One World Trade Center Review

What is the One World Observatory?

The One World Observatory is the observation deck on the One World Trade Center in NYC – also known as the Freedom Tower. It is located in the Financial District of New York City, on the site of the former World Trade Center.

At 541 meters, the skyscraper is the tallest building in the western hemisphere. The observation deck is 386 meters high and offers an impressive view of the city.

Other attractions in and around One World Trade Center include the See Forever Theater, the Sky Portal interactive floor space and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. We present them all in detail below.

One World Trade Center Tickets: Admission to the Observation Deck

We’ll help you find the best One World Observatory ticket by answering all your questions about buying tickets, comparing tickets and giving you our personal recommendation.

Where to buy the One World Observatory ticket?

We recommend buying your Observatory ticket online in advance. The best way to do this is here:

• via the official One World Observatory ticket store or
• via the third-party provider GetYourGuide

In the official ticket store, you can get all the tickets available for the One World Trade Center. On GetYourGuide you can get the standard ticket, the combination ticket, the all-inclusive ticket (our favorite) and a VIP tour. A table will follow shortly.

Buying your ticket online allows you to plan your sightseeing in New York City in a more relaxed way. Both providers have their pros and cons, but both are great. Just see what suits you best.

How much do the One World Observatory tickets cost?

In these two tables you can see a comparison of all regular tickets for the One World Observatory, the prices and a link to the ticket store.

One World Observatory tickets from the official provider

One World Observatory tickets from third-party providers

Cancellation & Refund

Unfortunately, the official ticket store does not offer refunds after cancelation. However, there is the so-called“See Forever Commitment“. This means that you can come on another day if visibility is very poor on the day you have booked. However, you will not get your money back if you are unable to come.

With GetYourGuide, on the other hand, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start of the tour and receive a full refund.

Can you spontaneously visit the One World Trade Center Observation Deck?

Yes, you can technically buy a ticket on-site and try your luck. However, there may be longer waiting times. In addition, tickets on site cost 5 dollars more.

We highly recommend booking your ticket online in advance – at least a few days before your trip, or even better, a few weeks ahead.

Are there discounted tickets for the One World Observatory?

Yes, there are discounted tickets for the One World Observatory for children and senior citizens. Both pay between 2 and 6 dollars less. Children under the age of 5 get in for free.

Is the One World Observatory included in a New York City Pass?

Yes, a visit to One World Observatory is also included in several New York City Passes. For example, in the New York All-Inclusive Pass and the New York Sightseeing Pass – we’ve been up there with this one.

If you are considering a city pass for New York, we recommend that you carefully compare all available passes to find the best deal for you. It’s a lot of research, but it’s worth it in the end.

Our pass comparison will help you:

Our Ticket Recommendation for the One World Observatory: All-Inclusive Ticket

We recommend the all-inclusive ticket for your visit to the One World Observatory. This is the ticket with the best price-performance ratio.

The All-Inclusive Ticket includes:

• Flexible entry at a time of your choice
• Priority entry (incl. security check and elevator)
• A 360-degree panoramic view of New York City
• A digital skyline guide
• 15 dollar discount on food, drink and merchandise

The price for the all-inclusive ticket is:

• Adults (13-64 years): approx. 59-69 $
• Children (5-12 years): approx. 54-64 $
• Children under 5 years: free of charge
• Seniors (65 years): approx. 58-68 $

You can buy the all-inclusive ticket here:

• Online via the official ticket shop
• Online via GetYourGuide
• On site at the ticket machine

How to Get to One World Trade Center in NYC

The One World Trade Center with the One World Observatory is located in the Financial District of Manhattan, south of Wall Street.

The exact address is: 285 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10281, USA

One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) on Google Maps

There are various options for reaching One World Trade Center. These are our recommendations for you:

With the New York City Subway

The subway is a very convenient way to get to One World Trade Center. Lines 1, 2, 3, A, C, J and Z all stop at Fulton Street Station. From there it is only a few minutes’ walk.

Alternatively, the R and W lines stop at Cortlandt Street Station. From here, you only need a few minutes to get to the Tower.

On foot

If you are already close to the Financial District, you can also walk to the One World Trade Center. It takes about 10 minutes from Battery Park and only about 5 minutes from the Wall Street area.

One World Observatory: How it Works

To help you make the most of your visit to One World Observatory, we’ll walk you through the process and share important tips.

One World Trade Center opening hours

The One World Observatory at One World Trade Center is open daily from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm. The last admission is at 20:00.

What is the best time to visit the One World Trade Center?

The best time to visit the One World Trade Center depends on your personal preferences.

• Least crowded: early morning (9:00-10:30am), during the week
• Best light: late afternoon & sunset (time depends on the season)
• NYC by night: late evening (time depends on the season)

Most visitors are at One World Trade Center at midday and in the afternoon. It can get very crowded then.

Are there different entrances for different ticket types?

There is only one entrance for all visitors to the One World Observatory. However, if you have a ticket with priority entry (e.g. the all-inclusive ticket) or a VIP ticket, you can skip the normal queue and get to the observation deck more quickly.

One World Observatory waiting times

Waiting times at One World Observatory can vary depending on the day of the week, time of day and season.

As a rule, waiting times are longer during peak times – at weekends or during vacations. On average, you can expect waiting times of around 15 to 45 minutes, especially when many tourists arrive at the same time.

To avoid long waiting times, we recommend that you buy your One World Observatory tickets online in advance and go to the observation deck early in the morning or later in the evening.

Security at One World Trade Center New York City

One World Trade Center and One World Observatory in particular have very high security standards.

Security checks are carried out directly at the entrance. All bags are x-rayed and you have to go through a metal detector. This is pretty much the standard procedure as you know it from the airport.

What is allowed on the observation deck and what is not?

You are NOT allowed to take these items onto the observation deck:

• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives, pepper spray, etc.)
• Sharp objects (e.g. razor blades, pointed tools, scissors)
• Large bags & suitcases (no larger than 40 x 40 cm; there are no lockers)
• Food & drinks (except baby food & medication)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Liquids in containers larger than 100 ml (as usual at airports)
• Cigarettes & other tobacco products (smoking is not permitted in the building or on the observation decks)
• Drones & similar devices
• Large photographic or video equipment (e.g. tripods, large cameras with long lenses)

You may take these items onto the observation deck:

• Small bags & backpacks (maximum 40 x 40 cm)
• Cell phones & small handheld cameras
• Small bottles with liquids (maximum 100 ml, as usual at airports, in transparent, sealable bags)
• Medication (if necessary, but verification may be required)
• Baby food & baby food jars
• Folding strollers (we recommend a travel stroller for NYC anyway)

Important: Drinking bottles must be empty. There are no water stations in the Observatory.

Are One World Trade Center and the Observatory accessible?

Yes, both the One World Trade Center and the One World Observatory are barrier-free.

There are barrier-free entrances, elevators and restrooms. Free wheelchairs are available on request and assistance dogs are welcome.

How much time should I plan for One World Trade Center?

You can split your visit to One World Trade Center. One visit to the One World Observatory and then a tour of the rest of One World Trade Center with the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum.

You can plan around 1.5 hours for the observation deck. Another 1.5 hours or so for the rest of the complex. So a total of 2 to 3 hours.

What Can You Do at One World Trade Center?

Are you still not sure whether One World Trade Center and the Observatory are right for you? Maybe these highlights will convince you:

View from One World Observatory NYC

The One World Observatory offers one of the best panoramic views of New York City. You can see the city from a height of 386 meters. That’s over 100 meters higher than the Top of the Rock, for example.

From up here, you can see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and, on a clear day, the opposite bank of the Hudson River, including the districts of Jersey City and Hoboken in New Jersey.

Try discovering your hotel in New York City, hehe.

One World Trade Center See Forever Theater

The See Forever Theater is a kind of cinema in the One World Trade Center and part of the observatory.

Before you reach the observation deck, you can watch a short, super interesting film about the history of New York City and One World Trade Center in this theater.

The film uses impressive visual effects and animations to show the development of the city, the reconstruction after the September 11 attacks and the construction of One World Trade Center. The name “See Forever” alludes to the breathtaking view you will experience later on the platform.

One World Trade Center Sky Portal

The Sky Portal is an interactive, transparent floor surface at One World Observatory that gives you a slightly different view of the streets of New York City.

Unlike the New York Edge, this is not a real glass floor, but an area on the floor that works like a screen. And this screen plays live video from cameras near the building.

So when you look at the Sky Portal, you can see in real time what is happening on the street directly below the observatory. And without having to be afraid of the depth. After all, it’s not real.

Restaurants at One World Trade Center

Because the One World Trade Center complex is so huge, there are of course a number of cafés and restaurants here. Two of them are real highlights.

The One Café is located directly on the observation deck. Here you can eat small snacks and drink a coffee, for example, while enjoying the view of New York City. Perfect for a short break.

If you want to sit down for longer and have a proper meal, there is the One Dine Restaurant on the 101st floor of One World Trade Center. You can expect fine cuisine with an unforgettable view. It’s best to book in advance.

Alternatively, there is also the BBQ restaurant Blue Smoke and the Italian restaurant Eataly in the building complex.

Our Review: Is the One World Observatory Worth it?

We visited the One World Observatory on the first day of our trip to New York City. The whole thing kind of happened by chance. We were walking around the Oculus shopping center and train station. This is part of the One World Trade Center complex and is therefore only a stone’s throw away.

Because it was only 9.30 in the morning and we had selected the Observatory as an attraction in our New York Citypass, we were able to go up spontaneously.

There was no queue in front of us and the security check – taking off our valuables and belts and going through the metal detector – went really quickly. So we were able to take the elevator up quickly.

In the elevator, there is an animated show on the walls showing the way from the bottom to the top and the outside view of the elevator. A really cool gimmick.

Once at the top, we first went to the One World Trade Center See Forever Theater. A film about the construction of the One World Trade Center was shown there. An interesting introduction, but actually everyone just wanted to enjoy the view.

And then came the huge wow moment. After the movie, curtains fell from the windows and we could look out over the whole of New York!

You can move around freely on the platform and there is another option to buy an audio guide that explains the skyline to you. However, there is no option to go outside. The whole platform is one big indoor space. What a pity. As a result, some of the photos are unfortunately very reflective, but the view is simply magnificent!

All in all, we spent about an hour at the top of the On World Observatory – precisely because we couldn’t do more than look out and make a detour to the merchandise store.

Is the One World Observatory worth the money? Yes, it is. There is no higher observation deck in NYC and the location is also very significant. However, we personally liked the outdoor area on The Edge better.

9/11 Memorial and Museum at One World Trade Center

At One World Trade Center you will also find the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Both places commemorate the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The 9/11 Memorial is located on the former site of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The 9/11 Museum is located directly below it. Both the museum and the memorial are very emotional and meaningful places.

9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial includes two large pools of water with waterfalls on the original sites of the towers. The edges of the pools are engraved with the names of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.

Numerous trees have been planted around the memorial, including the famous Survivor Tree – a poplar tree that survived the attack and was replanted in the memorial garden after the attacks.

The 9/11 Memorial is freely accessible and visitors can view the outdoor area at any time.

9/11 Museum

The 9/11 Museum in NYC documents the events of September 11 in great detail. It includes a variety of exhibits – including parts of the Twin Towers, debris, emergency call recordings and personal belongings of the victims.

The emotional and human aspects of the tragedy are conveyed via interactive stations, eyewitness accounts and videos. There are also so-called quiet reflection rooms where visitors can take a seat and commemorate.

The museum is one of the most popular museums in New York City and is open daily, although there is an entrance fee.

Book a ticket for the 9/11 Museum

The Surrounding Area: Combine the One World Trade Center with Other Highlights in NYC

One World Trade Center is located in the Financial District of NYC. In this area you can see a few other great attractions in New York City. These places are worthwhile:

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum (Ground Zero): Memorial to victims of September 11
• Oculus (Westfield World Trade Center): Shopping center and modern train station (2-minute walk)
• St. Paul’s Chapel: historic church and closely linked to 9/11 (5-minute walk)
• Wall Street & Stock Exchange: the financial center of NYC (10-minute walk)
• Battery Park & Statue of Liberty View: green park at the southern end of Manhattan (10-15 minute walk)
• Brooklyn Bridge: iconic suspension bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn (15-20 minutes on foot)

One World Trade Center area on a map

To give you a better overview, we have marked the One World Trade Center NYC and the surrounding highlights on a map for you.

FAQ about the One World Trade Center NYC

These were our tips and review of the One World Trade Center NYC

Do you also have a tip for the One World Observatory or do you still have questions? Then write us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!