United States
New York (NY)
New York City
Things to Do in New York City
The Vessel

The Vessel, New York City: Hours, Address, The Vessel Reviews: 4.5/5

See all things to do

The Vessel

See all things to do
See all things to do
The Vessel
4.5
1,309
#67 of 1,390 things to do in New York City
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers
Read more
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Write a review
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience The Vessel
See all
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Hudson Yards
How to get there
  • 34th St – Hudson Yards • 3 min walk
  • 34th St – Penn Station • 10 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Ovest Pizzoteca
176
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan
Friedman's
148
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Skylight Diner
822
0.3 mi$ • American • Cafe • Diner
Porteno
172
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Latin • Argentinean • Vegetarian Friendly
Il Punto
1,553
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Sicilian
Mercado Little Spain
252
412 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Spanish • Basque
Zoob Zib Thai Authentic Noodle Bar
233
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Gallow Green
298
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse Westside
681
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Seafood
NY Pizza Suprema
1,310
0.5 mi$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Pizza
See all
Attractions
1,555 within 6 miles
The Shed
46
103 ftTheaters
The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards
264
277 ftShopping Malls
Edge NYC
113
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings • Lookouts
Sean Kelly
2
0.1 miArt Galleries
Jacob Javits Convention Center
355
0.2 miConvention Centers
Aperture Foundation
8
0.2 miArt Galleries • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Carter Burden Gallery
1
0.2 miArt Galleries
New York Comic-Con
26
0.2 miCultural Events
Bella Abzug Park
5
0.2 miParks
Manhattan Skyline
21,386
0.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,309 reviews
Excellent
815
Very good
382
Average
83
Poor
20
Terrible
9
Lynn L
Griswold, CT340 contributions
Unique family activity that’s FREE in NYC
Family
If you’ve never been to this area, it is a little confusing as to where to find it, but after looking around a little, we found it, and it is SPECTACULAR! I purchased our FREE tickets online a few days before going, but I assume once the weather gets warmer you should adhere to their 2 weeks prior rule to assure entry. We are all in relatively decent shape, but even so, the climb up to the top was not very hard. So many viewing platforms, and picture opportunities. You can see the Empire State Building from the top, and as the sun moves over the months, there will be an incredible sunset from this location. We had so much fun, and the architecture in the area is so unique. A must visit spot!
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yvette B
Andover, MA612 contributions
must do it once
We go to NYC annually so have done all the bigger things. If you have limited time I'm not sure if I'd push you to do this but if you have done the Statue of Liberty 9/11 Memorial Empire State Building etc then the Vessel is a good take.
Tickets are free if you don't mind taking a chance on having to wait a bit to enter but if you don't have flexibility then you can go online and purchase flex-pass for $10 to enter anytime. We were there on a Saturday in drizzly weather, got to the kiosk at 12:30 and were given tix for entrance 3:30-4:30. There is enough to do in the area so 3 hours was easy to kill. (walk the High-Line, shop in the mall, have a meal)
The biggest thing I was pleased about was the limited number of people they let it at once. The pics are real! We were there off season so maybe they allow more in the peak seasons but it was nice not to be so crowded.
There is an elevator which stops midway and top but if you are able I'd definitely recommend the stairs, we did it slowly took alot of pics but you can make a great workout of it is you want to.
If you go to NYC regularly I might suggest waiting a couple years as there is ALOT of construction in this area so while the view over the Hudson is lovely much of the other sides are cranes and scaffolding. Right now you can see the Hudson Yards trains but we were told that is going to be covered and built over....I hope its not built up so as to obstruct the view.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ignacio R
Buenos Aires, Argentina45 contributions
Nice crazy building
A nice place to stop by and get a nice look on Hudson Yards and some new buildings on NYC. It's just a thing to get you there and maybe attract more people to the area, but anyhow its a nice spot to visit. Definitely made the highline a better known tourist attraction.
Entrance is limited, free but not open for anyone all the time, so I recommend booking the entrance on the web so you do not have to lose time waiting in line.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
P F B
Edison, NJ1,633 contributions
Great visit - I'll be back
Worth the visit with great views and an interesting climb. Looking forward to a return photography visit because the lighting will change as the sun moves. The stairs are not steep and easy to climb each level to the top, but there is also an elevator available that goes to the top and also stops at each level. The Vessel is free, but a timed ticket is needed, but for $10 you can purchase a ticket that allows entry at any time. I visited here on Saturday, but on Friday I attempted to book a time online for the Saturday visit – all the online times were booked so I purchased the $10 ticket – this was well worth the $10 as we were able to enter at 10:00 am when the Vessel opened on Saturday. We were there for about an hour. Upon leaving I overheard another visitor being told that the earliest timed ticket available onsite on Saturday was around 2:00 pm – so same day timed tickets are available, but may be later in the day. So – if you book early enough in advance, you may get a time slot, if not, paying the $10 for a pass to use at any time of the day is worth it. And because access is limited based on time tickets – it’s not crowded!!
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Smittenfood
New York City, NY132 contributions
Visit if you like cool new architecture
Friends
If you’re interested in cool new architecture you will enjoy this new addition to the nyc skyline. If you take the time to reserve a spot online a few weeks/ days in advance its free if not a small $10 fee applies... this is to ascend the stairs of the vessel and actually experience being inside the structure and climbing it. If not it’s anyway a cool structure to just go see and take pictures of/with. Expect crowds on a day with good weather. The location has some shopping options for people who enjoy luxury malls and also a Spanish speciality food court with some good restaurant options. It’s not a venue you need to shortlist for a short visit to nyc because there are many more interesting experiences to take in when visiting.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda G
Philadelphia, PA138 contributions
Annual weekend in NYC
Couples
My husband and I usually spend a long weekend in NYC at least once a year and we’re always looking for something new and different to do or see. The Vessel was our first stop on this years trip. We purchased tickets ahead of time online. The tickets online cost $10.00 per person and are good for the whole day. You can get tickets for free at the site but they are timed entry tickets and you might have to wait several hours to go in so we purchased ahead so we could go in as soon as we arrived. The structure is beautiful, we walked up to the top but you can take an elevator (there was a line waiting for the elevator). The walk up wasn’t too bad, there are a lot of steps but there are landings along the way so you can stop and look at the view and rest a bit. The view from the top is amazing, we were there on a clear, sunny day so it was really nice. Lots of selfie takers that are kind of annoying as they didn’t seem to be aware of anyone around them and often blocked the steps and the landings. Aside from this it was really enjoyable. I imagine in warmer weather, during high tourist times this is a busy location but since it was January the crowd was small. Good option to add to any NYC itinerary.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia14,084 contributions
Now's just a 5 min stop
Just after you finish your High Line walk and descend from it by the Hudson Yards shopping mall you'll encounter this unusual structure.
It was on my list for years, as last time I was in NYC it was being built. The Vessel is really eye catching, unusual and beautiful, yet smaller than I've expected.
Big disappointment was we learnt it's not allowed to climb it any more, so you can only admire it from outside and enter it only on the ground level.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy F
Leicester, UK75 contributions
The Vessel is a must.
Friends
This is a must see attraction, the architecture is simply stunning and is amazing to climb up with fabulous views from the top. You’ll need a ticket but it’s so worth it, especially because it’s free! We got Flexi Pass tickets for $10 but it gave us the option to arrive when we liked.
You can order them online.
Our visit was in January so it was cold but when you’re at the top it’s even colder! Wear a warm coat and gloves in January!
There is a lift to take you to the top if you don’t or can’t climb all the stairs.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helen B
12 contributions
Beautiful design
Family
The vessel is an amazing piece of architecture, it is beautiful to look at and even better to walk around and take in the views . Entry is free and there are a lot of very friendly staff available to help you make a reservation to enter. I loved it and look forward to returning when all the surrounding construction is complete.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LeeTrotman
Los Angeles, CA269 contributions
Beautiful Addition to Hudson Yards
Family
Once again, New York City excels at large art projects. The Vessel is a beautiful eight-story tall work of art, and a beautiful addition to Hudson Yards. We were only allowed to walk in the base, but seeing a work of art like this in person was worth it.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 825
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about The Vessel
The Vessel is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking The Vessel tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 18 The Vessel tours on Tripadvisor