Tribute in Light: tribute to the Twin Towers in New York

What is the Tribute in Light in New York?

• The Tribute in Light is a spectacular annual memorial to the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, part of the September 11, 2001 commemorations. Each September 11, two blue beams rise into the sky, recreating the ghostly silhouette of the Twin Towers, the original World Trade Center buildings destroyed in the attacks.
• When it was first created in March 2002, this art installation was meant to be temporary. But the overwhelming public response led to it becoming an annual event, displayed each evening on September 11. The project is expected to eventually be taken over and managed by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
• The installation was designed by New York architect Richard Nash Gould and created by a Las Vegas-based lighting company.

Where are the best places to see the Tribute in Light?

• The Tribute in Light is visible from up to 100 km (62 mi) away. If you’re in New York on September 11, you won’t miss these two powerful beams.
• Three prime viewing spots stand out: Brooklyn Bridge Park, the New Jersey waterfront, and New York Harbor. You can take the Staten Island Ferry or board a cruise in New York Harbor. For the best experience, visit all three locations to see the beams from different perspectives.
• Photographers gather every year. Depending on weather conditions, the visual effects can look completely different from one year to the next.
• The experience is deeply complex. On one hand, the display is absolutely stunning. On the other hand, as professional photographer Gary Hershorn, one of New York’s most renowned photographers, has said, it would have been better if these lights never had to exist.

The Tribute in Light from the air

For an even more spectacular view, consider taking a helicopter tour of New York. Here’s what it looks like:

The Tribute in Light in photos