It's on 3 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Address185 Greenwich St, New York
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
Westfield World Trade Center, more commonly known as the Oculus, is an architectural marvel! It’s also the largest shopping mall in Manhattan and an active subway hub. Designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the stunning, dove-like structure represents a phoenix rising from the ashes, a poignant tribute to the rebirth of the area post-9/11.
Inside, the Oculus is a bright and spacious mall full of retail stores, cafes, and restaurants. Plus, there’s public restrooms, which are hard to come by in NYC, so take advantage. Admittedly, you can keep your visit short, simply pop in for photos. Don’t skip visiting though, this one of the most interesting things to see in Manhattan.
Westfield World Trade Center, more commonly known as the Oculus, is the largest shopping mall in Manhattan and an active subway hub.
Designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the stunning dove-like structure represents a phoenix rising from the ashes, a poignant tribute to the rebirth of the area post-9/11.
Inside, the Oculus is spacious and bright, full of retail stores, cafes and restaurants. Plus, there’s public restrooms which are hard to come by in NYC, so take advantage!
Admittedly, you can keep your visit short, simply pop in for photos. Don’t skip visiting though because it’s one of the most interesting things to see in the Financial District.
The Oculus Mall is right across the street from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The Oculus Mall looks like the spine of a fish long forgotten. It’s quite the architectural feat! Not only is it an actual mall, it’s also a functioning subway hub. Definitely check this out, it’s very unique. What makes this one of the best spots for instagram photos in NYC is the impressive interior (pop in and see for yourself!).