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The best time to visit the Vessel NYC is about an hour before sunset, so you have time for photos and can watch the sun set behind New Jersey from the stairs. The Vessel is open again at Hudson Yards, but it’s no longer free: everyone needs a timed ticket, and since it reopened in October 2024, only part of the upper levels is open, behind floor-to-ceiling mesh.
I’ve been back since the Vessel reopened, so I’ve updated my original 2019 tips below for 2026.
The Vessel NYC quick facts (2026)
- What it is: a 16-story, honeycomb-like staircase at Hudson Yards designed by Thomas Heatherwick, with about 2,500 steps, 154 flights of stairs and 80 landings
- When it was built: construction started in April 2017 and the Vessel opened on March 15, 2019. It closed to climbers in 2021 and reopened on October 21, 2024.
- Where: the Hudson Yards public square on Manhattan’s far west side, between 10th and 11th Avenues, at the north end of the High Line
- Getting there: the 7 train to 34th Street–Hudson Yards, or a walk west from Penn Station
- Hours: Monday–Tuesday 11AM – 7PM, Wednesday–Thursday 11AM – 8PM, Friday–Saturday 9AM – 8PM, Sunday 9AM – 7PM
- Tickets: required for everyone, including kids under 5 (who get in free). General admission is listed from $14 and Flex Admission from $20 on the official site, and NYC residents can reserve free tickets on Thursdays.
- Elevator: yes, with priority for visitors with disabilities. It runs every 15 minutes to levels 5, 7 and 8.
- What’s open: the full loop on the lowest levels; above level 2, only the sections with floor-to-ceiling mesh, plus one platform on the top level
- Time needed: the Vessel recommends about 30 minutes. I stayed about 1.5 hours to photograph the sunset.
- Best time to visit: about an hour before sunset, from late summer through spring (in summer, the sun sets after closing)
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 honeycomb-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: When Was It Built?
The Vessel NYC is a structure that was built as 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 designed by Thomas Heatherwick, a British designer who has worked on several large projects, The Vessel NYC being one of them.
The honeycomb-like building is 16 stories high, has a total of 2,500 steps and 80 landings for visitors to run around. Since the 2024 reopening, only part of the upper levels is open, so you won’t get to all of them anymore. 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 Penn Station 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 take the 7 train to 34th Street–Hudson Yards. It’s also right at the north end of the High Line, so it’s easy to pair the two.
When is The Vessel Open?
The Vessel is open Monday and Tuesday from 11AM – 7PM, Wednesday and Thursday from 11AM – 8PM, Friday and Saturday from 9AM – 8PM, and Sunday from 9AM – 7PM. These are the 2026 hours on the official Vessel website, and it can close in bad weather, so double-check before you go.
Unfortunately, you cannot catch sunrise during open hours of operation, but you can sure catch the sunset for most of the year! It closes at 7PM or 8PM, so check the sunset time for your date. From about mid-May to mid-August, the sun sets after closing. I visited the Vessel twice in 2019 and purposely only went 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 (book your ticket for that time slot) 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 usually don’t have a time limit of how long you can stay at the Vessel for (they can set one on busy days), 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, but visiting the Vessel is no longer free. It was free when I first went in 2019, but since it reopened in 2024, general admission is listed from $14 on the official Vessel website (the Vessel’s FAQ still says tickets start at $10, plus a $2 processing fee). If you live in NYC, you can reserve free tickets on Thursdays with proof of residency. 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 let’s just say that you swung by The Vessel and didn’t get a chance to read this blog post, you might still get into The Vessel if there are tickets left for that day, so check the Vessel ticket site. If you don’t know what your plans are going to look like and don’t mind spending a few more bucks, you can buy Flex Admission, which starts at $20. Flex Admission lets you pick a date and enter The Vessel at whatever time you’d like that day!
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! Visitors with disabilities get priority, and the elevator runs every 15 minutes to levels 5, 7 and 8. You can book a priority access ticket in advance, and if those sell out, there’s a standby line (the wait can be long).
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: Is It Worth It?
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. Since the reopening, the upper levels are only partly open behind floor-to-ceiling mesh, so you won’t be able to hit every corner like I did back in 2019.
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 flights 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 was only across the river and could visit the Vessel whenever I wanted 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.
The Vessel NYC FAQs
When was the Vessel in NYC built?
Construction started in April 2017, and the Vessel opened to the public on March 15, 2019. It closed to climbers in 2021 and reopened on October 21, 2024, with floor-to-ceiling mesh on the upper levels.
How many steps are in the Vessel?
About 2,500 steps, across 154 flights of stairs and 80 landings. It’s 16 stories and about 150 feet tall.
Can you go up the Vessel or go inside it?
Yes, with a ticket. The full loop is open on the lowest levels. Above level 2, only the sections with floor-to-ceiling mesh are open (about half of them), plus one platform on the top level.
Does the Vessel have an elevator or escalators?
There’s an elevator but no escalators. Visitors with disabilities get priority, and the elevator runs every 15 minutes to levels 5, 7 and 8.
How long does the Vessel take?
The Vessel recommends about 30 minutes. I stayed about 1.5 hours because I was taking photos of the sunset.
What time does the Vessel close?
7PM Sunday through Tuesday and 8PM Wednesday through Saturday. It opens at 11AM Monday through Thursday and 9AM Friday through Sunday.
How do you get to the Vessel from Penn Station?
Walk west about three avenues to Hudson Yards, which takes around 10 to 15 minutes, or take the 7 train to 34th Street–Hudson Yards, which lets you out right by the Vessel.
Is the Vessel worth it?
For me, it’s definitely worth the hype, especially at sunset and if you love architecture or photography. Just know that it’s now a paid, timed ticket and only part of the upper levels is open, so plan on a shorter visit than I had in 2019.
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