Vessel at Hudson Yards Admission Ticket

The Vessel is a uniquely shaped structure, made up of 154 interconnected staircases and it was built to be explored, not just viewed. Before we even got there, I thought that it was more than likely I wouldn’t manage to climb to the top. There is a lift but it is clearly reserved for wheelchairs and disabled – which was fine and we wouldn’t have tried to use it, except as we were meandering around the ground level, we were almost ordered inside the lift by a very authoritative lady (we weren’t going to argue), who was rounding up anyone who stood still long enough – either that or she took one look at us and decided we needed the lift, if we were ever going to see the top. We were very happy to be corralled, as that made such a difference, as coming down was no problem at all. The Vessel is not easy to describe; the nearest is to say it is like a honey-comb, narrower at the bottom, and is 16 storeys (150 feet) high. The 154 flights of stairs, with 80 landings, is made up of almost 2,500 steps. Apparently, it was inspired by the ancient stepwells of India, but designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick. The framework is made of polished, copper-coloured bronzed steel and glass, which reflect so many different angles all at once and the open-air design allows you to look out at the surrounding buildings and the Hudson River, while the angled polished steel and glass create reflections all around. It was very interesting to walk down and around the various levels; the staircases do not go down as you would expect, with a flight of stairs, a landing and the next flight leading down from that; you might have to walk along to get the right flight down or even have to go up a flight to be able to then get a flight down. This made people watching quite funny, as, in addition to that, some staircases were cordoned off (who knows why) but that meant that for those who had split up or just unintentionally taken a different turn, thinking they would meet up on the next landing, they often didn’t and were in a right muddle. One child (probably 10/11 years old), was trying to follow his Dad’s shouted instructions across the Vessel, as Dad wanted a photograph of his son on the opposite side of the building but because of the odd nature of the stairs, doing what his Dad said, just resulted in more confusion and after several minutes of shouting, his Dad just told him to get to the ground level, as best he could and they would have to meet up there!! Watching it was hilarious!

Impressive architeture, nice view East River

This is a beautiful vessel. Good for getting your daily steps.

I was really looking forward to the experience in the artwork, and the impressions were great too. Unfortunately, half of the building is permanently closed to the public, and what annoyed me even more was that you could not go all the way to the top. The whole thing for $18 per person was quite outrageous!

DISAPPOINTED because we already lined up but we were told to go to another line to get the actual ticket from THE VESSEL. So our entrance was delayed for some time and missed the end of the air show for the 4th of July. I bought those tickets to skip the line but apparently we had to line up twice!

What a strange interesting and unusual structure this is. Worth going to look at even if you do not want to pay, enter and climb. It is a series of staircases on many levels aimed at those who want to get exercise in an unusual environment. If you are visiting Hudsons Yard / The Edge do not miss out and look at this building or if you are into fitness have a go.

What a cool first experience! Even though we are native New Yorkers, this was so worth it! The world Cup was on and USA was playing Australia on a big screen right below the Vessel, which we could see!

It is a beautiful sculpture in enormous size, which we can walk through inside but I admit it does not impress so much inside. It is beautiful, has its value and its peculiar angles but on the outside you can see equally much and faster. I think it is good and worth visiting but I do not classify it as unavoidable.

Last time we visited NYC, a few years ago, this structure was closed apparently due to some suicides! This visit we saw you could go on it and maybe the anticipation and expectation was too much because on a whim we decided we had to visit. $17 each got us a ticket and we were there at opening time 11.00am. A very officious steward ushered us rudely from near the entrance when we were sheltering from the wind while online trying to get the tickets. Excitedly we were one of the first in but not before security check and a loud equally obnoxious shouting woman yelled at people to do this or that - a message to that steward take a chill pill or find a job not involving people! as you are useless at it. Security check of bags was not thorough as I’d expect after the past as someone with wire cutters could easily get them through and they could still jump if they wanted to!! Inside we were invited by a quiet steward to pick some stairs and start our journey. We proceeded to ascent to the top. 7 sets I think of stairs And admittedly the copper symmetry is worth a look and different views than get at ground floor but was it worth $17 I am not sure. We chose to walk down the steps than take the lift - slow slow lift we took some pictures of the symmetry and found many of the stairs were shut so you couldn’t go all the way around and that frustrated us as it wasn’t clear then at the bottom we found old shouty yelling exit exit this way - so we did! Disappointed frustrated and wished we hadn’t - in my opinion it’s seriously not worth the money!

Easy and cool experience with some great pics!