The Vessel
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Back in March 2018, we were exploring Hudson Yards and the High Line when this odd, honeycomb-like structure caught my eye. I snapped a picture and didn’t think much of it afterwards.
Nearly a year later, I realized the structure I saw back in 2018 was actually a public sculpture and landmark that was built as part of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project. It’s called the Vessel. I discovered that timed tickets to visit the Vessel were free but you had to sign up in advance to walk around it. I signed up for a time slot on a day when Mitchell was post-call and we made it into a quick little city trip.
Hudson Yards is an easy walk from Penn Station. I knew we were heading in the right direction when the swaths of tourists got thicker. Mitchell expressed concern that there wouldn’t be a place to leave our stroller but I had a hunch that there’d be a dedicates stroller parking area and I was right! We were permitted to enter the line to climb the Vessel 10 minutes prior to the time on our ticket. It was sufficient enough to show the tickets on my phone.
Long line of people waiting to get tickets. I’d suggest getting them beforehand online.
Stroller parking
Discussing the importance of good attitudes and kind words.
Post-Vessel gelato from Chelsea Market.
We rep coast to coast.
Climbing all of steps was easy (save for Theo, who was nestled in the Ergo). I do get uncomfortable with heights at times (I don’t do rollercoasters partially for this very reason) and did experience that sort of nervousness briefly at times; however, it wasn’t anything unbearable. There was also a nice, soft breeze that blew threw from time to time, which was a nice reprieve from the heat and sweat from walking up so many steps.
Getting through the crowds of tourists and folks scrambling for that perfect angle to create content wasn’t the most pleasant and at times, Ava had a hard time understandably. We can add the Vessel to the list of unconventional places where we’ve had to find a quiet spot to have a talk about good attitudes and kind words.
Visiting the Vessel reminded me of the highs and lows of the city. There’s this juxtaposition of something beautiful and unique, just waiting to be explored and the feeling of claustrophobia as dozens upon dozens of people are there wanting to explore too, some of which unfortunately are just plain rude. I’d say to enjoy the Vessel fully, try to aim for an unconventional time when the crowds are hopefully thinner. We had to settle for 1:30 p.m., Sunday tickets to accommodate Mitchell’s post-call window and the kids’ bedtime. If it were up to me, I’d go first thing in the morning on a weekday. I’d imagine that sunset would be a lovely time to enjoy the vistas as well.
