One World Observatory tickets: New York’s highest observation deck

What You Need to Know About One World Observatory

• One World Observatory opened on May 29, 2015, at the southern tip of New York, on Manhattan. The observatory sits 382 m (1,250 ft) high, spanning the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors of One World Trade Center.
• This skyscraper is the tallest building in New York and the tallest in North America. It’s one of the city’s most popular sights. You won’t find a higher vantage point anywhere on the continent.
• One World Trade Center has 104 floors, rising 417 m (1,368 ft) to the roof and 541 m (1,776 ft) with its antenna. The observatory sits 60 m (197 ft) higher than the observation deck of the Empire State Building and 10 m (33 ft) above the building’s top floor. It also surpasses Summit, The Edge, and Top of the Rock. From One World Observatory, you’re at the highest point in New York.
• One World Observatory stands at roughly the same height and location as the South Tower’s observation deck of the original World Trade Center, which operated from 1973 to 2001. The Twin Towers fell during the September 11, 2001 attacks, but One World Observatory offers the same sweeping views of New York.

What to See at One World Observatory

• Enter the lobby and head to security, which works like airport screening. Collect your belongings and turn toward the video wall displaying visitor origins in real time. You might see a welcome message from your city.
• Walk through a long corridor with videos telling the story of One World Trade Center’s construction. You’ll hear from workers, developers, and architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Further ahead, a narrow passage recreates the building’s foundation level, setting the mood before the elevators.
• The elevators hold a surprise: a stunning video projection. The ride up 102 floors takes exactly 47 seconds. Once you reach the 102nd floor, another spectacular moment awaits. One World Observatory knows how to build anticipation.
• Skip this paragraph if you want to keep the surprise. The video on the three interior elevator walls shows New York’s history through a time-lapse from the 1500s to today. It begins with a peaceful plain bordered by water, before European settlers arrived. You’ll watch buildings gradually rise, then skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building. There’s an emotional moment when the Twin Towers appear. It’s breathtaking.
• After the show, step into the main observatory on the 100th floor. The view of New York is simply stunning. To the north, you see all of Manhattan with Midtown towers in the distance. To the east, you look down at the Financial District, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the East River, and Brooklyn. To the west, the Hudson River and New Jersey spread before you. To the south, New York Harbor opens up. You’ll see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and Staten Island.
• Don’t miss the glass floor on the western side of the 100th floor. You’ll see traffic on West Street directly beneath your feet. There’s nothing to fear: what you’re viewing is a live camera feed from the northwest side of the tower. A direct view would be impossible given the floor’s location—the tower isn’t hollow. It’s a clever optical illusion.

Visiting One World Observatory

• Address: 285 Fulton Street, New York. The main entrance is at the corner of West Street and Vesey Street, overlooking the Financial District.
• Hours: Open daily from 9 am to 9 pm (8 am to 10 pm from May 1 to September 4). Avoid weekends if possible—weekdays are less crowded.
• Tickets: Book your One World Observatory tickets through our reservation system. Your tickets are timed entries, allowing you to enter at a specific time and skip the ticket line.
• Tip: One World Observatory admission is included in two passes: the New York Explorer Pass and the New York Pass. These are worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

One World Observatory in Photos

Visitor Reviews of One World Observatory

• Jean B.: “One World Observatory is stunning, with views of Brooklyn, New Jersey, and southern Manhattan.”
• Christopher W.: “I recommend visiting One World Trade Center during the day. You’ll see panoramic views of the harbor, the islands, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Verrazano Narrows bridges.”
• Bertrand de L.: “One World Trade Center at sunset is equally exceptional.”
• Maryline P.: “On a clear day, the view is spectacular, and the elevator ride is something else.”
• Jérôme D.: “The arrival is breathtaking, and you have a view of the Statue of Liberty.”
• Jeanine M.: “One World Observatory is magnificent. You see the Oculus and the two 9/11 Memorial pools, plus views across New York.”
• Salohi D.-L.: “One World Observatory is a must because it’s the tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere.”

Reviews of One World Observatory from our Destination New York Facebook group.

Map to One World Trade Center

What to Do After One World Observatory

• If you visit the observatory in the morning, continue exploring the Financial District. Head down Broadway to Trinity Church, then turn onto Wall Street to see the New York Stock Exchange. From there, walk to the Brooklyn Bridge and the Lower East Side. Alternatively, explore TriBeCa and SoHo.
• If you visit in the afternoon, head to the Hudson River waterfront to enjoy views of New Jersey and the World Financial Center. End your day by the harbor. Take the Staten Island Ferry for a view of the Manhattan skyline and a fresh perspective on One World Trade Center.