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
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is an incredibly powerful and emotional place. The memorial pools are beautiful and deeply moving, creating a space that feels peaceful and respectful. The museum itself is very well organized and tells the story in a thoughtful and impactful way. It’s not an easy visit emotionally, but it’s an important one. Definitely a meaningful experience that I would recommend to anyone visiting New York City.
Nicolas Lopes - a week ago
Very well kept, several guards on the site and it's so sad remembering those days while reading through the name of all the victims. A solemn and beautiful memorial. The museum is also very well done and engaging in how the story is presented. You can see fragments of the original foundation of the twin towers and understand more about the architecture and the history of the buildings. While the exposition of those days, the memories of the victims and their loved ones are very touching.
Andreea Olariu - 2 weeks ago
Visiting the 9/11 National Memorial & Museum was a deeply moving experience. The memorial pools are quiet and powerful — standing there, you naturally slow down and reflect. The sound of the water, the scale of the space, and the names engraved around the pools create a sense of respect and remembrance that’s hard to describe.
The museum itself is emotional but very thoughtfully designed. The exhibits tell the story in a factual, human way without feeling overwhelming or sensational. Some moments are heavy, but they’re important to see and understand.
I’d strongly recommend visiting at least once if you’re in New York. Give yourself enough time, and go in with the right mindset — this is not a tourist stop, but a place to remember and reflect.
Amos Chen - 3 weeks ago
This place is amazing! The film created for the museum is touching and thought evoking. It provides a better understanding of how complex these situations really are. Thank you to our armed services who put their lives on the line daily. You are our heroes!
Eva Suriani - 3 weeks ago
This is a very well done museum that is designed to immerse you in the feeling of what it was like that day. There are tons of artifacts, so many exhibits to walk through, and an almost exhaustive amount of details to read about the people who lost their lives, those who survived, the aftermath of it all, and the items that were preserved. I did a self guided tour at my own pace. It will take you a couple or so hours if you stop to look at everything, and it is well worth the time. Please be respectful and don’t sneak pictures inside of the historical exhibit, as I saw a few people do when I visited. It is a quiet and reflective atmosphere that should be treated as such. The memorial pools outside of the museum feel somber but are beautifully done.
Nicole Hancock - 2 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: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Braiu - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: tinto - cc license via Flickr
