See forever at One World Observatory

October 23, 2015/Jonathan Rundle/0 Comments

“See Forever” is One World Observatory’s tagline – and the marketing department got it right. On a perfectly clear evening we go up 104 stories while the sun drops below the horizon.

Filling the skyline void left by it’s predecessors, One World Trade Center rises a meaningful 1,776 feet above lower Manhattan, south of the National September 11th Memorial and Museum.

September 11th Memorial footprint

Having just left the National September 11th Memorial and Museum, I have to say the transition from past to future felt seamless. The exhibits you view while waiting in line and the video screens the elevator focus on the workers who built the new building and the feeling of accomplishment they have in participating in it’s construction.

And those workers did a hell of a job. One World Trade is the most advanced skyscraper in the world, not just by security standards, but by sustainability standards as well.

If the view doesn’t tell you you’re in the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere (Toronto’s CN Tower takes that crown by 39 feet), the shadows should. That sucker stretches all the way across Manhattan and into Brooklyn.

One World Trade Center Shadow

But hey, we’re all here for the view. So, without further ado:

Sunset at One World Observatory

Lower Manhattan from One World Observatory

Staten Island Ferry

Midtown from One World Observatory

Selfies; selfies everywhere.

Selfie Sticks at One World Observatory

Sunset at One World Observatory

Sunset at One World Observatory

I wanted to take a last look at the building since this was the only time I planned on being in lower Manhattan on this trip – I was struck by what I saw.

Twin Freedom Towers

In reflection only, the twin towers live on.

Visiting the One World Observatory

As with most popular attractions, book online ahead of time. They offer standard and VIP access (which just means you can skip the line). We didn’t go VIP and found the line to be fairly quick.

Leave a Reply