Guide to Visiting One World Trade Center

Everyone remembers where they were when they found out about the collapse of the Twin Towers. Here is all you need to know about visiting the area, from the World Trade Center to the One World Observatory.

Published: May 16, 2024
New York

When planning your visit to New York City, One World Trade Center – also known as Freedom Tower – is almost certainly on your list of must-sees. It's located in the city’s bustling financial district in Downtown Manhattan and is home to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

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 Centre, the 9/11 Museum uncovers the story of the ill-fated day with over 10,000 artifacts on display, as well as interviews of 2,000 first-hand accounts, photographs, and family testimonies.

The One World Observatory offers some of the most breathtaking views across the city. It’s also one of the most unique places to enjoy sunset cocktails and fine dining. Any experience of this modern landmark will offer something to remember.

View of Lower Manhattan

The One World Trade Center’s Museum features a permanent collection with exhibitions of donations alongside an incredible account from John Stiastny, one of the survivors of the tragedy. The Foundation Hall contains a segment of the surviving wall of the original structure of the World Trade Center. Visitors can see inscriptions, memorials, and missing posters from the aftermath in 2001. 

Outside, visitors can see the two memorial pools on the North and South end, the 80-foot Tridents columns, and international flags which were suspended in the lobby of the original Twin Towers, prior to the devastating incident.

North and South memorial

You can easily spend half a day at the site if you then head up the 102 storeys to the One World Observatory. The elevator takes just 47 seconds! 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 vibrant city life, while interactive displays and presentations will acquaint you with 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 storeys below. Be warned: if you have vertigo this will be a challenge!

View from the One World Observatory
View from the One World Observatory

Indulge in an evening to remember at ONE Dine, One World Trade Centre 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 experience.

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 breath-taking 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 year to experience the iconic city dressed in all its holiday 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!

One World Trade Center Opening Hours

One World Observatory

The address is 180 Greenwich St. World Trade Center should you be arriving by taxi or car. If you plan on visiting the One World Trade Center’s 9/11 Memorial & Museum you can visit during their opening hours between 9am-8pm daily.

To visit the One World Observatory, it is open 9am-9pm 7 days a week with last admission at 8.15pm (check the website for amended holiday hours and during the summer months).

Following your One World Trade Center tour, 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 arriving by Subway the stop is Fulton Street/Park Place.

ONE Dine is open for meals from 12pm-9pm daily with last reservations at 6.45pm.

For more inspiration on nearby tours take a look at our other things to do near the World Trade Center. If you join a Hop on Hop off bus tour experience, jump off at stop 11, 12, or 13 on the Downtown route.

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Shashia Mitchell
New York Travel Expert

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Exploring NYC: Free Adventures Near Central Park

Central Park deserves its superstar status, but there’s a whole constellation of free experiences just outside its walls. If you’re looking to stretch your budget (and your legs), this is the place to do it. The neighborhoods surrounding Central Park brim with inspiring art, world-class people-watching, historical gems, music, and seasonal surprises—no ticket required. Whether you’re a history hound, culture vulture, or street food fan on the hunt for the city’s energy, we’ve gathered our favorite totally free things to do near Central Park, so you can soak up the spirit of New York without ever reaching for your wallet.  Our favorite free things to do near Central Park include:  The Metropolitan Museum’s steps and façade  Shakespeare Garden at Central Park  Conservatory Garden  Grand Army Plaza & Pulitzer Fountain  The New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)  Central Park Model Boat Sailing (watching)  Columbus Circle  Upper West Side window shopping and people-watching  Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza  Free gallery exhibits at The Arsenal  The Metropolitan Museum’s Steps and Façade  You don’t need a ticket to enjoy the vibrant pulse outside one of the world’s greatest museums. The Met’s steps are a classic New York stoop—only super-sized. They double as a stage for musicians and street performers, a catwalk for dazzling fashion, and a perfect perch for people-watching. Bring a snack or coffee and take in the ever-changing show, with views of Fifth Avenue’s grand mansions and the park’s leafy border. The imposing façade is an artwork in itself, and you can wander around the exterior and snap photos worthy of any album. We love the electric energy—these steps were built for lingering.  Conservatory Garden  The Conservatory Garden is Central Park’s official formal garden—and its grandest floral display. Free admission means everyone can stroll through its manicured lawns, wisteria-draped pergolas, and three distinct gardens (Italian, French, and English). The entrance alone is a show-stopper: cast-iron Vanderbilt gates that once welcomed Gilded Age millionaires. Seasonal flowers like tulips, magnolias, and chrysanthemums turn every visit into a sensory treat, with fountains and sculptures that channel European elegance. It’s a favorite with photographers—especially when the crabapple trees burst into pink—yet always serene enough for a restful break.  Grand Army Plaza & Pulitzer Fountain  This bustling plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park offers an irresistible mix of old-school glamor and urban hustle. The massive golden statue of General Sherman sets the tone—bold, photogenic, and surrounded by a grand circle of fancy hotels and historic stonework. Just a few steps away, the Pulitzer Fountain gushes with Art Deco style, set in a roundabout brimming with tulips in spring and lights in winter. Pause here to admire the Plaza Hotel’s elegant façade—and people-watch as New Yorkers hustle to their Midtown business meetings.  The New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)  Books, lions, and picture-perfect architecture—what’s not to love? The main branch of the NYC public library is an easy walk from Central Park’s south end, and strolling its marble halls is always free. Marvel at the grand Beaux-Arts lobby, the famous Patience and Fortitude lion statues, and the light-dappled Rose Main Reading Room. Check out rotating exhibits of rare books, manuscripts, and literary treasures. The hushed, scholarly vibe gives your day a moment of big-city calm—and, yes, you can charge your phone here, too.  Columbus Circle  Columbus Circle, where Broadway meets Eighth Avenue, is a favorite gathering spot and one of NYC’s most recognizable intersections. The dramatic statue of Christopher Columbus marks the center of a lively urban roundabout. From here, you’ll spot street musicians on the move, artists sketching, and a blur of honking cabs. The nearby Time Warner Center offers the best climate-controlled window shopping, and sheer people-watching potential. Don’t miss the memorials and fountains that give this space a distinctly New York flavor.  Upper West Side Window Shopping and People-Watching  We’re always charmed by a stroll up Columbus Avenue or Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side. 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On warm nights, you’ll find local dance troupes, pop-up performances, and happy crowds enjoying the space at no charge.  Free Gallery Exhibits at The Arsenal  History buffs and art lovers alike should duck into Central Park’s Arsenal, built in the 1840s and one of the park’s oldest buildings. Now headquarters for NYC Parks, the Arsenal’s lobby hosts rotating free exhibitions dedicated to the park’s history, ecology, and public art. From vintage photos of the Bow Bridge to contemporary installations by local artists, every show offers a new lens on the city’s most loved green space. Bonus: the rooftop garden, open to the public at select times, gives you a secret sky-high look at the park.    Ready to go beyond Central Park’s lawns and lakes? With so much free adventure at hand, you’ll see a side of New York City that most visitors miss—without even touching your travel fund!    Enjoyed this? Check out our picks of the tourist traps to avoid, and our deep dive into the neighborhood of Queens.  Step up your sightseeing with The New York Pass®   We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   See more, do more, and experience more with The New York Pass® – just choose a pass to get started! 

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