Best Time To Visit 9/11 Museum
The best time to visit the 9/11 Museum is as soon as it opens at between 9 am. Till 11 am, the Museum doesnt get crowded.
Irrespective of the season or day, most tourists line up to enter the Museum between noon and 3 pm.
If you cant make it in the morning, we recommend a visit anytime after 5 pm.
If you want to avoid the crowd, one of the best ways is to buy 9/11 Museum tickets online.
You can then skip the long lines at the ticketing counter and enter the Museum right away.
Some tourists prefer to skip the Museum because it requires an entry ticket.
However, most tourists end up visiting the 9/11 Memorial.
The time you will take to tour the 11 September monument depends on what you decide to explore.
/11 Memorial + 9/11 Museum + Observatory
If you are a bunch of adults, or if your kids are old enough to manage around five hours of exploration, we highly recommend this combo.
During the guided tour, you pay your respects to the fallen heroes of the terrorist attack at the 9/11 Memorial.
Then you skip the lines to enter the 11 September Museum and explore yourself.
During the last leg, you visit One World Observatory, the highest observation deck in the world, in Freedom Tower.
Ticket price
Adult ticket : $109Kids ticket : $99Infant ticket : Free entry
Tip: If you are on a budget holiday but want to see all three attractions in the complex, we suggest you purchase the standard Memorial and Museum ticket and get the One World Observatory ticket separately. You will save approximately $40 for every adult.
How Best To Tour The 9/11 Memorial Museum
Here’s how to see the museum no matter how much time you have.
& #151 — Today marks the 13th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and it’s the first 9/11 that New York’s . It has quickly become one of the city’s top tourist attractions, although it’s not without its controversy.
But if a visit to the museum is in a visitor’s plans, what’s the best way to see it? How much time does a person need to see it in its entirety? The collection includes 23,000 images, over 500 hours of video and 10,300 artifacts in a gallery that is over 110,000 square feet. NewYork.com is one of only two companies authorized to sell tickets to the museum, and has shared the following itineraries for visitors no matter how much time they have.
The September 11 Museum in 30 Minutes, One Hour and Two Hours
30 Minutes
One Hour
Note that you probably will not have time to check out the September 11, 2001 exhibit, which is separated from the rest of the museum. It isnt a must-see exhibit if you are able to visit the rest of the museum.
Two Hours
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Guided Tour Of Memorial + One World Observatory
Some parents may not want to take their kids younger than ten years to the 9/11 Museum because a certain maturity and understanding are needed to comprehend the events of 11 September.
If you are in New York with young kids, this tour is suitable because you only explore Ground Zero, the Memorial, and the One World Observatory.
Ticket price
Adult ticket : $69Youth ticket : $59Infant ticket : Free entry
The National September 11th Memorial Museum
Unlike the 911 Memorial, you must purchase tickets to enter the Museum.
Through interactive technology, archives, narratives, and a collection of artifacts, the Museum recounts the events of 9/11.
To see a preview of what your visit will be like, here is a virtual tour of the museum.
Hours: Daily from 9 am to 8 pm. The last entry time is at 7 pm.
Tickets: Tickets are “timed-entry” meaning you must select a specific date and time when you make your purchase. Tickets can be purchased up to three months in advance.
You can purchase tickets by clicking here.
Several tour companies combine a walking tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero with tickets to the 9/11 Museum. Learn more.
TIP: Admission to the museum is included for free with the purchase of either the New York Pass, the Explorer Pass or the CityPass booklet. Read our post comparing the different tourist attractions passes in NYC.
Prices:
- $20 | Young Adult
- $18 | U.S. Veterans
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Tours Of The 9/11 Memorial
There are several options for guided tours and some include admission to the National September 11th Museum and/or One World Observatory as well.
Even if you cant manage to book a trip with us, there are quite a few affordable options out there, including our anytime audio tour.
Every 9/11 Memorial tour on this list is highly rated and well-received by guests. Most tours are offered daily.
Although these excursions typically include some sensitive historical information, some families really enjoy the experience of visiting this important monument of American history.
Below is a handy calendar of tour availability.
Is The Museum Suitable For Children
Very young children will probably be fine, 4 and underish. They are unlikely to fully appreciate what is going on and your bigger issue would be boredom. There isnt a lot to keep younger kids interested. Older children who are a bit more aware can be more of an issue.
The events of the day were very horrific and it can be hard for children to get their heads around. But the most upsetting exhibits are separate and warnings are given . We feel a lot of children will be ok and it is more the parents who will suffer from difficult questions. But all children are different and we are sure there are some who would find this a very distressing experience.
We think most parents are the best judge of this. You will have seen how your kids react to upsetting things in the past. Be advised the experience IS very emotionally charged. It is a somber and intense mood in the Museum and you cant hide from what you are experiencing. If your child is likely to react negatively to that sort of thing it may be best to wait until they are older
Children who are in their teens should be fine. Assuming they are not too easily upset. We think as kids get older its important to educate them on these sorts of things and as such, the trip would be very beneficial. They might get upset at times but that is not necessarily a bad thing, we see many adults getting upset, it is a pretty upsetting experience.
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Guided Statue Of Liberty And 9
Statue of Liberty, Wall Street and 9-11 Memorial Tour Small group guided tour through the Financial District on foot. See 9-11 Memorial as well as some of Lower Manhattans most famous historical landmarks including Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall National monument, the new World Trade Center and the famous statue of the Charging Bull.
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Guided Tours Led By New Yorkers With Personal Connections To The Events Of 9/11
When the planes hit the Twin Towers on September 11th, the world watched as one of the most recognizable symbols of power and freedom fell. From the smell of fire to the sound of sirens, New Yorkers witnessed firsthand the events of that day. Even now, they can recall the moments of tragedy and heroism that tested and ultimately strengthened our city.
Walk with us as we explore Ground Zero. Hear firsthand accounts from guides who remember 9/11. Learn about the new World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Take a moment to honor the lives lost and to see and celebrate New York Citys resilience.
Guided 9/11 Memorial Tour With Reserved 9/11 Museum Tickets
Live commentary in English. Live Commentary in English.
- Guided tour of the 9/11 Memorial
- What’s included Admission to the 9/11 Museum with reserved timed-entry tickets
- What’s included Live tour commentary in the language booked
- What’s excluded
- Children 2 and younger are complimentary.
- Small-group experience with a maximum 20 people per group.
- This activity operates in most weather conditions.
- The activity is wheelchair accessible.
- Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Walks complies with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to New York government guidelines for the most up to date information
What you can expect
Where the twin towers fell during the devastating events of 9/11, a moving memorial and powerful museum now stand in tribute to the victims, survivors, and heroes of the 2001 attacks. Explore them both with an expert guide to gain insight into a national tragedy whose impact is still felt today.
Meet your guide at St. Paul’s Chapel. The oldest surviving church in Manhattan, St. Paul’s sits just opposite the World Trade Center site, and served as a place of refuge for volunteer workers in the days and months after 9/11.
Cleaning and safety practices
- Vehicles and venues kept vacant between travelers
Social distancing
- Social distancing measures in place
Safety measures
- Personal protective equipment worn by staff
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/11 Museum & Memorial Tickets
This is the cheapest and the most popular 9/11 Museum ticket.
You get to see everything in the 9/11 Museum and also get to explore the Memorial.
While booking the ticket, you must opt for a time slot.
Ticket price
Adult ticket : $28Kids ticket : $17Youth ticket : $22Senior ticket : $22Infant ticket : Free entry
The guided tour of the 9/11 Museum & Memorial offers a comprehensive experience, and if you can afford it, we highly recommend it.
Considering the nature of this tourist attraction, a local New York guide can provide a personal feel to your tour.
The experience starts with a 90-minute guided walking tour of Ground Zero, including the 9/11 Memorial.
Later, you use the exclusive skip-the-line entry to get to the 9/11 Museum and explore it on your own.
Ticket price
Adult ticket : $69Kids ticket : $59Infant ticket : Free entry
/11 Tribute Museum Tickets
The 9/11 Tribute Museum aims to help visitors understand the events surrounding the USAs largest emergency response and recovery effort.
Visitors can see personals stories of the victims displayed at the exhibitions.
The operating hours are from 10 am to 6 pm. The last entry takes place 30 minutes before closing.
You will need around 45 minutes to explore this Museum.
The Tribute Museum is 500 meters from the 9/11 Memorial.
The 9/11 Tribute Museum tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students with valid IDs, and $5 for children below three years.
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How Much Time Do You Need
Although a quick trip can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes, some guests may want to set aside a little more time to experience the memorial.
There are also several additional monuments nearby that are directly related to the events of 9/11, so you may want to ensure that you have at least 1 hour to see everything.
This is the exact time it will take you to complete our audio walking tour of the memorial and surrounding area.
The 9/11 Museum is located right between the two monuments and you will require tickets for entry.
This location includes several exhibits covering the history before, during, and after the events of September 11th.
For more information, make sure to read our post about visiting the 9/11 Museum.
If you want to take things a step further, you should also consider visiting One World Trade Center.
Located right across the street from the 9/11 Memorial, this is one of the tallest buildings in the world and it has observation decks providing some of the best views in New York City.
Read our post about the Freedom Tower for more details.
Anyone who is considering a trip to the memorial, the museum, and the One World Observatory should set aside at least 5-6 hours for the entire trip.
Youll also want to purchase tickets in advance to make sure that you can get in when you want and avoid having to wait in line.
If youre planning on spending the day in this area, consider dropping into Brookfield Place to grab a bite to eat.
One World Trade Center And Other Wtc Buildings
One World Trade Center, nicknamed the Freedom Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere and, as of 2016, is the 6th tallest in the world.
Its no coincidence that its height is 1,776 feet.
That number has great significance in American history as it was the year America declared its independence from Great Britain.
The Observatory on the 100th and 101st floors is open and is quite an amazing experience. For information on visiting click on this link: One World Observatory .
Floors 1-19 is the base of the building with a 65-foot-high public lobby.
Rented office space begins on the 20th Floor and continues to the 64th Floor.
On Floor 65 is a sky lobby and then office floors resume on Floor 65 to Floor 90. Floors 9199 and 103104 are mechanical floors.
2 World Trade Center is – after 15 years – still not complete due to many delays in design. The currently agreed upon design is a 90-story tower standing 1,270 feet tall encompassing 2.8 million square feet.
3 World Trade Center is near completion and will be 80 stories tall rising to 1,079 feet.
The completed and opened 4 World Trade Center is a light, ephemeral vision, facing directly onto the World Trade Center Memorial Plaza.
Rising 977 feet, by Maki and Associates, the 72-story tower is intended to assume a quiet but dignified presence at the site.
7 World Trade Center was completed in 2006 and was the first tower rebuilt after the attacks.
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When You Have Not Bought Tickets In Advance
If you havent already purchased 9/11 Museum tickets online, you must line up at the ticket counter.
Depending on the day and day of the week, this waiting time can go up to 45 minutes.
There will be a sign mentioning the next time slot for which tickets are available for purchase at the ticket counter.
This information will help you decide if you want to stand in the ticketing line or not because you may not always get the tickets for the immediate next time slot.
For instance, if you reached the ticketing line at 2 pm and the next available time slot is 4 pm, you will be given a ticket with 4 pm mentioned on it.
So even though you may have your tickets by 2.30 pm, you can enter the Museum only at 4 pm.
The Fdny Memorial Wall
Located on Greenwich Street at the corner of Liberty Street, just southeast of the 9/11 Memorial hangs the FDNY Memorial Wall by artist Joe Petrovics.
This 7000 pound bronze wall is attached to the wall of Engine and Ladder Company 10, the local fire station.
It is a memorial to the 343 active NYC firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001 + 1 local attorney who was a volunteer firefighter outside of the city.
The 56-foot long bas-relief sculpture depicts the World Trade Center towers in flames and scenes of firefighters executing their duties.
For more information on the memorial, please visit .
Listen to firefighter Lt. Mickey Kross tell his story of surviving the tower collapse .
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Memorial And Museum Explained
There is some confusion as to what exactly the 9/11 Museum and Memorial actually is. This stems from the fact it is actually two separate attractions that are run by the same people. The Memorial is on the ground level of the site of the Twin towers, Ground Zero, and consists of a pair of manmade waterfalls and a large garden/Plaza. The area is open to all and a place for quiet reflection.
The Museum is a separate attraction and is ticketed. The revenue raised goes to fund both the Memorial and the Museum which is a non-profit organization.
Swamp White Oaks And The Survivor Tree
Throughout the memorial are several hundred swamp white oak trees, which, according to the 911 Memorial website, were chosen for their durability as well as their variety of heights and leaf colors.
However, there is one particular tree that stands out. Among the rubble of the fallen towers, an 8 foot Callery pear tree was found alive, but just barely.
Removed from the rubble, the tree was nursed back to health and replanted in the plaza. It has since flourished and has grown to 30 feet in height.
The tree embodies the story of survival and resilience important to the history of the World Trade Center and 9/11.
From the Survivor Tree, walk towards the glass atrium of the museum where you can view the Tridents.
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