How to buy tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York

How to buy tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

The best way to purchase tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is online in advance on the official website. These tickets will allow you to skip the line and are refundable up to 24 hours before the visit. However, if you want a more comprehensive understanding of the events of September 11 and/or want to visit the One World Observatory, New York’s tallest building, we recommend booking this guided tour instead.

Online purchase (recommended)

Another way to buy a ticket for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is through the official website. Although it might seem like the best option, we recommend using this option only if you are looking for one of the free tickets, available from Monday from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM but they sell out quickly.

Tickets purchased through the official website are non-refundable, and you might want the assurance of being able to cancel if your plans change. For this reason, we suggest booking 9/11 Memorial and Museum tickets another way at the same price.One of the best ways to get a ticket is by booking through our partner. You will get a skip-the-line ticket for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, fully refundable up to 24 hours before the visit. You can also purchase family packages of four or five tickets at the same price as the official site.

Booking a guided tour with observatory ticket

To make the most of your visit, consider booking a Guided tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This five-hour guided tour includes reserved access to the One World Observatory, a guided walk to Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial, as well as a skip-the-line ticket for the 9/11 Museum. Your guide will be a local who has a personal connection to the events of 9/11 and will share insights about what happened on that terrible day and the symbolic meaning of the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and the Firefighters’ Memorial Wall.

Purchasing a tourist pass

Another way to get the most out of a ticket to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and your visit to New York City is by purchasing a tourist pass. You can get up to 40% off admission tickets for attractions like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Ferry with the Go City Explorer Pass, the New York Pass, or the New York CityPASS. The best pass to buy depends on what you plan to do and see during your vacation, so it’s best to define your itinerary and then purchase the most suitable pass.

Useful information for visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

What is the best time to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

The best time to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is during the low tourist season, that is from January to March. It is also preferable to visit on Wednesday or Thursday mornings, since the museum offers free entry on Mondays (which makes it quite crowded) and is closed on Tuesdays.

What are the opening hours of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

The 9/11 Memorial is open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The 9/11 Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except on Tuesdays when it is closed.

Where is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum located?

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum are located near the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center once stood. The best way to reach the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is by using public transportation, taxis, or ride-sharing services, as there are not many parking options in Manhattan. The World Trade Center subway stations are only a five-minute walk from the attraction.

How do tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum work?

Tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Museum are separate. If you only want to visit the memorial, you do not need to purchase a ticket in advance; simply go to Ground Zero. However, if you also wish to visit the 9/11 Museum (which we highly recommend), you will need to purchase a ticket. A regular ticket will give you access to the entire museum, including an exhibit on the 1993 Pentagon attack. You can also add other attractions and experiences to a regular ticket, such as a guided tour of the museum or the memorial.

You will need to book your museum tickets for a specific time slot. Once purchased, you can either print them or download them to your mobile phone. Just arrive shortly before your scheduled time, show your ticket, and proceed directly through security checks.

How much do tickets for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum cost?

Ticket prices for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum vary slightly, especially if you combine them with other attractions. Remember that visiting the 9/11 Memorial is free, but the 9/11 Museum requires ticket purchase. Including taxes and fees, a regular ticket costs €33 for adults, €21 for children aged 7 to 12, and €27 for seniors 65 and older, young adults aged 13 to 17, and American college students with valid ID. Admission is free for children under 7, active and retired military personnel with valid ID, and family members of those who died in the 9/11 attacks.

We remind you that booking directly on the official website provides a non-refundable ticket, while a ticket purchased through our partner is fully refundable up to 24 hours before the scheduled visit and is the same price. The 9/11 Museum’s website also offers free tickets from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM on Mondays, but these limited-availability tickets are booked months in advance.

Here are starting prices for adding a tour to your 9/11 Memorial and Museum tickets or combining them with a city pass:

• A guided memorial tour with tickets to the One World Observatory and 9/11 Museum costs €109 for adults and €105 for children aged 3 to 13 (children under 3 are free).
• The Go City Explorer Pass price depends on the number of attractions chosen. The starting price for combining two attractions (up to a maximum of 10) is €94 for adults and €74 for children aged 3 to 13.
• The New York Pass offers access to over 100 tours and admission tickets, with pricing based on the number of valid days. A single-day pass starts at €164 for adults and €124 for children aged 3 to 12.
• A New York CityPASS offers great savings on five of the city’s major attractions, including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Empire State Building, and the Guggenheim Museum. It costs €138 for adults and €118 for youth aged 6 to 17 (free for children under 5). The pass is valid for nine days after first use.

Safety information at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

The security protocol differs between the memorial and the museum. While there is no security line to enter the 9/11 Memorial, there is still security in the area to ensure guests are respectful. Except for service animals, pets are not allowed at the memorial. Alcohol, paints, weapons, waste, wheeled recreational vehicles (like electric scooters), outside food and drinks, and bags larger than 48 x 43 x 20 cm are also prohibited. Smoking is also forbidden.

When entering the 9/11 Museum, you must go through security checks. Potentially dangerous items such as firearms and their replicas, knives and other cutting tools, glass bottles, paints, alcohol, and compressed gases (including pepper spray or bleach containers) are prohibited. Bags larger than 48 x 43 x 20 cm are also not allowed inside.

The best hotels near the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Since the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is located in one of New York’s most famous areas, you may want to stay nearby to walk to many main attractions.

If you want to stay in an economical hotel with soundproof rooms, take a look at Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel. Located in the heart of the Financial District, this four-star hotel features an on-site restaurant, private parking, a fitness center, and room service.

A great pet-friendly hotel near the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is IHG’s Hotel Indigo NYC Financial District. This three-star hotel has a fitness center, a bar, a restaurant, and room service.

If you’re looking for a bougie escape in New York, consider staying at the Conrad New York Downtown. This fabulous five-star hotel boasts an incredible rooftop bar, spacious suites, and on-site parking.

Additional Information about the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

What happened on September 11?

On September 11, 2001, members of the terrorist group al-Qaida carried out an attack on American soil, killing nearly 3,000 people from 93 countries. These 19 members hijacked four commercial planes, deliberately crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. They planned to crash the fourth plane, Flight 93, into a federal government building in Washington D.C. Thanks to the heroic intervention of Flight 93 passengers, the terrorists instead crashed in a rural field in western Pennsylvania.

What is the 9/11 Memorial?

The 9/11 Memorial was inaugurated in 2011, 10 years after the tragic attacks, to honor those who lost their lives that day. The Memorial Plaza features two reflecting pools where the Twin Towers stood, with the victims’ names inscribed along the edges, as well as over 400 swamp white oak trees and a tree dedicated to attack survivors.

What is the 9/11 Museum?

Located near the Memorial Plaza, the 9/11 Museum hosts various exhibits that tell the stories of survivors, those who died, and first responders, as well as the consequences of the attacks. Visitors typically spend two to three hours inside.

Who built the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation owns and operates the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. In 2004, it held an open international competition to design the memorial. Israeli-American architect Michael Arad of Handel Architects won this competition, designing the memorial with two reflecting pools and the largest man-made waterfall in North America. Construction began in 2006 and took about five years.

When can I see the Tribute Lights at the 9/11 Memorial?

Two bright blue lights rise in place of the Twin Towers every year on September 11 as a tribute to those who died in the attacks.

Can I take photos at the 9/11 Memorial?

Yes, photography is allowed at the memorial, but professional photography for commercial use is not permitted.

Is the 9/11 Museum the same as the 9/11 Tribute Museum?

No, the 9/11 Museum is the official museum at the 9/11 site. The 9/11 Tribute Museum is owned and operated by the 9/11 Families Association. Unfortunately, the 9/11 Tribute Museum has permanently moved online, having closed its physical location in August 2022.

Is there a dress code for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

No, there is no dress code. However, keep in mind that this is a place of remembrance. Please be respectful during your visit.

Additionally, it’s important to note that the 9/11 Memorial is free to the public, while the Museum requires the purchase of a ticket. So if you want to visit both attractions, you will need to buy a specific ticket for the museum.

Once you have purchased your tickets, you can access the 9/11 Memorial and immerse yourself in this meaningful experience. The Memorial Plaza offers a place for reflection and commemoration, with the two reflecting pools symbolizing the vanished twin towers. Walking along the edges of the memorial and reading the names of the victims engraved on the bronze walls is a profound and moving experience.

The 9/11 Museum, on the other hand, will allow you to deepen your understanding of the events of that tragic day. Through interactive exhibits and testimonies from survivors and first responders, you can better grasp the impact of the attacks and their significance for the American nation and the entire world. From galleries dedicated to the victims to recreations of events, the museum offers you an immersive and highly emotional experience.

A complete visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum usually takes several hours. We recommend planning at least half a day to explore both attractions without rush and fully appreciate their meaning. Furthermore, if possible, consider the option of a guided tour, which will allow you to gain an even deeper understanding of the events and their impact.

Regardless of how you choose to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, this experience will surely be a significant moment of your trip to New York City. Remember to approach this attraction with respect and awareness, to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on that tragic day.

Conclusion

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum represent an important stop for anyone visiting New York City. This attraction offers the opportunity to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attacks, understand their impact, and reflect on the significance of that tragic day for American and world history.

Thanks to the various ticket purchase options, you can tailor your visit according to your needs and preferences. Whether you choose to visit the memorial for free, purchase a ticket for the museum, or opt for a full guided tour, the important thing is to experience this with due respect and reflection.

As you prepare to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, remember to plan your itinerary properly and arrive with sufficient time. This place of historical importance deserves your attention and commitment to fully understand its meaning.

Whether you are an American or international visitor, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum are a fundamental stop for anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of one of the most significant events in recent history. Prepare to live a profound and moving experience that will leave an indelible mark on your trip to New York City.