A visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is an inspiring and moving experience that no visitor to New York should miss. Consisting of two sunken pools where the Twin Towers once stood, the memorial bears the names of the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The underground museum tells the story of the attacks through thousands of artifacts and video footage showing the impact these horrific events have had on society. The focus is very much on education through the exhibitions on display.
Ten years after the attacks, on September 11, 2011, the memorial was opened. The site welcomes thousands of visitors and relatives every day who come to commemorate their loved ones. The 9/11 Museum opened its doors in 2014 and is located below the Memorial Plaza. It occupies the level of the foundations of the former World Trade Center.
Four hundred oak trees have been planted in the area around the memorial, providing a peaceful atmosphere, far from the din of the city. Among these trees you will also find the Survivor Tree - a tree that remarkably withstood the attack and is still blooming more than twenty years later.
Things to know before you go
• The 9/11 Memorial is free to enter
• Guide dogs are allowed in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is fully wheelchair accessible
• Upon entering the museum there is a security check for all visitors and their belongings
• Alcoholic drinks, food and drinks, glass bottles, scooters, animals – with the exception of guide dogs – weapons and luggage larger than 48 x 43 x 20 cm are not allowed
• Remember, it’s a place of remembrance, so be respectful
• Taking pictures for non-commercial use is allowed
Opening hours of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The memorial is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00. The museum is open six days a week, Wednesday through Monday, from 10:00 to 19:00. Last admission is 90 minutes before closing.
How to get there
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is located at 180 Greenwich St. in Lower Manhattan. The museum has only one entrance, while the memorial has multiple entry points.
There are several subway options:
• WTC Cortlandt Station (line 1): a one-minute walk away
• Fulton Street Station (lines A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 5): a four-minute walk
• Chambers Street Station (lines 1, 2, 3): an eight-minute walk
• Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall Station (lines 4, 5, 6): a 12-minute walk
Wheelchair users can be dropped off at the Pick-up/Drop-off point at the intersection of Liberty Street and Trinity Palace.
