September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City

Today it’s time for a quieter place, full of reverie, but also sadness and pain. We take you to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, sites that commemorate the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Ground Zero with a memorial, museum, park and modern skyscrapers has been created on this large site where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

New York is a city full of contrasts – from bustling Times Square to places that remind us of history and its difficult moments. One such site is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which pays tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and is an important memorial site. When visiting this unique area, it is impossible to remain indifferent. A memorial at the site of the former World Trade Center towers and a museum full of personal stories, artifacts and multimedia displays take us on an emotional journey through events that changed the course of history forever.

In this post, we will show you what the place looks like and what elements are particularly worth paying attention to. In the rest of the post, we will sometimes use the original name, which is 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and right away a clarification: in the US, when writing the date, the month is given first and then the day of the month, so the notation 9/11 means 11. September.

What happened on September 11, 2001?

We didn’t think we’d have to write this part of the article, but we know that younger generations don’t remember, or even know at all, the events that have been etched in our memories. Our generation (born in the 1980s ;) ) remembers very well what happened on the 11th. September. What’s more, most of us remember exactly what we were doing when the first tower was hit by a plane. However, we know that many younger people also read the blog, so we need to add a historical outline here.

September 11, 2001 is the date that changed the world forever. On that day, terrorist attacks took place in the United States, which shook not only America, but the entire world. Four passenger planes were hijacked by al-Qaeda members and used in suicide attacks. Two of them hit the World Trade Center towers in New York, causing them to collapse. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon grounds in Washington, D.C., and a fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, went down in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take control of the machine (we highly recommend you watch the Flight 93 video here).

The 9/11 attacks, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, shook not only the sense of security, but also changed the course of history. Anyone who remembers the attacks knows that much changed after 9/11, with the attacks becoming the catalyst for the war on terror, which was to begin in Afghanistan and extend to other parts of the world. The deaths of so many innocent people and the sheer image of the destruction – the falling towers, the dramatic scenes on TV, the rescue teams – will forever be remembered by those who lived through the day and those who followed it around the world. We, to this day, still have before our eyes some of the scenes we saw on TV, you would think it was a movie, but unfortunately it really happened.

Visiting the memorial at Area Zero reminds us of these images, but also allows us to look at these events from a slightly different perspective.

What is Zone Zero in New York City?

Zone Zero(Ground Zero) is the name given to the area where the World Trade Center towers stood and the immediate surrounding area. After the attacks, the site became a symbol not only of great tragedy, but also of hope, reconstruction and remembrance. It was here that most people died, and the ruins were the site for months of rescue workers removing debris and searching for survivors.

After the rescue operation was completed, a major reconstruction began, and Ground Zero became a space full of symbolism and reflection. New buildings and monuments have been erected where the two iconic towers once stood, as well as the Zero Zone museum, which is an important memorial site.

The most important element of this space is the 9/11 Memorial, which consists of two huge pools of water marking the spot where the towers were located. The 9/11 Museum also opened in 2014, bringing together hundreds of artifacts from Ground Zero and related to the attacks and victims, as well as multimedia exhibits recounting the events of that day and their aftermath.

Ground Zero is also home to skyscrapers (five World Trade Center, including One World Trade Center, and another is under construction), the World Trade Center Transportation Hub station, the Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center, a college, Liberty Park and a church.

September 11 National Monument

The highlight is the National September 11 Memorial. It indicates the site where the World Trade Center towers once stood, and where there are now two bodies of water, which are memorial pools. Water flows down the banks all the time, creating a unique fountain. On the banks of the reservoirs are the names of the victims, carved in marble, making the site not only a commemoration of the tragedy, but also a place of silence and reflection

The September 11 memorial is called Reflecting Abs ence (can be translated as Mirror of Absence or Reflecting Absence) and was designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, and was part of the Zero Zone reconstruction project. In addition to the aforementioned memory pools, the project also included the creation of Liberty Park, full of trees.

Memorial pools provide both an important place of remembrance and a symbolic link between the past and the present. This symbolism can be interpreted in many ways. The pools symbolize the void left by the destroyed towers. Their open shape is meant to represent both the absence and the memory that these towers have left in the landscape of New York and in the hearts of the people. The engraved names are a tribute to those who died, but also to their families and loved ones. Each name is a separate testimony to a life that was brutally cut short and the dramatic circumstances under which they died. The water that falls in the pools is meant to symbolize both pain and the healing process. Water is also an element of purification and renews life, which can symbolize hope and restoration after tragedy. The memorial also shows the power of community to bring people together in the face of tragedy. Despite the massive destruction, society was not broken, and the process of rebuilding Area Zero became a symbol of perseverance and solidarity.

The monument is an open, public place in a public space.

September 11 Museum

The 9/11 Museum is also located at Ground Zero, right next to the memorial. We had a huge dilemma whether to go in there with the kids, so we assumed that the Zero Zone museum would be forgiven. We came to the conclusion that the topic is too difficult, and we don’t know whether there will be drastic photos and videos inside. And just as we were about to move on it turned out that while walking through the park and around the monument our youngest two had fallen asleep, so we decided to go inside, especially since there were still tickets available (it’s best to book tickets in advance, because although there are plenty of seats it’s better not to run out).

Memorial tours and guided tours

General Admission or Museum Admission + Museum Tour can be purchased for the museum. Other options are also available: more extensive, earlier hour access, etc., but further on we will focus only on the basic entrance to the museum.

We chose the option of visiting the museum on our own mainly because we were with children, however. The guided tour lasts about 60 minutes and is not recommended for smaller children, rather for teenagers and adults. Of course, it is entirely conducted in English.

It is worth reserving about an hour or even an hour and a half for a self-guided tour of the museum.

The 9/11 Museum is a unique place that brings together memories, collections and stories related to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This state-of-the-art venue was established to commemorate the victims and events of that day and to give visitors a deeper understanding of the impact of the attacks on New York, the US and the world at large. Since its opening in 2014, it has attracted millions of people from around the world each year, who come to pay tribute to the victims and learn more about that tragic day just by visiting the memorial.

The 9/11 Museum consists of numerous exhibits depicting both the course of 9/11 and its aftermath. One of the most moving parts of the museum are the artifacts related to the victims of the attacks – personal items such as jewelry, clothing, photos and even voice recordings of those who were in the WTC towers. The museum also features larger pieces, such as fragments of tower structures, fire engines, and remnants of elevators and stairs used for evacuation.

The museum also offers multimedia exhibitions that show dramatic video footage and photos from the attacks and from witness accounts of that day. There is also a chronological history of 9/11, showing in detail every stage of the attack – from the hijacking of the planes to the moment the towers collapsed. Part of the exhibit is also devoted to the consequences of the attacks, such as the war on terror, changes in security policies, and the emotional and psychological impact on survivors, victims’ families and New Yorkers. The next parts in turn show how the city rebuilt itself, about the Ground Zero project, the new World Trade Center and its implementation. Visiting the memorial will be an interesting history lesson, without embellishment, but also without pointing blame or additional accusations.

One of the most unique and moving places in the museum is the so-called Foundation Hall – the largest room with the remains of the last steel element of the WTC towers, named The Last Column. It was covered with inscriptions, messages and photos posted by the families of the victims, rescuers and other workers who participated in the rescue and reconstruction efforts.

The September 11 Museum is not only a historical space, but also a place of reverie, reflection and deep empathy. Visiting the memorial will allow you to feel the atmosphere of those events and understand the enormous impact they had on America and the world as a whole. The museum’s mission is to preserve the memory of the victims, but also to create awareness of the effects of terrorism and to strengthen values such as unity and compassion in society.

Opening Hours

The museum is open Wednesday through Monday and on select Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

You can find a list of Tuesdays on which the museum is open on this page.

Museum ticket prices on September 11

There is a fee to enter the museum, and if you care to visit on a particular day, we encourage you to buy tickets online in advance (link).

Ticket prices, sightseeing on your own:

• Regular ticket – $33
• Discounted ticket for seniors and children aged 13-17 – $27
• Discounted ticket for children ages 7-12 – $21

Children under the age of 6 enter for free.

Ticket prices, guided tours:

• Regular ticket – $53
• Discounted ticket for seniors and children aged 13-17 – $47
• Discounted ticket for children ages 7-12 – $41

Children under the age of 6 enter for free.

One World Trade Center and One World Observatory

The structure that impressively towers over Manhattan is One World Trade Center. The building, opened in 2014, is not only the tallest building in the United States, but also one of the most important symbols of New York, being a testament to the perseverance of the city and its people.

One World Trade Center measures exactly 1,776 feet (541 meters), a reference to the year the United States declared independence. The skyscraper is distinguished by its modern design, and its facade is made of thousands of mirrored panels that reflect daylight. The tower’s design is also extremely secure – it was built to protect against potential threats, reflecting the special attention paid to security after the events of 2001.

Inside the skyscraper are modern offices, retail spaces and food and beverage outlets, but the main attraction for tourists is the One World Observatory, an observation deck located at 100. floor, offering breathtaking views of New York City and the surrounding countryside.

As in many other places, different types of tickets are on offer, from standard entry, to entry without a queue or guided tours. It’s worth booking tickets online here.

Opening Hours

One World Observatory is open seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. It’s worth checking before visiting to see if the hours have changed on the official website.

One World Observatory ticket prices

Standard ticket prices, buying tickets online:

• Regular ticket – $44
• Discounted ticket for children aged 6-12 – $38
• Senior ticket – $42

Children under the age of 5 enter for free. A booking fee – $3.5 – is added to each ticket.

September 11 Memorial and Museum with children

Is it a place worth visiting with children? In our opinion, with older children you can come here. While the whole area is good to see with children as well, visiting a memorial like the September 11 Memorial and Museum is no longer necessarily so.

The 9/11 museum is a quiet place, rather quiet so it’s good to prepare the children properly in advance and tell them a little about the terrorist attacks. There is one part of the facility where indeed vulnerable people and children, may feel overwhelmed. Older children, those of school age and older, can better understand the message of the site, especially if parents accompany them on the tour, explaining the context of events and answering their questions. Such a visit will be of educational value.

We rather advise against coming here with smaller children. This is not a place for toddlers – there are no children’s corners, no fun, and some of the displays are blunt and literal. Visiting the memorial with children running around and making noise will simply stress parents out and handcuff the atmosphere inside. We are writing this as parents :)

A better idea might be to go up to One World Observatory with the little ones.

Where to stay – hotels in New York

Below we have compiled a list of several facilities worth considering if you are looking for accommodation in NYC :) These are not facilities in the Lower Manhattan area, but we ourselves slept in the first facility on the list. Although the room was very cramped and the breakfast was average, the view we had was worth the price.

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan Chelsea
  Address: 140 West 28th Street, Chelsea, New York, 10001
  Prices: from 1800 PLN for a 2-bed room per night (breakfast included)
  Link: http://r4b.link/booking-nyc
  
• M Social Hotel Times Square New York
  Address: 226 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019
  Prices: from 2100 PLN for a 2-bed room per night
  Link: http://r4b.link/nyc-msocial
  
• Doubletree By Hilton New York Times Square West
  Address: 350 West 40th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, New York, NY 10018
  Prices: from 1500 PLN for a 2-bed room per night
  Link: http://r4b.link/nyc-doubletree-by-hilton
  
• Millennium Downtown New York
  Address: 55 Church Street, Wall Street – Financial District, New York, NY 10007
  Prices: from 1750 PLN for a 2-bed room per night
  Link: http://r4b.link/nyc-millenium
  

Our opinion – is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum worth seeing?

Although more than two decades have passed, the events of 9/11 continue to evoke emotions, prompting reflection on security, freedom, but also on social sensitivity, which cannot be indifferent to such tragedies. The September 11 Memorial and Museum are an important place of remembrance and not only commemorate the victims, but also encourage reflection on the value of human life and the strength of the community in the face of tragedy.

In our opinion, the September 11 Memorial and Museum, as well as Ground Zero as a whole, are definitely places worth visiting while in New York. When one looks at the symbolic memorial pools, looks at the Zero Zone Museum and recalls or learns about these tragic events they become sort of closer, because, however, it is different to watch something on TV and different to stand on the spot and imagine what the place once looked like.