Mainly created and built by women, Hudson Yards is the West Side’s hottest neighborhood and shopping center. The flashy and shiny buildings are located between 10th and 12th avenues, stretching from West 30th to West 34th streets and home to high-end shops like Cartier, Patek Phillipe, Louis Vuitton and more; restaurants; and the world’s first Equinox Hotel.

I was hesitant to visit at first because I knew it would be crowded like the rest of the city, but I needed a little retail therapy after a two-hour dance workout. After doing some damage at The Body Shop and grabbing some coffee at Queens Yard Café, my friends and I were determined to enjoy the sunset from The Vessel.

Opened to the public March 15, The Vessel has been the talk of New York City. Thomas Heatherwick brought his vision to life by giving New Yorkers and people from around the globe an open space in which they can enjoy new perspectives of the city from different angles and heights.

We weren’t able to walk the 154 interconnecting flights of stairs due to the number of people already waiting when we arrived — tickets are free and they can be ordered in advance through Hudson Yards’ booking page or on-site. However, the views from the gardens are priceless!

There is still some construction going on all around the mall and The Vessel. A few more projects are coming soon, one of them being New York’s highest public balcony, The Edge. This balcony will stretch 65 feet straight out into the sky, giving visitors a unique view to the skyline and dramatic sunsets. The floor will be made out of glass so you can actually see the neighborhood 1,100 feet below.

I definitely plan to dedicate one full day of cardio to the 2,500 individual steps that make up The Vessel’s 154 flights of stairs and see my life flash before me on The Edge.

Would you dare do the same?

— Yasser Ogando, digital account executive