A Bit Of History: September 11 2011
I will hardly ever forget that Tuesday in September when, having returned home from school with my brother, we turned on the television as usual to play the video game console, but never got around to changing the channel: we were absorbed in watching the images of the Twin Towers collapsing in a cloud of black smoke, which the news repeated over and over again.
We had not long returned to Madrid after living in New York for nearly seven years, so those images came from the place we still considered home.
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you also have a story to tell about 9/11. If you weren’t in New York, you were most likely caught at home, watching the news in complete shock like me. If you lived in New York, your story will be very different, and it is precisely this story that is told at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York.
One World Trade Center: Hours Tickets And Directions
One World Trade Center remembers those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is not only the tallest building in the World Trade Center Complex but also in the nation. Its an impressive sight to view from the outside at 1,776 feet high. However, the inside is also something to see. Here, youll find the Oculus subway, Westfield Shops, and restaurants.
While here, check out One World Observatory. It sits at the top of One World Trade Center boasting city views at 102 stories high. And you can try an interactive tour and food from the restaurant and bar.
Admission fee to One World Trade Center: There is no fee to enter the World Trade Center Westfield Shops or Oculus.
Hours: Westfield Shops at the Oculus are open daily, Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Sunday hours are from 11:00 am-6:00 pm.
Admission fee to the One World Observatory: General admission starts at $38 per person.
Hours: The Observatory is currently open Thursday through Monday from 10:00 am 8:00 pm.
Directions: Get here by subway taking the 1 to WTC Cortlandt, the E to World Trade Center, or the R W to Cortlandt. One World Trade Center will be less than a 5-minute walk from the subway station.
Address: 50 Church Street, New York
What Is The Rescheduling Policy
We understand plans change. We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time for this tour. We also offer rescheduling to another date the tour is running at no extra cost if youre unable to make this tour. Please keep in mind there are no refunds available if you have already rescheduled your tour.
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How To Visit Ground Zero And 9/11 Memorial Museum In 202: Tickets Hours Tours And More
Carissa ChesanekLast Updated: September 27, 2022
Ground Zero and The National September 11 Memorial Museum are significant sites in New York Citys history. The historic landmarks honor those who died in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. But theres a lot to see and it can be confusing to decide how to plan your trip to these must-see memorials. Heres how to visit Ground Zero and 9/11 Memorial Museum, with information on tickets, hours, tours, and more
Pro Tip: Bookmark this article as a helpful guide for your visit to Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial Museum. You can also use our helpful guide for planning your trip to New York City to see the best sites and eat tasty food.
The Stories Beyond The Memorial
Visitors far and wide have come to see the memorial that rests where two towers once reached great heights. Beyond the memorial itself, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum holds unique memorabilia and artifacts that tell the story of those individuals who lost their lives on that somber day.
Though many of the exhibits within the museum bring about a sense of grief, there are also stories that remind the world of the power tragedy holds in bringing people closer together. The beautiful commemoration to these unique individuals allows visitors to put a story and a photograph to the names. Through each artifact and seemingly ordinary object, you’ll uncover the intimate details that make each item so important in relation to the events that took place either at the North or South World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon, Flight 11 , Flight 175, Flight 77 and Flight 93.
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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
Back to Topof Ground Zero Memorial
Widely Regarded As An Essential Experience When Visiting New York
Skip the ticket line and enjoy guaranteed admission to the incredible 9/11 Memorial Museum with our 9/11 Memorial Museum Timed-Entry Ticket. This moving tribute of remembrance honours the nearly 3,000 people killed in the multiple terror attacks on 11 September 2001 and tells their story through first-person accounts and multi-media displays.
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/11 Memorial Museum Welcomes More Than 10 Million Visitors
More than 10 million people have visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum since it opened in May 2014, marking a major milestone for the organization.
Averaging about 9,000 visitors per day, the Museum has welcomed attendees from all 50 states and more than 170 nations who have traveled to the Museum to connect with the significance of Sept. 11, 2001, and to remember the victims of the attacks.
In just over three years, 10 million people from all over the world have visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum to pay their respects, to be inspired and to learn at the very place history happened, 9/11 Memorial & Museum President Alice M. Greenwald said. Our commitment to preserving and documenting the history of 9/11 and tracking its continuing reverberations in the world today remains firm, as does our dedication to honoring the resilience of our nation and our community.
Just 16 months ago, the museum welcomed its 5 millionth visitor. The accompanying 9/11 Memorial has had more than 33 million visitors since it opened in September 2011.
Local and tristate attendance to the museum has increased 23 percent as compared to the first two quarters of 2015 since the introduction of Our City. Our Story.
New Yorkers, our nation and the entire world recognize the importance of the history of 9/11, said 9/11 Memorial & Museum Board Chairman Michael R. Bloomberg.
Ground Zero And 9/11 Memorial Tours
All the guided in-person tours are led by New Yorkers with a connection to 9/11. There are several tours to choose from, including the 90-minute All Access Ground Zero Tour with museum and One World Observatory entry for $109 per adult. Other options include only a guided tour of Ground Zero , or a tour and entrance to either the museum or One World Observatory .
There is also the official 9/11 Memorial Audio Guide app with a 40-minute tour discussing the attacks and Memorial design. The audio guide is narrated by a New Yorker who lost a family member on 9/11.
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Ground Zero And 9/11 Memorials: What Well Cover
Ground Zero is a large area thats known as the area where the World Trade Center towers collapsed and the many months of clean up occurred. Here youll find the National September 11 Memorial Museum, the 9/11 Memorial Pools, the FDNY Memorial Wall, and the One World Trade Center where you can explore their observation deck at the top of the building. Heres what well cover in this article:
/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.
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All Your Questions About 9/11 Memorial And Museum Tickets Answered
The 9/11 Museum is open and functioning since 4th July 2020 post lock down.
The 9/11 memorial is free to visit but you have to purchase the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets online to visit the museum.
You must set aside 2 hours to see the 9/11 Museum.
You can purchase the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets online.
Yes, 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets are available online.
The museum on reopening post-Covid lock-down has announced that all tickets must be purchased in advance.
You can get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hours before the schedule.
9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets are valid for the scheduled time and date only.
Why Book 9/11 Memorial And Museum Tickets Online
- Gain direct entry to the 9/11 Museum
- Gaze at the 11,000 artefacts collected from the site
- Get personal by learning about the people as you know their names and see their faces who lost their lives on an unfortunate day
- Spend time by the pools reflection as you reflect on your thoughts about the event and the people lost.
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Facts About Ground Zero And The 9/11 Memorials
Though many tourists might be familiar with the events of September 11th, some may not know these important facts about Ground Zero and the 9/11 museum, thanks to the official 9/11 Memorial website and History.com.
- Before the Twin Towers fell they were both over 1,300 feet in height. The North Tower was 1,368 feet high while the South Tower reached 1,362 feet.
- The first plane hit the first tower at 8:45 am at approximately the 80th floor, and the second plane hit the South Tower at 9:03 am at approximately the 60th floor.
- The buildings took roughly ten seconds to collapse to the ground bringing with them about 300,000 tons of steel.
- Almost 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attacks , and 343 of those were firefighters who are also honored at the FDNY Memorial Wall.
- To create the 9/11 Memorial there was an international competition that took place In 2003. The following year, architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker were announced the winners with their design titled Reflecting Absence which featured the two pools and white oak trees we see today.
- The Memorial Pools are about the size of one acre each and took ten years to build. The National September 11 Museum opened its doors three years later and continues to be one of the most popular museums to visit in NYC.
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What To See At The 9/11 Memorial
The World Trade Center is now a park of oak trees at the center of which are the twin fountains that make up the 9/11 Memorial, where water cascades down in a waterfall. In tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the names of those who lost their lives that day are engraved on the outer edges of the fountains.
The fountains and the names of the victims are illuminated at night, giving the place a special atmosphere. If you book your tickets for the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, you can get an in-depth look at the details of what happened on that day.
If you prefer to complete your tour with an expert guide to help you contextualize everything you see, I recommend this 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Tour, which also includes optional admission to the National 9/11 Museum.
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Are There Any Combined Tickets Including 9
There are so many things to do in New York City that it serves you well to combine 9-11 Memorial & Museum tickets with other offers to save money. The two most popular combined tickets are:
- 9-11 Memorial & Museum + One World Observatory: See the site of Ground Zero and the memorial before venturing across the street to the new One World Observatory that was built to replace and honor the former towers.
- 9-11 Memorial & Museum + Statue of Liberty: After honoring the victims of 9/11, you travel over the harbor to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which greeted the first immigrants to America.
Skip The Queues When Entering The 9/11 Museum
The most convenient and economical way to access the 9/11 Museum is to purchase these tickets online and in advance.
One thing you should know before going to Ground Zero is that the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Museum are different things. The Memorial is a monument located on the foundations that used to occupy the Twin Towers, and the 9/11 Museum is a subway facility below Ground Zero that houses an exhibit about the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath.
To visit the 9/11 Museum, you only need to purchase this ticket. When booking your tickets, you will need to select a time slot in which to visit the Museum, which is usually about two and a half hours from opening time.
With the Museum’s APP, in addition to accessing interactive parts of the exhibition that you will not be able to see otherwise, you will be able to listen to a complete audio guide in Spanish so you won’t miss anything. Once you reserve your ticket, you will receive it in your email and you will only need to present it on your cell phone at the entrance and go through the security checkpoint to access the Museum.
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Connecting With The Past
The Museums ramped descent offers views into the vast cavity of the original World Trade Center complex. After 9/11, preservationists, survivors, and other advocates fought to ensure that the World Trade Center site and its archaeological remnants were saved. Typically, properties are not considered for the National Register of Historic Places until 50 years after they achieve historical significance. The World Trade Center site, however, became eligible in February 2004 after it was deemed to be exceptionally significant in the history of the United States as the location of events that immediately and profoundly influenced the lives of millions of American citizens.
One of these historic remnants, known as the Survivors Stairs, lies at the end of the ramp. On 9/11, this staircase at the edge of the elevated World Trade Center Plaza provided an unobstructed exit for people fleeing the site. After 9/11, the stairs were slated for demolition but were saved during the federal review process of the sites historic assets. As visitors arrive at the main exhibition and education level, they follow the stairs that led hundreds of survivors to safety on September 11, 2001.
$700 Million And Counting: 9/11 Museum Opens With Money Worries
The long-delayed National September 11 Memorial Museum’s grand opening marks the culmination of an emotionally charged and politically fraught journey that remains clouded by another chronic concern: money.
The museum, which descends into the bedrock below ground zero, and a street-level memorial plaza featuring a pair of waterfalls that opened to the public in 2011, together cost more than $700 million to build, a massive sum that was covered by government agencies and private donations, including $15 million from former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
But that tab did not include the annual estimated $63 million it will cost to operate the site. That is primarily why a ticket to the museum, which opens to the public May 21, will cost $24, with exceptions for victims families and those who worked in the rescue and cleanup operations. The memorial plaza is free.
Some have criticized the ticket price as prohibitively expensive, the reflection of bloated salaries and grandiose visions.
This is becoming a revenue-generating tourist attraction, said Jim Riches, a retired New York Fire Department chief whose firefighter son was killed in the World Trade Center. He donated his sons helmet to the museum, but refused to attend this weeks pre-opening ceremonies. They went way overboard, he said.
But supporters argue that the price isnt out of line of other major New York museums and tourist attractions.
At this point, the museum doesnt have many other options.
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What To Expect
If you dont purchase admission ahead of time, you may run into long lines at the ticket booth.
The best way to avoid long waits at the 9/11 museum is to pre-purchase your tickets.
Once you pass through security, you will be able to visit several different exhibits that detail the history of 9/11 and the World Trade Center.
There is so much to see and do at this museum that you might get overwhelmed without a little help.
Thankfully, there are tours that you can take which provide more information about various exhibitions and artifacts. For additional details, make sure to check our tour section.
The 9/11 Museum recommends setting aside at least 2 hours to explore the museum.
Visitors have indicated that you could spend as little as an hour at the museum if you skip certain exhibits.
But, many have also said that they spent anywhere from 2 ½ – 5 hours and still didnt manage to explore the entire building.
Each exhibition could take anywhere from 15-30 minutes or more to experience. Use our exhibit information section to plan your itinerary.
If you also plan on seeing nearby attractions such as the 9/11 Memorial or One World Observatory, make sure to set aside a little extra time for each activity.
While you can visit the memorial for free during the same general hours as the museum, you will need a ticket to enter One World Trade Center.
For more details on this and other opportunities, visit our nearby attractions section.
