Visitor's Guide To The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Since the events of 9/11, many have made their way to Ground Zero for the opportunity to honor those who fell on this day in America’s history and see displays and exhibits showing details from this tragic event. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum houses artifacts, photos and stories related to the attacks of 9/11, as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Contact And Ticket Information
National September 11 Memorial and Museum
180 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
(212) 266-5211
911memorial.org/museum
At the time of publication, admission prices to the Memorial and Museum are:
- Adults: $24
- Seniors (65+), U.S. Veterans, U.S. College Students: $18
- Youths (7-17): $15
- Children under 6: Free
- Museum Members: Free with a valid membership
Special consideration group prices and free admission is available for members of the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, 9/11 Family Members and Rescue and Recovery Workers. Free admission is also offered to active and retired U.S. military with a valid ID. Free admission is offered on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with advanced ticket purchases, which are available at 4 p.m. the same day.
Current hours of the museum are Sundays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. (last entry is at 6 p.m.), and on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. (last entry is at 7 p.m.)
Exhibits
Everything from photographs to short videos to newspaper clippings and artifacts are housed in the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The reflecting pools are set in the footprints of the North and South Towers, and both include massive fountains and cascading waterfalls. The names of those who were lost on 9/11 are inscribed around the edges of the pools.
Other exhibits at the September 11th Memorial and Museum include:
- The Survivor Tree: This eight-foot Callery Pear tree was found in the rubble and nursed back to health, then replanted in the plaza.
- The Tridents: These are means that were salvaged from the wreckage of the fallen towers and were named after the tree-pronged tops.
- Historical Exhibition: Showcases the events of 9/11, what happened before the attacks and what happened after.
- Memorial Exhibition: This is a corridor of close to 3,000 photographs of those who died during the attacks.
- Foundation Hall: This is the original wall that survived the attacks of 9/11.
- Beyond Ground Zero: This features photographs taken by Jonathan C. Hyman showing memorials that were set up in the days following the attacks.
Tours
Guests visiting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum can either take one of the guided tours or explore the museum on their own. Available guided tours include:
- World Trade Center Tour
- 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge Tour
- Lower Manhattan Tour
- All-In-One Downtown Manhattan
- Lower Manhattan, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown
- 911 Memorial Museum Staff Tours
- Combo tours, including a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, are also available
The 9/11 Memorial Museum Store
At 20 Vasey Street you will find the 9/11 Memorial Museum Store. Admission to the museum is not needed to shop at the gift shop. The 9/11 Memorial Museum Store is open daily from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Freedom Tower
As of 2014, One World Trade Center, also called the “Freedom Tower,” was the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, reaching 1,776 feet high. Admission to the observation deck is $32 for adults and $26 for children (ages 6-12 year old). Seniors (65+) tickets are $30 each.
Neighboring Sites
There are several other sites in the vicinity near the National September 11 Memorial and Museum that showcase the events of 9/11 and other historic events. Nearby sites include St. Paul’s Chapel, New York City Fire Museum, New York City Police Museum and The 9/11 Tribute Center.
Visitor Tips
Here are some tips to help plan your upcoming visit to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum:
- Pre-purchase tickets online before visiting
- Print maps of any places you want to go and locations of memorials you want to see
- Allow plenty of time to explore, approximately 1.5 to two hours to see everything
- Have a photo ID ready before going through security screening
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum showcases a day in our country’s history that we have promised to never forget. This event made such a huge impact on not only Americans, but on all those around the world who suffered a loss on this tragic day. The Memorial and Museum pays tribute to those who died and shows artifacts and tells stories of survival and how our nation came together to help those in need. Take time to explore this museum and other area memorials the next time you are in New York City.
Heather Landon (Heather Leigh Carroll) is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has combined two of her passions - writing and travel - to share her experiences with others. You can read more of her articles at Examiner.com.
