Timeline
06:21
Arrive at the One World Trade Center observation deck. Find the western-facing windows or balcony. Look out over the city toward the horizon. At the exact moment of sunrise, the sun will appear to rise directly behind the trees of East River Park, 3.1 kilometers away.
07:16
Walk four minutes to Brookfield Place. This is the main shopping and dining hub at the base of the World Trade Center complex. The Winter Garden is open to the public and provides a calm space to rest your legs after the ascent.
07:31
Head to d Elici, a delicatessen just nine minutes from the anchor but conveniently located near Brookfield Place. Order a sandwich or coffee. This spot opens at 07:00 on weekdays, which aligns with the sunrise time on March 16, ensuring you can get food while it is still fresh and the morning is quiet.
Local tip
The alignment is visible only on specific dates in March and September. Check the weather forecast for clear skies. The observation deck requires a ticket; book in advance for the earliest slot.
Check before you go
- One World Trade Center observation deck hours vary; check the official website for the specific opening time on March 16, 2027.
- d Elici is open Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00. On March 16, 2027, it will be open for breakfast.
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
- d Elici is open at 07:31 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Manhattan (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).