World Trade Center’s Observatory Tower Opens

Sunday, May 31, 2015 8:36 pm | 2 Minute Read

People view the sunrise at the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center on the day it opened to the public on Friday, May 29, in New York City. The observation deck sits atop the 104-story skyscraper at the former site of the Twin Towers and is expected to become one of Manhattan’s top tourist attractions. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

There’s a new bird’s eye view of New York City.

The 1 World Trade Center observatory officially opened to the public on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Visitors will get a view of the city and its surroundings from above 1,250 feet, with sights stretching 50 miles past the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty to the Atlantic Ocean.

The observatory takes up levels 100, 101, and 102 of the building, the nation’s tallest, at 1,776 feet. Visitors reach the observatory via one of five elevators called “skypods” that zip them up in 60 seconds. Along the way, they will see a video called ‘Voices’ about those who built 1 WTC. There’s also a virtual time lapse that recreates the development of New York City from the 1600s to present day.

Those not fond of high elevations can walk on video screens that show the dizzying view below.

Tickets are $32 for adults and $26 for children ages 6 to 12 and $30 for seniors. Admission is free for family members of those who died on Sept. 11, as well as those who worked in the rescue and recovery.

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the June 1st, 2015 edition of Hamodia.