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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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Woolworth Building
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Park Place • 1 min walk
- Chambers St • 2 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,063 reviews
Excellent
739
Very good
232
Average
61
Poor
22
Terrible
9
Robin D
1 contribution
Jan 2020
I have lived in NYC and visited many times and never thought about the Woolworth building but was in the neighborhood after visiting the 9/11 Memorial. It was so interesting and the guide was full of great stories of the building, surrounding buildings, and all peoples involved from concept to present day. Fascinating and fun.
Written 21 January 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.
LSJNewYork
New York City, NY86 contributions
Jan 2020
Our guide Bob was informative and engaging. We got to spend 90 mins in the Woolworth Building. Mainly the grand vaulted lobby with gorgeous mosaic ceilings, marbled walls, floors and staircases, ironwork around the elevators, the bank vault much more. Bob shared interesting stories about Frank Woolworth and the people who designed and built this turn of century gem. I thoroughly enjoyed every detail and moment of exploring the WWBldg. It is closed to the public, and after years of waiting to schedule a tour, it is a treat to finally walk inside. Thank you for this piece of NYC history.
Written 16 January 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.
The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3,504 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA18,523 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.
ellayneg
New York City, NY5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Took the tour with a friend. I pass the building every day as I work nearby but had no idea of the history and beauty. Ray,our tour guide, was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and engaging! Learned alot and got to see a special landmark in NYC. Highly recommend this tour!
Written 8 February 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.
bhlraven1916
Atlanta, GA1,548 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
I took a 30 minute tour and I must admit that it was well worth the time and money. The architecture is incredible and the building is well maintained. Our guide was very knowledgeable of all the key players that bought the building to life. A hidden gem in NYC.
Written 19 October 2018
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.
Dave S
Hebron, lsrael169 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
Built in 1913, the Woolworth Building was the world's tallest building until surpassed by the Chrysler Building in 1930, then Empire State Building in 1931, then the original World Trade Center twin towers in 1972-73. It is a testament to New York's leadership in the world, that these buildings were, when constructed, the tallest in the world, not "just" the tallest in New York! The building supposedly is 60 storeys high, but in fact has "only" 56. At the Broadway-side entrance is an utterly obnoxious sign saying "no tourists beyond this point"; this reviewer entered through a side entrance on Barclay Street, just to see the impressive lobby, without hassle.
Written 25 January 2014
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.
AV_Londoner
New York City, NY62 contributions
Sept 2013 • Solo
The building is very impressive and beautiful but until recently there was no easy way to visit the interior or admire it in much detail. You can now take a tour of the lobby by pre-booking, which should be part of any wander/tour of downtown/financial district. I could only find space in the 15 min slot, but the tour lasted approx 30 mins. You get the chance to see the lobby and the first basement while the tour guide gives you some interesting facts and general information. Highly recommended - a great way to experience more of this wonderful building!
Written 5 September 2013
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.
gregsf11
San Francisco, CA845 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Well worth seeing if you're an architecture fan. But be warned. Built by a an early 20th century baron, the building stays true to its roots, greeting ordinary visitors with an obnoxious sign right in the lobby as you enter the doors saying "no tourists beyond this point." If you want to see the ornate lobby, you can fork over $15 and schedule a tour. Or you can do what I did: walk into the side entrance on Park Pl, admire the architecture for free, snap a few photos before reception catches on, and then leave, turning around and snapping one more right in front of them just as you exit the doors. What are they gonna do at that point? Kick you out?
Written 2 July 2014
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.
Michael C
Hinesburg, Vermont, United States14 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
If you have time, sign up for the lobby tour of the Woolworth building. The tour was given by Jason who hold a wealth of knowledge about the building. He told about the history of the building, it's construction, and the many updates made. It's listed as a tour of the lobby, but you will learn about the whole building. The tour was about 45 minutes long and was very informative and Jason is a great tour guide.
Written 16 February 2014
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.
Does anyone know if there will be tours again in 2021 of 2022?
Written 16 November 2021
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...
Written 13 September 2019
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.
Written 18 September 2019
Does the tour include the areas where the Manhattan Project was located ?
Written 24 May 2019
I'm so sorry, just saw your message. No, it does not include any other part.
Written 11 July 2019
Looking at taking on of the tours, does anyone know is there a great deal of difference between the 60min and 90min tours?
Written 16 October 2018
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.
Written 16 October 2018
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.
Written 20 January 2019
hello, wondering which tour company you used? thank you
Written 4 April 2017
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.
Written 5 April 2017
Is there a restaurant or café nearby/
Written 19 February 2017
Yes, there are tons of places to eat within a block or two - you're never far from anything in Manhattan and everything is always open, for the most part.
Written 20 March 2017
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