9/11 Memorial in New York: hours, tickets and what to see
In Lower Manhattan, where the Twin Towers once stood, two massive waterfalls now roar. This is the memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Entry to the grounds is free, and it is a rare case where the main landmark of New York City can be seen without a ticket. The museum at the site of the tragedy is a different story: it requires a ticket with a selected time slot. Below we have gathered the hours, prices, exhibition contents, and practical details you will need before your visit.
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The 9/11 Memorial in brief
💡 In short:
- Entry to the memorial grounds is free, open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (as of 09/2026, memorial official website).
- The museum welcomes visitors Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, tickets cost $24-36 (as of 09/2026, museum official website).
- On the first Sunday of the month, New York area residents and students enter the museum for free (according to the museum page, 09/2026).
The memorial and museum occupy roughly half of the former World Trade Center site. The former is open to everyone during the complex's operating hours, while the latter tells the story of the attack through artifacts and eyewitness accounts (according to the memorial page, 09/2026).
What happened on September 11, 2001
The morning of September 11, 2001 began like any other. At 8:46 AM, a plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and millions of people saw it live on air (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Memorial website). In total, four attacks occurred that day: two on the Twin Towers, one on the Pentagon, and one on a flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. Some passengers on the last plane prevented the terrorists from reaching strategic targets in the United States at the cost of their own lives. Today you can walk through the grounds where both towers once stood.
© Paul Sableman · CC BYPhoto: Paul Sableman, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsAftermath: numbers and victims
In the Twin Towers, 2,606 people died; on the four hijacked planes, 246 passengers and crew members; at the Pentagon, 125 people (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Memorial website). In total, the attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 people, including citizens of 90 countries. First responders rushed to help: 343 firefighters and 72 police officers died. At the Pentagon, 55 service members were among the victims. These numbers are worth knowing if you plan to visit the museum.
Victim group | Number |
|---|---|
In the Twin Towers | 2606 |
On the four planes | 246 |
At the Pentagon | 125 |
Total | 2977 |
Figures are based on data from the 9/11 Memorial, 09/2026.
© Ken Lund · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsMemorial complex and museum
The Memorial opened on September 11, 2011, exactly ten years after the attacks (as of 09/2026, Memorial website). It was built on the site of the destroyed towers to preserve the memory of those who died. A museum with a permanent exhibition opened next to it. The complex runs on private donations and ticket sales, so admission to the grounds remains free (according to the museum's main page, 09/2026). Every year on September 11, memorial ceremonies take place here, and you can visit the grounds on any regular day.
© Farragutful · CC BY-SAPhoto: Farragutful, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsWhere the Memorial is and what it looks like
The Memorial occupies roughly half of the former World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan (as of 09/2026, official Memorial page). Two square pools stand exactly in the footprints of the Twin Towers. Each is nearly an acre in size, with water cascading down the walls and disappearing into a dark opening in the center. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, and you will hear their roar long before you get close.
The names of the victims are cut into the bronze parapets around the pools. You can find a specific name by panel number: the letter N or S indicates the north or south pool, followed by a number from 1 to 76 (according to Memorial documentation, 09/2026). The names are not arranged alphabetically but by the connections between people: friends, colleagues, and relatives were placed next to each other. Information kiosks near the pools can tell you more about each of the victims.
The surviving tree and St. Paul's Chapel
When the towers collapsed, almost everything on the site was destroyed. The exception was a tree later named the Survivor Tree. It was found in the rubble with a charred trunk, nursed back to health, and returned to the Memorial grounds, where it began to grow again (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Memorial website). Next to it you will see the church that survived.
St. Paul's Chapel was built in 1766 and is the oldest church building in Manhattan (according to Trinity Church, 09/2026). It stands less than 100 meters from the former World Trade Center site and survived the collapse of the towers. After the attacks, rescue workers rested inside it, which is why the chapel is called "the little church that stood." A bell hangs near the chapel in memory of the victims.
© PumpkinSky · CC BY-SAPhoto: PumpkinSky, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsMuseum exhibits
Inside the museum are items connected to the events of September 11. Here you will see the gear and protective clothing of the firefighters who fought the burning towers. One of the halls displays symbols of New York cut from the steel of the destroyed skyscrapers. Separate exhibits tell the stories of victims and first responders (as of 09/2026, 9/11 museum website).
© Fletcher6 · CC BYPhoto: Fletcher6, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsHow to visit the memorial and how much tickets cost
Admission to the memorial grounds is free, no ticket needed. All visitors go through metal detectors, so you may spend anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour in line on weekends. The grounds are open daily from 8:00 to 20:00 (as of 09/2026, 9/11 memorial website).
The museum requires a ticket with a selected entry time. It is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 to 19:00, with the last entry at 17:30. Tickets cost $24-36 depending on the time and type of visit, and a guided tour costs more (as of 09/2026, 9/11 museum website). Inside, plan to spend 45-90 minutes. On the first Sunday of the month, New York City residents, workers, and students get in free.
What to visit | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Memorial | daily 8:00-20:00 | free |
Museum | Wed-Mon 9:00-19:00 | $24-36 |
Memorial tour | daily, 45 minutes | $24 |
Hours and prices: 09/2026, official museum page.
It is best to book museum tickets and tours in advance so you can pick a convenient time and avoid waiting in line: 9/11 museum tickets with a time slot.
Tours and tickets in 9/11 Memorial Museum
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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9/11 Memorial on the map
The memorial is in Lower Manhattan, next to the World Trade Center transportation hub. Using the map below, you can easily plan your route from your hotel or the train station. For the exact address and directions, see the visitor page.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter the 9/11 Memorial?
Entry to the memorial grounds is free; you only pay for the museum. A museum ticket costs $24-36 and includes all current exhibitions (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Museum website). Ticket revenue goes toward maintaining the complex.
Is the memorial open every day?
The grounds are open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Memorial website). The museum is closed on Tuesdays and welcomes visitors from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Museum website). Check the hours on the official website before your visit.
How much time should I allow for a visit?
The memorial grounds usually take about an hour: the two pools and the names on the parapets are best viewed at a leisurely pace. The museum is worth spending 45-90 minutes in (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Museum website). If you take a guided tour, add another 45-60 minutes.
What is near the memorial?
A couple of minutes' walk away stands St. Paul's Chapel, built in 1766, the oldest church building in Manhattan. Inside there is a small exhibit, and nearby hangs a bell in memory of the victims (according to the church's history, 09/2026). Around it rise the new skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan.
Can I get into the museum for free?
Yes, on the first Sunday of the month the museum offers free admission to those who live, work, or study in the New York area (as of 09/2026, 9/11 Museum website). You need a document that confirms your address or enrollment.
In short: what to book
If you only have a few hours, the free memorial grounds and St. Paul's Chapel nearby will be enough. If you want to see artifacts and personal stories, get a timed museum ticket and plan your visit in advance. It's convenient to choose your museum ticket ahead of time so you don't have to work around the line: see tickets on Tiqets.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.