Discover everything you need to know about One World Observatory, New York City including history, facts, how to get there and the best time to visit.

The Basics

Travelers to the One World Observatory are welcomed to One World Trade Center with video displays telling the story of the building’s construction, before heading up 1,268 feet (386 meters) to the main observation deck. Several installations allow visitors to zero in on neighborhoods and check out real-time footage of streets far below.

Standard timed-entry admission tickets are available, as are skip-the-line, priority anytime, and flexible tickets. Reserve in advance to enjoy a guided 45-minute highlights tour or combine your visit with stops at other top attractions such as the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Statue of Liberty, or Ellis Island.

Things to Know Before You Go

Standard day tickets are by timed entry. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
It’s best to allot 45 minutes to an hour for the observatory tower.
The One World Observatory and its exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
There is no coat or bag check, and large backpacks and luggage are not permitted.
One Mix, the bar on the 101st floor, offers snacks with a view. Outside food is not allowed.

How to Get There

The One World Observatory is located inside One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. The entrance is via the West Plaza located alongside West Street, at the northwest corner of the World Trade Center site. The tower is easily accessed by taxi, and a number of subway stops—including Chambers Street (A or C train), World Trade Center (E), Rector Street (1), Fulton Street (2, 3, 4, or 5), and Cortland Street (R or W)—are within short walking distance. The M20 and M55 buses also stop near the building.

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When to Get There

One World Observatory is open daily from 9am to 8pm much of the year, and until 10pm May through August. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Daytime visits afford sweeping panoramic views, while evening and nighttime visits showcase the city’s romantic twinkling lights. And after the sun goes down, so do the prices—nighttime tickets are half price. Prime time—also the priciest time to visit—is from sunset to twilight, when visitors get to experience a little bit of both.

Dining at the Top of the World

One Dine, the highest restaurant in the United States, is accessible only to One World Observatory ticket holders and requires advance reservations. The 101st-floor fine dining establishment serves a seasonal menu and offers craft beer, wine, and cocktails overlooking the main observation floor. For small plates and drinks, head to One Mix (no reservations required).

Recent reviews from experiences in New York City

Our Freedom Tower Visit

Ashutosh_R, Sep 2021

Skip the Line: NYC One World Observatory Ticket

Very nicely done. Elevator rides are awesome. Nice food with amazing views. Clean toilets and everything cutting edge!

Nice views

Chiko_P, Aug 2021

Visited yesterday Aug 16, 2021. Due to the Covid pandemic, anywhere in the City there's no line to get in anything. It was not necessary to buy the ticket in advance or reserve a time slot. You could simply walk up at the counter and buy it there and no priority access was needed. It was nice to visit something new though. The views were good. A con is that you are inside the building to see the views unlike Empire State Bulg I Visited years ago.

Highly recommended

Aurelio_V, Aug 2021

Full-Day New York "Must See" Small-Group Tour plus One World Observatory Ticket

Jared is knowledgeable, all around -funny easy to warm up to -connected with all made everyone feel special -kudos! On how he handled the situation of a ‘follower’ who happen to just show up on our tour -harmless -Jared was compassionate , but firm and reassuring , he had our safety under control! -Real ambassador of NY -Thanks Jared , learned a lot from you !

Very Good

Cristin_A, Jul 2021

All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory

Kids loved the tour- jarred was amazing and very knowledgeable!! Recommend it- only set back is tour got cut short due to COVID museum/memorial close at 5pm!

Great Tour abs Tour Guide

Mark_M, Sep 2021

Brian our tour guide did an amazing job and is a great story teller sharing his experiences from 9/11…Thank you for a very memorable time… Mark/Erika

Andrew's personnel...

constance_p, Sep 2021

World Trade Center Tour with 911 Museum & Observatory Skip-the-Line Access

Andrew's personnel stories about 911. Our group was small. We enjoyed our guides narration. Andrew helped us with directions and I feel like he went above and beyond.

Great overview!

Amy_F, Aug 2021

If you are looking for a broad overview and are able to walk 4-5 miles at a very easy pace, this is the tour for you. Great route, lots of detail, funny stories along the way, and plenty of time left over at the end to spend at One World Observatory. I appreciate the group photo sent by email at the end of the trip. I also was impressed that a speaker system was used so tourists at the back of the small group could hear everything clearly. TOP-NOTCH!

Three part 911 tour

chris_b, Sep 2021

Andrew our tour operator did a great job explaining the entire history of 911. The walking part of the tour was easy as we would walk for awhile, then he had certain places where we could sit. The large laminated pictures he used was helpful. The museum showed us the reality of 911 and the freedom tower showed us the future. We would recommend this tour to anyone, all ages.

Great day. Enjoyable and informative.

Robert_K, Sep 2021

Jenn Andres was a fabulous tour guide. She kept our small group moving, she answered questions and even pointed out Alexander Hamilton's gravesite. Everyone in the group seemed to click with her, which made the day fun and interesting.

Comments

Lisa_D, Sep 2021

Everything was wonderful. Hal our tour guide could’ve definitely used a microphone so everybody could hear him during the tour. I do believe it should be mentions that there is a lot of walking for this tour.

Beauty from above

Albert_D, Sep 2021

The view was so amazing,you can see virtually the entire city from borough to borough would definitely recommend it for all to see thanks again for the view

Tour with Ray

Brian_H, Sep 2021

9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional One World Observatory Ticket

Ray Victor was our tour guide. He was very informative and brought a personal account of 9/11. This was definitely the highlight of our visit to New York City. If you get the opportunity to have Ray as your guide you are in for a tour you soon will not forget.

One World Observatory