Our world changed on 9/11. I didn't know any of the victims or heroes personally, but September 11, 2001 remains an important date in my memory.
The new 9/11 Memorial and Museum opened just a couple of weeks before our family trip to New York City, and for my husband and me, it was a must-see. We also hoped that it would be meaningful for our children (ages 10 and 7), who didn't personally experience 9/11.
Is the 9/11 Memorial Museum a good choice for your family? Here is what you can expect, plus tips for saving money on tickets.
9/11 Memorial
Two waterfalls have been constructed in the footprints of the twin towers that were destroyed by terrorists on September 11, 2001. They begin at ground level and fall into the earth. I could not see the bottom. The names of the people who were killed are engraved all around the waterfalls on a wall about waist high. The new One World Trade Center building towers overhead and new construction continues on nearby blocks.
It costs nothing to visit the Memorial and visitor passes are no longer required. I recommend the Memorial plaza for families with children of all ages.
9/11 Museum
The 9/11 Museum is one of the most moving places I have visited. It is largely dedicated to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, but it covers the attack on the Pentagon and the hijacked airplane that was brought down by passengers in Pennsylvania as well. The museum also honors the victims of the terrorist bombing at the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993.
Much of the museum is underground, between the original Twin Towers. I was fascinated by stairs from one tower that were used by escapees, and the last column, which remained standing after the buildings collapsed and became a symbol of strength. The column was made into a memorial by many who helped in the aftermath of the destruction. Tribute gifts from friends and families of 9/11 victims are on display nearby.
The museum tells the story of the terrorist attacks in detail, from the terrorist bombing at the World Trade Center in 1993 to rebuilding afterward. Audio and video technology are used throughout the museum to take visitors through the morning of September 11, 2001 moment by moment though the eyes of those who were there. Artifacts large and small, including a smashed fire truck, are on display. Photos and biographies of the nearly 3,000 victims are honored. I wish I'd had time to read every plaque and experience every media presentation.
The 9/11 Museum houses the unidentifiable remains of some of the victims of the World Trade Center attack. They are encased behind a huge wall covered with one tile for each of the victims of the attack, each painted a different shade of blue. It represents the color of the sky.
Ways to Save
Access to the outdoor Memorial is free, but admission fees for the Museum can add up for a family. Here are several ways to save on admission.
Free Admission Tuesdays – There is no admission charge for the 9/11 Museum after 5 PM on Tuesdays. You may pick up tickets on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 4 PM. The last admission is at 6 PM – two hours before closing time.
Discount Passes – We used CityPASS on our NYC trip, and found that it was a good way to save money on popular New York City attractions. CityPASS includes fewer attractions than the other passes, but it's less expensive, and it included the activities we wanted to do most.
Compare passes to see which is right for your family. The 9/11 Museum is included in the following passes.
- New York CityPASS – Best price for 6 big attractions
- Go City – New York Explorer Pass – Includes 9/11 Museum Guided Tour and 9/11 Tribute Museum (a different museum) too.
- New York Pass – 100+ attractions. Includes 9/11 Tribute Museum too.
- New York Sightseeing Pass – Only pass that includes One World Observatory.
We have used both Go New York and New York CityPASS. Both work well, but they work differently. Click the links below to read more about each pass and decide which is the best fit for your interests and budget.
- Tips for Getting the Most From Your Go New York Pass
- Tips for Getting the Most From Your New York CityPASS
Special Groups – The following groups get free or discounted admission to the 9/11 Museum
- 9/11 Family Members (free)
- 9/11 Rescue and Recovery Workers (free with registration)
- Active and Retired Military (free with ID)
- FDNY/NYPD/PAPD (discount with ID)
Is the 9/11 Museum good for children?
There are two ways to ask this question.
- Is there anything in the museum that I didn't want my children to see?
- Did my children appreciate the experience?
Our children were ages 7 and 10. The museum is dedicated to a terrible event in history, but we saw nothing that we felt was too scary or graphic for our children at the 9/11 Museum. The outdoor Memorial is appropriate for all ages.
Did my children get anything out of the 9/11 Museum experience? My 10-year-old daughter definitely did. She has learned about the events of 9/11 at school and at home, and I think that the museum helped her better understand what happened that day. She enjoys history and museums and was fascinated by the exhibits.
My 7-year-old son was not excited to visit the 9/11 Museum and was ready to leave much sooner than the rest of us. Now he tells me that he liked it and he learned some things, but he did not enjoy it much at the time.
Family tours and activities for children are available. Learn more at https://www.911memorial.org/learn/youth-and-families
Conclusion
For me, visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum was one of the most meaningful experiences of our New York City trip. I strongly recommend it for families with older children and teens.
Families with young children may need to adjust expectations, or just visit the outdoor Memorial and save the 9/11 Museum for another trip. I hope that our experience helps you make the decision that is best for your family!
Happy travels!
Related: A first-timer's guide to the American Museum of Natural History
Good to Know
Where: World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Use of public transportation is encouraged. Here is a map and information about local transportation: www.911memorial.org/getting-here. Expect security screenings.
When:
- Open Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (6 p.m. last entry)
- Open Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (7 p.m. last entry)
How Much: There is no cost to visit the outdoor 9/11 Memorial. Ticket prices for the museum start at $26 for adults (updated March 2020) Guided tours are available for an extra charge of $15-20, including a tour for families.
Admission is free for all on Tuesdays after 5 PM. Discounts are available through CityPASS and other providers. Scroll up to the Ways to Save section of this article for details.
How Long: 2-3 hours
Amenities: There are no restrooms at the Memorial, but there are restrooms inside the Museum for paid ticket holders. Find gift shops inside the museum and on Vesey Street. Photography is limited inside the museum.
Website: www.911memorial.org
wanderingeducators
What a sensitive, lovely summary. Thanks for the tips!
livsenese
I would love to see this memorial some day. I’m so glad you were able to visit and to share it with your children. I even talked with my four-year-old about the attacks this week (she wanted to know why we had a flag on our lawn that day). Awareness is so important.
Allison Laypath
I agree. Occasions like this create opportunities to discuss important issues with our children.
Colleen Lanin
I really need to do this the next time I go to NYC. It would be impossible to forget where I was when I heard about the first plane crashing into the tower…and then watching when the second struck. Gives me chills just thinking about it.
Corinne
Considering visiting when we go to NYC soon. I think my son might be too young, so I appreciate your thoughtful review.
Katie Dillon
We’re going in December (brrrr…) and I’ll put this on our list also because our daughter asked this year for the first time what 9/11 is all about.
Tamara Gruber (@tgruber)
We’ve been to the Memorial when our daughter was 9 and found it was so tastefully done that I’d definitely be interested to visiting the museum now that it is open. It was much harder for my husband and I to visit than it was for her as we lived in NYC at the time and nearly lost a family member, so it was an emotional experience. Since we lived through it, it can be more impactful to adults so I think you need to also think about your own reaction and the reaction of your kids when they see your emotion.
Allison
That is an excellent point to consider before taking children to the 9/11 Museum. Children may be more alarmed by their parents’ emotions than by the displays themselves.