Skyscraper tourism : New York’s Freedom Tower
For any who follow my site, you’ll know my family and I are big skyscraper fans.
I’m always attracted to skyscrapers, and have visited many of the major skyscrapers around the world.
I grew up with New York’s twin towers, and went to enjoy views from the observation deck numerous times – including a few months before 9/11.
I watched the Freedom Tower rise in its place, but was rather hesitant to go up, but my kids (the biggest skyscraper fans) insisted, so we visited together.
The 104-storey Freedom Tower, or One World Trade Center, replaces the former World Trade Center – although it was constructed beside the site. The actual site is a memorial park to those who died that day.
Reaching the height of 1,776 feet (541 m) – reminiscent of the year of American indendence (1776), Freedom Tower is currently the tallest building in New York. It was designed by architect David Childs.
His firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill also constructed Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which you can read about in my earlier post.
Tickets are quite expensive to visit the observation deck, but the views are impressive if you choose a clear day.
The observation deck occupies three-stories on floors 100–102, and offer spectacular views over lower Manhattan and the city.
There are good views over the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and to Governor’s Island. See my earlier post about spending a day biking out on the latter, a former military base that is now owned by the city.
Ths skyscraper itself has over 12,000 glass panels, which are supposed to allow office space to fully take advantage of narural light and provide a sense of space.
The 9/11 memorial rests just beside the skyscraper. The foundations of the two twin towers are now square water fountains, with the names of all the victims of the terrorist attacks who died in the towers that day engraved into black marble.
The fountains are surrounded by trees, and it’s a moving tribute to the tragedy of that day.
When you’re in New York, be sure to make time for a trip up to the Freedom Tower’s observation deck, and a visit to the 9/11 memorial.
