This post is about visiting Trump Tower, how to get there, what to expect to see and information to help you decide if it is worth your time to visit.
- Where is Trump Tower
- What to See and Do
- Apartments & Famous Residents
- Nearby Attractions
- Reviews of Trump Tower
- Other Trump Buildings in NYC
WHERE IS TRUMP TOWER
Trump Tower is located at 721 Fifth Avenue, NY, between 56th and 57th Street (map).
It is open to the public from 8 am until 10 pm.
To enter the building, you will have to pass through a serious security check, including X-ray scanners for bags.
However, the process to get in will take under 10 minutes, if not less.
By Subway: E train to 53rd/5th Ave stop or the N/R/W to 55th/ 5th Avenue stop. You may find that our post Navigating the New York Subway comes in handy.
By Bus: Crosstown M57 or the Downtown M1, M2, and M3.
TIP: Many hop-on, hop-off buses stop nearby:
- Big Bus stops at St. Patrick’s Cathedral located at 5th Avenue between 50-51st Streets
- CitySights's Uptown tour has a stop at 60th St. & Central Park West (across from the attractive Trump International building)
- Read our post comparing the different bus tour options in NYC.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO INSIDE
Trump Tower is a 58-story skyscraper with a mix of apartments, offices, and retail stores.
The first 5 floors are an open atrium with a few shops and eateries. Here you will see the escalators that Trump rode down to the main floor when he announced his candidacy.
The remaining floors are divided between 26 floors of office space and 39 floors of condominiums.
The atrium and a small roof garden on the 5th level are the only parts open to the public so you won't need more than an hour to check it all out.
Even with the security checks, you won't need too much time, unless you plan on a full meal at the Trump Grille.
In that case, give yourself time to as you would dining out at any other restaurant.
First things first, pass through the security checkpoints which don't take as long as one might expect.
Remember, the Secret Service is not there to smile for the camera - they have a job to do! But you can probably get a picture near one of them.
Once inside the atrium, gaze at the 7-story indoor waterfall and pose for photos.
Trump gave many campaign interviews in front of this waterfall so you can say you were showered with history during your visit.
If you ride up to the 5th Floor you will find a roof garden with a few tables and chairs. It is open after 11 am.
Do some window-shopping at the Trump Store where you can pick up a tie or cufflinks from the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection.
The store is open daily 9 am-6 pm.
FOOD AT TRUMP TOWER
One way to experience Trump Tower is to have a meal or drink there. Reviews are mixed about the quality of the food and the overall experience.
Many people seem to enjoy getting a drink at the bar and the ice cream parlor also gets rave reviews.
Trump Café offers food to go. You can enjoy it sitting by the waterfall. There are many choices on the menu. The cafe is open daily 8:30 am-4 pm.
Trump Grill is a full-dining restaurant located in the Atrium. Open Daily 11:30 am - 4 pm. See the menu here. Reviews on TripAdvisor give the Grill 3 1/2 stars.
In December 2016, Vanity Fair magazine published the article, Trump Grill Could Be The Worst Restaurant In America which caused the then President-Elect to go on a Twitter rampage.
Trump Bar is located off the lobby and is open daily 3 pm - 9 pm. The drinks are priced a little bit higher than the standard for New York City.
The least expensive cocktail is $18 while a glass of wine costs at least $15. You can even try some of the Trump brand wine. (See the menu here).
The Trump Ice Cream Parlor has many excellent flavors of ice cream and also serves sorbet and fresh juices.
Prices are standard for Midtown Manhattan starting at $4 a scoop. It is located in the Atrium and is open daily from 10 am-5 pm.
If you want a non-Trump snack or drink there is a Starbucks on the second level.
As always, Starbucks has free Wi-Fi. For information about where to find free wifi in New York City, our post Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in New York will come in handy.
TIP: Be sure to take advantage of the luxurious public restrooms on the lower level!!
APARTMENTS AND FAMOUS RESIDENTS
It shouldn't surprise you that living in Trump Tower is pretty expensive - but just HOW expensive is expensive?
Here are some prices and what you get for your money:
For $24 million, you can be the proud owner of this 6,100 sq. ft. duplex penthouse on the 64th/65th floor with 11 rooms, 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.
The costs don't stop at $24 million. You'll pay an additional $11,698 in monthly building common charges and $11,126 in monthly taxes.
For almost $10 million, you can get a 3 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom, 3,700 sq. ft. corner apartment on the 38th floor with spectacular views of Central Park and the city.
But you have got to wonder why there are fewer bedrooms than bathrooms!
These prices include amenities such as "white glove services" -- a full-time doorman, concierge services, elevators with attendants, and even laundry and housekeeping service!
Maybe you are wondering if you can stay at Trump Tower, instead of a hotel.
Believe it or not, until March 2017, an apartment in Trump Tower was listed on Airbnb, the homestay rental website. It was available to stay at for about $300 to $450 per night!
Compared to hotel listings in the area, it actually isn't bad!
Well, it is illegal in NYC to rent most apartments for less than 30 days when the apartment resident isn't there.
The apartment resident took down the listing when a New York Times reporter caught on to it and started asking questions. Read the story on the NY Times website.
Donald Trump's Apartment
The most famous residents are, of course, the Trumps, although they now officially reside at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach Florida.
The Trump apartment is on the top three floors of the 58-story building with a sweeping panoramic view of Central Park.
Everywhere you look (in pictures and videos -- unless you are invited for a visit) you see marble floors, 24-carat gold, and chandeliers made of crystal.
This video clip from The Apprentice shows you the opulence that Trump surrounds himself with.
There are 262 residential condos many of which are the homes of celebrities and prestigious business people.
One current well-known owner is Mexican billionaire Juan Beckmann Vidal, head of the family that controls Jose Cuervo (think Tequila!).
Past residents include entertainers Michael Jackson, Johnny Carson, Paul Anka, Bruce Willis, and Liberace.
One intriguing fact is the number of residents who have been involved in criminal conduct such as racketeering, tax evasion, felony assault, and drug trafficking.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS AND SHOPPING
Trump Tower is in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, a neighborhood that's in close proximity to so many great places.
It's within walking distance of Broadway, Central Park, and many other NYC attractions.
Since it won't take up all of your days, there are many other things you can do before or after your visit.
Attractions
See world-famous art at the Museum of Modern Art located nearby on West 53rd Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue.
Stroll around Rockefeller Center using our self-guided tour.
Explore Central Park on your own or join us on one of our pay-what-you-like tours.
Shopping
Within walking distance, you have Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Prada.
Bergdorf Goodman, Rolex, Armani, and Versace are also nearby as is the ever-popular Niketown USA.
If you walk south from the Tower, you will find price-friendly trendy shops like Hollister, MAC, Uniqlo, and TopShop.
Find out more about the best shopping on Fifth Avenue and all of NYC here.
REVIEWS
Trump Tower has a 3.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and reading the reviews gives you a good idea of what to expect and not to expect.
Many of the visitors were drawn to the Tower because of the fact that Trump was then President.
One reviewer summed it up by saying "We saw the indoor waterfall wall (where Trump gave several campaign interviews), the escalator, and had some snacks at the cafe. Now we can say we've visited the new President's home."
One otherwise unimpressed reviewer still rated the tower 5 stars saying “Why five stars? Donald Trump is going to be President. Trump Tower is an accessible site for folks seeking to get a little glimpse of his world.”
Another guest wrote simply, "Where else can you walk through the home of a President and grab a Starbucks?"
Those who rated the experience in the 4-5 star range didn't expect much going in and were pleased with what they found. "They had a very nice bar, great restrooms, a cute little souvenir shop, and an ice cream parlor."
Almost all reviews from 2016 onward mention the presidential election was one reason that drew them to the building and what made the visit exciting and interesting.
One reviewer stated "whatever you may think of the man, the building is worth visiting. It offers dining and shopping, lots of gold surfaces, and a large waterfall wall. Impressive and nothing as you've seen before."
Those who had an average experience felt that there wasn’t much to see but if you are in New York why not go to say you did?
“We waited 30 min to get a Starbucks just to say we got it at Trump Tower. We toyed around a little bit but there is nothing spectacular to see inside.”
Another comment said "We went because of a snowstorm and to say we were there. There isn't a whole lot in there but a Starbucks and a bar. Beautiful interior but not much else"
Those who gave a 1-star rating found nothing of value inside, neither the architecture nor the food.
One guest commented, “What a gaudy, tacky pile….The centerpiece is a large waterfall that stretches much of the height of the atrium. Sadly this height and mild flow give the constant sound of "slap slap slap" like a 60-decibel toilet cubicle soundtrack."
