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Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Learn how the biggest retail tycoon of the early twentieth century and a star architect changed the NYC skyline forever. Designed by the renowned architect Cass Gilbert in 1913 to be Frank W. Woolworth’s NYC headquarters, the Woolworth Building was the tallest in the world for 17 years. Long closed to the public, architectural tours of its magnificent vintage lobby are now available.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Park Place • 1 min walk
- City Hall • 2 min walk
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4.5
1,062 reviews
Excellent
739
Very good
231
Average
61
Poor
22
Terrible
9
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China14,187 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Decades after completion, Woolworth Building is still an encompassing presence in Manhattan. The iconic skyscraper has long been one of the most recognizable buildings in New York. Unfortunately it is not open to public.
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,367 contributions
May 2023
One of the earliest skyscrapers in NYC, it was designed to look like a gothic cathedral, so spend some time to pick out the details. The entrance is superb. It's placement on the City Hall square is important and sets it out for a good look with the open space in front. Nice preserved.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,655 contributions
May 2022
One of the most striking skyscrapers of an early 20 century era along with the Empire State building and Chrysler.
Terrific Gothic style high rise of a trade magnate close to NYC City Hall and its park, as well the Brooklyn bridge.
Terrific Gothic style high rise of a trade magnate close to NYC City Hall and its park, as well the Brooklyn bridge.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
halsalli
Bath5 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
There may be Covid reasons but although masked up and just wanting to browse the foyer, the security guard in no uncertain terms told us “it is not allowed”. Guess they ought to put a sign up rather than have a sarcastic Englishman answering back!
Written 1 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland18,404 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
The Woolworth Building is in the financial district of down town Manhattan and is a really nice piece of old architecture. Recommended.
Written 5 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,367 contributions
Oct 2021
One of the original skyscrapers in the city, this one looks like a gothic cathedral, only it's an office building built way up. Stop and admire all of the decoration and peer into the lobby.
Written 31 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingTurtles
Athens, Greece214 contributions
Mar 2021
We did not do a tour; we just stopped by and explored a little bit on our own. It is an amazing piece of architecture and well worth a visit.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3,144 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
On our way from Midtown to the financial district, we stopped to admire Woolworth Building, which is truly majestic and gigantic with its turrets and lovely details everywhere you look.
We did not enter the building, but we spent some time in the cold checking it out from every side and we really loved it. Can only imagine how beautiful is the interior.
We did not enter the building, but we spent some time in the cold checking it out from every side and we really loved it. Can only imagine how beautiful is the interior.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlos V
15 contributions
Mar 2020
Did the Deluxe 90 Minute Tour on March 2nd. Guide was super friendly and tour started on time. Luckily the group was small (4) which allowed for more questions and more details to be shared. The lobby is beautiful and there is so much to take in but our guide made it a bit easier by pointing out selected elements and gave a bit of background to them. It was also nice to see photographs and get a bit of history of the area as well. The pace was perfect with enough time to take photos but to really appreciate the space. Would definitely recommend.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joan h
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Friends
Excellent - our tour guide was outstanding - Shared fun stories and covered enormous amount of information
Would consider the 90 minute tour next time
Highly recommend
Would consider the 90 minute tour next time
Highly recommend
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4terr
Lokeren, Belgium1 contribution
Does anyone know if there will be tours again in 2021 of 2022?
Pebble_Beach_One
Berlin2 contributions
Friendly lady as a tour guide. The lobby was spectacular just like the whole building! Unfortunately you can only see the lobby and the boring basements. If you don‘t want to know EVERYTHING about the history of the building and the Woolworth founder, it’s not worth the $ 32. As often now, people who work in the lobby were rude and forbid photographing before the tour started! What’s supposed to be the difference? There‘s nothing you can photograph that could endanger the safety of the United States...
Christine H
New York City, NY185 contributions
Hi, I agree that it is disappointing not to see more but as for the "boring basements", for this New Yorker, it was interesting to know that they arranged all major subway lines to come into the basement... perhaps not as important to non-New Yorkers, which I understand.
Does the tour include the areas where the Manhattan Project was located ?
Christine H
New York City, NY185 contributions
I'm so sorry, just saw your message. No, it does not include any other part.
TCountry2
Mittagong, Australia863 contributions
Looking at taking on of the tours, does anyone know is there a great deal of difference between the 60min and 90min tours?
Jenny823
Melbourne, Australia10 contributions
We would’ve liked to have done the 90 min tour but it wasn’t available on our timetable. I think it is worth doing the 90 min if you can as it will go to other areas and in more depth. However the 60 min was fine and we saw and learnt lots about this beautiful iconic building. A hidden gem!! Our guide was wonderful and so knowledgable.
Marina W
Brooklyn, NY260 contributions
Is the tour ADA accessible?
ChloeBullet
Brighton, UK32 contributions
It’s mainly on the ground floor and outside so I think it could be adapted to be ADA. You’d just miss seeing the basement and bank vaults.
Tamar A
New York City, NY14 contributions
hello, wondering which tour company you used? thank you
Dawbs
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
We booked through the only authorised booking company after searching Woolworth Building on the internet and took the 60 minute tour, it is the first one that comes up on Google.
Our guide was Bob Gelder who was fantastic, extremely knowledgeable about the building but also terrific regarding the area and surrounding buildings which we looked at after the Woolworth building as we made our way back up town to where were staying.
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
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Claim your listingWOOLWORTH BUILDING: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Woolworth Building
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Woolworth Building:
- Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise (From €102.12)
- Lower Manhattan self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt (From €34.05)
- Brooklyn Bridge Photography Tour with NYC Skyline Views (From €91.18)
- New York City Night Tour with Private Local Guide (From €143.15)
- Private NYC Highlights by Chauffeured Escalade (From €972.56)
- Hotels near Woolworth Building:
- (0.08 km) Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
- (0.21 km) The Beekman A Thompson Hotel
- (0.29 km) Smyth Tribeca
- (0.32 km) Sonder City Hall Park
- (0.31 km) The Frederick Hotel
- Restaurants near Woolworth Building:
- (0.02 km) Little Italy Pizza
- (0.02 km) Subway
- (0.02 km) Poke Bowl
- (0.05 km) Tribeca Social
- (0.05 km) Muscle Maker Grill