#FREEDOM TOWER OBSERVATORY FULL#

It’s a full audiovisual experience that sets the stage for the incredible final reveal - an unencumbered view of New York City. Yes, it is indeed an incredible way to observe the skyline of New York City, but it is so much more.įrom the videos and displays at the visitor entrance to the amazingly fast Skypod elevators that take you up 102 stories in just 47 seconds, everything about the visit is high-tech and built to impress. To say that the One World Observatory is just that - an observatory - is to sell the experience short.

The building also utilizes wind power and steam heating. Part of its eco-friendly design includes ultra-clear glass for maximum natural light and smart interior lighting that automatically dims on sunny days. The structure is on pace to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, making it one of the most environmentally sustainable skyscrapers in the world. Those signature-filled beams aren’t the only interesting things beneath the building’s surface. President Barack Obama even signed the steel beam that was hoisted to the top of the tower. Its beams are covered in graffiti, some sanctioned (members of the public were invited to sign the first beam inserted into the building’s base) and some not so much (like the signatures of all the tradespeople who worked to construct the structure). Perhaps the most interesting thing about One World Trade Center can no longer be seen. This was designed deliberately to reference the year the Declaration of Independence of the U.S. The building’s total height, including the spire, is 1,776 feet. Speaking of building heights, there’s a special historical reference built into One World Trade Center’s height that even most New Yorkers don’t know about. There’s A Historical Reference Most People Miss I wouldn’t worry too much about that, since you won’t be pining for any extra height when you visit! It’s only the second-tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere - the CN Tower in Toronto is taller by about 40 feet. There is, however, one record it didn’t beat. It’s the equivalent of 104 standard floors high, but thanks to some levels that boast soaring ceilings, it only has 94 stories. One World Trade Center has the distinction of being the tallest building in the United States, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest building in the world. The area open to visitors is the One World Observatory. Of course, One World Trade Center is the name of the building, but not all of the building is open to the public. Poignantly, that is the same official name that the North Tower of the original World Trade Center complex carried.

But since 2009, its proper, legal name has been One World Trade Center. Don’t worry - if you use any of these terms, people will be able to give you directions. But the building has a long list of nicknames, including the 9/11 Observatory, the WTC Observatory, and the 9/11 Tower. What locals and tourists alike call the Freedom Tower is officially One World Trade Center. If you’re planning a visit to New York, this is what you need to know to get the most from your visit to the Freedom Tower. What they find is a remarkable building, unique inside and out, that allows them to see the Big Apple in an entirely new way. They feel a call to pay their respects to the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and also to show their appreciation to the city of New York. This is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan and, for many visitors, their interest goes beyond simple curiosity. A visit to New York City’s One World Trade Center, better known as the Freedom Tower, now tops many travel bucket lists.

Freedom tower observatory