Breathtaking views from One World Observatory
The One World Trade Center observatory officially opened to the public Friday, May 29, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 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.
The building is the nation's tallest, at 1,776 feet. Visitors will get a view of New York City and its surroundings from above 1,250 feet and stretching 50 miles past the skyline and Statue of Liberty to the Atlantic Ocean.
One World Observatory
Visitors reach the observatory via one of five elevators called "skypods," which zip up to the observatory in 60 seconds.
Checketts says it's "the fastest elevator in the world."
Along with a spectacular view, visitors will see a video called "Voices," about those who built One World Trade Center. There's also a virtual time lapse that recreates the development of the New York City skyline and beyond from the 1600s to present day.
One World Observatory
A view through the sky portal shows a live video view of the streets below from One World Observatory. Visitors can stand on a round video platform that shows an actual livestream of the view straight down.
One World Observatory
The observatory is on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors. The main public viewing space is on the 100th floor, with restaurants on the 101st floor, and an event space on the 102nd floor.
"You're high enough up that you can start to see the curvature of the earth," David Checketts, the CEO of Legends - the company that operates One World Observatory, told "CBS This Morning."
One World Observatory
The Financial District and the World Trade Center, lower center, are seen from the observatory at One World Trade Center.
One World Observatory
Eric Robinson, center, demonstrates City Pulse at One World Observatory, Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in New York.
The interactive ring of high-definition monitors allows guests to view landmarks and neighborhoods that they view from above.
One World Observatory
A One World Trade Center tower construction worker is seen on a multimedia video display at the entrance to the One World Observatory observation deck which is on the 100th floor of the One World Trade center tower in New York during a media tour of the site, May 20, 2015.
One World Observatory
People view the sunrise at the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center.
One World Observatory
Manhattan is viewed at dawn from the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City.
One World Observatory
People view the sunrise at the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center.
One World Observatory
The Statue of Liberty is viewed at dawn from the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center on the day it opens to the public.
One World Observatory
People, including a group of sailors in New York for Fleet Week, look out from the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center on in New York City, May 22, 2015.
One World Observatory
Sunrise over New York City and surrounding areas at Legends One World Observatory on opening day, in New York City, May 29, 2015.
One World Observatory
A custodial worker cleans the floor at dawn at the newly built One World Observatory at One World Trade Center on the day it opened to the public in New York City.
One World Observatory
A view from a dining area in One World Observatory has a view of the Hudson River. Visitors who enter the observatory encounter a delicate balance of future and past, with only brief references to the twin towers that were slammed by terrorist-hijacked planes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing more than 2,700 people.
One World Observatory
A visitor to One World Observatory looks over Manhattan.
One World Observatory
A view of the Manhattan skyline from the One World Observatory observation deck on the 100th floor of the One World Trade center tower.
One World Observatory
A member of the media looks out at the New York skyline from the One World Observatory observation deck on the 100th floor of the One World Trade center tower in New York during a media tour of the site May 20, 2015.