Memorial plaza
The outdoor memorial is free. Give yourself time to walk around both pools, read names, and take a quiet pause. Check the official site for opening hours or changes on commemorative dates.
Sightseeing / Lower Manhattan
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC
Plan a respectful visit to the free outdoor 9/11 Memorial and the separately ticketed museum. Find directions, accessibility information and historical context.
When was 9/11, and what does the memorial honor?
The September 11 attacks took place on September 11, 2001. At the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, two reflecting pools occupy the footprints of the original Twin Towers. The names around the pools honor the people killed in the September 11 attacks and the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The outdoor memorial and the museum
Museum
The indoor museum has a separate ticket. Check the museum schedule, security guidance, and current admission options for your dates. Museum tickets and visitor information
Arriving and visiting respectfully
Head to the World Trade Center site and check the official arrival map for the entrance you need. Fulton Center and the World Trade Center transit complex serve the area. Check step-free routes with the MTA if you’ll need them. Keep pathways clear and give people space at the names and pools.
Official getting here and visitor information MTA elevator status
Planning the rest of a Lower Manhattan day
If you’re visiting the museum, leave a buffer afterward. A short waterfront walk is an easy next stop if you want time to yourself. The nearby One World Observatory is a separate attraction.
NYC skyline viewpoints Lower Manhattan in the three-day itinerary