This post is about the National September 11th Museum (a.k.a. the 9/11 Museum or World Trade Center Museum), including information on tickets, guided tours, how to get here, and what to expect.
The 9/11 Museum is open 6 days a week (Wednesday- Monday) from 9 am - 7 pm.
Although the 9/11 Memorial is free to visit, you will require a paid ticket to enter the 9/11 Museum.
Admission can be purchased ahead of time in order to skip the ticket line and avoid waiting in a potentially long queue.
This is the best way to save time and it can also save you some money depending on how you purchase your tickets.
Ticket Prices
- $29/Adults
- $23/Young Adult (13-17)
- $23/Seniors & Students
- $17/Children (7-12)
- $18/Veterans | $12/FDNY/NYPD/PAPD
- Free admission for children 6 and under
- Free admission on Monday 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
- Family members of 9/11 Victims, 9/11 Rescue and Recovery Workers and Museum Members receive free entry.
- Pre-purchase tickets or learn more.
14 DISCOUNTS ON 9/11 MUSEUM TICKETS
There are a lot of different ways to save money on tickets to the 9/11 museum, and this section will provide details on how to take advantage of these deals.
1. Use a Tourist Pass
If you’re looking for a way to save money on tickets, it’s important to note that admission to the 9/11 Museum is included with several tourist passes.
Visitors who are planning to visit at least one other attraction or tour should consider this opportunity to save money on tickets.
Savings will be between 20-50% depending on the type of pass you choose.
The following passes include admission to the 9/11 Museum:
In addition to this, following attractions are also included with these discount passes:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Empire State Buildings, Top of the Rock, or One World Observatory
- Madame Tussauds
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
- Museum of Modern Art
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For more details, make sure to read our post about New York City attraction passes.
2. Look For a Combo Deal
There are also combo packages that include admission to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and other popular attractions or activities.
Here are some of the best combo deals currently available:
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + 9/11 Tribute Museum
- Not currently available as of May 2023.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + Museum of Modern Art
- $58/Adults | $45/Seniors
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + Metropolitan Museum of Art
- $74/Adults | $64/Children
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + Empire State Building
- $80.91/Adults | $68.37/Children | $68.37/Seniors
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + One World Observatory
- $91.79/Adults | $73.26/Youth| $83.62/Seniors
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum + Ground Zero Guided Tour + One World Observatory
- $109/Adults | $104/Children
Check this list of New York City combo packages for more deals.
3. Take a Guided Tour
Alternatively, some guided tours include admission to the 9/11 Museum and other activities.
These outings are a lot like combo packages, saving you a lot of time.
- 9/11 Memorial Tour & 9/11 Museum Tickets
- $69/Adults | $65/Children
- 9/11 Museum, 9/11 Memorial Tour & Statue of Liberty
- Not currently available as of May 2023.
4. Take Advantage of Free Mondays
If you come on Monday, you'll be eligible for a free ticket between the hours of 5:30 pm - 7 pm.
For more details, check our section on Free Mondays.
5. Senior Discount
The 9/11 Museum offers a $6 discount for senior citizens over the age of 65.
As long as you have an ID that proves your age, you will be eligible for this deal.
6. College Student Discount
If you are a student at a university or college in the United States, you're eligible for a $6 discount at the 9/11 museum provided that you have a student ID.
7. Veterans Discount
Veterans of the United States military are eligible for an $11 discount on tickets to the 9/11 Museum.
You will more than likely be asked to provide proof of your veteran status.
8. Discount for Members of the FDNY/NYPD/PAPD
If you are a member of either the FDNY, the NYPD, or the PAPD, you'll be eligible for a deep discount of $17 on tickets to the 9/11 Museum.
9. Free for US Military
Both active and retired members of the US Military are eligible for free entry to the 9/11 Museum.
A valid ID will be necessary to prove your status.
10. Free for Kids Under 6
Parents of children under the age of 6 will not be required to pay for a children's ticket to the 9/11 museum, as kids this young are welcome to visit for free with parental supervision.
11. Get a Family Ticket
If you're coming with your significant other and up to 3 kids under the age of 17, you're eligible for a family ticket.
At $93 for a family ticket, if your kids are all between the ages of 13-17, you would save a total of $34.
12. Check a Discount Site
Every now and then you might find a discount either on tickets to the 9/11 Museum or on tours and combo deals using discount sites like Groupon and LivingSocial.
These sites also frequently offer additional coupon codes for 10% - 20% off their already low prices.
13. Child Discount
Young adults between the ages of 13-17 are eligible for a discount of $6 off the full admission price.
Children from the age of 7-12 can get an even better deal at $12 off the adult ticket price.
14. Get a Museum Membership
There are various levels of membership to the 9/11 Museum, and they all include free admission for at least one adult for the entire year.
The base level of membership is $75 and in addition to the free admission for the cardholder, it also includes two complimentary passes for guests accompanied by a member.
FREE ADMISSION MONDAY EVENINGS
Free admission will be available for all visitors every Monday from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.
A limited number of advance tickets for these free Mondays will be available online, starting each Monday at 7 am.
A limited number of tickets are available at the box office every Monday on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note: While admission is free, there is an expectation that you donate at least $10 per person. This isn't required, but you might feel uncomfortable when asked.
Admission to the museum is included for free with the purchase of either the New York Pass, the Go City New York Explorer Pass, or the CityPass booklet.
Read our post comparing the different tourist attractions passes in NYC.
On Mondays, we run our 9/11 and World Trade Center Tour @1 pm (14:00), ending just in time to get a good spot on the line for free Monday entry.
Or, consider a private 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge Night Tour.
EXHIBIT INFORMATION
In addition to a few permanent exhibitions, this museum also houses revolving exhibits. Keep an eye out for new attractions whenever you choose to visit.
This section will cover the more notable things to see and experience at the 9/11 Museum.
Cover Stories
The New Yorker Magazine has had a history of depicting the Twin Towers in playful ways through its cover art.
That all changed after 9/11, and this exhibit provides a look at the imagery both before and after the event.
Take a look at how this tragedy impacted the way that artists would come to view the World Trade Center.
Historical Exhibition
This is where you will find artifacts and historic details that provide a full account of the World Trade Center.
There are three parts to this exhibit that explore the history of this location before, during, and after the events of 9/11.
Each area is contained in its own room with several different things to see and experience.
Memorial Exhibition
See the faces of the 2,983 victims of both 9/11 and the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.
Learn more about each victim by using touch screen tables which provide additional information about each of the lives lost.
You’ll also find a chamber that projects profiles of select individuals with additional information and audio from family and friends.
Witness at Ground Zero
See the tragic events of 9/11 through the eyes of a photographer who not only documented the moment but also took part in the effort to save lives.
Due to his rescue efforts, he not only helped a lot of people, but he also got some of the most remarkable photographs of Ground Zero.
Take a look at 500+ pictures that were taken between September 12th - September 16th of 2001.
Comeback Season
This is the newest revolving exhibition and it covers the subject of how New York sporting events were affected by the events of 9/11.
As the tragedy weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of Americans, the baseball season was coming to a close and the Football season was just beginning.
A combination of postseason berths and new beginnings would quickly become the symbol of a country that would not be terrorized.
Nearby Attractions
Due to its location in lower Manhattan, there are a lot of historic and notable attractions near the 9/11 Museum.
This section will provide a shortlist of interesting places in the area that you may want to visit.
9/11 Memorial
This one is a no-brainer, and you’ll actually make a stop here on some of the tours listed under our tour section.
Found right next to the museum, this memorial was erected to honor the victims of 9/11.
One World Observatory
This building and its observation decks are one of the best attractions in NYC.
Located right across the street from the museum, visitors will definitely want to consider stopping in for one of the best views in the city.
Read our post about One World Observatory for more information.
The information in this section will help you plan an outing to the 9/11 Museum.
This is where you will find details such as how to get there, the best times to visit, security information, and what to expect.
Podcast Episode: Listen to tour guides Lori and Katherine discuss how to visit the 911 Memorial and Museum on an episode of our NYC Travel Tips podcast.
This podcast offers bite-sized audio clips with tips on how to plan your trip to NYC. You can get our podcasts on Apple, Google, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The National September 11 Memorial Museum is located at 180 Greenwich Street, inside the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
WHERE IS THE 9/11 MUSEUM?
There are many ways to get here, but regardless, we recommend using this link for directions to the 9/11 Museum.
It is easily accessible by many train lines of the New York City subway system.
If you are new to riding the subway, check out our posts on navigating the subway and how to buy a subway MetroCard.
Stations within walking distance are:
- A, C, 1, 2, 3 to Chambers Street
- A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Fulton Street
- 2 or 3 to Park Place
- E to World Trade Center
- 1 or R to Rector Street
- R to Cortlandt Street
Alternatively, if you’re planning to use a hop-on-hop-off bus, most services offer a stop very close to the World Trade Center.
You can also take a public bus (lines M5, M20 & M22) to get here if need be.
Best Times to Visit
The 9/11 Museum is a fairly popular attraction that attracts pretty large crowds throughout the year.
With that in mind, it’ll be important to consider the hours of this establishment before we go any further.
9/11 Museum Hours
Wednesday - Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Note that these hours may be expanded in the future.
Despite the fact that they are open 6 days a week, there are still times when this museum can get very busy.
You should probably expect the place to get pretty crowded from about 12 pm - 3 pm no matter what day it is.
If you want to avoid the crowds, the best times to come are between the hours of 9 am - 11 am or 6 pm - 8 pm.
Although there aren’t too many differences between the popularity of this attraction on weekdays and weekends, many guests recommend coming on a weekday for the best results.
Other visitors have indicated that if you pre-purchase your ticket, any time you come will be a good time.
Long ticket lines are the main problem people experience during the middle of the day.
Purchasing your ticket ahead of time will make it easier to get inside quickly without having to worry about long waits.
For more info about this option, check our ticket details section.
Security Screening
Upon entering the 9/11 Museum, you will need to go through a security screening.
Here is a list of just a few things you cannot bring into the museum:
- Radios
- Markers
- Tripods
- Cameras
- Glass bottles
- Alkali Metals
- Rope & Wire
- Powdered substances
While items such as umbrellas and large bags are also not allowed, you will have the option to keep them in a coatroom for the duration of your visit. *Coatroom is closed as of December 2022.
That all being said, it is worth noting that you are more than welcome to bring both smartphones and strollers into the museum.
Smartphones must be silenced and you will require headphones for any audio guides.
The following activities are prohibited:
- Noise making
- Eating/drinking
- Commercial photography
- Recording other visitors
- All flash photography
If you decide to take pictures or shoot a video, make sure to ask for permission first and keep the focus on items in the museum and not on other people around you.
Permits may be required for certain activities.
If you don’t purchase admission ahead of time, you may run into long lines at the ticket booth.
The best way to avoid long waits at the 9/11 museum is to pre-purchase your tickets.
Once you pass through security, you will be able to visit several different exhibits that detail the history of 9/11 and the World Trade Center.
There is so much to see and do at this museum that you might get overwhelmed without a little help.
Thankfully, there are tours that you can take which provide more information about various exhibitions and artifacts. For additional details, make sure to check our tour section.
The 9/11 Museum recommends setting aside at least 2 hours to explore the museum.
Visitors have indicated that you could spend as little as an hour at the museum if you skip certain exhibits.
But, many have also said that they spent anywhere from 2 ½ - 5 hours and still didn’t manage to explore the entire building.
Each exhibition could take anywhere from 15-30 minutes or more to experience. Use our exhibit information section to plan your itinerary.
If you also plan on seeing nearby attractions such as the 9/11 Memorial or One World Observatory, make sure to set aside a little extra time for each activity.
While you can visit the memorial for free during the same general hours as the museum, you will need a ticket to enter One World Trade Center.
For more details on this and other opportunities, visit our nearby attractions section.
There are many options for guided tours of the museum.
Most, however, include tours of the 9/11 Memorial while others include tickets to One World Observatory or to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
For more information on these tours, click here or take a look at the calendar below.
Official 9/11 Museum Tours
In addition to all the 9/11 Memorial tours you can take, there are also official tours offered by the 9/11 Museum.
Some of them aren’t cheap, but you will undoubtedly learn a lot about the history of this location with the help of their wonderful and knowledgeable docents.
Check their tour page for more information.
Why Is the 9/11 Museum Important?
The 9/11 Museum was planned and designed to be the preeminent institution in the United States for honoring and remembering those who were lost in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, as well as the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993.
The museum weaves together individual stories about those who lost their lives on 9/11, as well as stories from those who escaped, those who lost a loved one, and those who risked their lives to aid in the rescue efforts.
The Museum’s 110,000 square feet of exhibit space includes a Historical Exhibition, detailing the facts and chronology of the events of 9/11, as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The “Wall of Faces” displays pictures of nearly every victim of these two events.
There are also interactive exhibits where individuals are honored through stories, additional photographs, personal artifacts, and audio recordings.
Worth noting is that the primary exhibition space is located below the ground. Seven stories below ground, to be exact. The reasoning is unique.
In the aftermath of 9/11, what remained of the original World Trade Center achieved federal landmark status.
The 9/11 Memorial Foundation is legally required to preserve what remains of the original Trade Center and make it accessible to the public.
The remaining elements are the foundation slabs of the original Twin Towers, parts of the exterior “box columns” of the Twin Towers, and the retaining wall that was built during the original construction.
This was to keep the Hudson River from flooding the Trade Center.
This wall, known as the “slurry wall,” held firm on 9/11, despite all of the chaos around.
Architect Daniel Libeskind, who designed the master plan for the new World Trade Center, thought that the slurry wall was a symbol of the strength and endurance of this country and needed to be seen.
Because of these factors, the Museum is built underground where visitors can best see these original World Trade Center elements.
Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of things to do in NYC as well as these related posts:
