The Oculus Center in Lower Manhattan is one of New York City’s most architecturally stunning buildings and is worth a visit, if only for the great photo-op!
The Oculus is one of my favorite places to bring out-of-town guests, not just because of how striking the structure is.
It's also a good place to stop and recharge when walking around the neighborhood.
In this video, Katie, a tour guide with us, Tours by Foot, takes you on a virtual walk of the Oculus Center.
This post covers where the Oculus is located, how to get there, and what you can do at this space-age-looking wonder.
The Oculus, completed in 2016, is now one of NYC's most exciting architectural landmarks.
It houses the World Trade Center Transportation Hub and the Westfield Shops Mall.
It was designed to rival both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station in terms of the number of passengers served. Over 250,000 commuters pass through the Oculus each day.
Twelve subway lines as well as Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) commuter trains to New Jersey can be accessed via the Oculus.
Traveling around NYC, I pass through the Oculus quite often.
One of its best features is that it makes connecting from the NYC subway system to the New Jersey PATH service super easy.
In the past, one would have to exit the subway and then walk outdoors a block to the PATH entrance.
The Oculus has been a real game-changer for me and thousands of New Jersey residents!
I've got several friends who live in Jersey City and the ability to connect between the subway and the PATH train without going outside has made the trip to see these friends much more pleasant.
Sometimes, my friends and I will split the commute and meet at the Oculus to get a bite to eat and do some shopping.
Read about where to dine and shop below.
Where Is The Oculus Located?
The Oculus is in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood of New York City and is part of the World Trade Center Transport Hub.
Its official address is 50 Church Street. But you won't need to know the street address to find the Oculus! You cannot miss it!
It's located just across the road from World Trade Tower 1, also known as the Freedom Tower.
You can enter the Oculus building from either Church or Greenwich Streets.
Use this Google Map to get exact directions from your departure point.
The Oculus serves multiple subway lines including all the lines that go to the World Trade Center Station, including from New Jersey.
Subways and PATH commuter trains
- 2/3/4/5/A/C/J/Z lines to Fulton Street
- 1 to WTC/Cortlandt Street
- E to World Trade Center
- R/W to Cortlandt Street
- PATH train to Newark and Hoboken
All in all, the station has 5 tracks and 4 platforms. Additionally, the terminal connects to the Battery Park City Ferry Terminal.
Although it doesn't serve as many passengers as Grand Central Terminal (750,000 per day) or Penn Station (650,000), the WTC transportation hub is the third largest transportation center in NYC.
The Oculus is also a shopping mall with dozens of shops and several very good places to eat in a grand plaza roughly 30ft. (10 meters) below street level.
There are ample stairs, escalators, and elevators to access the different levels to enter the subway, the PATH Hall entrance, and the Oculus Mall shops.
TIP: Is your smart device charge running low while downtown? Do what I do and pop into the Apple Store and recharge! You can also use the laptops on display to surf the net!
The Oculus Design and Symbolism
The Oculus building was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava in collaboration with Daniel Libeskind, the architect of the new World Trade Center.
The structure is situated along the southern edge of Daniel Libeskind’s ‘Wedge of Light’ plaza within the World Trade Center.
The futuristic Oculus comprises steel ribs and glass arranged in a large elliptical shape.
The ribs extend, creating two canopies over the north and south portions of the plaza.
In the nighttime, the illuminated building is like a lantern that guides you from afar to the 9/11 Memorial.
There are motifs from history, such as the wings of cherubim above the Ark of the Covenant or the sheltering wings on Egyptian canopic urns.
However, Calatrava has said that this structural element was meant to resemble the image of a bird released from a child's hands.
Why is it named the Oculus?
Oculus is the Latin word for “eye” which, in architectural terms refers to a round or eye-like opening with a view of the sky.
Though the Oculus symbolically recognizes the events of 9/11, it is not part of the 9/11 Memorial.
One very special thing about the Oculus that not many people know about is that every September 11, for two hours, the retractable glass skylight in the ceiling is opened.
A wedge of natural light floods into the main transit hall and One World Trade Center is visible.
This is one of the most moving ways I have ever seen to honor the victims of a tragedy.
TIP: You will want to get a lot of Oculus Center photos, but if you want to see what other places you'll want to bring your camera see our post, 29 Best Photography Locations in NYC.
Things To Do At The Oculus
Officially, the Oculus is the name of the building where an indoor mall, Westfield Shops and Dining, is located.
Westfield Shops and Dining at the Oculus is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Since it’s easier to use one word instead of four, I'll stick with the Oculus for this article!
Shopping
The Oculus is great for shopping, and while it isn't the biggest shopping mall in New York, there are plenty of stores like Kate Spade, H&M, Cole Haan, and more to keep you busy.
There are stores across three floors: the main, upper, and lower levels. The map below is of the Oculus main level only.
You can see the full list of stores and a map of each of the levels from the Oculus Center directory.
When I am at the Oculus, I check what deals are being offered by the mall. It's nice to save on shopping!
For more shopping, you can walk by underground pedestrian walkways to Brookfield Place, which also has restaurants.
If you have time in Lower Manhattan, I think that Brookfield Place is worth a quick visit.
There's the Winter Garden, an indoor glass atrium with views of the Hudson River.
It's got palm trees, benches to sit on and free Wi-Fi! Plus the restrooms there are very nice.
Dining
Shoppers and those passing through the transportation hub have several small eateries to choose from, including Eataly, a large food hall with counters selling Italian specialties.
There are also a few full-service restaurants. See the list of Oculus Center directory dining options.
My favorite spot is on the lower level, the Épicerie Boulud, on the C2 level. The almond croissants are to die for!
Events at the Oculus
Every Friday from May to October, Smorgasburg, an iconic NY food market, sets up 20 food stalls outside along the Oculus’s North Plaza.
I love the tasty mini-pizzas from Wood Fired Edibles and the sublime pastries from Ole & Steen.
From April to October, you can grab food and drinks at the Beer Garden.
Also on the North Plaza, every Tuesday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from June to October is a green market selling locally produced goods from the regional area.
You’ll find foods like strawberries, cider, vegetables, baked goods, and even handcrafted potato vodka!
The North Plaza has a nice open space so there are from time to time live performances of music or dancing.
There are even yoga classes in the warm months!
Every year I am impressed by the addition of new activities and events at the Oculus.
Now, you can view live sporting events on a big screen, play the public piano on the Oculus floor, or take free fitness and wellness classes on Wednesdays!
See the full calendar of events here.
Holiday Market at the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center
From late November through December to early January, a pop-up holiday market fills up the atrium of the Oculus which is decked out in Christmas decorations.
In addition to the 20 or so Christmas shopping stalls, you can shop at all the stores in the Oculus which itself will be decked out for the holiday season!
- Location: 185 Greenwich Street at the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center
- Dates: late November to early January
- Hours: 10 am to 8 pm Mon-Sat and 11 am to 7 pm on Sundays
- TIP: Always check the website in advance to find out dates and hours
Things To Do Near The Oculus
There are so many attractions within walking distance of the Oculus. Just outside the Oculus is the September 11 Memorial and Museum.
One World Observatory (Freedom Tower) is a four-minute walk across the WTC plaza.
You are also just a seven-minute walk from Wall Street and the pedestrian entryway to the Brooklyn Bridge is just a 10-minute walk.
A 15-minute walk will get you to the terminal for the Staten Island Ferry, where you can take a free ride and get amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan.
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