a city at night with many tall buildings

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One World Observatory in New York City represents an observation deck unlike any other. It stands as one of the premier places to visit in NYC, and after seeing it from different perspectives (such as from above!), we highly advocate a visit.

This skyscraper, also known as the Freedom Tower observatory, opened in 2015, becoming one of the most renowned buildings in NYC. With a height of 1,776 feet, One World Observatory makes it the tallest building in NYC and the entire Western Hemisphere. Also, if you’re wondering, the height does correspond to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed!

a city with tall buildings and a clock tower

The World Trade Center observation deck is situated on the 100th floor, making it 1,268 feet in elevation. If you wish to see the Big Apple from this viewpoint, you can obtain your ticket here. That said, if you plan on visiting other attractions, consider obtaining a New York attraction pass, such as the New York Pass.

To encourage you fully exploring this observatory located at One World Trade Center, I suggest continuing reading to better understand the experience being offered.

Guide to visiting One World Observatory at the World Trade Center

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Within this One World Observatory guide, you’ll find:

One World Observatory ticket prices

Admission to One World Observatory begins at $47, and visitors can get their skip-the-line, timed-entry ticket here. You can also upgrade to the Combination ticket or All-Inclusive ticket to enhance your experience.

a very tall building with a blue sky

The timed ticket grants priority access to the SkyPod elevators and the Digital Skyline Guide. The All-Inclusive option is a flexible entry method with priority elevator access, the Digital Skyline Guide, and a $15 store or cafe credit.

To assist with planning a visit to New York’s One World Observatory, I’m sharing details about pricing, hours, and dining options. This is one of the premier observation decks in New York City, so I highly advise seeing it.

In my view, taking out a New York Pass represents the best choice since you will save money on both the One World Observatory ticket and also on popular attractions like the Empire State Building and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum .

One World Observatory hours

One World Observatory’s hours are 9 am to 9 pm daily. Keep in mind that the last entry time is 8 pm, so if you want to visit One World Observatory at night, be sure to arrive before then.

an aerial view of a city at night

If you wish to dine here, ONE Dine at One World Observatory is accessible daily from 1 pm to 9 pm.

One World Observatory views

The views from the One World Observatory are among the best across the entire city. From the 100th floor, onlookers will be able to see over most of Manhattan`s iconic skyscrapers.

One World Observatory’s 360° view allows you to see New York Harbor, the East and Hudson Rivers, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Visitors will also get incredible perspectives of New York’s most renowned landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, and Central Park.

a city with tall buildings and a sky background

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The One World Observatory experience

In addition to its breathtaking views of NYC, the observatory at the Freedom Tower offers various attractions and activities to complete your visit. Here is what you can anticipate from your One World Observatoryexperience:

Global Welcome Center

One of the first sights upon entering the prominent One World Observatory is the expansive Global Welcome Center. As the world’s largest curved indoor LED display, it chronicles visitors’ places of origin, allowing them to add their own locale to the registry combining millions of locations.

people standing in front of a large screen

Horizon Grid

The Horizon Grid is another aspect you’ll see prior to ascending to the Freedom Tower observation deck. This multi-screen display highlights memorable moments and visitors from the observatory’s past. As you walk past the 145 displays, you’ll learn more regarding the observatory and the different landmarks visible from the viewing area.

SkyPod elevators

When ascending to the top floor, visitors will take high-speed elevators at One World Observatory. These impressive lifts travel at a rapid pace, reaching the viewing platform in under a minute.

two people sitting at a window looking out at the ocean

See Forever Theater

Another interesting aspect to witness inside One World Observatory is the See Forever Theater. It displays two performances every hour utilizing state-of-the-art audiovisual effects that mimic NYC’s environment of busy locals, awestruck tourists, and honking taxis.

Sky Portal

While taking in the incredible 360° views from One World Observatory, check out the other activities here, such as the Sky Portal, a 14-foot-wide translucent disk. As you walk across it, you’ll see a real-time view of the streets below, which is taken from the HD cameras on the Freedom Tower’s spire. It’s the closest you`ll get to a glass floor at One World Observatory, and it’s quite impressive, especially for kids.

a view through a glass window of a building

City Pulse

As you explore the indoor, climate-regulated viewing area, you’ll notice the City Pulse exhibit. This multi-media installation includes interactive screens that can be tapped and swiped to learn more about the background of the World Trade Center, its observation deck, and surrounding attractions. Gallery assistants, who oversee the exhibit, can help you point out iconic views from above as well as NYC’s different neighborhoods.

Digital Skyline Guides

If you obtain the Combination or All-Inclusive ticket to One World Observatory, you’ll have access to the Digital Skyline Guide. During your visit, you’ll receive an iPad to carry around as your virtual assistant. The screen highlights 40 skyscrapers and famous New York landmarks, which you can tap for more information and a birds-eye view.

Among the attractions visitors can explore are Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, and Yankee Stadium .

ONE Dine at One World Observatory

While the 100th floor is reserved for the observation deck, the 101st floor allows one to dine atOneWorld Observatory. If wondering about the 102nd floor`s purpose, it`s reserved for ASPIRE, a premier event space.

a city at night with many tall buildings

ONE at the One World Observatory is the acclaimed restaurant located in the Freedom Tower building that provides seasonal dishes, excellent customer service, and of course, mesmerizing panoramas. The upscale meals are ready by celebrated chefs, and you can choose from a delectable selection of starters, salads, main courses, and desserts.

The menu features fresh recipes and regional ingredients including Atlantic salmon, New York strip steak, and NY-style cheesecake. ONE Dine is a beautiful location to indulge yourself in a special dinner and drinks. You can indulge in a glass of wine or champagne or opt for one of the signature cocktails while soaking in the panoramic views of the metropolis.

The restaurant is open Monday-Sunday from 12 pm to 11 pm, and you should book a table in advance.

Other things to do at the Freedom Tower observatory

While you’re investigating the observatory at One World Trade Center, make the most of your opportunity to see the other close-by attractions.

Nearby, The Oculus offers additional places to dine and shop in a unique structure resembling a dove taking flight. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it spans 350 feet wide and rises to a height of 160 feet.

a large building with a view of the water

I also advise touring the neighboring 9/11 Memorial and Museum, regarded as one of the premier museums in NYC where you can learn about the events of September 11, 2001. Along with thousands of photographs, videos, and audio recordings, there is a beautiful memorial with reflective pools and a Survivor Tree.

If visiting the One World Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on the same trip is preferred, I suggest obtaining the New York Pass or this combined entrance pass. Both options allow concurrent access to the memorable locations.

Finally, conclude your visit by stopping at Liberty Park, an elevated natural area overlooking the World Trade Center complex. This one-acre park is a pleasant place to take a respite and admire the panoramas, as well as see The Sphere, a bronze sculpture constructed from rubble salvaged from Ground Zero.

FAQs about the Freedom Tower observatory

Before I conclude this visitor guide to the World Trade Center observation deck, I’ll answer some common questions you may still have.

The vantage point situated at 285 Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan, NYC provides stunning panoramic views from the summit of One World Trade Center.

The height of One World Observatory is 1,268 feet, while the actual structure reaches 1,792 feet at the zenith.

To avoid crowds, the best time to explore One World Observatory is when it opens in the morning. However, for the nicest views, go right before sunset.

It’s a 3-minute walk from One World Observatory to the 9/11 Memorial.

The high level of One World Observatory is 94 stories, but its highest observatory level is considered the 104th floor.

A self-guided tour of One World Observatory typically takes around one hour.

Yes! The tower observatory located atop the tallest building in NYC is one of the highest vantage points in the city, and its panoramic perspectives of Manhattan are without equal.

It depends on the specific objectives. If you are considering the One World Observatory versus the Empire State Building, the former is the taller structure. Additionally, One World Observatory is newer and offers numerous historical aspects and intriguing activities. To be equitable, the Empire State Building is an iconic part of the NYC skyline, so it`s also deserving of a visit.

Indeed, One World Observatory was once commonly referred to as the Freedom Tower, though that name is still employed on occasion by some.

This wraps up the guide about the One World Observatory! If you have any other questions, or want to share your account, feel free to add a comment below. For now, enjoy your time at the Freedom Tower observation deck!