ONE World Observatory | What to Expect, Tickets, & FAQs

ONE World Observatory | What to Expect, Tickets, & FAQs |

Learn everything about the One World Observatory in NYC, from what to expect and how to reach it to the best tickets and more. Plan now!

One World Observatory is located at 117 West Street, NYC, on top of the One World Trade Center.

This modern attraction has observation decks spanning floors 100 to 102, where you can indulge in multimedia presentations or walk on the cutting-edge Sky Portal.

Its SkyPod elevator will take you to the 102nd floor within 60 seconds, and once out, you will be greeted with magical views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, and NYC.

Due to its uniqueness, the One World Observatory welcomes around 3.8 million visitors to its doors yearly.

However, visiting it can become overwhelming due to its worldwide fame and massive crowds.

Don’t worry! We will unearth everything about the One World, starting from what to expect to the best tickets, how to reach it, customizable tickets, and more, so that your visit to this attraction becomes easy and worthwhile.

One World Observatory in a Snapshot

Opening Hours	9 am to 9 pm
Location	117 West St, New York, NY 10007, USA
Best time to visit	Early Morning on Weekdays
Highlights	Sky Pod, Sky Portal
Tour Duration	1 to 2 hours
Ticket Price	$48
Ticket Link	One World Observatory Skip-the-line Ticket

What to Expect?

As soon as you reach Lower Manhattan, you will start seeing signs of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Upon getting to its base, you will go through security checks to enter the Global Welcome Center.

Here, you will also see a digital wall that shows the tracking of all the visitors in real time. It is truly amazing, isn’t it?

From there, you will get into the Skypod, one of the fastest elevators in the world.

It will take you to floor 100 within 47 seconds

This elevator has animated walls that play the entire history of NYC as you head to the main observation deck.

Once you get out, you will be awestruck by the 360-degree views it offers.

On a clear day, you can see as far as 50 miles and admire landmarks like Lady Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Hudson River in all their glory.

Sky Portal is another unique experience you should not miss: a glass floor offering thrilling street views from above.

If all the excitement and adventure tire you, head to the One Dine on the 101st floor.

Plan for some refreshment during sunset to enjoy some unforgettable views.

One World also offers an optional Discovery tour that provides thorough insights about the building’s design, memories of 9/11, and why it symbolizes hope.

Finally, commemorate your trip with a visit to the gift shop on the 100th floor.

It offers a wide range of books, decorations, and artwork related to the One World Observatory, and from here, you can take home a piece of sky.

One World Observatory Opening Hours

The One World opens between 9 am and 9 pm throughout the year.

However, the opening times vary on holidays such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.

The last entry is always one hour before the closing time.

Best Tickets for One World Observatory

Our expert writers have curated the highest-rated, bestselling tickets to match your preferences.

One World Observatory Skip-the-Line Ticket

You will get priority access to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere with the skip-the-line tickets to the One World Observatory.

Skypod will whisk you to the top floor within seconds, where you will enjoy aerial views of the Statue of Liberty and other surrounding landmarks.

This ticket also includes multimedia presentations at City Pulse and the Sky Portal experience.

You can also cancel this activity up to 24 hours in advance to get a complete refund.

Inclusions:

Priority access to the One World Observatory
A ride into the Skypod
City Pulse multimedia presentations
Sky Portal experience
Digital Guide (if option selected)

Ticket Price:

Adult Ticket (13 to 64 years): $48

Senior Ticket (65+ years): $46

Child Ticket (6 to 12 years): $42

Infant Ticket (up to 6 years): Free Entry

Buy Ticket

How to Get to One World Observatory?

The One World’s central location makes it easily accessible by subway, waterways, car, and on foot.

By Subway:

The subway is one of the easiest ways to reach anywhere in New York.

While coming from midtown’s west side, you should board the A or C train to the Chambers Street station.

The trade center is only a 7-minute walk from there.

Alternatively, Line C will drop you directly at the One World Observatory.

While coming from Penn Station or Times Square, you should board Line 1 to the WTC Cortlandt or Line 2/3 to Fulton Street.

Both stations are only a short walking distance from the trade center.

You can board subway trains from Broadway, Herald Square, and Grand Central as well.

From Herald Square or Broadway, take line R or W to Cortlandt Street.

When coming from Grand Central, consider hopping on line 4 or 5 and getting off at Fulton Street.

By Bus:

Buses are the cheapest way of reaching the One World Trade Center.

From Columbus Circle, Times Square, or Penn Station, take the M20 bus to Vesey Street/North End Avenue.

While coming from the New York Public Library or the Flatiron District, board the M55 bus and exit at Cortlandt Street.

By Waterways:

You can also take a ferry to Lower Manhattan.

Belford, Hoboken, and Paulus Hook are some of the popular places to board a ferry.

You will be dropped off at the World Financial Center.

From there, a 10-minute walk will take you to the One World Trade Center.

By Car:

You can also drive your way to One World.

Simply use apps like Google Maps and set your GPS on “117 West St, New York, NY 10007, USA,” and follow directions.

You can park at the Brookfield Place garages, which are located just across the street from the One World Trade Center.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore the One World is as soon as it opens at 9 am.

Alternatively, you can plan your visit at sunset to appreciate the golden skyline views.

Weekdays, between Tuesdays and Thursdays, must be preferred over busy weekends.

Spring, from April to early June, is the ideal time to visit because of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

How Long Does it Take to Explore

With online tickets, you can complete a quick tour of the One World within 1.5 to 2 hours.

But if you haven’t booked them, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes in ticket lines.

The main observatory on the 100th floor offers 360-degree views of the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, and other landmarks, and you should allocate at least an hour to thoroughly enjoy all of it.

Lastly, you should relax and enjoy a cup of coffee at the One Dine restaurant.

Allocate at least half an hour for the restaurant and the views it offers.

Hence, a thorough exploration of the One World will take between 2 and 3 hours.

One World Observatory Visiting Tips

Our expert writers have curated these insider visiting tips to ease your visit to One World.

Remember them, and thank us later:

Arrive Early: If you want a head start over the crowds, visit the observatory as soon as it opens at 9 am
Plan for Weekdays: Avoid weekends as they are very crowded; consider visiting between Tuesdays and Thursdays
Wear Comfortable Footwear: Your observatory tour will involve walking around, and it is a good idea to wear soft-soled shoes
Pack Lightly: Heavy bags, pointed objects, and spray guns are strictly not allowed
Do not miss the Sky Portal: The Sky Portal provides real-time street views and should not be missed
Dress properly: The interiors are air-conditioned, and it is recommended to dress in layers
Book in Advance: Avoid long ticket lines and security checks by booking One World Observatory skip-the-line tickets