How to visit 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center
The 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center is FREE and open to the public — but — you must register for FREE passes for a specific date and time. You must have a reservation to enter. Click here to make your reservation on the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial website, where you also can also find information about where the name of a particular victim or group is etched into the stone surrounding the 30-foot-tall waterfalls that mark the footprint of the original Twin Towers. Be forewarned that the first available ticket could be more than 30 days from today. And remember — the passes are FREE — anybody who wants to sell you a pass is doing so illegally.
New: A limited number of passes for same-day visits are now available daily at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site at 20 Vesey St. (at Church Street) beginning at 9:00 a.m., the NYC & Co. kiosk at City Hall and the NY Water Taxi booth at the South Street Seaport. Limited to 4 passes per person on a first-come, first-served basis.
Be prepared for extensive security screening, similar to airport security screening, to enter the 9/11 Memorial, so get there at least 15 minutes ahead of the time printed on your reservation confirmation form. Although you will be admitted at the time printed on your pass, you can stay as long as you like. The length of time each pass holder can spend on the memorial plaza will not be limited. The 9/11 Museum is due to open in 2012, and that will have an admission fee. The 9/11 Memorial is separate from the museum, and free.
The 9/11 Memorial Preview Site at 20 Vesey Street, across the street from the World Trade Center, is remaining open for those unable to get in to the official museum site and store, or for those who want a memento after visiting, where you can buy official NYPD and FDNY memorabilia, books and other items that help support the official 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum. Even if you can’t get a pass for the new museum that suits your schedule, the preview site is compelling and interesting. Please purchase your World Trade Center and 9/11 souvenirs at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, since proceeds support the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum, instead of purchasing souvenirs from a street vendor, especially unlicensed vendors who may be selling counterfeit merchandise with the NYPD, NYFD or 9/11 logos.
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