Woolworth Building, New York City: Hours, Address, Woolworth Building Reviews: 4.5/5
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Temporarily closed until further notice
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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Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Park Place • 1 min walk
- City Hall • 2 min walk
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,058 reviews
Excellent
738
Very good
228
Average
61
Poor
22
Terrible
9
halsalli
Bath3 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.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland16,899 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA12,709 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.
WanderingTurtles
Athens, Greece200 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.
The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3,109 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.
LosV1228
6 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.
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.
paulw
London, UK99 contributions
Feb 2020
We did the 1 hour tour on 8 Feb, which covers the lobby and basement.
Chap who gave it was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable - the history of Frank Woolworth is as interesting as the building and our guide knew all about Mr FWW. A true rags to riches story.
Chap who gave it was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable - the history of Frank Woolworth is as interesting as the building and our guide knew all about Mr FWW. A true rags to riches story.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marie V
Stockholm, Sweden3 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Lovely tour, it’s a beautiful building, with interesting history and good stories. Thank you Ed for a great tour!
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Beau F
New York City, NY3 contributions
Feb 2020
An excellent and thorough tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and genuinely care about the history of the building, the area and those involved in creating and building this whimsical gem of a building.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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, NY181 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, NY181 contributions
I'm so sorry, just saw your message. No, it does not include any other part.
Tams_in_Oz
Bowral, Australia858 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, Australia9 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
Eilat, Israel236 contributions
Is the tour ADA accessible?
ChloeBullet
Brighton, UK30 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.
Mellifera246
Seattle, WA31 contributions
Is anyone able to go into the lobby or does one have to be in a tour group?
BKNGuide
Brooklyn. NY20 contributions
Alas, the lobby has been closed to the public since 9/11. There is even a sign posted outside the door reading "No Tourists Beyond This Point," a rule aggressively enforced by foul-mouthed security guards. (In happier times, the guards used to hand out descriptive brochures to visitors.)
After much pressure from preservationists and the tour industry, the owners have agreed to allow organized tours on a limited basis. They offer a choice of 30-minute ($20), 60-minute ($30) and 90-minute ($45) tours three or four times a week, usually late morning or early afternoon. Search "Woolworth Tours" on Google for schedules and booking info.
I know one of the guides they use, definitely a top pro, and he assures me the tours are first-rate. The best deal is the 60-minute tour, which allows time for snapping photos and Q&A with the guide. Custom tours are also available; use the "contact" link on the web site.
Frequently Asked Questions about Woolworth Building
- Woolworth Building is open:
- Sun - Mon 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
- Tue - Tue 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Wed - Wed 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
- Thu - Thu 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- We recommend booking Woolworth Building tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Woolworth Building tours on Tripadvisor
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