Guests' reviews
Chad Elbrecht | Feb 20, 2018
It was a spectacular and breathtaking life experience with stunning views and one of the best, if not the best tourist attraction. It is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Lines were really short compared to the empire state building. At first you, You will see a movie on the first floor and a tiny presentation about 9/11. The elevator shows how the city was built over time with glowing lights but your ears could easily get clogged because you are going up so fast, than at the top floor, they will show you a movie and give you details and preview on what you are going to see. Than you head down a floor or 2 and that's the observatory with breathtaking views, awesome presentations about it, Information on the attacks and the city, A few bars, a restaurant and more. Great place, I will go back.
Abani Ojha | Feb 19, 2018
Another stunning view of the city. You see it from a totally different perspective so another definite visit. Wow and wow the views are stunning and the lift to the top is an experience in itself, over 100 floors in under a minute. On the way up not only do you get the “ears popping” but they give a mini story if New York in picture form on the walls of the lift, quality!! This is a must do if you visit New York.
Landon Heeres | Dec 29, 2017
Absolutely worth the admission fee! And that's coming from a very frugal tourist. The elevator ride alone was incredible (it tells a story). Bit of a wait to get in (line stretched well outside the building), but so worth the wait. I would recommend this to anyone visiting NYC. The views from the observation deck are incredible! Plenty of room to see everything you want to see even with a crowd. Self-paced tour with 360º views!
Cavin Ward-Caviness | Jan 17, 2018
As an observatory this place is great. The elevator ride up showing the city being built, followed by the movie and that first view and capped off by the observatory itself are just incredible. Additionally the staff are very friendly and let us reschedule for a different day when the one we selected had 0 visibility. I knocked off one star because it was a little over commercialized for my tastes in trying to sell everything at every turn. Would have liked to see just a touch more of a somber and less profit oriented tone at the site of the former world trade center towers. But still a good experience. The priority line tickets are an absolute must though id say. Gets very busy.
QC Kelly | Mar 4, 2018
Short line, and very polite staff. Extremely excellent elevator ride and view. Gift shop items were expensive, but keep in mind, this is an extremely famous and record breaking Building with a history. View was great. Magical expirence. It was totally worth the money. Would go again.
Cortney Fisher | May 7, 2018
This is not only special in why it exists, but it is boldly modern and sophisticated. You can see views from behind glass around the entire building. Our wait was easy in the early afternoon on a Saturday in May. Tickets are a bit pricey, but we had a Sightseeing pass that definitely helped. The elevator ride is incredible - so just be ready for it!
Swastik Pokhrel | May 4, 2018
You'll get the feels from the elevator itself. They've got a great display inside the elevator and a beautiful presentation before they lift up the curtains to see the amazing view. The views are spectacular. My recommendation would be to visit there during sunset. Fantastic 360 view of New York City.
Zach Smith | Apr 20, 2018
Breathtaking views. Amazing building. Loved the presentation and the great bar at the top. The whole package was a bit pricey though and they continue to try to upsell things along the way. We got amazing pictures and a chance to lounge with the best view in NYC though. Won’t forget it!!
Hugo Matthioli | Apr 20, 2018
Wonderful building and breathtaking views, especially by night. We do feel the historical weight this place already has. The bad part was that the downstairs staff was extremely rude to a lot of people. The lines we completely disorganized, and most people were running around asking for help. Well, most of them didn’t get it. Eventually you got to go up, with at least 30 minute delay of the supposedly scheduled visit, and after a good 45 minutes to an hour in a freezing cold outside line. Apart from the window glare that ruined any chance of a good night picture, everything else is good. If I had to choose just one, I would unquestionably go for the Empire State Building experience any day of the week. If you can do both, and you are fortunate enough to go on a sunny warm day, it’s worth the time and money. The shear majesty of if almost makes you forget the bad on-boarding experience.
Ankur Mathur | Apr 21, 2018
Engaging experience right from elevator. Worth multiple visits I would say.
Watch out for PULSE presentation. What a passion of presenting history of the city and Liberty. Beautiful views which you have from 102 floor of all 4 sides of the city.
Giovanni Serritelli | May 27, 2018
If you really want to have an idea of how majestic Manhattan is, then spend a few bucks, take the super fast elevator, and go to the One World Observatory. You will have the city under your feet. Everything looks so small and cute from there. Almost unreal. Better than the Empire State Building coz you are higher and you are in Lower Manhattan. Therefore, you are close also to the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Only week point is that you cannot go outside as in the Empire State Building. Also, you don't see Central Park. Don't let yourself stop by the price. It's worth the ride and the time you spend there. There is also a free glass of wine or local beer to enjoy with this unique view. Cue at the entrance and exit can be long but moves fast. Go!
HARESH VAGHASHIYA | May 19, 2018
The best of all observatory according to my opinion. Best location, easy access and can be combined with other sight seeing easily!
The presentation and the visitor management system is commendable. It gives 360 degree view to entire NY with lots of space to accommodate large number of visitors unlike many other observatories which we felt gets crowded. A must visit place for all NY travellers.
Richie Rich | Jun 12, 2018
You visit the building and your quickly in awe of one of the most beautiful skyscrapers the world has to offer. It is most certainly a must see for any visitor to NYC. The observatory on the 102 floor offers some of the most spectacular views you will ever see. From the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, you name it, the 360° view is simply amazing! Highly recommend you take the ride to the top, you won't be disappointed.
Dawn Cole | May 17, 2018
Great place. Was not busy when we visited in February. Bought fast pass and no queues at all . The view from the top is amazing. You have to have a head for heights. 102 floors. Took seconds to go up. Followed by a short tour and speech by a guide where they have you watching a film on the facing wall which then opens up to reveal the view. Then it's onto the top floor where there is a shop to buy soverneers, cafe and toilets.
Orly Hdz | Jun 4, 2018
Best advise I will ever give: buy your tickets online!! Lines to buy the tickets will go all the way to the outside of the building. We got ours online and skipped all those people. Also I believe they were a bit cheaper! Loved the elevator ride up and the view from up there is amazing! The Statue of Liberty looks tiny!!
Layne Doyle | Jul 12, 2018
It’s worth the price, first and foremost. You get on the elevator of the tall (tallest) building and fly to the top. The view up there will take your breath away. Walking around the full glass windows/walls allows you a 360 degree view of the city and more. From the top you can see the fountains below as well. It’s truly a worthwhile experience and I recommend it over most well known attractions in the city.
Samantha Brazeau-Wilson | Jun 18, 2018
Of all the observatories to check out in New York City, this one is a must. You get an incredible 360 view of the city of Manhattan and a bit of Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey, too. A friend of mine is a World Elite Mastercard holder so we got to skip the line which got us up much quicker. I'm not aware if there is a "skip the line" upgrade that you can pay, but if there is I would recommend you take advantage of it because like many other tourist hot-spots in NYC, this one was very busy and had a very long line.
The hype before you actually get to see outside is well worth it and is planned out very well. It's a truly breathtaking experience that I highly recommend you try.
Joel Bennett | Jun 21, 2018
We went for the view, because we had people with us who's never been to NYC. And yes, it's the tallest building in the U.S., or anywhere in this side of the planet, actually! On a nice day, the views are great.
But the lines are long (really long, even after you get inside) and ultimately you're just going to look out through a few inches of glass and get a bird's eye view of the city ... with hundreds of your closest friends 😆
Also, the floor thing you might see in ads is just video screens that won't even fool your youngest kids...
Matt Clarke | Jul 12, 2018
Amazing views of NYC from the observatory, a great tour around is offered or self guided. One of the better security screenings as it well layed out. The cafe has good food, reasonably priced.. nothing too fancy. there is also a finer restaurant
Aishling Hughes | Jul 31, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this experience!
While I also love Top Of The Rock this has a bit more to it with the cinematic effects before and in the elevator before you get to the observation deck. It has a lot more effort put into it.
And then once you get up there, in one of the areas somebody is giving a history about different areas of New York which is quite interesting (you don’t have to listen).
However, it is all inside whereas Top Of The Rock and the Empire State Building you can walk outside. But that probably wouldn’t effect most people.
Christina Lister | Jul 26, 2018
Spectacular experience from the elevator up and all the way back down. The visuals are great leading you to the observation deck. They will try to get you to buy an ipad to help you see the names of the buildings you're looking at. Informational, but not necessary. Best time to go is just before sunset - beautiful pictures and you can see the skyline start to light up.
Dinner at One World was incredible. Food, service, everything was top notch. I would definitely go back!
Ruth Beyene | Aug 11, 2018
My family and I got a somewhat expensive tour and it was pretty cool. The tour guide was very nice and gave some interesting facts about New York. A downfall would be the overpriced merchandise. Also, buying the tickets were very interesting. The people over the counter were basically advertising about how great a certain discount card we got was and how it would be great for gifts. It was very odd and looked like I was seeing a badly produced commercial. Would recommend going though.
