National September 11 Memorial & Museum

9/11 Memorial & Museum

Two square pools where the World Trade Center towers once stood, with waterfalls cascading into deep basins and the names of 2,983 victims inscribed around them. The underground museum preserves twisted steel beams, a fire truck, and survivors' stories.

The 9/11 Memorial was built on the site of the World Trade Center towers, which collapsed in 2001, and opened in 2011. Two 60-meter square black granite pools, called Reflecting Absence, mark the footprints of the twin towers. North America's largest man-made waterfalls pour down all four walls into the deep void at the center. Bronze panels around the pools bear the names of the 2,983 people who died in the attacks of 2001 and the 1993 bombing. On each person's birthday, a white rose is placed beside their name. In the plaza, the Survivor Tree, a pear tree rescued from the wreckage, stands as a symbol of hope. The memorial plaza is free to visit.

The entrance to the underground 9/11 Museum is through a glass pavilion beside the plaza. The galleries extend down to the foundation level of the towers. Exhibits include twisted steel beams, the Survivors' Stairway, a crushed fire truck, the Last Column (the final steel column removed from the site), a wall of victim portraits, and a historical display that uses audio recordings, text messages, and personal belongings to tell the story of the day as it unfolded. Some content is very disturbing, so children under 10 are not recommended to attend. Adult admission costs about $33. Entry is free on Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m., but you must pick up tickets in advance.

Nearby highlights include One World Trade Center across the way (One World Observatory, 541 meters, with an observation deck ticket costing about $44). Calatrava's white winged-shaped station, the Oculus, houses a shopping mall. St. Paul's Chapel served as a rest station for rescue workers after the attacks. The Wall Street Charging Bull and Trinity Church are also close by. From here you can walk to Battery Park and catch the Statue of Liberty ferry.

Getting there: take the E train to World Trade Center, the R or W train to Cortlandt St, or the 1 train to WTC Cortlandt. You'll be right at the exit of each station.

Note that the museum has security screening and requires timed-entry reservations. Please keep your voice down at the memorial plaza, and don't sit on the names on the bronze panels.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

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