World Trade Center, New York

Advantages: .
Disadvantages: .

...day after day throughout the world and whilst I'm left feeling saddened, angry, and more often than not helpless, I carry on pretty much as before. I knew no-one who lost their life or was even in the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, or even Pennsylvania that day, but having previously visited all those places the horror was far more real for me than any newsworthy event I'd seen before. New York was the biggest shock for me. The defining buildings ...
...there was a danger of people upping sticks and leaving the city permanently. I needed to go back and check that New York was still alive and well. Security checks leaving Heathrow were marginally tighter than usual, but the presence of security personnel seemed if anything to be lower key. There was definitely a more nervous edge to passengers, and co-operation with security staff was far less grudging than normal. Arrival at JFK was no more stressful ... Read review

Advantages: A somber experience; Ratings not really appropriate
Disadvantages: A somber experience; Ratings not really appropriate

...me within blocks of the World Trade Center site. There,the unusually mild winter had enabled rescue workers and clean-up crews to operate twenty-four hours a day, every day. The single exception, according to a police officer on duty, was Veteran's Day, the one day that had seen Ground Zero at stillness. Aside from the heavy security measures now involved in entering municipal buildings and public offices, things appeared pretty normal for the most ...
...viewing platform that overlooks the World Trade Center site could be obtained. The decision by New York City officials to erect a viewing platform at the site had raised some controversy. Opponents argued that the platform would turn Ground Zero, in essence, a mass grave, into a gruesome tourist attraction, disrespectful to the dead as well as to the survivors. Supporters of the platform focused on the importance of providing a place, out of the ... Read review

Advantages: The Height, the sense of achievement
Disadvantages: Lengthy queue, high entry price $13

...at the top of the World Trade Center, the first thing to strike me was..........hmm, this is pretty high. The second was...is the Empire State taller? It certainly looked that way. Then again, the World Trade Center looked taller than the Empire State when I was on the top of that building. So, I shrugged to myself, and looked down. Wow. This is one tall building. Unfortunately, you dont really get very close to the edge - it seems around 20 -25m ...
...spit that far. I was lucky enough to go up on a perfectly clear day, and as I gazed out acroos the Atlantic and Long Island and America itself, an old lady tapped my arm. 'Look - there's New Jersey' she said excitedly. I looked interested, then looked away. The highlight of the trip was actually inside. When you get off the lift to the top, you are still inside (its a small escalator ride to the top). here, there are cheesy little shops, but one ... Read review

Advantages: It is the tallest building after all!
Disadvantages: Not a very interesting view, and very high up, so can cause visibility problems in bad weather.

I went to the World Trade Centres in March 2001, and I wasnt really impressed at all. It cost $13 for adult enterance. I went up there, only to get to the top to discover the weather was so bad it was impossible to see a thing out the windows! I wasnt warned of this before paying my $13, so this did dissappoint me. There is a very nice cafe at the top, although as you would expect, is quite expensive. I sat down and had milk & cake for about 1/2 ...
...I was now able to see out! Even now, I wasnt very impressed. Yes, it was a view from a great height, but there was nothing you could really see except for other tall buildings! With the Empire State Building, although it isnt as high, its a more fabulous view of NYC. I'd definately reccommend that over the WTC. Dont get me wrong, I am still very glad I went, as you do have to experience it, even though I didnt really enjoy it. I would still reccommend ... Read review

Advantages: Really quite big --> stunning views
Disadvantages: It really is just a building, with a couple of attractions.

The twin towers of the World Trade Center dominate the skyline of Manhatten, and it is well worth taking the elevator up this building (the stairs would be unwise!), to get another view of the city - from above. Well worth two trips - one during the day and one during the night - though it might be worth substituting one of those for a trip to the Empire State Building instead. As well as the stunning views there is a really rather charming giant ... Read review