9/11 Memorial & Museum: a respectful visitor guide

More 9/11 Memorial & Museum guides

• 9/11 in 2 hoursA 2-hour route through the 9/11 Memorial and Museum: reflecting pools, Survivor Tree, Foundation Hall, Last Column and the Historical Exhibition.
• Hours, tickets & free entry9/11 Museum opening hours, ticket prices, free Monday tickets and the best time to visit to avoid crowds. Checked in October 2026.
• Must-seeThe 11 key places at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum: reflecting pools, Survivor Tree, Last Column, Survivors' Stairs, In Memoriam and more.
• With kidsVisiting the 9/11 Memorial with children: age guidance from the museum, a 60-90 minute route around the outdoor Memorial and tips for families.

What it is and how to approach it

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum stand on the site of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. They are two distinct experiences: the outdoor Memorial, with two pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers and ringed by the names of the victims, and the Museum, about 70 feet underground, with three major exhibitions. For many people this is a place of grief, so come unhurried and speak quietly.

How to plan your visit

• Buy a timed ticket in advance; timed tickets must be purchased before your visit.
• Start at the outdoor Memorial (free, 8am to 8pm), then go down to the museum.
• Allow at least two hours to see both without rushing; the official site suggests 45-90 minutes for the museum alone.
• The official audio guide costs $11 and comes in nine languages. As an alternative, the AnyArt app recognises artworks and monuments with your camera and tells their story.
• The museum itself says the historical exhibition may not be appropriate for visitors younger than 10.

Pair it with Lower Manhattan

The museum is a short walk from One World Observatory, the Oculus transit hub and Wall Street. With only a morning, give the museum the first slot of the day and leave the neighbourhood for the afternoon.