9-11 Memorial and Museum

NYC Insider Guide | Blog | NYC Neighborhoods | NYC Tribeca | 9-11 Memorial and Museum

The Ground Zero Memorial and Museum are officially called the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Visiting Ground Zero will likely be difficult for most, if not all, of us, but this incredible tribute to the thousands of heroes lost on and involved in 9/11/01 is a must-do for anyone visiting NYC.

The 9/11 Memorial opened on September 11, 2011 and the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened May 2014. Here is the Insider Guide to visiting the 9-11 Memorial, World Trade Center Tribute Center, 9-11 Museum and new World Trade Centers.

9/11 Memorial

Visiting the Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial

Visitor passes are no longer required as of May 2014.

9/11 Memorial – NYC Insider Tips

As of May 2014, the 9-11 Memorial no longer requires a visitor pass or reservation. More: 911memorial.org
If you are visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum, a ticket is required.
Print your maps in advance telling you the location of names (first responders, flight victims, WTC workers, etc).
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a complete visit.
Be prepared to show your identification and go through a security screening.
Plan to spend at least an hour at the Memorial. Even if you’re not a "typical tourist," there is so much to absorb and process.
Consider a guided 9-11 Memorial Tour, if you are interested in a personal guided tour or want to combine a 9-11 Memorial visit with other downtown sightseeing options, such as Wall Street and the Statue of Liberty.

Visiting 9/11 Memorial and Museum Quick Facts

The 9/11 Memorial was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of 9-11 (September 11, 2011) and opened to the public on 9-12-11
The Preview Site, at 20 Vesey Street (2 blocks from the Memorial) provides visitors with information about the 9/11 Memorial, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and World Trade Center redevelopment.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum opened May 21, 2014
The New World Trade Center Towers include One World Trade Center (formerly the Freedom Tower), and WTC 2 through 7

About the 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial, dedicated on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, opened to the public on September 12, 2011. It is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex, occupies approximately half of the 16-acre site, and features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers.

Birthday Remembrance at the 9-11 Memorial

Should you see a white rose on a name at the Memorial, it likely means the 9-11 Memorial staff is honoring the birthdays of victims of the attacks of 2001 and 1993. This photo and email were received by my friend, and NYC’s Best Hand Surgeon, Dr. Daniel Polatsch, whose brother, affectionately known as LP, was a victim of 9-11.

9/11 Memorial Photo Gallery

(Roll Over Thumbnails to See Photos)


2,983 Names Are Inscribed in Bronze Along the Reflecting Pools

9-11 Memorial Downtown NYC Tours and NYC Passes

Please read the full guide to: 9-11 Memorial Tours

Boutique Downtown Hotels New York

Boutique Downtown Hotels put you right next to some of NYC’s most popular attractions: The 9-11 Memorial and Museum, Statue of Liberty, One World Observatory, Wall Street, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Charging Bull and every major subway station.

Frederick Hotel – one of NYC’s best lesser know hidden gems
Moxy NYC Downtown – 30 stories, local coffee program, arcade games, DJ and a basketball court
The Artezen Hotel – high-tech suites, yoga & fitness center + HIDE, a swanky, two-story sky lounge (photo)

See More: Boutique Downtown Hotels New York

More Downtown Hotels: Tribeca/Battery Park and Financial District/ Wall St

The 9/11 Memorial Museum (May 2014)

Please see: 9/11 Memorial Museum

The 9/11 Tribute Museum

Tribute WTC Visitor Center offers visitors guided walking tours, exhibits and programs. Their focus is “Person to Person History,” linking visitors who want to understand and appreciate these historic events with those who experienced them.

Daily walking tours are conducted along the World Trade Center site, led by people whose lives were profoundly changed by September 11th. Each tour is unique and connects those who want to hear stories with those who want to share them.

Tribute WTC Visitor Center Details:

$22 adults, $17 students, children under 12 free. Included with most New York Attractions Passes.

911tributemuseum.org

Tours begin at 120 Liberty Street (between Church & Greenwich) and last approximately 1 hour and fifteen minutes. Tickets for the tours can be purchased at the door of Tribute Center on the day of the tour. Prices include Admission to the 9-11 Tribute Center, and a Guided Walking Tour of the 9-11 Memorial.

Hours: Mon & Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues 12-6 p.m.; Sun 12-5 p.m.

*The content of these tours may be graphic and is not suggested for children under 10 years old.

Directions to the 9-11 Memorial and WTC

Subway

A, C, 1, 2, 3 to Chambers Street
A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 trains to Fulton Street
2 or 3 trains to Park Place
E train to World Trade Center
R to Cortland Street or Rector St
1 to Rector St

Bus: Take the M5 or M20

NY-NJ PATH: Take the Newark-World Trade Center or Hoboken-World Trade Center lines to the World Trade Center station.

Various operators provide ferry service to the World Financial Center ferry terminal, Battery Park, Pier 11, and the South Street Seaport.

The hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses also stop just a few blocks away from the Ground Zero Memorial. More on getting to the Financial District.

About the New World Trade Center Towers

The New World Trade Center Towers will include World Trade Centers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

View from One World Trade Center, 88th Floor (May 2012)

One World Observatory, located on the 100-102 floors of the new World Trade Center will open to the public on May 29, 2015. The experience includes unparalleled panoramic views from atop the tallest building in the United States, educational movies, history and dining options. More Info: One World Observatory NYC

9-11 Museum Store

The 9-11 Museum store, formerly the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, at 20 Vesey St., offers keepsakes and mementoes for sale. All net proceeds are dedicated to developing and sustaining the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Anniversary of 9-11-01 Special Events

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of various tributes, concerts, memorials, fundraisers, exhibitions and more taking place throughout September, and especially on the 13 year anniversary of 9-11. More Info: 9-11 Anniversary Events NYC

9-11 Memorial More Info

Address: 80 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10006
9/11 Memorial Museum
9-11 Memorial Tours
Nearby: Wall Street, Financial District, One World Observatory NYC, Statue of Liberty, Battery Park City, City Hall, South Street Seaport

Most Popular Ticketed Tourist Attractions

Tourist Attractions Empire State Building

Sightsee from the Sky

Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or Summit? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.

Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) All glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building