Located in the area where the Twin Towers once stood, the 9/11 Memorial is the most poignant part of Ground Zero.
The 9/11 Memorial in New York City features two reflecting pools that are almost an acre in size and have the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.
The names of the 2,983 people who died in the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks are inscribed on bronze parapets that line the edges of the memorial pools.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the 9/11 Memorial.
Top 9/11 Memorial Tickets
# 9/11 Memorial tickets with Museum entry
# Guided tour of 9/11 Memorial
# Guided tour of Memorial + One World Observatory
Table of contents
- What to expect at 9/11 Memorial
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- 9/11 Memorial ticket prices
- 9/11 Memorial tickets with Museum entry
- Guided tour of 9/11 Memorial
- Guided tour of Memorial + One World Observatory
- 9/11 Memorial + 9/11 Museum + Observatory
- How to reach
- Timings
- How long does the 9/11 Memorial take
- Best time to visit
- What to see at 9/11 Memorial
- FAQs about the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
What to expect at 9/11 Memorial
Learn about the September 11th attacks when you visit the 9/11 Memorial.
See the Reflecting Absence waterfall pools, which offer a peaceful and tranquil place for contemplation amidst the bustling city noise.
The pools represent the innocent lives lost during the tragedy and feature the names of all the victims inscribed around its perimeter.
The Memorial Plaza is also surrounded by more than 400 swamp white oak trees, which are native to the three crash sites.
Additionally, you can see the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree that symbolizes resilience and perseverance.
Finally, the southwestern quadrant of the Memorial Plaza is dedicated to honoring those who have been affected by toxins in the aftermath of the attacks.
Where to book tickets
Tickets for the 9/11 Memorial are available to be purchased at the museum or online in advance.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the museum’s ticket counters.
Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.
How do online tickets work
Go to the 9/11 Memorial booking page, select your preferred date, timeslot, and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.
You don’t need to carry printouts.
Show the smartphone tickets at the gate on the day of your visit and walk into the museum.
9/11 Memorial ticket prices
Adult tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum are available for US$33 for visitors aged 18 and above.
Tickets for young adults between 13 and 17 years of age and senior citizens over 65 years can be bought for US$27.
Youth tickets for children between seven to 13 years are available for US$21.
Children under seven years of age can get free admission.
A family pass for a group of four that allows access for two adults and up to two children between 7 and 17 years can be purchased for US$25.
A family pass for a group of five that allows access for two adults and up to three children between 7 and 17 years can be purchased for US$19.
9/11 Memorial tickets with Museum entry
Book your time slot to hear first-hand accounts of 9/11 from survivors, family members, and first responders.
Enter the museum and come away, moved by the power of a nation, to unite, remember, and move on.
Gain insider knowledge on the day that changed the world with exhibits divided into the categories of Before 9/11, Day of 9/11, and After 9/11.
Discover the museum’s exhibit on 9/11, featuring over 10,000 artifacts from Ground Zero, including the remains of a fire truck and a section of the North Tower’s antenna.
The Historical Exhibition at the Museum may be overwhelming for visitors under ten years of age. Therefore, adults accompanying younger visitors must exercise discretion during the visit.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (18 to 64 years): US$33
Youth ticket (13 to 17 years): US$27
Child ticket (7 to 12 years): US$21
Senior ticket (65+ years): US$27
Infant ticket (up to 6 years): Free
Guided tour of 9/11 Memorial
Take a solemn 9/11 Memorial guided tour of Ground Zero and pay your respects to the lives lost during the infamous terror attacks in New York City.
Join the tour on a 90-minute guided walking tour of Ground Zero, followed by exclusive skip-the-line entry to the 9/11 Museum.
The ticket includes entry to the 9/11 Memorial and a two-hour self-guided visit to the museum.
Begin the tour outside of St Paul’s Chapel on Broadway, which served as a rescue center and a bulletin board for missing persons after the attacks.
Hear the heroic stories of the emergency responders at the Firefighter’s 9/11 Memorial Wall and see the Engine and Ladder Company 10/10 at Ground Zero, where first responders were dispatched from.
Visit Ground Zero to see the Reflecting Absence memorial pools, honoring the lives lost during the attacks before heading to the museum.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (13+ years): US$79
Kids ticket (6 to 12 years): US$75
Infant ticket (up to 5 years): Free
Guided tour of Memorial + One World Observatory
Some parents may not want to take their children under the age of ten to the 9/11 Museum since understanding the events of 11 September requires a certain level of maturity and understanding.
This tour is ideal for families traveling to New York with young children because it only visits Ground Zero, the Memorial, and the One World Observatory.
Once you have been guided through the emotional journey of the 9/11 Memorial, uplift your spirit and complete the experience with a visit to the reconstructed World Trade Center.
Take in the breathtaking view of the Big Apple and reignite your admiration for its indomitable spirit.
Ascend to the top of Manhattan’s skyline and gaze out over the bustling city that never sleeps from the One World Observatory.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (13+ years): US$79
Youth ticket (6 to 12 years): US$75
Infant ticket (up to 5 years): Free
9/11 Memorial + 9/11 Museum + Observatory
If you are a bunch of adults or your kids are old enough to manage around five hours of exploration, book this highly sought combo.
Pay your respects to the fallen heroes of the terrorist attack on a guided tour of Ground Zero.
Experience the 9/11 Museum with skip-the-line entry and a 2-hour self-guided tour, including an introduction.
The tour concludes on an uplifting note with a visit to the newly built One World Trade Center, the tallest skyscraper in the western hemisphere.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the iconic Manhattan skyline and spot the Statue of Liberty standing resolutely in the Hudson River.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (13+ years): US$109
Kids ticket (6 to 12 years): US$104
Infant ticket (up to 5 years): Free
Visual Story: 14 must-know tips before visiting 9/11 Memorial and Museum
How to reach
The 9/11 Memorial is located at the former World Trade Center site where the Twin Towers once stood.
Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, USA. Get Directions
You can reach the 9/11 Memorial by both public and private transportation.
By Bus
The nearest bus stop to the memorial is West St/Carlisle St.
The memorial is a short walk from there.
By Subway
Get down at the WTC Cortlandt station, which can be reached by subway line 1.
By Car
If you’re driving by car, turn on Google Maps and get started!
Choose between a host of parking options around the memorial.
Timings
The 9/11 Memorial is open to the public seven days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm.
Some tourists prefer to visit the attraction in the evening to see the memorial light up after dark.
How long does the 9/11 Memorial take
At the 9/11 Memorial, you can see everything there is to explore in 30 minutes.
However, some tourists walk around longer, contemplating the fateful day’s events.
If you want to locate the name of a friend or a relative who lost their life on 9/11, you may need more time. Find out where to look here.
If you plan to visit the 9/11 Museum to explore the various artifacts documenting the terrorist attack, you need two hours more and an entry ticket.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the 9/11 Memorial is as soon as it opens.
You will get ample time to explore the attraction as it is usually less crowded in the morning.
It’s best to avoid peak hours, such as early evenings and weekends, when the memorial is likely to be busiest.
Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends, providing a more relaxed and intimate experience.
What to see at 9/11 Memorial
There are a lot of things to see and experience in and around the 9/11 Memorial.
Once you are at the Memorial, you can use this map to navigate between the various things to see.
The twin pools and waterfalls
Two large pools with cascading waterfalls exist in the exact place where the North and South World Trade Center Towers stood before they were brought down on 11 September 2001.
Aptly titled ”Reflecting Absence,” these pools were designed by architect Michael Arad.
These are the largest human-made waterfalls in North America.
On the walls of these pools, one can find the names of those who died on 9/11.
Kiosks are available to find out a particular victim’s name, or you can also download the official Memorial app.
FDNY Memorial Wall
FDNY Memorial Wall is a tribute to the 343 active NYC firefighters who lost their lives on 11 September 2001.
Located on Greenwich Street at the corner of Liberty Street, this artwork by Joe Petrovics weighs 3200 Kg (7000 Pounds).
It is 17 meters (56 feet) long and depicts the Twin Towers engulfed in flames and firefighters trying to keep the fire down.
The Sphere
German artist Fritz Koenig designed the sphere, which represents ‘world peace through world trade.’
The original spot of this sculpture was in a plaza between the two World Trade Center towers.
On the day of the Twin Tower attacks, this sculpture found itself right in the middle of all the devastation.
Since then, it has been recovered and restored, and today, this piece of art stands as a memorial to the lives lost.
America’s Response Monument
Tourists often call this monument ‘Horse Soldier Statue.’
The official name of this monument located on the West end of Liberty Park is ‘America’s Response Monument.’
This monument celebrates Task Force Dagger of the Green Berets (US Army’s Special Forces), who were the first to enter Afghanistan to avenge the 9/11 attacks.
The Survivor Tree
On the day of the attack, from amongst the rubble of the Twin Towers, the responders pulled out one 2.5-meter (8-foot) tall Callery pear tree.
It was nursed back to health and re-planted in the Memorial Plaza, and today, it is 30 feet in height.
This special tree is yet another story of survival and resilience and stands tall among the many swamp white oak trees at the 9/11 Memorial.
Zuccotti Park
Before 11 September 2001, this Park was called Liberty Plaza Park.
After the attacks, the Park came in handy for recovery efforts.
In recent times, Zuccotti Park has been the venue for many events commemorating the 9/11 incident.
In the northwest corner, visitors can spot a sculpture called ‘Double Check,’ which survived the debris that fell when the two buildings collapsed – a metaphor for the survival spirit of the USA.
World Trade Center Cross
A few days after the Twin Towers went down, the emergency responders found a 5-meter (17 feet) tall intersecting beam that resembled a Christian cross.
Many of the recovery workers used this cross as a shrine, prayed, and left notes.
Later, this metallic cross found a place at the National 11 September Museum.
As of today, a replica of the WTC’s Cross is installed at St. Peter’s Church.
Designed by Jon Krawczyk, its polish reflects the sky, the people, and the emerging 4 World Trade Center.
St. Paul’s Chapel
Even though St. Paul’s Chapel was located right across the street from the Twin Towers, nothing happened to the Church – not even a scratch on a window.
Many feel the Sycamore tree behind the religious place took the brunt of the falling Twin Towers and saved the Church.
For the rescue workers, St. Paul’s served as a praying spot and as a place to reflect on the events.
FAQs about the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Yes, the 9/11 Memorial is open to the public and does not require a ticket for entry. Visitors are welcome to pay their respects and view the pools and names of the victims.
Yes, guided tours are available for an additional fee. Visitors can choose from a variety of tour options, including self-guided audio tours, private guided tours, and group tours.
Yes, photography is allowed at the memorial, but it must be done in a respectful manner.
Yes, it is best to purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak visitor seasons.
Yes, the 9/11 Memorial is wheelchair accessible, and visitors with disabilities can request special assistance.
Donations to the 9/11 Memorial can be made online through their website or in person at the memorial.
Sources
# 911memorial.org
# Wikipedia.org
# Wtc.com
# Newyorker.com
The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.
Popular attractions in New York
# Empire State Building
# 9/11 Memorial & Museum
# Statue of Liberty
# Metropolitan Museum of Art
# One World Observatory
# Top of the Rock
# Museum of Modern Art
# Intrepid Museum
# New York Helicopter tour
# Guggenheim Museum
# Bronx Zoo
# Central Park Zoo
# Queens Zoo
# Prospect Park Zoo
# New York Botanical Garden
# American Museum of Natural History
# Edge Hudson Yards
# Vessel Hudson Yards
# Museum of Ice Cream
# BlueMan Group New York
# New York Dinner Cruise