Photos: Our First Glimpse Of 1 World Trade Center's Breathtaking New Observatory
46 photos
Let's go check out the new Observatory on top of 1 World Trade Center. Look up- it's on top of that building!<br/>
This is the entrance, facing West Street.<br/>
WAY UP THERE. I feel some trepidation!<br/>
But first we have to go down a big escalator to the basement.<br/>
There's also an entrance from the new Calatrava PATH Station right to the basement level, if you're coming from Jersey or Battery Park City.<br/>
This is a big lobby- there's a stand to pick up pictures that you take in front of a greenscreen upstairs ($20).<br/>
Are you excited? Let's go in.<br/>
But first let's go through some metal detectors.<br/>
There's a screen showing where everyone is visiting from. It counts countries or states based on the location you bought the tickets from.<br/>
When you enter a little blip should come up with your country!<br/>
Then there's a long passageway with videos of people who constructed and work in the new 1 WTC.<br/>
Some of the videos are played on these cool sculptural screens.<br/>
Another view of the passageway.<br/>
There's also some "simulated" bedrock, which apparently was modeled off of real New York schist in Central Park.<br/>
There are some merchandizing screens to encourage you to buy take home photos.<br/>
Then another lobby- this one for the "skypods", which are what the elevators are called.<br/>
Don't say you weren't warned!<br/>
The elevators start at "bedrock".<br/>
You may have already seen this cool immersive video that plays on 3 sides of the elevator as you go up. It shows NYC being built around you!<br/>
There's even a Twin Towers for about 5 seconds. The whole thing is actually over a little fast, because the ride only takes 47 seconds to the top of the building!<br/>
And now, another lobby! There are a lot of lobbies and hallways on the way up.<br/>
Now we enter a long theater for a 2 minute movie about NYC. Lots of shots of streets and New Yorkers.<br/>
And suddenly, the screen rises to show a view of the city!<br/>
It's a very cool "reveal".<br/>
Now on to the actual observatory. Let's start on the top level (there are 3 levels in all). This is where the formal entertaining spaces are, in case you want to have an office party or wedding there.<br/>
First stop, a photo opportunity at a greenscreen wall. You can pick from various backdrops when you pick the photos up downstairs.<br/>
One of the entertaining rooms for private events. These are actually more like "areas" and not rooms, because they are not enclosed.<br/>
Another entertaining area.<br/>
Ever wonder what 1WTC bathrooms look like? Now you know!<br/>
Let's go down to the dining area, on the middle of the three levels.<br/>
This is the casual "grab-n-go" part.<br/>
There's also a bar and grill area.<br/>
And in the back, a private "fine-dining" area. You can't dine there without paying to visit the Observatory.<br/>
On the main viewing level (which is actually on the lowest of the 3 floors) you can check out some attractions, like this big floor screen that simulates walking over the West Side Highway with a live video feed from the Spire.<br/>
Looking down- kids will be scared of this!<br/>
There are two guide stations at either end of the floor, with interactive video screens. You can ask the guide for information about different landmarks or New York stuff, like sports or business. It's controlled by gestures, so the guide waves his hands around to make it move.<br/>
But let's get real- you came for the view. This is looking towards 4WTC and Governor's Island.<br/>
Looking north towards The Empire State Building.<br/>
Looking East towards the Bridges.<br/>
Looking south towards Wall Street. Note the reflection- unlike an outdoor Observatory, you are surrounded by windows here, and windows do reflect. It's not bad if you point the camera straight out, but if you point down towards the ground, you get a bad reflection.<br/>
Looking towards Ellis Island.<br/>
Looking towards scenic New Jersey.<br/>
There's also a gift shop!<br/>
Some expensive 1WTC memorabilia.<br/>
After you're done taking in the view, you can check out the other elevator video going down- it's a tour of the area, as if the elevator was flying through space. It's also very cool.<br/>
On the way out, check out the PATH Station passageway for a preview of the new building!<br/>