F riday, May 29, 2015 is another milestone in the history of the tallest building in the western hemisphere and the fourth tallest building in the world known as One World Trade Center in New York, as the observation deck known as the One World Observatory is scheduled to open today to visitors.
With its 104 stories and symbolic 1,776 feet in height piercing into the sky above New York while thumbing its proverbial nose at terrorists around the world, One World Trade Center has just about completed the almost 14 years of recovering from that dark day of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, when the United States was impacted by a major terrorist attack which hopefully will never be repeated. A total of 2,977 people died on that day as a direct result of the attacks.
Timed Entry Admission tickets
All tickets are timed entry and available in 15-minute intervals. You must be at least 17 years of age or be escorted by an adult.
Timed entry admission tickets include:
- Access to all three floors of One World Observatory — Levels 100, 101 and 102
- Arrival ascent via The Sky Pod elevators — amongst the fastest in the world
- Exciting New York City film presentation in the SEE FOREVER Theater
- Expansive and panoramic 360 degree views of the skyline of Manhattan and beyond
- Special features, including City Pulse, the interactive concierge of One World Observatory, and step out onto the Sky Portal for a direct view down to the city streets below
- Access to curated eateries from casual café fare to seated fine-dining at ONE
Priority and Express Admission includes:
- VIP Expedited entry
- Admission to One World Observatory
Day Flex Priority Admission ticket includes:
- Flexible anytime admission on the specific day of your choosing during regular operating hours
- Priority VIP Expedited entry
- Admission to One World Observatory
Weekday Flex Priority Admission ticket includes:
- Flexible anytime admission Monday through Friday on specific date range of your choosing
- Priority VIP Expedited entry
- Admission to One World Observatory
Weekend Flex Priority Admission ticket includes:
- Flexible anytime admission Saturday or Sunday on specific weekend date range of your choosing
- Priority VIP Expedited entry
- Admission to One World Observatory
One World Observatory will offer complimentary admission to family members of the September 11 tragedy and the rescue and recovery workers who responded on 9/11 and in the months after. Admission will be administered by the 9/11 Tribute Center — which is a project of the September 11th Families’ Association that brings together those who want to learn about September 11 with those who experienced it.
My Thoughts
The last time I stood on the observation deck at the former World Trade Center in New York was Saturday, September 12, 1998 — one day shy of three years prior to the terrorist acts of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 which will live in infamy.
I personally felt that the United States should have responded by building the tallest building ever and have New York reclaim its title as the home of the tallest building in the world. Yes, I do realize that that would consume a substantial amount of money, resources and time; but I also believe that it would have sent a strong message to terrorists not to mess with the United States.
Then again, there is no guarantee that that record would have lasted anyway. Within the past week, I visited Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is currently the tallest building in the world; and I intend to post a trip report of my visit in a future article…
…but when the Kingdom Tower — also known as Burj Al-Mamlakah — in Jeddah is completed sometime within the next four years, it is expected to overtake Burj Khalifa as the tallest building in the world and will also have the highest observatory in the world.
In the meantime, there is a chance that I will visit the One World Observatory towards the middle of next month; and if I do, I intend to post a trip report of that in a future article as well.
Information
One World Observatory
One World Trade Center
285 Fulton Street
New York, New York 10007
Enter on West Street at Corner of Vesey Street
Parking is not provided by One World Observatory. Use of public transportation is highly recommended.
Ticket Prices
- Standard admission for adults and children between 13 and 64 years of age is $32.00
- Standard admission for senior citizens 65 years of age or older is $30.00
- Standard admission for youth between six and 12 years of age is $26.00; but the purchase of at least one adult or senior citizen ticket is required
- Admission for children 5 years of age or younger is complimentary; but the purchase of at least one adult or senior citizen ticket is required
- Priority access of express and expedited entry is $54.00 per person
- Day Flex Priority Admission — which grants one-time access at any time on a selected date — is $65.00 per person
- Weekday Flex Admission — which grants one-time access at any time Monday through Friday — is $85.00 per person
- Weekend Flex Admission — which grants one-time access at any time Saturday through Sunday — is $90.00 per person
Additional ticket packages and add-on experiences — such as One World Explorer and SEE FOREVER Imaging — are available for an additional fee.
Rates for groups of 20 people or greater are available; and space can be rented out for private events.
Prices include New York State tax.
Hours of Operation
Summer and Holiday Hours:
Friday, May 29, 2015 – Monday, September 7, 2015 on Labor Day
9:00 in the morning until midnight; with the last ticket being sold at 11:15 in the evening
Open seven days per week
Check on-line calendar for additional Holiday 2015 dates and extended hours.
Regular Hours:
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 – Thursday, May 5, 2016
9:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening; with the last ticket sold at 7:15 in the evening
Open seven days per week
Venue box office opens daily at 8:30 in the morning.
Box office located at:
One World Trade Center
285 Fulton Street
New York, New York 10007
Enter on West Street at Corner of Vesey Street
