Before heading up 1,268 feet (386 meters) to the main observation deck, check out the welcome video displays telling the story of One World Observatory and One World Trade Center’s construction. Several installations zero in on neighborhoods below 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 your tickets in advance to enjoy a guided 45-minute highlights One World Observatory 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.
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; visitors cannot bring large backpacks or luggage inside.
One Mix, the bar on the 101st floor, offers snacks with a view. Visitors cannot bring outside food inside.
The One World Observatory is 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. You can easily reach the tower 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.
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.
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).
