Last Updated on May 22, 2025
If you are heading to New York City, your itinerary is most likely filled with places to visit. With endless number 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, pinecone 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.
Visiting the Vessel in 2025
There have been quite a few changes since the Vessel first opened in 2019. At the very beginning it was one of the free attractions in New York City. All you needed to do was reserve a spot online (free of charge), which was a way to manage the number of visitors.
Sadly, after some tragic events, when several people took their own lives by jumping off, the Vessel closed in 2021. You could still see the structure from the outside, but the inside was closed to visitors.
After 3 years of being closed, the Vessel is open again with new safety measures in place. You can visit and climb the Vessel again, although with restrictions. Fully open are only the first two floors. You can still go to Upper levels, but only those with mesh netting. The top level remains closed.
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
- The Vessel is open daily 10 am – 9 pm
- 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 the Vessel tickets
The Vessel started off as a free attraction, but it now requires a ticket that can be reserved on the official website. You can buy either a ticket for a specific day and time for $10 or Flex Admission ticket, which costs $15 and is for a specific day, but you can enter at any time.
If you are a NYC resident you can enter for free on Thursdays, but that requires a reservation as well.
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 of the must things to do in New York City is to visit an observation deck for amazing views of the city. One of them is The Edge, one of the newer ones, as well as one of the highest outdoor sky decks 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.
The Edge is right next door to the Vessel, which makes it very easy to combine in one visit. Simply walk into The Shops at Hudson Yards (the big shopping center) and take the elevator to the 4th floor. Once there, you’ll see the signs pointing to the entrance.
You can book your tickets online ahead of time, or from automated machines outside of the entrance. There are several types of tickets to choose from
- General Admission – you pick a specific date and time to enter.
- General Admission + a glass of champagne
- Flex Pass Open Ticket – you pick the date but can visit anytime during that day.
You can book the Edge Observation deck ticket here.
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 MORE:
- 10 Free Things to do in New York City
- Christmas in NYC – Things to do in New York City during the Holidays
- Free Things to do in Boston – Visiting Boston on a budget
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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!