The architecture is absolutely beautiful. The mall itself is small when you look at the directory. There aren't a ton of different stores, it seemed. But a lot of it was spaced out. The food court area has a great selection though. There's also multiple exits and entrances, which is nice. A must see? Probably not. But it's a short walk from the 9/11 memorial so I would recommend atleast walking through it if you're in the area. read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

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This is such a cool place to check out in New York. Our hotel was so close to it! We walked through it a few times to get to our trains! I'm glad there are connection to all the different trains in the area. THe shops are cool and lots of good food in the area. Don't forget to check Eataly too! read more

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While the architecture is stunning and spectacular, and worth a visit, the space is primarily a transportation hub and shopping mall. Many of the shops are high priced. We tried the Japanese bakery next to the food court and paid over $21 for three cookies/ pastries that were not worth the price. The food court sold us chicken teriyaki that had poor flavor with too much sugar. I do not recommend it. read more

The futuristic architecture is worth a stop for some pictures. There are also tons of shops inside and attractions nearby.

Located next to the Freedom Tower and 9/11 Museum, this shopping mall/subway hub is an Architectural marvel. Once you enter from either end, you can to witness the massive oculus view, spreading across hundreds of feet. The shops are located in 1st and 2nd floors. There are many luxurious brands, including an Apple store. I like to visit this place for it's architectural appeal and shear size of the place. This is also a subway station, connection many of the lines that stop at Fulton St station. read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Every time im downtown I love stopping by this building. The architecture is very impressive, if your visiting NYC add this to your list. Lots of shopping options and some dining too. Its never overly busy or too crowded to get some nice photographs. read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

It's... a shopping mall? Don't get me wrong, architecturally, Oculus is beautiful, outside and in. Still, after seeing all of those Instagram posts, I can't shake a feeling of at least mild disappointment. Somehow I was just expecting something more. Oculus has connections to 12 subway lines; PATH, and the rather high end retailers within. The space itself is kept very clean too. Though when you go through the turnstiles, into stations themselves, they're what you'd expect with MTA stations. Then again, these aren't part of Oculus. As for the layout, it feels a just a touch labyrinthian. When first here, it might take a little time to get your bearing, and figure out where all the stairs are! read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Nice tourist attraction mall near by ground zero. The mall has many stores inside and still has empty space. Very convenient with subway under the building. read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Great location to drink a beer and catch up with friends. Very close to WTC. The beers were great. read more

Oculus - Beers - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Took a break from wandering NYC in the Brookfield Place Mall... was casually chatting it up with a gentleman next to me... and was wondering where 6 escalators were taking people... well he told me it was the Oculus!! Whoa how did I miss that on my itinerary ?!? So it's a train station, and a mall, and a tourist attraction all built recently after the 911 attacks. The Design draws inspiration from a dove with winged ribs symbolizing hope and rebirth and the building lets a ton of natural sunlight in. There is also symbolism with the eye of the building lining up with maximum sunlight at 10:28AM which correlates with the Sep 11 attacks. Definitely a must visit!! read more

Oculus - Ending up taking a yoga class outside - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

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Back @ Oculus after somewhat 3 years, and it seems so different now. Used to be quite busy with crowded shops before, but ... should I blame the pandemic...??? It is quite d.e.a.d. ..... A few stores closed even. The downtown Eataly and great to see the Lady M still standing. Sad to see this place so quiet. Hope it rebounds soon. read more

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Large, clean shopping mall and train station. Variety of shops and restaurants. Public bathrooms available. Chase Bank has a location within the west wing, which is convenient. read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

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Well it was where we 1st discovered the Subway into Brooklyn. The place serves as a Westfield World Trade Center mall. And is an amazing site to behold. read more

Oculus - Outside the Oculus is the Paris Olympic display! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Neat! Located by the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the 9/11 fountains, it's a pretty amazing structure architecturally speaking. It's supposed to resemble a dove. From the outside it only looks like a structure however it opens up into a mall! We tried the ice cream on more than one occasion in the mall and it was good. Has a number of shops as well as a subway station and trains that go to NJ. From an architectural standpoint definitely recommending checking it out! read more

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Architecturally pleasing Subway station that serves as a shopping Mall as well. You can gain access to the World Trade Memorial as well as a connection to other MTA lines. They have quite a selection of luxury retail so business must be good down there for tourist and the immediate neighborhood. read more

The new world trade center transportation HUB linking the PATH and New York City subways. Had my first journey into Manhattan in years with the main goal to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. My girlfriend and I encounted the Oculous when we took the PATH to get here. Beautiful beyond words (think the exact opposite of the dumpy / dated train stations most of us are familar with). High end stores at every corner and once you exit it is only a few steps outside the Oculus to a momumental water installation paying honor to those we lost in the 9/11 attacks. There are two water installations paying tribute to both planes lost. This experience was extremely moving and if you have the opportunity to come here I can not recommend it enough to do so. As always people SYOY!!! read more

as an outsider, I don't entirely see the point of this place. I feel like they were already so many places to shop in this great city that another one doesn't seem particularly necessary. That said, this is one of the coolest shopping areas I've ever seen. I truly unique design for a building that is very much worth seeing even if you have no plans to shop or buy anything. read more

The architecture is the ONLY reason to go. Not designed with any thought to baby carriages, wheelchairs or folks with disabilities. Empty. Shops are dull and empty, too. Ate @ Épicerie Boulud. Coffee = good, sandwich = BAD. We live in the area and won't be back. read more

My husband and I stumbled upon the Oculus after leaving the 9/11 Memorial Museum. We had heard that it was pretty cool to see, so decided to stop in. Definitely easy to get to since it's right next door. We walked in and the artichecture to it was pretty cool! It was a weird concept. A mall? The stores were well above our pay grade, so we just continued to walk by. They have a section of it where it actually will lead you to the Subway and Eataly. Worth checking out if you're in that area. read more

An absolutely amazing structure. Beautiful inside and out. This is a must-see for anyone visiting New York or for any local that does not spend enough time in the financial district. The Oculus provides access to the subway system and to the Westfield World trade Center shopping mall. But most of all, it's just a shockingly awesome place to be. read more

Have you ever looked at something and then turned away because you realized that you were staring too hard... only to turn back and stare at it again?! Yep. That's Oculus. I just could not stop staring. Could NOT. It's just so...beautiful. I really need to retire that word because I've realized that I use it way too much, but it's true. The view from Oculus is just simply... beautiful. Go ahead and stare. Everyone else is doing it... so there! But really, how did they construct this thing? Even from the outside it's so stunning. Oculus connects the World Trade Center to the Metro Station. If you look down, you'll be able to see the center of the building. You can people watch or you can just walk around and admire all of the great shops and kiosks that they have inside. You can take that perfect photo or get that famous selfie! Mm hmm. Make sure to stop and look up at the ceiling because it's grand. Getting here is relatively easy. The train will practically drop you off right in front, and there are several entrances including the two main entrances on both sides. If you go down to the first floor, you can lounge around and relax while people watching. It's the perfect little chill spot. They really did an amazing job with Oculus. Apparently during the holidays, they have it all decked out with festive wreaths and a big Christmas Tree. Return visit during the holidays anyone?! I think so. read more

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Oh the Oculus! Its a world of its own in here. Catch the PATH train here and connect to the MTA subway. I love the small business shops and boutique stores. Take the escalator upstairs , and shop or dine at Eataly... I usually do both! Weekday rush hour is a BEAST and very crowded, just go with the flow of traffic ***ahem...tourists, love y'all thou *** And of course, there's my favs APPLE and SEPHORA! Get your camera ready, it's Instagram worthy read more

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This is such a staple in the city and it is definitely worth visiting and marking off your "New York" bucket list. First thing is first, the structure is absolutely brilliant and the story behind it is even more beautiful (read up on it if you have time). They have a good selection of food, stores (especially luxury and high end), and small kiosks. Everything is extremely spaced out so it's huge on the inside. It also has access to subways and is a good walking distance to the WT Memorial Center and Museum which makes the location convenient. We went here on a Monday afternoon and there were a lot of people but that's to be expected. Highly recommend visiting this place if you are in the area! read more

Cool mall with great architecture! The layout is quite disjointed so it's recommended to use a map. It's a great that it has subway transport. read more

The white, futuristic design makes it feel like you're in a sci-fi movie. It's also super convenient for transit and has plenty of places to grab a bite. read more

At first when this was coming up in the beautiful skyline, I thought what the heck is that. Then I understood more about the architect's vision, beautiful. I see some of the other reviews explain it so you should check out my yelping partners reviews. This is a common stop when I'm in the area, not only does it provide a shield from the rain, but it also offers great high end shopping options...if that's your thing. Window shopping is also wonderful. It is also well connected now to several subway stations. During the holidays, it's also a delight to walk around and take in the ambience or hide from the snow. Love it, visit, enjoy, take in the history, and make sure to sit in one of the wings! read more

Oculus - During the holidays - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Gorgeous! Just a gorgeous structure that's actually a mall and you to get transportation downstairs... read more

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We loved the outside of this gorgeous structure, so headed over to check out the inside. It was nighttime and the interior was glowing with blue lights and moving snowflake lights. It was absolutely stunning! There was SO much happening inside: a holiday shopping village lit up with twinkle lights, an actual mall with several stores, a train station, cafes and more. This is the train station for the world trade center and I also learned from other reviews that the building is intended to look like a dove taking flight. It's free to walk inside, so definitely take a peek while you're in the area! read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

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Cool at christmas - shopping, roller skating, family friendly, restaurants, and a little bar. See the experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSsDfb0qDZk read more

Please, God, no more soulless modern glass and metal buildings. It's happening where I live in Las Vegas and it's definitely happening in New York City. The Occulus architect Santiago Calatrava spoke to Architectural Digest about wanting to give the modest worker a sense of wow while they go from their modest home to their modest job. He wanted to give people a sense of security. I see "In the year 3,000" vibes. Frankly, the futuristic clean lines is too simplistic. Once you've seen The Oculus, you've seen it. It's a mall and a train station combined, which is convenient for people working at World Trade Center, but it's not a destination. Grand Central is a destination. We need to go back to the grand architecture of the past where details such as a single light, a vent cover, or a floor tile could be studied on its own. Buildings are a canvas for story, for history, for hope of the future. Why are we spending zillions of dollars on these eyesore buildings that don't tell the story of the people who make the city what it is? Why don't we tell the story of the people who died on this plot of ground? Opening the ceiling for a few minutes on 9/11 every year isn't much of a tribute. As is, there is nothing particularly special about The Oculus. It's just another shopping mall with the same shops replicated across the country. read more

Oculus is a huge subway station-transportation hub-shopping mall combined into one place. The design, of course, is very futuristic as are the subway stations and the PATH train that leads to New Jersey. It's also a great photo op, and has a bunch of high-end stores like UGG and others. There are a few pop-up stores that sell everything from gelato to jewelry to flowers. There's also some seating in the middle which is usually pretty crowded. The sunlight that is let in from the channel on the top really adds to the effect, and it is a magnificent way to experience New York. It is home to over 100 stores and is also neighbors with many restaurants. If you are ever in the area to shop or eat I definitely recommend checking out Oculus too. read more

Oculus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a super beautiful inside and outside. It is the mall with many shops and it is connect to the train station as well. I highly recommend visiting this place if you get a chance. It is huge inside read more

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Really neat place to visit. Clean and bright, easy to navigate, and a nice place to stop for a quick shopping trip or snack. It's like walking in a work of art. read more

The Oculus is an amazingly structured building. The design inside and out is breathtaking. It is adjacent to the 9/11 memorial. The building is so large and it spectacular Definitely worth seeing. Inside is a Westfield shopping mall. The stores are spread out and a mix of designer stores, Apple and few eating options. This is still in a work in progress and there are many signs of stores coming soon. Attached is the transit systems and Eataly. Definitely worth going to see the architecture, but not the shopping. read more

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Definitely visit the Oculus to see the lovely Winter/Christmas market with a grandfather clock that chimes every hour & fun spots to take that selfie or just enjoy the views with family & friends. This year they've added additional vendor kiosks with fun & unique gifts. It's also one of the best times of the year to take advantage of store deals right before Christmas. read more

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Impressive building on the grounds of a very special spot. The design is thoughtfully done and full of meaning and symbolism. read more

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Awesome and free. Great for photos and a little shopping. I believe they are open until 1am (not the stores but the oculus itself) which is better because there are less people taking photos. read more

Wow is this ever a stunning structure! We walk through here to take the path train to New Jersey and also when we were going to Eataly for dinner and each time I'm just speechless at how amazing this place looks. Absolutely love it! read more

The architectural designs and details that was put into this building is breathtaking! I love how it's aesthetically pleasing to take photos but it's also a transportation center. Don't forget the shops they have! If you have an itch for shopping, just go here! A tip I would give would be to charge your phone at the apple store! That's what I did and the employees didn't mind. read more

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Oculus is one of the most beautiful structures I have seen. It took 8 years to complete and also 4 billion dollars!! That is a lot of money for this place but it just feels amazing when walking inside. The color of white is very apparent and this is one of the most expensive subway stations in the entire world. If your ever in New York you should give this place a try and see it for yourself. The outside and inside is so unique and beautiful. Also there are around 50 stores to shop in so if you want to do some extra shopping you could also give this place a try. It's been open since 2016 till now. Next to this place is also the memorial of the World Trade Center and also a museum. read more