National September 11 Memorial & Museum

National September 11 Memorial & Museum


At the scene of New York’s greatest modern tragedy, the 9/11 Memorial celebrates the strength and resilience of the American spirit.

On 9th September 2001, the international community watched in horror as terrorists turned commercial planes into weapons and used them to attack the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. In New York, however, people pulled together to remove the rubble, rescue survivors and rebuild the city.

Ground Zero – the patch of ground where the World Trade Center once stood – remained as a scar in the fabric of Manhattan, a permanent reminder of the lives lost when the Twin Towers collapsed. Reconstruction is now underway, with plans to create a space which will honour the rescuers and remember the victims.

In 2011, Memorial Plaza was opened to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It is a quiet but uplifting place planted with 400 trees, remembering both the victims and the heroes of that day. Two pools have been created in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with the names of the 2,977 victims engraved on their edges. Take a moment to reflect as you watch the waterfalls constantly repeating their cycle of loss and renewal.

One of many remarkable stories is that of the Survivor Tree, which was found buried beneath the wreckage. Although severely damaged by the flames, the pear tree managed to survive and regrow – a living illustration of renewal.

Beneath Memorial Plaza sits an underground exhibit, designed to look like a portion of one of the towers. Known as the 9/11 museum, it houses artefacts from the hours and days following the attacks. Work is still on-going, so expect the site to keep evolving. Seven more buildings are planned, amongst them the Freedom Tower which will stand proud as the third tallest building in the world.

Both the Plaza and Museum can be reached by public transport, with numerous bus and subway stops nearby. Please remember that the site is dedicated to quite reflection and act respectfully during your visit.

Reviews of National September 11 Memorial & Museum

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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4/5 - Good

Lauren

This is quite disorganised. You have to queue in one to exchange passes for tickets/purchase tickets. if you need to purchase tickets use the self service pods around the external building so you don't have to queue. Once you have your tickets you then have to join another queue to be admitted to the museum. Plan plenty of time we got there for 9am and didn't get in until 12pm. Once inside the museum is very moving with tributes to all those who lost their lives and quite emotional and unbelievable looking at the artifacts salvaged from the disaster. The audio guide is an extra charge once inside which you need to queue for.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A fabulous place that is peaceful and reflective, great to spend time just watching the world go by while remembering those that lost their lives, the memorial waterfall is simple but stunning.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We got to the memorial pools at 06:30am, incredibly moving and so peaceful with no one else around, very special being there just as the world was waking up. Too early for museum though which we did the next day.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Go to the museum it's a must do, can be used in conjunction with the NYC pass

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Moving and inspiring memorial. Not at all overdone or mawkish. Leave 3-4 hours to see everything. Younger kids, say under 12, probably wouldn’t really engage with displays or understand what it’s about.

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