Guide to Visiting One World Trade Center

By Shashia Mitchell

All you need to know about visiting the One World Trade Center, 9/11 Museum & Memorial and One World Observatory. Plan your trip now.

When planning your visit to New York City, One World Trade Center – also known as Freedom Tower – must be on the bucket list. Located in the New York City’s bustling financial district in Downtown Manhattan, it offers some of the most breath-taking views across the city up the One World Observatory and it is home to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It’s also one of the most unique places to enjoy sunset cocktails and fine dining – so any experience of this modern landmark will offer something to remember.

Everyone remembers where they were when they found out about 9/11 so what better way to honor this day than to pay homage to the victims at the Memorial & Museum. Situated on the site of the original World Trade Center, the 9/11 Museum uncovers the story of this ill-fated day with over 10,000 artifacts on display, as well as interviews of 2,000 first-hand accounts, photographs and family testimonies.

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The One World Trade Center’s Museum also features a Permanent Collection with exhibitions of items donated as well as the incredible account from John Stiastny, one of few survivors of the national disaster. The Foundation Hall contains a segment of the surviving wall of the original structure of the World Trade Center and visitors can still see inscriptions, memorials, and missing posters from the aftermath in 2001. Outside visitors can also see the two memorial pools on the North and South end, the 80-foot Tridents columns as well as International flags which were suspended in the lobby of the original Twin Towers prior to the devastating incident.

You can easily spend half a day at the site if you then head up the 102 stories to the One World Observatory. The elevator takes just 47 seconds and, on the way, up you can enjoy a dynamic display learning of the transformation of New York City from its original settlement and bedrock to the concrete jungle of today. At the top, the Forever Theatre audio-visual exhibition thrusts you into the vibrant city life and the interactive displays and presentations will help you get to know Gotham’s rich culture and unique history. Don’t miss the Sky Portal, a glass floor that looks down onto the streets beneath you 100 stories below... Be warned: if you have vertigo this will be a challenge!

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Indulge in an evening to remember at ONE Dine, One World Trade Center's New York’s ultimate dining and drinking experience. The New York themed menu is a fun way to celebrate something special and guests are welcome for a cocktail, bar snack or a gourmet meal. Tip: you will need an Observatory ticket to enter and make a dinner reservation.

Of course, you won’t want to forget your camera for shots of the iconic skyline which, by day or night, is one of the most breathtaking vistas in all of New York. You can also make the most of a professional photographer for a take-home souvenir and visit the souvenir shop full of One World Trade Center-themed gifts.

A trip to the Big Apple during the holiday season is one of the best times of the year to experience the iconic city in all its cheer. One World Trade Center's Winter Onederland promises a giant snow globe, Santa Visits, family-friendly Christmas displays, as well as Christmas themed drinks and dining - fun for everyone!

If you plan on visiting the One World Trade Center’s 9/11 Memorial & Museum you can visit between 9AM – 8PM daily. To visit the One World Observatory, it is open 9AM – 9PM 7 days a week with last admission 8:15PM (check website for amended holiday hours over Christmas & New Year and during the summer months). ONE Dine is open for meals from 12PM – 9PM daily with last reservations at 6:45PM.

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Nearby you can also visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and historic Ellis Island Immigration Museum to make the most of your New York experience. If you plan on arriving by Subway, the stop is Fulton Street/Park Place or enjoy a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour experience and jump off at stop 11, 12, or 13 on the Downtown route. Alternatively, the address is 180 Greenwich St. World Trade Center should you be arriving by Taxi or car.

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Halloween in New York
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Halloween in New York

When things go bump in the night more frequently than usual, it can only mean one thing. No, not a rodent infestation; it's Halloween! The spookiest time of year has evolved from simple trick-or-treating to a time of grand experiences! And if you're in New York for the festivities, you might want to know what's going on! Well, look no further. In this guide to Halloween in New York, we'll tell you about all the best spooky bits you'll not want to miss. Now fly, my pretties! Fly! Including: When is Halloween in New York? Where is Halloween in New York Catacombs by Candlelight Tour Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour Village Halloween Parade and more! When is Halloween in New York? If you are a human person, then you probably already know this. But this one's for all you non-humans who might be unaware. The spookiest day of the year falls on October 31st; this year, that's a Monday. And you might be thinking, "Monday's a school night; how am I supposed to get my spook on when I've got work the next day?" Don't worry; we hear you, and we see you. You'll be pleased to know that much of the Halloween hijinks will take place the weekend before the day itself. You'll even find some shenanigans in the two weeks sandwiching the big day. A big Halloween sandwich of fun, if you will. Where is Halloween in New York? Well, it's in New York. The Big Apple. The city that never sleeps. You... specifically clicked this blog. Are you okay? Do you need to sit down and take a moment? Things to do on Halloween in New York Anyway, enough with the spooky silliness; you'll want to know what to do over Halloween in New York, right? Well, let's take a look at the best eerie activities on offer. Be brave on a Catacombs by Candlelight Tour Ever danced with the devil in the pale candlelight? Yes, we've taken some liberties with that quote, taken from the eternally-Halloweeny mind of Tim Burton, but stay with us here. Because you won't be dancing on this candlelight tour of the catacombs beneath St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. This 90-minute guided tour will take you through the myriad underground tunnels and passageways beneath this holy place. And your creepy yet information-savvy guide will regale you with spooky tales as you go. Many famous New Yorkers rest in these catacombs, and there's sure to be a creepy story for some of them. Pairing history with spooky dark places? What more could you ask for on Halloween in New York? Go hunting on a Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour Above the dank and dark catacombs, we now travel to Greenwich Village. Did you know it was originally named after a green witch? Neither did we, because it is a lie. There never was a green witch in Greenwich. But you know what Greenwich does have? Ghosts. Tons of ghosts. That's right, Halloween-goers, you too can discover Manhattan's spine-chilling secrets on a ghostly walking tour of the local neighborhood. Visit Greenwich Village's most haunted hangouts to hear tales of lost children, celebrity ghosts, and park-dwelling phantoms. Let your guide weave creepy tales that go bump in the night. Witness the weirdness of the Hanging Tree, take a spooky stroll around Washington Square Park, and get ready to snap a picture of real ghosts along the way. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky! Image courtesy of Inspired By Maps/Shutterstock Do the monster mash at the Village Halloween Parade Have you seen the news? Every year, New York is taken over by ghouls! 50,000 creatures of the night descend on the Big Apple, taking the streets and terrifying locals. That is, unless those locals are taking part. Because we're talking about the Village Halloween Parade, and if you're in town for Halloween, you won't want to miss it. The parade runs up Sixth Ave from Canal St to 15th St in Manhattan, so if you want to get involved, you'll need a costume. This year's theme is 'freedom', so really you make of it what you want. If you're keen, head to Sixth Ave and Canal St at 6.30PM and prepare to march at 7PM! If you'd rather watch from the sidelines, then by all means. Either head to Sixth Ave early to grab a spot (it gets busy as the march draws near), or head to the end of the parade at 14th St to 16th St to catch a whole host of sweaty, tired monsters passing the finish line. Enjoy cocktail cackles at Hocus Pocus Fancy sprinkling some camp into your Halloween merriment? Then you'll love Hocus Pocus, a cocktail extravaganza courtesy of A Drinking Game NYC. Featuring a faithful rendition of the Disney classic Hocus Pocus, you'll watch along as the three witches enact their dastardly plans. Just make sure you've exercised your drinking hand, because every time you hear the bell, you'll need to take a sip. Can you survive the night, or will the witches' inebriating spells take hold of you before the end? Only time, and your wits, will tell. Run for your life at the terrifying Blood Manor If you want to dial up your Halloween with a hefty dose of adrenaline, then look no further than the ominously-titled Blood Manor. Maybe leave the kids at home for this one, because you'll be in for some real terror. This massive haunted house is located at 359 Broadway, and it's not for the faint of heart. In fact, children under 14 won't even be allowed in for fear of being scarred for life! For those of you daring enough to enter, you'll find haunted halls, petrifying passageways, and a multitude of actors trained in one thing and one thing only - being really scary. If you survive and want to go next year, then you're in for a treat, because the whole house is refreshed every year. So next time you round that corner you were sure was safe, you might be in for a surprise. And that's the end of our spooky guide to Halloween in New York? Want some less-spooky ideas for experiences in the Big Apple? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can work the city's best attractions around your vacation itinerary! So, what are you waiting for?
Dom Bewley
Manhattan skyline with the One World Trade Center in the foreground
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The Best Time to Visit The One World Observatory (Trade Center)

Standing at a whopping 1,776 feet, the gleaming One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the seventh tallest on the planet. Thrillseekers with a serious head for heights can soar up 102 stories to the One World Observatory on the top three floors for far-reaching views that stretch for up to 45 miles in every direction and take in many of the Big Apple’s most iconic attractions. This high-tech engineering marvel also contains digital marvels such as hi-res digital video screens inside the Skypod elevators that tell the story of New York through the ages and a glass Sky Portal beneath your feet that displays live images of the streets far below. Read on for our guide to the best times to visit the One World Observatory. Opening hours The One World Observatory is open daily with regular hours that run from 9AM–9PM. There are some seasonal variations on opening and closing times as well as special extended hours on some holidays, so do check direct with the One World Observatory website for the most up-to-date information. Once inside, you're welcome to stay for as long as you like, but note that last available entry is one hour from closing time. A Go City attraction pass includes entry to the One World Observatory’s three top floors via a thrilling 47-second ride in the Skypod elevators. Alongside a number of fascinating digital exhibits charting the history of the city and One World Trade Center, the 360-degree views from up top are some of the best in the city, taking in Downtown Manhattan, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler and the Statue of Liberty. Best time to visit the One World Observatory Beat the rush by planning your visit first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. This is hands-down the best way to experience the One World Observatory as it means you’ll dodge the worst of the lines, of which there are several: going up, coming back down, and for a number of the digital exhibits in between. Arriving after around 11AM pretty much guarantees longer waiting times, whereas early birds can simply sail in and should expect to be up to in mere minutes. Similarly, you’ll get spectacular views of the city lights after dark once the crowds who piled in for sunset have dissipated. Sunsets from up here are (as you might well imagine) pretty spectacular affairs, so if longer lines bother you not a jot you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to fill your Insta feed with enviable snaps as the Manhattan skyline turns several shades of burnt orange and bruised purple at dusk. The busiest time of day at the One World Observatory is between midday and 5PM. Avoid these times if you can but, if not, do make sure you’ve purchased tickets in advance so you can at least omit the wait in the box office line. Getting to the One World Observatory The One World Observatory is located at the One World Trade Center on the corner of West and Vesey Streets in Downtown Manhattan. The entrance is on West Street and there are plenty of easy ways to get there. Hop on the subway and disembark at Fulton St, Rector St, Chamber St, Cortlandt St or World Trade Center stations, depending on where you’ve come from. All are just a short walk from the entrance. Tickets We recommend pre-booking tickets if you want to avoid waiting in line at the box office, then having to queue up again for the attraction itself. You can do this via the One World Observatory website, where the range of ticket options available includes everything from general admission to a bells-and-whistles VIP experience that includes a 60-minute guided tour, plus priority skip-the-line entry and a credit for spending in the cafe, bar, restaurant or gift shop. A Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass for New York attractions saves you money by including entry to the One World Observatory as well as many more Big Apple icons. These include the Statue of Liberty, MoMA, the Empire State Building and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, as well as a number of walking and cycling tours, and much more. Where to eat The ONE Dine restaurant and ONE Mix bar are located high above the city, way up on the One World Trade Center’s 101st floor. Tuck into New York classics including caesar salad, swordfish steaks and filet mignon then wash down with a Midtown Margarita cocktail in the bar. The cafe and gelateria will keep young kids happy with plenty of sodas and sweet treats. Head over to the nearby Oculus to admire its unique architecture and discover more eating and drinking options in its bars and restaurants, where options range from pretzels to sushi. In brief... If you want to beat the lines, the best times to visit the One World Observatory are early morning and late evening. Do it one of these ways and not only will you be able to get in (and out) faster, you’ll also benefit from New York’s beautiful morning light and the opportunity to see Manhattan lit up at night. Sunset is perhaps the most beautiful time to visit but you should expect crowds at this time so plan accordingly and get there early to avoid disappointment. Get the Go City attraction pass to make great savings when visiting this and other popular New York City attractions! Useful links Buy tickets online Get the Go City attraction pass for New York Visit the One World Observatory with Go City Official One World Observatory website
Stuart Bak
Chicago vs New York
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Chicago vs. New York City

These two great American cities are worthy of all the tourist traffic they generate year in and year out. New York has been an iconic destination for generations. Chicago is easily one of the most global cities in the country.
Katie Sagal

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