Getting 9/11 Museum tickets is easier than you can imagine. In this post, I will highlight the various options available.
9/11 Museum and Memorial (or better, the National September 11 Memorial Museum) is one of the most popular attractions in New York and you need to get tickets in advance to see it.
As you may already know, I was in New York on 9/11. Back then I worked at the United Nations, in the headquarters building in 1 UN Plaza. That was a very sad day for New York – in fact, for the world. And one that should never be forgotten.
New York got back on its feet soon after the attacks; the World Trade Center has been rebuilt and where the Twin Towers once stood, there now is the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, where you can learn more about the history of those horrible days, honor the many victims of the attacks, and be warned about the terrible things humans can at times do.
Traveling to New York soon? Make sure to get 9/11 Museum tickets in advance. Here are the best options:
In this post I will explain how to get 9/11 Museum tickets and what to expect when visiting 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Where To Buy 9/11 Museum Tickets
Get tickets on the official website
This is the official website of 9/11 Museum and Memorial.
All 9/11 Museum tickets have a timed entry, except for for those purchased for the same day, in which case you may be prompted to visit later in the day when there are less visitors.
You can’t get tickets on the day of your visit at the ticket counter – in fact, the website of the museum is very clear in saying that you must book your visit in advance.
Pre-booked tickets have the advantage of being skip-the-line and you can select your preferred time slot.
Tickets sold on the official website cost $33 for adults. Reduced tickets for seniors, college students, and visitors up to 17 years old are $27. Children up to the age of 12 pay $21 and US veterans pay $22.
Once you get to the official website, select how many tickets you need – and whether they are for adults or reduced fares – and pick a 9/11 Museum time slot for your visit.
As soon as the payment goes through, you will get an email with the voucher. Print the voucher or have the barcode on your smartphone so that the staff can scan you in.
The official website also sells guided tours. You can pick among the 60-minute museum tour; the 60-minute early access tour (it starts at 8:15 am, so before the museum is officially opened to the public which means significantly quieter); the 45-minute memorial tour, and the 90-minute museum and memorial tour.
Tickets on the official website can be bought up to 6 months ahead of your visit. You can cancel or modify your ticket up to 24 hours before your scheduled visit.
Get tickets on a third-party booking site
This is the easiest way of getting 9/11 Museum tickets, which cost just the same as they do on the official site. The benefit of using 3rd party reseller sites like Tiqets or GetYourGuide is easy cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, responsive customer service, easy-to-use websites etc.
Third-party reseller sites are easy to use. On the same page, you will find all the relevant information – cancellation policy, opening hours, prices, and whatever else you need to make an informed purchase.
Most will also offer you to download their app so that you can keep tickets all in one place; make modifications and cancellation in a few easy steps; and notify a day before the activity.
You can get your 9/11 Museum tickets on GetYourGuide, probably my favorite third-party booking site. These tickets are fully refundable as long as you cancel 24 hours before your scheduled visit.
I also recommend getting your tickets for the 9/11 Museum on Tiqets – it’s one of the most reliable third-party sites.
Take a guided tour of 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Guided tours are the best way to enjoy a place of historical and cultural significance such as the National September 11 Museum. Your tour guide will share important information about what you are seeing, and many guides also have a specific personal connection to the events.
Guided tours are obviously a bit more expensive than plain tickets, but generally worth it.
It’s worth pointing out that tours generally visit places that have a special connection to 9/11 – including the 9/11 Memorial of course – and include tickets to 9/11 Museum, but the guide won’t actually come inside the museum with you. Don’t worry: there are plenty of explanation panels and documents inside the museum, so a guide is really not necessary.
The guided tours below all include 9/11 Museum tickets and a guided visit to the Memorial:
9/11 Memorial Tour & Priority Entrance 9/11 Museum Tickets – this is the tour I took on my most recent visit and the one I recommend. The guide will literally walk you through the events that took place on 9/11 as you visit the various places around Ground Zero. The tour ends at 9/11 Memorial, where the guide will hand you your tickets.
Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial Tour & Optional 9/11 Museum Entry – this tour lasts two hours. Your guide will walk you through the most important landmarks of the memorial, and much like for the tour above, at the end you are handed a ticket to visit the museum on your own.
New York: 9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero & Optional Museum Entry – a similar option to the one above, it costs more but the group is much smaller, allowing only up to 10 participants.
Here is a further selection of 9/11 Memorial and Museum tours.
Places visited on a 9/11 Memorial tour
Most of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial tours visit the attractions in the area that are all somewhat connected to the 9/11 tragic events and the aftermath – and go more or less in depth, depending on the tour.
I have been to this part of the city many times, but last time I was there just a few weeks ago I took this 9/11 Memorial Tour & Priority Entrance 9/11 Museum Tickets with Take Walks and it helped me get a better understanding of the significance of the various places and the role they had on 9/11 and their significance afterwards.
During the tour, we visited the following places:
The first stop during the tour is St. Paul’s Chapel, right across where the Twin Towers used to be and miraculously spared from any damage. The church – which dates from 1766 – played a vital role during the events that immediately followed the attacks, as firefighters and others working on the site used the church to rest and wash up.
The tour then goes to the FDNY Memorial Wall, a tribute to the firefighters who died in the aftermath of the attacks. It’s located just outside the first firefighter station that responded to the alerts.
Then, it stops by the Sphere, a sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig that is meant to represent “world peace through trade.” The impressive statue was placed in the Austin J. Tobin Plaza of the World Trade Center in 1972, and stayed there until the 9/11 attacks.
It was recovered – and kept in the same state it was found (damaged) – after the terrorist attacks and placed in Battery Park until 2017, and eventually moved to its current location in Liberty Park, where it overlooks the 9/11 Memorial.
The tour continues to America’s Response Monument – Known to tourists as the “Horse Soldier Statue,” this is a tribute to the first soldiers sent to Afghanistan in the aftermath of the attacks. This is the first monument dedicated to the United States Army Special Forces and the first one that was dedicated to the heroes of 9/11.
Not far from it, the tour also goes to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: it was designed by Santiago Calatrava and overlooks the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.
Another stop nearby is the Anne Frank tree, or better a sapling of the original chestnut tree that Anne Frank could see from the window of her hiding place in Amsterdam. The tree, which was planted in 2016, was dedicated on June 12, 2017 – on what would have been Anne’s birthday.
The tour also goes to the Oculus, the local transportation terminal which is free to visit and that was designed by archi-star Calatrava to represent a white dove freed from the hands of a child. It’s not just a transportation hub (first opened in March 2016), but also a large shopping mall with lots of nice eateries and boutiques.
Some tours also include tickets to the One World Observatory, located in the Freedom Tower. The views of New York from there are impressive, even more if you linger long enough for sunset.
Keep in mind you need to get tickets in advance for this – for example you could consider this 9/11 Memorial Tour with Priority Entrance Observatory Tickets – the only difference between this and the tour I did is that this one includes tickets to the Observatory, whereas the one I did included 9/11 Museum tickets.
Take a guided tour of the Memorial, Museum and World Trade Center Observatory
Another great way of getting tickets that is inclusive of all the most significant places linked to the 9/11 terrorist attacks is a guided tour that also goes to the World Trade Center Observatory and the Memorial.
In this case, tours will include tickets to the World Trade Center Observatory, on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of the Freedom Tower – the tallest building in the USA with its 417 meters (1,368 feet).
I recommend this 9/11 Memorial Tour Optional Museum & Observatory Ticket: the tour starts at 10:30 am or at 1:00 pm and lasts 5 hours. You will have to select the “all access” option. Keep in mind that while you’ll have a guide around the 9/11 Memorial sites, the visit of the 9/11 Museum and the World Trade Center Observatory will be self guided.
Buy the New York City Pass
If you plan on visiting many attractions during your trip to New York, getting the New York City Pass may be a good way of saving *some* money. To be frank, I am not a fan of most city passes as the process of booking your time slot on the official website of many attractions when you have the pass is often unclear.
I tried to help some friends that had the city pass to book the World Trade Center Observatory, and we could hardly wrap our head around it. But if you don’t mind the hassle, go for it.
Unless you plan on visiting 5 attractions on the same day (which I don’t recommend!), you really don’t end up saving that much with a New York City Pass. You also have to book entrance to all attractions separately.
These are the best New York City Passes:
New York Pass: Access to Over 100 Attractions & Tours – it makes sense if you are spending a week or more in the city.
New York CityPASS®: Save 40% at 6 Top Attractions – another valid option. It gives you access to 6 attractions.
New York City: The Sightseeing FLEX Pass – the cheapest option is the 2 attractions pass.
Q&A On Visiting 9/11 Memorial and Museum
9/11 Museum and Memorial opening times
9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero is open daily from 8:00 am to 8.00 pm.
9/11 Museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
9/11 Museum ticket price
9/11 Museum ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult: $33.00
- Senior (65+): $27.00
- Students: $27.00
- US Veterans: $22.00
- Youth between the age of 13 and 17: $27.00
- Children between the age of 6 and 12: $21.00
Children up to 6 years and US Military can visit for free.
Are you wondering “do you have to pay to see the 9/11 Memorial?” Good news! The 9/11 Memorial is free to visit for everyone.
Modification to the reservation and refunds
The official website of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum suggests that tickets may be refunded or exchanged up to 24 hours before your visit, and subject to availability.
Can you buy 9/11 Museum tickets at the door?
Are you wandering “can you buy 9/11 Museum tickets at the museum?” and “do you need to buy 9/11 Museum tickets in advance?” or “do you need reservations for 9/11 Museum?”
You can’t buy 9/11 museum tickets at the door. The website of the museum is clear in saying that all visits must be booked in advance and you need to select a time slot.
What to do if tickets are sold out
You may be wondering: “Does the 9/11 Museum sell out?” or “do 9/11 Museum tickets sell out?” or even “do I need to book tickets for 9/11 Museum?” and the answer to all questions is yes.
9/11 Museum and Memorial is one of the most visited attractions in New York, and you are requested to book your tickets beforehand. You can get yours here.
It’s easier to find last-minute tickets on third-party reseller sites, as they buy them in bulk and always have something available (plus you can count on last-minute cancellations).
How to get 9/11 Museum free tickets
My recommendation is not to count on the 9/11 Museum free tickets as they aren’t easy to get. While there is a 9/11 Museum free Monday, this only really works if you do intend to visit on a Monday – but if you are in town just for the weekend, it’s not really feasible.
Anyways, if you want to give it a try here’s how it works:
Free 9/11 Museum tickets are available on the official website only every Monday from 7:00 am. You can get up to 4 tickets and you can only visit on a specific 9/11 Museum time slot – from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, with admission at 5:30 pm sharp.
The best time to visit 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Tickets for the 9/11 Museum are timed, so it’s never too crowded inside. Most tourists will try to visit between 12:00 and 3:00 pm so it may be better to avoid visiting at those times.
Last time I visited, I first explored the 9/11 Memorial and then has my 9/11 Museum time slot at 5:00. There were a lot of people there but it didn’t feel overwhelming at all.
How long does it take to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?
A proper visit of the Memorial and Museum shouldn’t last less than four hours – that will include a visit of the 9/11 Memorial and the sites nearby, and the 9/11 Museum.
The exhibit at the museum is quite comprehensive and detailed, and there is lots to see and read. When I visited a few weeks ago, it took me more than two hours to just go through the main exhibit inside the museum.
If you want to visit the museum in depth and go through all the exhibit, you should probably factor around four hours for your visit just for the museum, and around six if you want to visit the memorial too.
Can you visit the Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Museum on the same day?
Yes, you can visit the Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Museum on the same day – in fact, that’s what I did last time I was in New York, and what I recommend.
If this is what you wish to do, I recommend opting for the very first time slot (9:00 am) at the Statue of Liberty, so that you have enough time to visit that and Ellis Island. This way, you will be back by 1:00 pm in time for a quick lunch, and you can visit the 9/11 Memorial sites and the 9/11 Museum in the afternoon.
Your last stop for the day should be the One World Trade Center Observatory.
My post A Complete Guide To Visiting The Statue Of Liberty explains how to plan your visit to the Statue of Liberty.
How to get to 9/11 Museum and Memorial
The National September 11 Memorial Museum is located at 180 Greenwich Street, in the Financial District in Lower Manhattan.
There are 4 entrances to the building:
- Between Liberty Street and Greenwich Street
- Between Liberty Street and West Street
- Between West Street and Fulton Street
- Between Fulton Street and Greenwich Street
The easiest way to get there is by public transportation.
BY SUBWAY: Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and A, C, J, Z will take you all the way to Lower Manhattan. You can also take trains E and R. The best stations to get off are Chambers Street Station or Fulton Street Station, Park Place, World Trade Center, Rector Street or Cortland Street Station.
BY BUS: You can get to the Financial District by bus from other places in Manhattan. You will likely need to take a bus that is southbound. The buses that stop nearby are the M55 (get off at Broadway and Thames Street); the M20 (get off at South End Avenue between Liberty Street and Albany Street); and the M22 (get off at Vesey Street between North End Avenue and West Street). If you are taking the M55 Northbound get off at Trinity Place and Rector Street.
BY HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS: Another convenient way of getting there is by hop-on hop-off bus. You can get your pass here.
FROM NEW JERSEY: If you are traveling from New Jersey, you can get to the World Trade Center Terminal by PATH Train.
Security checks
All visitors to the 9/11 Museum have to go through security checks. To speed up the security checks, avoid carrying radios, markers, tripods, cameras, glass bottles, powders and sprays; large umbrellas; large backpacks and bags; food.
Smartphones and strollers are allowed.
Photography
You can take personal photos (ie photos that are not for commercial use) inside the main parts of the museum where you will see the remains of the walls, the stairs and other larger items on show. Flash photography is not allowed.
Photos are not allowed in the main exhibit – to be clear, that’s the one that goes through the timeline of the events of 9/11.
Toilets and other facilities at 9/11 Museum and Memorial
The National September 11 Memorial Museum is equipped with toilets, a Museum café and a museum store.
Accessibility
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is fully accessible to visitors with limited mobility and wheelchair users. Guide dogs are welcome.
Luggage storage
The museum is equipped with a cloakroom.
Is The 9/11 Museum And Memorial Worth Visiting?
If you are still wondering if it is worth visiting the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, let me tell you that I think it is! In fact, if you are wondering “is the 9/11 Museum tour worth it?” the answer is once again yes!
I visited again on my most recent trip to New York (I returned just two weeks ago) and I was glad I did.
In my case, since I was in New York on 9/11, the experience was very strong, and reading about the various events of the day on the timeline brought many memories back. I could finally make sense as to why I was able to take the subway to work on that day: they only closed it at 10:20 am!
The 9/11 Museum and Memorial will leave a strong impression on you. Most people visit in silence, in awe at a part of history most of us remember, yet we still know little about it. You will be overwhelmed with sadness and anger at some point. I know I cried silently almost throughout the entire visit.
The 9/11 Museum is not recommended for children below the age of 10. The exhibit may not be best suited for such a young audience. Furthermore, younger kids may end up getting bored in a place that is so quiet. If you are set on visiting, you may want to find a babysitter to take care of your children while you’re at the museum.
It goes without saying that when you visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum you should also visit the Memorial outside. The main sight at 9/11 Memorial is the twin reflecting pools (called Reflecting Absence) representing the footprints of the Twin Towers.
These are the largest man-made waterfalls of North America and were designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. The bronze parapet here has the incisions of the names of those who died in the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks.
Make sure to also spot the Survivor Tree, a series of white oak trees that line up the Memorial (the most important is the Callery pear tree that was saved from the site where the Twin Towers collapsed and replanted at Ground Zero); and to the World Trade Center’s Cross.
The National September 11 Museum and the Historical Exhibition will take you through the 9/11 facts. It is divided into 3 parts: the Events of the Day; Before 9/11; and After 9/11.
Inside the museum you can see the photos of the more than 3000 victims; as well photos by French photographer Stephane Sednaoui, who witnessed the incidents from his place in Lower Manhattan.
There are also special temporary exhibits on a regular basis that will deepen your understanding of the events of those tragic days.
Further Readings
Planning a trip to New York? Make sure to read my other posts!
- 40 Incredible Things To Do In New York City
- Where To Get The Best Views In New York
- The Perfect Itinerary To See New York In 2 Days
- A Fabulous Itinerary For 3 Days In New York
- An Easy To Follow Itinerary For 4 Days In New York
- 5 Days In New York: An Easy To Follow New York Itinerary
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Thank you, Claudia. This information helps me decide how much time to allow at this museum. Note that on Mondays, the official museum website offers free tickets for entrance after 3:30pm. These free tickets are available from 7am each Monday until they are sold out.
Thanks for the info, I will add it!