9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York: A Place of Remembrance
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum tells the story of the deadliest terrorist attacks ever committed in the USA. A moving tribute to those we lost.
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Official PartnerWhat to know about the 9/11 Museum
- Among all the museums in New York, the National September 11 Memorial Museum stands apart. The National September 11 Memorial Museum is entirely dedicated to the September 11, 2001 attacks. On that day, hijackers took control of commercial airplanes and crashed them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, as well as into the Pentagon in Washington. A fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back, preventing it from reaching its intended target in Washington, likely the Capitol.
- Facing this tragedy, the museum’s mission is to preserve the memory and honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks. The museum also covers the February 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. A car bomb exploded in the parking garage of Tower 1, killing 6 people.
- The National September 11 Memorial Museum was built on the very site of the terrorist attacks. It opened on September 11, 2011, with U.S. President Barack Obama in attendance. The two main exhibition halls occupy the original foundations of the Twin Towers. It’s a powerful location.
What to see at the National September 11 Memorial Museum
- Your visit begins with a historical overview and a corridor leading down to the World Trade Center foundations. As you descend the escalator, you’ll see on your left a section of the antenna that once crowned the North Tower, and next to it, a New York Fire Department truck crushed during the collapse of the towers.
- You’ll then continue through the historical exhibition, which chronicles September 11, 2001 hour by hour, using television news clips, newspaper articles, and photographs. In total, the 9/11 Museum displays more than 11,000 objects, from employee ID badges to eyeglasses recovered from the rubble. Audio recordings let you hear conversations from the airplane cockpits before the crashes, as well as exchanges between firefighters in the early hours of the tragedy.
- One section of the exhibition is set apart with a clear warning: it documents people who, in desperation, jumped from the towers to escape the smoke. These photographs are particularly disturbing. If you’re sensitive to such imagery, I’d recommend skipping this section.
- Beyond the historical exhibition, you can then visit the Memorial section. This smaller gallery displays photographs of all the victims of the September 11 attacks. You can learn more about each person using the large interactive tablets available. You’ll also see stuffed animals left for the youngest victims.
Visiting the 9/11 Museum
- Address: 180 Greenwich Street, New York. The museum is located on the September 11 Memorial plaza, directly between the two reflecting pools built in the foundations of the Twin Towers.
- Subway: Cortlandt St (Line 1).
- Hours: The National September 11 Memorial Museum is open daily, except certain Tuesdays, from 9 am to 7 pm. Note that the museum is open daily, including Tuesdays, in June and July. The outdoor memorial is freely accessible every day.
- Admission: $36 for adults, $30 for seniors over 65, $24 for children ages 7–12, and $30 for ages 13–17. You can buy tickets in advance through our 9/11 Museum ticket booking module. You can pay in your own currency: US dollars, euros, British pounds, Canadian dollars or Swiss francs, which helps you avoid bank fees and currency conversion charges.
- Tip: The National September 11 Memorial Museum is included in the New York City Pass, the New York City Explorer Pass, and the New York Pass. Pass holders enjoy faster entry through a dedicated line.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Memorial and the 9/11 Museum?
The Memorial is a public space on the former World Trade Center plaza. It consists of two large reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers. This area is free and open to everyone. The 9/11 Museum is a paid attraction located underground beneath the Memorial. Advance booking is essential for the museum due to high demand and daily visitor limits.
Can children visit the 9/11 Museum?
The museum recommends the exhibition is not suitable for children under 10 years old. I agree it’s best to avoid bringing very young children. The historical section contains many photographs and videos that are quite graphic. Be especially cautious about the section showing photographs of people who jumped from the towers.
National September 11 Memorial Museum video
September 11 Memorial video
Visitor reviews of the museum
Benjamin and Orlane’s review: “What can you say about this museum? It’s very well done. The building is underground, and the museum spans 4 or 5 levels below the memorial. It’s moving and somber. We saw many people in tears, and there are tissue dispensers throughout the museum. But it’s beautifully designed, and I think the 9/11 Museum pays a fitting tribute to the families of the victims.
You see everything and learn everything from start to finish: the Twin Towers before the attacks, explanations of the attacks with a map showing the flight paths, short films of the attacks, the collapse of the towers, and many images of rescue operations and the clearing of the destroyed foundations. There are many other images from various sources, but I’ll let you discover those yourself.
You’ll also see many damaged objects from the attacks that have been preserved and displayed here, including concrete structures from the World Trade Center, a fire-damaged escalator, a charred fire truck, and personal items belonging to some victims who worked in the Twin Towers: wallets, ID cards, driver’s licenses, glasses, and cell phones. In total, we spent three good hours there, and we don’t regret it.”