Best Time to Visit One World Observatory in New York

After you've got your tickets to the One World Observatory, the next thing to know is when is the best time to go up and enjoy the New York skyline in all its splendour.

Depending on when you travel to the Big Apple, the seasonal weather or the time of day, keep the following in mind when climbing the observation deck:

If it's your first time in New York and you want to see the city's skyline for the first time, it's best to book tickets to the One World Observatory without queues in the afternoon. From the observation deck you'll have the chance to watch the last rays of the sun gradually fade over Manhattan as darkness gives way to the small lights that decorate the monuments and buildings of the Big Apple.

It's a magical moment you won't forget! What's more, you'll be able to enjoy the views of the city both day and night. Without a doubt, it's the best way to round off an intense day of sightseeing in New York before heading out for dinner and a good night's rest to recharge your batteries for the next day.

The most crowded time to see the One World Observatory is around 4 and 5 PM, as visitors go there with the idea of watching the sunset and the turning on of the city lights.

However, if you are not a big fan of crowds, then I recommend getting up early and going to the observation deck early (around 8 or 9 AM) as there are many advantages to going at this time of day:

• The views of the sky and New York at first light are breathtaking.
• You won't have to dodge tourists in your photos.
• You'll have the rest of the day free to wander up and down Ground Zero and the rest of the Big Apple.
• You can take the opportunity to have lunch in the vicinity of One World.
• You will have time to explore the Financial District.
• You can also visit the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Museum.

The best time to visit the One World Observatory is summer and autumn as the chance of rainfall is lower than in other seasons and the days have more hours of sunshine and tend to be clear. However, if you're travelling to New York during a cold and windy season or if it should happen to be a bit rainy, don't worry because the observation deck of the skyscraper is covered.

In any case, here's a tip: buy your skip-the-line tickets to One World Observatory a week or two before your trip to the Big Apple to check the weather forecast more accurately and choose a day with clear skies and plenty of sunshine to enjoy the views of the city.

Enjoying New York from the heights is another world, a unique sensation that you will surely want to capture with your camera for your memories. If you're not a crack photographer, it's best to play it safe and take advantage of the day light to capture the New York skyline and all the monuments that have made it famous and that can be seen from here:

Another option is to go to the One World Observatory in the evening to immortalise the New York sunset sky, with its beautiful play of orange, pink and blue lights. In case you are not a photographer versed in night photography you can always use some tricks to help you get some nice images of the cityscape. For example:

• Activate the HDR mode on your camera.
• Use the shutter release to avoid blurred photos.
• Increase the ISO to 400.

If you're visiting the One World Observatory as a family, the best time of day to visit is early in the morning, as the kids will wake up with lots of energy and will be more awake for a trip to this fantastic New York observation deck. You'll also avoid the afternoon crowds that can make the kids nervous.

Most people who visit One World Observatory tend to stay there for about an hour, although buying tickets to One World Observatory does not require you to stay for a set period of time.

However, one hour is perfect for this activity with children as they will have a great time without getting too tired and then you will have the rest of the day to enjoy other family activities, whether it's going to a Broadway musical or an NBA game.