Distinguish the free outdoor memorial pools from the paid indoor museum. Book your tickets for timed, respectful access to the heart of history.
Ticket prices, instant and secure booking
From 31,22 €.
A moving meditation on the human spirit.
From 21,21 €.
Learn about the history of 9/11 through artifacts, photos, and interviews.
From 52,04 €.
See the historic artifacts and learn the stories of the victims.
From 77,19 €.
Pay your respects with a tour of the Ground Zero Memorial and the 9/11 Museum.
From 103,21 €.
See the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Ground Zero and the One World Observatory.
From 20,82 €.
Learn about Ground Zero and hear stories of resilience.
From 77,19 €.
Take a guided visit of Ground Zero and the One World Observatory.
Everything you need to plan your visit
PMR
Full wheelchair accessibility with dedicated elevators and ramps for the museum and park.
Family
Intense content for teens; outdoor memorial accessible with parental preparation.
Audio guide
French, English, Spanish
Current conditions and forecast to plan your visit
A place of reflection in the heart of Lower Manhattan
Honored victims
Site depth
Museum opening
1993 Bombing
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum honors the victims of the September 11 2001 attacks and the 1993 bombing. Located 9.1 meters below street level, this site clearly distinguishes between free access to the memorial park and paid access to the historical museum. The design is based on absence, creating a solemn space dedicated to collective memory.
It is crucial to understand that the outdoor memorial and the indoor museum are two distinct entities. The memorial, designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, is free to access every day. It includes the two reflecting pools located at the footprints of the Twin Towers and the forest of white trees.
In contrast, the museum requires the purchase of a ticket and prior reservation with a specific time slot. This underground space houses artifacts, photographs, and personal stories. Entry is via Liberty Street, physically separated from the upper park access to manage visitor flow.
This separation respects the sacred nature of the site while offering a structured educational experience. Visitors can choose to visit only the free park or combine both experiences. Plan your World Trade Center itinerary accordingly to optimize your time.
The 'Reflecting Absence' design selected in 2004 emphasizes the empty space left by the towers. The names of the 2977 victims are engraved around the pools according to significant adjacencies. This layout groups those who were together during the attacks, fostering a deep emotional connection among families.
Among the notable elements, the Survivor Tree symbolizes resilience. This white oak survived the rubble and was replanted in 2010 near the south entrance. Its presence offers a powerful visual landmark, often photographed early in the morning to avoid the dense crowds that usually surround it.
The site's depth, located 30 feet underground, respects Daniel Libeskind's original plan. This physical immersion enhances the sense of contemplation and separation from the surrounding urban tumult. Every architectural detail aims to guide the visitor toward silent and respectful reflection.
Security checks at the museum are strict and similar to those at an airport. It is imperative to arrive 30 minutes before your time slot to pass through filters without stress. Large bags are prohibited, and metal objects must be removed. Allow extra time for this essential step.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays and September 11 for commemorative reasons. Hours vary by season, but access generally ends at 5:30 PM. Always check opening conditions before booking, as unexpected closures may occur for private ceremonies or technical reasons. Online ticketing is recommended to guarantee entry.
For families, the intense content of the museum is recommended more for teenagers. The outdoor memorial is accessible to children but requires preparation to explain the context. Multi-language audio guides enrich the visit and allow you to personalize the pace of discovery according to needs.
Free outdoor memorial & Paid indoor museum
Insider tips
Security checks are rigorous and similar to those at international airports, requiring additional time. You must arrive 30 minutes before your strict time slot to avoid any potential delays that could lead to the cancellation of your paid museum visit.
Tickets sell out extremely quickly, especially for weekends and busy summer school periods. Ideally, book several months in advance via the official website to guarantee your spot and choose the time slot that perfectly fits your daily schedule.
The visit involves a lot of walking around the vast outdoor pools and then descending stairs to the underground museum. Absolutely wear comfortable shoes suitable for prolonged walking to avoid physical discomfort during these hours of intense emotional immersion.
This iconic tree is often surrounded by a dense crowd all day, making isolated photos difficult. Go there early in the morning right at opening to capture this symbol of resilience without visual obstacles or people interfering with your perfect photographic framing.
Available in nine different languages including ASL, the audio guide significantly enriches the understanding of complex historical exhibitions. Rent it systematically to benefit from expert commentary contextualizing each artifact presented in the dark and immersive rooms of the museum.
The museum's content is particularly intense with shocking images and direct moving testimonies. Clearly explain the historical context before the visit to help young minds better understand and assimilate these brutal realities without immediate unnecessary trauma.
The outdoor park is generally less crowded very early in the morning before the massive influx of tourists at noon. Start your day with this free memorial to enjoy a serene atmosphere conducive to personal meditation before heading down to the more crowded museum.
The site closes completely for the annual official commemorative ceremony of the major terrorist attacks. Definitely book another date if you wish to visit the museum, as no entry is possible on that day despite any possible workarounds.
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View tickets on TiqetsLittle-known anecdotes
Architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker won the competition in 2004 thanks to a bold design based on absence rather than the physical presence of the towers. Their creation uses two reflecting pools located exactly where the Twin Towers stood, inviting silent contemplation.
The names of the 2977 victims are arranged according to 'meaningful adjacencies' to group those who were together during the attacks or shared strong family ties. This meticulous layout allows families to find their loved ones geographically around the perimeter of the commemorative pools.
The memorial is located 9.1 meters below street level. However, contrary to popular belief, the winning design was the only finalist to ignore Daniel Libeskind's requirement that buildings should overlook the footprints of the towers.
The museum opened its doors to the general public six days after its official consecration by Barack Obama in May 2014. Note that it was the Memorial (and not the museum) that opened on the tenth anniversary of the attacks in September 2011.
The memorial also honors the six deaths from the World Trade Center bombing that occurred on February 6, 1993, well before the tragedies of September 2001. This inclusion reminds us that the site had already been touched by terrorist violence previously, adding an extra layer of historical significance to this place of memory.
Around the pools, a forest of swamp white oaks has been planted to create a soothing natural setting contrasting with the concrete environment of Manhattan. These trees represent regeneration and persistent life despite destruction, offering a precious green refuge in the heart of the dense and noisy city.
Three itineraries based on available time
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Make time to explore the surrounding area
5 min walk
Summit of the One World Trade Center offering a 360° panoramic view of Manhattan and the Atlantic Ocean. Accessible by fast elevator from street level.
10 min walk
Former Stock Exchange where George Washington took his oath. Free historical site in the heart of the Financial District. Ideal for completing a cultural tour of Lower Manhattan.
2 min walk
Official shop offering books, educational souvenirs, and commemorative items related to the events. Located immediately near the outdoor memorial.
8 min walk
Lively area with many restaurants and food halls ideal for lunch after the moving visit to the World Trade Center memorial and museum.
5 min walk
Rebuilt church dedicated to the heroes of September 11, offering a space for spiritual reflection and calm near the Twin Towers.
15 min walk
Green park at the tip of Manhattan, ideal for regrouping facing the Statue of Liberty after Ground Zero, via Battery Park.
Estimated travel times from the main points in the city
Metro : WTC Cortlandt (1 min walk) Bus : WTC Cortlandt (1 min walk)
Find a hotel near 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Everything you need to know before your visit
A preview of this exceptional place before your visit
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