The Oculus

Pose for an iconic New York photo at one of the city’s most talked-about landmarks, a striking retail space and work of art that was 12 years in the making.

Enter the World Trade Center Transportation Hub via the magnificent Oculus, the street-level building and structure that offers access to the hub as well as to a vast shopping and dining space. See for yourself the remarkable structure that took 12 years to create, and was troubled by setbacks along the way. Snap a selfie against one of New York City’s favorite backdrops, the unmistakable sweeping white roof of the Oculus.

Decide for yourself whether the Oculus looks more like a rising dove or a pair of grasping claws, just two of the things the sculptural building has been compared to. It was designed by famed Spanish architect and artist Santiago Calatrava, who envisioned the structure as a pair of wings.

The symbolic importance of the Oculus is very great, since it stands on the site of the 2011 World Trade Center attack. Learn more about this tragedy and pay your respects at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, located on site. It is partly because of the pressure to get this new building just right that it took so long to finish, although the project was also held back by other problems along the way, such as damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Step inside the building and see how its interior is every bit as impressive as its outside. Look up and see the bright white rib-like structures that form the ceiling. These ribs are separated by glass, meaning the interior is flooded with light. Discover the many stores and the wide variety of restaurants collected within this futuristic environment.

Visit Lower Manhattan and you cannot miss the Oculus, one of the most arresting structures in a city that is full of them. Get here from almost anywhere in the city via the World Trade Center Transportation Hub beneath the Oculus. The hub offers access to multiple subway lines, the Battery Park City Ferry Terminal and the PATH railway.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near The Oculus

National September 11 Memorial

Paying tribute to the thousands who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, this is a poignant and somber landmark for locals and tourists alike.

FDNY Memorial

At this somber memorial, pay a personal tribute to the firefighters who perished saving others during 9/11 and other disasters.

St. Paul's Chapel

Explore the fascinating relics and works of art in “the little chapel that stood,” the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan.

One World Trade Center

Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the observation platform of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, near to where the Twin Towers once stood.

World Financial Center

Go on a luxury shopping trip and enjoy gourmet dining in a beautiful mall that has stunning views of Jersey City over the Hudson River.

Hotels near The Oculus

DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown

8 Stone St

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Stone Street Historic District, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Battery Park and Wall Street. South Street Seaport and National September 11 Memorial are also within 15 minutes. Whitehall St. Station and Bowling Green Station are within a 2-minute walk.

Radisson Hotel New York Wall Street

52 William St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of New York Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, and National September 11 Memorial. Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal and One World Trade Center are also within 15 minutes. Wall St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and Broad St. Station is 3 minutes.

Millennium Hilton New York Downtown

55 Church Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is steps from The Oculus and National September 11 Memorial. Wall Street and One World Trade Center are also within 10 minutes. Cortlandt St. Station and Fulton St. Station (Broadway) are within a 2-minute walk.

Club Quarters Hotel, World Trade Center

140 Washington St

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from One World Trade Center and within 6 mi (10 km) of Madison Square Garden and Empire State Building. Times Square and Broadway are also within 6 mi (10 km). Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Holiday Inn New York City - Wall Street, an IHG Hotel

51 Nassau St.

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and National September 11 Memorial. Pace University and South Street Seaport are also within 10 minutes. Fulton St. Station (Nassau St.) and Fulton St. Station (Broadway) are within a 5-minute walk.

New York Marriott Downtown

85 West St

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of National September 11 Memorial, One World Trade Center, and Wall Street. The Oculus and Battery Park are also within 15 minutes. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

World Center Hotel

144 Washington St

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of National September 11 Memorial and Wall Street. One World Trade Center and Battery Park are also within 15 minutes. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Andaz Wall Street - a concept by Hyatt

75 Wall St

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this luxury hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of New York Stock Exchange and One World Trade Center. Broadway and Empire State Building are also within 6 mi (10 km). Wall St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and Broad St. Station is 5 minutes.

Holiday Inn Express New York City- Wall Street, an IHG Hotel

126 Water St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street, Battery Park, and South Street Seaport. One World Trade Center and Pace University are also within 15 minutes. Wall St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and Broad St. Station is 5 minutes.

The Washington

8 Albany Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of National September 11 Memorial and Wall Street. One World Trade Center and Battery Park are also within 10 minutes. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

The Wall Street Inn

9 S William St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Stone Street Historic District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street and Battery Park. South Street Seaport and Pace University are also within 15 minutes. Wall St. Station and Whitehall St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Hampton Inn Manhattan-Seaport-Financial District

320 Pearl Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of South Street Seaport, Wall Street, and Pace University. The Oculus and National September 11 Memorial are also within 15 minutes. Fulton St. Station (William St.) is 6 minutes by foot and Fulton St. Station (Nassau St.) is 7 minutes.

Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel

15 Gold Street

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street, Pace University, and South Street Seaport. Battery Park and One World Trade Center are also within 15 minutes. Fulton St. Station (William St.) and Wall St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Eurostars Wall Street

129 Front Street

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this boutique hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Wall Street and South Street Seaport. Battery Park and Pace University are also within 15 minutes. Wall St. Station is only a 4-minute walk and Broad St. Station is 6 minutes.

Wall Street Apartment

95 Wall Street

Located in Manhattan, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street, South Street Seaport, and Battery Park. Pace University and National September 11 Memorial are also within 15 minutes. Wall St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and Broad St. Station is 5 minutes.

RIFF Downtown

102 Greenwich Street

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Financial District, this boutique hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Trinity Church and National September 11 Memorial. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 2-minute walk.

Holiday Inn Manhattan-Financial District, an IHG Hotel

99 Washington St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and Battery Park. National September 11 Memorial and Pace University are also within 15 minutes. Rector St. Station (Greenwich St.) and Rector St. Station are within a 2-minute walk.

Aloft Manhattan Downtown - Financial District

49-53 Ann Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Pace University, Wall Street, and One World Trade Center. National September 11 Memorial and South Street Seaport are also within 10 minutes. Fulton St. Station (Nassau St.) and Fulton St. Station (William St.) are within a 2-minute walk.

Hampton Inn Manhattan/Downtown-Financial District

32 Pearl St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Battery Park and Wall Street. South Street Seaport and National September 11 Memorial are also within 15 minutes. Whitehall St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and Bowling Green Station is 3 minutes.

Fairfield Inn New York Manhattan/Financial District

161 Front Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Wall Street and South Street Seaport. Pace University and The Oculus are also within 15 minutes. Wall St. Station is 6 minutes by foot and Fulton St. Station (William St.) is 6 minutes.

Residence Inn Marriott New York Downtown Manhattan/WTC Area

170 Broadway

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Wall Street and One World Trade Center. 5th Avenue and Madison Square Garden are also within 6 mi (10 km). Fulton St. Station (Broadway) and Cortlandt St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.