Freedom Tower Observatory
The new One World Observatory is much more that just another stunning vantage point from which to view the city
This is a memorable attraction in so many ways. The Freedom Tower observation deck opened its doors to the public on May 29th 2015 on the 100, 101 and 102 floors of the beautiful new One World Trade Center Tower also known as The New Freedom Tower. It stands directly on the site of the WTC 6 building which was severally damaged from fallen debris when the original WTC Tower 1 fell on it during the terrorist attack of September 11th 2001.
The new tower shares the same numerical number one with the Twin Tower on the north side of the 16 acre site which was hit and destroyed during 9/11. Now there are memorial twin reflecting poolssitting on the spot where the twin towers once stood. These pools are close to an acre in size displaying waterfalls that are the largest man made waterfalls in the North America. The names of the victims who died in this senseless attack are inscribed in a Bronze panel that surrounds them.
The outside of the New Freedom tower draws your eyes to the way its beautiful glass exterior glistens and sparkles on a sunny day. This uniquely designed building gives an illusion of glass twisting and turning as it reaches for the heavens. The building's height was specifically planned including the antenna to reach 1,776 feet high. This number symbolically represents the year of 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. This makes it the tallest highrise in the western hemisphere and fourth highest in the whole world.
As you enter the lobby of the building you are welcomed at the Global Welcome center by a giant video board with greetings in a wide variety of languages and a real time world map where visitors can see their hometown. Next you will get acquainted with the men and women who built the 1 WTC by a program called Voices which tells you about their personal stories. This is followed by Foundations where you'll experience an up close look at the very bedrock that the building stands on.
The One World Observatory is on the 100th, 101 and 102 floors of this beautiful Skyscraper. Travelling up at 23 miles per hour in one of five speedy elevators labelled Sky Pods is an exciting and wonderful experience. In only 47 seconds you are taken up to the 102 floor, where you'll experience the SEE FOREVER Theater — a 2 minute video that amalgamates time-lapse pictures with a balance of abstract texture and designs to present a 3D effect of the rhythm and feel of this lively city. During your ride up the elevator you will be awed with the illusion you are looking out the windows and witnessing emerging from the bedrock over 515 years ago straight into undeveloped marshlands from the 1500s. As the elevator rises time unfolds before your eyes from the 1500s to the current date with a detailed reconstruction of New York City's developing skyline. A quick but amazing journey.
On the 100th floor is the main observatory commonly named the discovery level. A feeling of wonderment hits you as you step out of the elevator and onto this deck taking in the panorama of breathtaking views from all directions. Here you will receive an amazing 360-degree vista of landmarks, and iconic sites such as the Statue of Liberty, The Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the beautiful waters that surround the city and more. On a clear day, your field of vision can stretch out as far as 50 miles making this arguably the best view point in the city. Also featured on this deck is the Sky Portal where you are invited to step onto a circular disc 14 feet in width that displays memorable clear views of real time footage of the streets below in high definition. This is not for those with a fear of heights.
There is so much more than just views to appreciate on this deck. City Pulse is another interesting and informative exhibit. This is a 14 foot high ring of 10 high-definition video monitors that responds to gestures made by the entertaining and enlightening global ambassador, a tour guide who stands in the center of the ring explaining and giving visitors information about the city with real time views on a wide variety of topics about New York. There is a souvenir gift shop with some items exclusively produced for One World Observatory. All exhibits are suited to all ages.
On the 101st floor there is a fine restaurant which requires advance reservations. If you don't have reservations there are two sit down cafes that need no reservations. There is also a shop where you can get a souvenir photo with a backdrop of your choice. All three levels boast new and advanced technologies making for an interesting, fun and informative day that's great for your whole family. When you are ready to go home, exiting in the SkyPod elevator is an experience in itself as you will feel the virtual effects of being outside of the building as you descend to the ground.
For an addition charge you can add the One World Explorer iPad to your visit. This iPad is loaded with an app that will give you a virtual up-close look at the views and iconic landmarks of the city as seen from a helicopter. You scan the skyline and choose from over 40 important and intriguing sites and then you can zoom in on them for a close-up look and more information.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes. There is a discount in the ticket price for seniors and children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free.Website: One World Observatory
Freedom Tower Observatory Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Address: 117 West St, New York, NY 10007, USA
Phone: (212) 602-4000
Official Website: Freedom Tower Observatory
Freedom Tower Observatory Reviews
Rated out of 5
I went in the afternoon after lunch time around 2 pm and just get the ticket from the Kiosk on arrival. I think the online price is better at $39 pp instead of $50 pp on site.
I love the video story of the building in the lift and the New York city introduction video before you enter the observatory deck! It was so well made, the reveal was fantastic!
Absolutely beautiful city view from the floor 102 and cool presents you can buy from the Gallery shop at One World up on the viewing floor.
The pennies coin machine is a great price too, you can get a set of 8 pennies pressed for $5. And there are 2 different set of 16 different designs to choose from. The staff was very friendly and helpful! Bathroom available at the gift shop before you come down and also after the lift down before you exit. You can also top up your bottle with cold water before you leave after the lift.
Definitely recommend this observatory if you are in New York city!
Penny Gaffney - a month ago
Welcome, to the highest skyscraper of New York. It still feels surreal to me having the opportunity to finally see it with my own eyes. It is massive, it is huge, it is magical in his own. Going up by the elevator where you get a very nice animation of the build of New York, and after 40-ish seconds you reached the top where you can admire the amazing view of New York City.
Now, I must say it may not have the charm, or the stellar history like the North and South World Trade Center had in the past, but the One World Trade Center defenitely deserves his mark in New York City. Which also makes it one of the must see things when you are in this town. Small tip; Make sure your make a reservation in advance! Just to be sure.
Delano K - a week ago
The One World Observatory is an observation deck located on the 100th to 102nd floors of One World Trade Center. It offers a 360-degree view of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River, as well as views of Liberty Island and Ellis Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, making it a definite New York City landmark.
The stunning video clips you can watch on the way up to the observatory, and the videos you can watch once you arrive at the observatory show scenes from the past and present of New York City. The curtain-like screen that rises after the video ends, revealing a spectacular view of the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan, are truly spectacular.
Christian Cho - a week ago
Nice place to observethe city. The elevator will take you to the 102 floor. They do have a nice demo. But price is a little too high comparing to other observation building in NYC. For instance, summit one Vanderbilt is nicer but the price is a little bit lower the one world observation.
Martin Scram - a week ago
This was my favorite activity in NYC. We went on a clear, sunny day, and the views were incredible. The observatory deck wraps around the entire floor, so you get full 360 degree views. The ride up and down the elevator were super cool, and the demo video before you start the tour was awesome. You can get discounted tickets pretty easily with a quick Google search.
EH HUG - a week ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 | Fulton Street | 7 minutes |
| 2 or 3 | Park Place | 6 Minutes |
| E | World Trade Center | 4 minutes |
| R | Cortlandt Street | 3 minutes |
How to get to Freedom Tower Observatory by Subway
The Entrance to One World Observatory is located on the corner of Vesey Street and West Street which is on the north west corner of the One World Trade Center.
Take a A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Fulton Street: exit onto Fulton Street, go right on Church Street, left on Vesey Street, continue to West Street.
Take a 2 or 3 train to Park Place: exit and walk south on Church Street and turn right (west) onto Vesey Street, continue to West Street.
Take an E train to World Trade Center: exit onto Church Street Walk south and turn right on Vesey Street, continue to West Street.
Take a R train to Cortlandt Street: walk west on Cortlandt street to the Memorial and go right on West Street to Vesey.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Freedom Tower Observatory:
Photo Gallery
-
Elevators to the Freedom Tower Observation Deck cc licensed photo by Kai Brinker -
Looking up at One World Trade Center from below -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva - cc license via Flickr
