Inside the New One World Observatory Atop One World Trade Center

One World Observatory, the attraction atop One World Trade Center, is expected to draw three to four million visitors in its first year, according to Legends, the company that operates it.

Every visit begins with what CEO David Checketts calls a step back in time: the elevator ride to the 102nd floor doubles as a visual history lesson, showing New York City's transformation from wetland wilderness to modern metropolis. "This is the fastest elevator in the world," Checketts said. "This is 47 seconds from the bottom to the top."

Unlike most skyscrapers, the view does not hit visitors immediately. A video show builds anticipation before the city is revealed through 30-foot windows that wrap around the space. On a clear day, visitors can see the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. "You're high enough up that you can start to see the curvature of the earth," Checketts said.

The observatory includes no explicit reminders of the September 11 attacks, aside from a view down to the memorial pools. "This space was to be used as a fist pump," Checketts said. "We put it back up and now, looking forward to a future filled with promise."

Then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the observatory "a rebirth," saying downtown Manhattan had returned "100 percent" with major companies and residents moving in. CNN anchor and "60 Minutes" correspondent Anderson Cooper said the view gives visitors "a sense of the history of New York" and lets them see "the curvature of the earth."

Beyond the views, the observatory features a Sky Portal glass floor showing a live high-definition feed from a camera on the tower's spire, guided tours, and an iPad-based virtual helicopter tour called One World Explorer. The elevator ride down simulates an aerial flight around the building. There is no outdoor space, which Checketts said the building's design would not allow.

Tickets range from $26 for young children to $32 for adults.