Travel bucket list idea:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

New York, United States of America (USA)

Credit Shutterstock.com/Kamil G. Polak

Last updated: 07 April, 2024

Not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, but those who wish to visit the World Trade Centre memorial at Ground Zero will find an elegant tribute to the thousands who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 and those who died in the WTC bombing in 1993. Victims’ names are carved onto ledges around the infinity pools that mark the places where the ‘Twin Towers’ stood. It’s poignant and incredibly moving.

There’s also an on-site museum that tells the story of the tragic events of that day through exhibits, media, artefacts and the harrowing personal narratives of victims and their families.

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 8+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take the R subway to Cortland Street. You don’t need tickets to wander around the memorial – it’s free and open to the public. You can download an audio guide app from the website with a 40-minute commentary about the events of 9/11, the victims of the attacks, and the design of the Memorial.

To tour the Memorial you must pre-book a pass in advance. Apply online for the free pass, which specifies the date and time of visit. A limited number of same-day passes are issued first-come-first-served at certain outlets but advance booking is best. Passes may be booked in one-hour time slots during opening hours, or you can wander around the edges at leisure.

You must however book tickets in advance on the website to visit the museum. You can also pay extra for a 60-minute, expert-led guided tour that explores the history, rebuilding, and behind-the-scenes design of the site; and recount the stories of those affected by the attacks.

The City Pass

The mobile-delivered City Pass gives you entry to 6 top New York attractions at a 40% discount: the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

When to do it

The memorial is open all year round, seven days a week. The museum is only open Thursday to Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

New York City

Viator

The 9/11 Memorial Museum in Lower Manhattan preserves the history of the attacks on the World Trade Center, and documents the significance of those events through building remnants, personal artifacts, first-person accounts and multimedia displays. With this admission ticket, take a self-guided tour of the museum's memorial exhibition and 3-part historical exhibition, which commemorates the 2,983 people who were killed, honors those who risked their lives to save others, and reflects on the courage and compassion shown in the aftermath.

Price $33

Min age 7

Rating 4.73 / 5 [5581 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket

New York City

Viator

In remembrance of the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, visit the landmarks of Ground Zero, including the National September 11 Memorial, with a guide who has a personal connection to that day. This tour offers an intimate encounter with history as you hear the stories of not just tragedy but also heroism and resilience. Upgrade for entry to the 9/11 Museum. Pre-booking guarantees your spot, and the museum is filled with artifacts to enrich your experience following our guided tour.

Price $39

Min age 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [4115 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory

New York City

Viator

This deeply personal tour of Ground Zero begins at the site of what served as a rescue center for victims and place for mementos after the attacks: St. Paul's Chapel. The historic church was miraculously unharmed when the Twin Towers fell. You'll then walk to the 9/11 Memorial where we'll reflect on the lives lost in the World Trade Center attacks. See "Reflecting Absence," the largest man-made waterfalls on the continent. Your guide will share the meaning behind the memorial, stories from the day, and how New Yorkers came together in the aftermath. Afterward, visit the 9/11 Museum with your skip-the-line ticket for a self-guided tour of the exhibits and artifacts. Next, walk over to Freedom Tower, and in the lobby, you can watch "Voices," a film about the Twin Towers and Freedom Tower, before riding the SkyPod elevator 1,250 feet up. Visit the tri-level One World Observatory for panoramic views of NYC, immersive LED displays, and the See Forever Theater.

Price $114

Min age 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [3530 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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4.5-Hour City Tour: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street

New York City

Viator

Spend your morning discovering the heart of Manhattan with a local to show you its biggest sights, from the skyscrapers of Wall Street to the pools and engraved names at the 9/11 Memorial. Start with the Financial District to get fascinating insight into the history of finance, politics, and power in NYC (and the world) as you walk by famous sights like Federal Hall and Trinity Church. Then head to the 9/11 Memorial, where you'll discover the impact of this day on the city and the world as you pause for a moment of reflection at the country's largest man-made waterfalls. We'll walk part of the Canyon of Heroes, visit many more beloved landmarks, and even glimpse the Statue of Liberty from across the bay. Then board the ferry to see the statue up close. You can tour the Statue of Liberty Museum and even continue on to Ellis Island if you wish. Return at your leisure.

Price $59

Min age 4

Rating 4.70 / 5 [1821 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory

New York City

Viator

This moving and evocative tour of Ground Zero begins at the site of what served as a rescue center for victims and place for mementos after the attacks: St. Paul's Chapel. This historic church was miraculously unharmed when the Twin Towers fell despite being only a block away. You'll then walk to the 9/11 Memorial where we'll reflect on the lives lost in the World Trade Center attacks. See "Reflecting Absence," the largest artificial waterfalls on the continent. Your guide will share the meaning behind the memorial, stories from the day, and how New Yorkers came together in the aftermath. From there, begin a self-guided tour in the lobby of the Freedom Tower by watching "Voices," a film dedicated to the men and women of the Twin Towers and Freedom Tower. Upgrade your experience to take the "Sky Pod" elevator 1,250 feet up to the One World Observatory, where you can see the NYC skyline stretching across Manhattan.

Price $39

Min age 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [593 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

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