If there is one place that should be considered a must-see in New York, especially as part of the city’s modern history, it is the area where the Twin Towers were located and where the new WTC station, the 911 Museum and the impressive One World Observatory building stand today.
This visit -for obvious reasons- is more nostalgic than the ascent to other observatories in the city, especially for those of us who managed to climb the Twin Towers, which is why in my opinion it should be considered a must-see attraction when traveling to the Big Apple.
Of course, up there you will get a more traditional experience than in other new buildings, with a 360º interior viewing platform over the city and impressive views -like in all the observation decks in the city- but with different angles, for example from here you will be able to see the Statue of Liberty.
At the beginning of the visit, there are two experiences that stimulate your senses that are worth highlighting. The first is the elevator, which shows you, as you go up, the altitude, the history of the city, the years and how the infrastructure of Manhattan has changed. A virtual adventure where everything happens at the same time, in a matter of 47 seconds.
The second experience, which I found very moving, was that when you get to the 102nd floor, before you go into the observatory, they show you an introductory film through the See Forever® Theater. Although the projection is very good, the best thing is that at the end, they lift the screen and suddenly, in a surprising way, New York appears before your eyes. I didn’t expect this, it really made me go WOW! (and yes, I also shed a tear, after all, it is a city where I lived and to which I owe a lot).
Once you get to the observatory, you have all the time you want to take photos and videos, but I recommend sitting down to listen to the explanation given by the tour ambassadors at City Pulse. It lasts about 20 minutes, but they give you very interesting information about the city, so you can better appreciate what you are seeing, as well as some tips for your visit to New York.
We spent an hour in this building alone, so I recommend allowing at least half a day for the entire area and combining it with the fountains and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Is it recommended to buy tickets in advance?
Definitely, to avoid the queues. This is one of the sights that everyone wants to visit.
How much does it cost?
The lowest ticket price is $43 (at July 2022 prices) and goes up from there depending on the experience you want to add, whether it is a guided tour, a preferential line, or a drink.
Although you will see everything in a more traditional way at this observatory, it is a building with much emotional weight, a new icon that does not seek to replace what existed before, but shows us how the city rose again.
Would you like to visit NYC and live experiences like this one? Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@tripdreaming.com to design and organize your trip 100% tailor-made through our travel agency Tripdreaming.
