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Travel bucket list idea:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

New York, United States of America (USA)

|www.911memorial.org|
Bucket List Experience

Credit Shutterstock.com/Kamil G. Polak

Last updated: 25 June, 2023

Not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, but those who wish to visit the World Trade Centre memorial at Ground Zero will find an elegant tribute to the thousands who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 and those who died in the WTC bombing in 1993. Victims’ names are carved onto ledges around the infinity pools that mark the places where the ‘Twin Towers’ stood. It’s poignant and incredibly moving.

There’s also an on-site museum that tells the story of the tragic events of that day through exhibits, media, artefacts and the harrowing personal narratives of victims and their families.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take the R subway to Cortland Street. You don’t need tickets to wander around the memorial – it’s free and open to the public. You can download an audio guide app from the website with a 40-minute commentary about the events of 9/11, the victims of the attacks, and the design of the Memorial.

To tour the Memorial you must pre-book a pass in advance. Apply online for the free pass, which specifies the date and time of visit. A limited number of same-day passes are issued first-come-first-served at certain outlets but advance booking is best. Passes may be booked in one-hour time slots during opening hours, or you can wander around the edges at leisure.

You must however book tickets in advance on the website to visit the museum. You can also pay extra for a 60-minute, expert-led guided tour that explores the history, rebuilding, and behind-the-scenes design of the site; and recount the stories of those affected by the attacks.

The City Pass

The mobile-delivered City Pass gives you entry to 6 top New York attractions at a 40% discount: the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

When to do it

The memorial is open all year round, seven days a week. The museum is only open Thursday to Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

New York City

9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket
The 9/11 Memorial Museum in Lower Manhattan preserves the history of the attacks on the World Trade Center, and documents the significance of those events through building remnants, personal artifacts, first-person accounts and multimedia displays. With this admission ticket, take a self-guided tour of the museum's memorial exhibition and 3-part historical exhibition, which commemorates the 2,983 people who were killed, honors those who risked their lives to save others, and reflects on the courage and compassion shown in the aftermath.

Price: $33

Min age: 7

Rating 4.71 / 5 [4651 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum

New York City

9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum
Take an in depth and meaningful visit to the 9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center area where you'll see things that you would never even think to look for on your own so your experience at the World Trade Center will be more meaningful and informative. You'll visit The 9/11 Memorial, St. Paul's Chapel, Fulton Center, Fireman's Memorial, The Oculus, Brookfield Place and more. Option 1: Walking Tour Only - 2 hours does not Include Museum Entry Option 2: Museum Add On - must be selected at booking - approx 4 hours total Includes Museum Admission

Price: $35

Min age: 4

Rating 4.73 / 5 [292 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket

New York City

9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket
Gain a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and the acts of heroism that rallied a nation on this 1.5 hour walking tour of Ground Zero. A certified guide with a personal connection to the events shares firsthand stories as you explore the site of the former World Trade Center and the National 9/11 Memorial, where you can pay tribute to the lives lost. Choose to upgrade and add on a ticket to the 9/11 Museum to see artifacts associated with that fateful day.

Price: $39

Min age: 0

Rating 4.68 / 5 [2959 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional One World Observatory Ticket

New York City

9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional One World Observatory Ticket
ExperienceFirst presents a 1.5-hour walking tour of Ground Zero and the National September 11 Memorial, led by a guide with a personal connection to the events. Gain profound insights into the tragic yet heroic stories of 9/11. Opt for a tour upgrade to include entry to the National September 11 Museum. Pre-booking guarantees your spot. This tour offers an intimate encounter with history, ensuring a moving experience. Explore Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial with ExperienceFirst. Consider the optional upgrade to delve into the exhibits at the 9/11 Museum.

Price: $39

Min age: 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [494 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Manhattan Small Group Tour: Attraction Packed w/ Wall Street and 911 Memorial

New York City

Manhattan Small Group Tour: Attraction Packed w/ Wall Street and 911 Memorial
ExperienceFirst presents a Lower Manhattan adventure: an insider’s tour of Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial. Delve into the heart of the Financial District, where skyscrapers loom, and let your local guide illuminate the captivating history of finance and banking. Then, brace yourself for a profound experience at the 9/11 Memorial. Here, the narrative of that fateful day comes alive, resonating through the city and beyond. This top-rated tour promises an insightful journey, enriched by the expertise of your guide.

Price: $39

Min age: 4

Rating 4.9 / 5 [140 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Private Tour Plus Optional 9/11 Museum Entry

New York City

9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Private Tour Plus Optional 9/11 Museum Entry
A certified guide with a personal connection to the events shares firsthand stories as you explore the site of the former World Trade Center and the National 9/11 Memorial, where you can pay tribute to the lives lost. Gain a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and the acts of heroism that rallied a nation on this 1.5-hour walking tour of Ground Zero. Upgrade and add on a ticket to the 9/11 Museum to see artifacts associated with that fateful day.

Price: $45

Min age: 6

Rating 4.93 / 5 [195 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Statue of Liberty Ticket, 9/11 Memorial and Wall Street Tour

New York City

Statue of Liberty Ticket, 9/11 Memorial and Wall Street Tour
Enjoy an in-depth experience of top three New York City attractions with this special tour, a Viator Exclusive. First, learn about the history of New York on a guided walk down Wall Street, followed by a tour of two symbols of American freedom, liberty and perseverance: the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial. After an immersive visit to the World Trade Center site with your expert guide, expedite access with reserved, timed tickets to the ferry to Liberty Island, offering sweeping views of Ellis Island, New York, New Jersey and New York Harbor. Enjoy an audio tour of Liberty and Ellis Island. Enter the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island Museum. Then, snap photos of iconic Lady Liberty from the water and admire the NYC skyline on your ferry ride back to Lower Manhattan.

Price: $59

Min age: 4

Rating 4.69 / 5 [1515 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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9/11 Memorial Tour with Skip-the-Line Museum Ticket

New York City

9/11 Memorial Tour with Skip-the-Line Museum Ticket
Visit the 9/11 Memorial on a 2-hour guided tour to learn about the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and see how New York has recovered and rebuilt. See the beautiful 9/11 Memorial Pools and the new One World Trade Center. Explore the surrounding monuments including St. Paul’s Chapel, the Fireman’s Memorial, and the Survivor’s Tree. Have free time to explore the 9/11 Museum with your ticket.

Price: $62

Min age: 0

Rating 4.65 / 5 [133 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory

New York City

All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory
This full experience of September 11th sites in Manhattan includes a 90-minute guided walking tour of Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial, entry to the 9/11 Museum and One World Observatory. As you're led by a local New Yorker guide with personal connection to the events of 9/11, hear stories of tragedy and heroism and gain a deeper understanding of the attack and aftermath. Select from two departure times when booking.

Price: $109

Min age: 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [2588 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

New York City

New York, United States of America (USA)

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The ‘city that never sleeps’ is a 24/7 thrill of soaring skyscrapers, jaw-dropping architecture, dynamic culture and world-class art, dining and performing arts scenes.

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