The ultimate guide to visiting One World Trade Center

Planning to visit One World Trade Center when you explore the many things to do in NYC? The unimpeded, 360-degree views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City from the tallest building in New York City never disappoint. The skyscraper is mostly office space, but visitors can go all the way up to the sky-high One World Observatory for unrivaled views of New York City’s iconic skyline.

Look out for famous buildings like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge, or even enjoy dinner at One Dine, the highest restaurant in the city and an incredible way to see New York at night. Find out everything you need in this complete One World Trade Center guide.

One World Trade Center at a glance

• One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States and the Western Hemisphere and the seventh tallest building in the world.
• The tower was completed in 2014 and stands on the same block the Twin Towers stood until September 11, 2001.
• One World Trade Center is mainly made up of offices, but the One World Observatory, café, and restaurant sit on its highest floors (100-102).

Suggested duration: Spend 1 to 2 hours enjoying the views.
Best time of day to visit: Visit at dusk to see the sunset behind the New York skyline. However, remember that it might still be crowded at these hours as this is one of the most popular things to do in Lower Manhattan and NYC.
Opening hours: The Observatory is open 10:00 AM-7:00 PM daily, with extended opening hours from 9:00 AM-9:00 PM in the summer months.
Address: 117 West Street, New York, New York 10007.

How do I get tickets to the One World Observatory?

The best ticket option is the all-inclusive flexible entry tickets to the Observatory, which gives you flexible entry timing privileges, allows you to skip all lines, and you receive a $15 voucher for food and shopping.

Tip : The One World Observatory is included in various New York City passes, like the New York Pass and the New York Sightseeing Pass. Check out the other New York City attractions you can pair with your visit to One World Trade Center.

What can I see at the One World Trade Center?

• Hurtle to the top of the tower in 47 seconds and enjoy an informative multimedia show on the elevator walls. See the high-speed transformation of New York City and Manhattan over 500 years, from its humble origins as a Dutch settlement to the skyscraper-covered metropolis it is today.
• Step onto the city’s highest viewing platform and immerse yourself in incredible 360-degree views over Manhattan and beyond from One World Observatory’s windows.
• Look for iconic sights like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Enjoy gourmet cuisine with a backdrop of spectacular city views at One Dine restaurant.

What makes One World Trade Center unique?

• One World Trade Center has the same name as the North Tower of the original World Trade Center but was originally called the Freedom Tower.
• The tower stands 1,776 feet tall, in honor of the year when the US Declaration of Independence was signed, and is home to New York City’s highest viewing platform.
• The moving 9/11 Memorial sits at the base of the tower and commemorates the lives lost on September 11, 2001. It’s recommended to review the things to know before visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum if you plan to visit the memorial or museum.

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

• Dusk provides panoramic views of the sun setting behind NYC’s most famous landmarks but is also the busiest time to visit. Book a skip-the-line ticket and arrive a little early to catch the sunset.
• Early morning is the best time to visit the Observatory to avoid crowds as the line moves much faster than later.
• Weekends are busier than weekdays, so plan a midweek visit to avoid the crowds.

Tips for visiting One World Trade Center

• Check the weather forecast before booking your ticket — visiting on a sunny day means you’ll be rewarded with crystal-clear views of New York City. Booking a flexible ticket means you can change it if the weather changes.
• Booking ahead can save you time when you get there. Standard tickets are by timed entry, and it’s best to arrive at least 15 minutes before your time slot.

Are One World Trade Center skip-the-line tickets worth it?

The One World Trade Center is one of the most popular things to do in New York City so that the lines can be long. If you don’t fancy waiting up to an hour to get in, booking a skip-the-line ticket is definitely worth it.

Are there different entrances to One World Trade Center?

One World Trade Center has entrances on all four sides of the building, but the entrance on West Street is for the Observatory and ONE Dine restaurant. This entrance is at 117 West Street, New York, NY 10007.

How do I get to One World Trade Center?

• By subway: The closest station is Cortlandt Street, served by the R train. You can also take the 1 train to WTC Cortlandt, the A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 trains to Fulton Street, or the E train to the World Trade Center.
• By bus: M55 Southbound at Broadway and Thames Street; M55 Northbound at Trinity Place and Rector Street; M20 Southbound at South End Avenue between Liberty Street and Albany Street.
• By car: If you’re driving to One World Trade Center, the nearest parking garage is at the Brookfield Place shopping mall; enter at 250 Vesey Street.
• By taxi: A taxi from Times Square to One World Trade Center takes around 25 minutes.

FAQs about visiting One World Trade Center

What makes One World Trade Center so special?

One World Trade Center is the tallest building in New York City, standing 1,776 feet tall, representing the year the American Declaration of Independence was signed. Its observatory and restaurant, which are on the top floors, offer panoramic views of the city’s skyline. The Freedom Tower was initially named as a symbol of strength and liberty following the 9/11 attacks.

What building replaced the Twin Towers?

One World Trade Center sits on the site of the former World Trade Center complex where the Twin Towers once stood. The footprint of the Twin Towers is now the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which remembers those who lost their lives in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Is One World Trade Center taller than the Twin Towers?

At the time of their completion, the Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in the world, standing at 1,368 feet and 1,362 feet, respectively. One World Trade Center opened in 2014 and now stands taller than the Twin Towers once did, at 1,776 feet high.

Is One World Trade Center suitable for people with mobility impairments?

One World Trade Center is wheelchair accessible, including on all three floors of the Observatory and restaurant.

What is there to do near One World Trade Center?

As well as the 9/11 Memorial, free to visit, you can explore New York’s Financial District, home to some of the world’s largest banks and iconic New York City statues like the “Charging Bull” and the “Fearless Girl.” Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange are a 15-minute walk from One World Trade Center.