ticket Online
But let’s just say that you swung by The Vessel and didn’t get a chance to read this blog post, you can still get into The Vessel! If you don’t know what your plans are going to look like and don’t mind spending a few bucks, you can buy the The Vessel Flex Pass for $10. The Flex Pass allows you to enter The Vessel for $10 at whatever date and time that you’d like!
Is There an Elevator Inside The Vessel?
What if you’re on crutches or are in a wheelchair? Can you still enter the Vessel? Yes. There is an elevator inside the Vessel, so if you physically cannot walk, do not worry!
Note that there are people working the elevators so you don’t have to worry about which buttons take you up or down. And if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to walk down the stairs, you’re going to have to suck it up because they won’t let you take the elevator! The elevators at The Vessel are for those who physically cannot walk down the stairs.
Overall Experience of The Vessel, New York City
Viewing the exterior of The Vessel at first glance is one thing, but first looks of the interior is another. The moment you look up, you’ll be amazed at how symmetrical the edges of the rims are and the amount of steps that make up The Vessel NYC. Remember that The Vessel is made up of 2,500 steps but by the time you leave, you’ll probably hit at least 3,000 steps if you hit every corner.
I stayed inside The Vessel NYC for about 1.5 hours taking photos and videos and meeting other photographers who were out there to catch the sunset. And if you’re wondering how I was able to stay there for that long, I promise that as long as you bring a camera along with you, it’s doable. Every floor reached will have you experience a different perspective of the Vessel. Plus, because the colors of the sun were constantly changing, I wanted to have a variety of shots at different angles.
I climbed all 16 flight of stairs, caught the sunset, met a bunch of cool people, got the shots I wanted, and left super happy and satisfied.
And although I’m only across the river and can visit the Vessel whenever I want to, I highly recommend all visitors to swing by the Vessel in New York City. It is definitely worth the hype and if you’re an architecture geek, you will feel like you have just entered Heaven.
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