Nic + I just got back from the best weekend trip to New York City to visit friends, celebrate birthdays, and explore the city! I, naturally, took a ton of pictures and have so much I want to share on GAC. I thought about doing one round-up post about what we did + where we went. But, then I decided just as NYC is one large city, that would’ve been too large of a post. So, I’m breaking it up into a few posts! Starting with One World Trade Center!
Visiting the new World Trade Center was high on our list of things to do while in NYC and we are SO happy we were able to fit this in! Construction on One WTC began in 2006 with the building officially opening in October 2014 to office tenants and the new observatory just opened on May 29, 2015.
It’s unbelievable how tall this building + I just kept thinking how small the other skyscrapers looked compared to this new beauty! Standing at 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center is now the tallest building in New York City + the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere! Oh + it’s also the 4th tallest building in the world!
Nic + I were so excited to go to the top of the WTC! And p.s. it was the best (and fastest) elevator ride of my life! If you go, you’ll see what I mean 😉 
The 360 degree views of Lower Manhattan were obviously amazing!
We could even see the Statue of Liberty!
And of course The Empire State Building…
And the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges…
Needless to say, when in NYC, One World Trade Center’s observatory is an absolute MUST when visiting!
Amanda,
I follow you on Instagram and noticed the picture you posted of oneWTC last week. The picture bothered me then but your post today infuriated me. You speak about the building as if it is some tourist attraction. I’m not sure if you’re actively trying to avoid discussing 9/11 or if you are really that insensitive that you didn’t even think of the destruction that took place there. Either way, instead of being omgsoexcited to go to the top of the building, perhaps you should pause and consider the theousands of people that lost their lives or loved ones in the spot you stood. I’m not asking you or NYC to continue to mourn those lost but oneWTC is a memorial and we should remember what happened there.
Sincerely,
Tara
Hi Tara,
I never intended my post to be insensitive or not to acknowledge the terrible events that took place. I should’ve been clear that, in our tour of One World Trade Center, the elevator ride, the short film we watched prior to the observatory, and the overall aura were a tribute to American resolve, ingenuity, and determination to rebuild. It was inspirational to see how far New York City has come since the events. During our time at the memorial, which is just outside of One World Trade, we certainly reflected and prayed for those lost on 9/11. I actually have a future post planned for 9/11 that features the memorials. Regretfully, we didn’t have enough time to tour the museum. I hope this gives you a better idea of my perspective.
Amanda