911 Memorial and Museum
You can help honor and remember those who were lost or affected by the terrible events of September 11, 2011 with a visit to the 911 Memorial and Museum
When something as tragic occurs as the events of September 11, 2011 there is a need to remember those who lost their lives directly or by helping others. It is only fitting that the grounds of the World Trade Center became a permanent memorial and museum to this tragic day.
The Memorial itself consists of 2 square memorial fountains situated in the exact footprints of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center surrounded by a plaza landscaped with trees and, in particular, a special tree called the Survivor Tree. Each of the two fountains is surrounded by a 1/2 inch thick solid brass plate in which the names of the nearly 3000 people who lost their lives in the attacks have been not just engraved, but cut right through the thick brass so that light can pass through the letters from behind. The Survivor Tree was a callery pear tree that was rescued from the rubble, barely alive, and nursed back to health. It now stands as a symbol of hope and renewal.
Visiting the Memorial is free, however there is an admission charge to visit the museum except on Tuesday evenings when admission is free to a limited number of visitors. Please refer to the official website for more information on this before visiting the Memorial.
Visitors to the museum will enter through a pavilion that is design to resemble a partially collapsed building and then make their way down a ramp to the exhibits which are 70 feet underground. The museum will include remnants of the foundation and support columns of the World Trade Center itself along with equipment that was used in the recovery effort. It will also have a number of other artifacts related to the tragic events of that day. There are exhibits and displays to help tell the world about the many little stories that make up the larger story about this tragic event and also about the previous attack back in February of 1993.
Guided tours of the museum are available daily, but they must be pre-booked on the official website and there is an additional charge. A less expensive option is to download the free 9/11 Museum Audio Guide App for your smartphone from the AppStore or Google play.
Associated with the 9/11 Museum is the 9/11 Tribute Center located on the south side of Liberty Street just west of Greenwich Street. This is adjacent to the southeast corner of the Memorial. The 9/11 Tribute centre features a gallery and also offers guided tours of the Memorial by volunteers who where directly affected by the events of 9/11 — survivors, family members, rescue workers, recovery workers and volunteers. They share their personal insights into the horrible events and the healing process in which the Memorial serves an ongoing role. There is a modest charge for these tours. You can get all the details from their website: 9/11 Tribute Center.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: The 9/11 Memorial is free to visit. The 9/11 Memorial Museum has an admission fee, but is free to visit on Tuesday evenings from 5pm until closing. The free tickets are limited and are available starting at 4pm on a first-come first-serve basis.911 Memorial and Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, USA
Phone: (212) 312-8800
Official Website: 911 Memorial and Museum
911 Memorial and Museum Reviews
Rated out of 5
This is an extremely well done memorial and museum. There was a well done section about the attack on the Pentagon as well. Highly recommend getting tickets ahead of time. Get the audio tour for at least one person in the group. The audio clips are succinct and helpful. Much of the museum is photo free so you are not to take photos or videos in the section where you hear recorded stories from survivors and photos from the day of the attack. That is helpful to keep people moving and respectful for the victims.
There is a military discount. Buy the ticket for the military person(s) separate from the non-military and present both to the window to redeem at will-call.
Recommend planning to spend up to 3 hours. There is a nice coat check. We had lunch at One40Rooftop after the 9/11 museum and memorial and it was great to have a planned lunch with reservations so we didn’t have to arrange lunch upon exiting.
Also go across the street to see the Koenig sphere.
Deborah Storlie - 3 months ago
•Visited the National 9 11 Memorial & Museum in winter and it felt especially quiet and reflective.
•The colder season meant fewer crowds, which made the experience even more powerful.
• A deeply moving and meaningful place to visit.
BA - 3 months ago
Amazing! Very, very well done and exceptionally detailed in the day's events from so many different perspectives. It was very heavy and hard to keep dry eyes with so many stories and the plethora of tragedies that unfolded that day. The detailed timeline was so specific but very easy to follow and extremely heartfelt. I would HIGHLY recommend a visit for anyone in New York!!!
Amy Turner - 2 weeks ago
This place is truly something special on the map of New York. It’s a powerful reminder of the tragic events of 9/11 - something that didn’t just change the city, but also how we see life and travel today.
The whole experience is very emotional, almost like stepping back in time and witnessing what happened. There are so many artifacts, remains, and personal items that really show how devastating it all was. The most moving part for me was the room with photos of all the people who lost their lives.
The memorials for the firefighters and police officers who gave everything to help others were incredibly touching. Seeing things like the preserved window panel pulled from the rubble - with the glass still intact - or the dust that looks almost like snow displayed in cases… it really stays with you.
There’s also a lot of information about the long-term health effects after the attacks, and how people are still being monitored and treated even today. That part really hits you too.
It’s a very emotional and heavy visit. The silence and dim lighting inside make it even more intense and reflective. It’s not an easy place to visit, but it’s an incredibly important one - something everyone should experience at least once.
Mateusz Dwornikowski - 2 months ago
Visiting the 911 Memorial in New York City is an experience that stays with you long after you leave. From the moment you approach the site, you can feel the weight of history and the profound respect that has been put into every detail of this memorial. The twin reflecting pools, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, are absolutely stunning—immense, peaceful, and deeply moving. The sound of the cascading water creates a quiet space for reflection, allowing visitors to pause and remember the lives lost on that tragic day.
The engraved names surrounding the pools personalize the memorial in a way that is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Walking along the edges, you feel a real connection to the individuals honored here, which brings the history and human impact of September 11th into sharp focus. The landscaping, trees, and overall design create a serene and contemplative environment, making it easy to spend time absorbing the significance of the site.
What stands out most is the care and thoughtfulness that went into every aspect—from the clean, well-maintained grounds to the subtle details that show reverence for each life remembered. Whether you are a local, a tourist, or someone seeking to pay respects, the 911 Memorial offers a powerful, emotional, and humbling experience. It’s a place that encourages reflection, gratitude, and understanding. I can’t recommend it highly enough—truly a 5-star destination that honors the past with dignity, beauty, and heartfelt remembrance.
Bran - 3 months ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 | Fulton Street | 7 minutes |
| 2 or 3 | Park Place | 6 Minutes |
| E | World Trade Center | 4 minutes |
| R | Rector Street | 6 minutes |
| R | Cortlandt Street | 3 minutes |
| 1 | Rector Street | 7 minutes |
How to get to 911 Memorial and Museum by Subway
Take a A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Fulton Street: exit onto Fulton Street, go right on Church Street, and left on Vesey Street.
Take a 2 or 3 train to Park Place: exit and walk south on Church Street and turn right (west) onto Vesey Street.
Take an E train to World Trade Center: exit onto Church Street Walk south and turn right on Vesey Street.
Take a R train to Rector Street: exit and walk west 1 block on Rector Street and go right (north on Greenwich Street to the Memorial.
Take a R train to Cortlandt Street: walk west on Cortlandt street to the Memorial.
Take a 1 train to Rector Street: exit onto Greenwich Street and walk north.
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Photo Gallery
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View of the 911 Memorial from above By Cadiomals (Own work) CC-BY-SA-3.0 licensed via Wikimedia Commons -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: tinto - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Thank You (25 Millions ) views - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Janne Räkköläinen - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: www.davidbaxendale.co.uk - cc license via Flickr
