9/11 Tribute Center - Stories, Images & First-Hand Accounts
The World Trade Center site and the story of the 9/11 attacks are of great interest to many visitors to New York City. Tourists flock to the Financial District to see the memorials, museums, and five office buildings of the new World Trade Center complex. One prominent museum located on the site is the 9/11 Tribute Center. Please note, The 9/11 Tribute Center should not be confused with the 9/11 Memorial Museum. The 9/11 Memorial is always free and open to the public and does not require tickets. The Tribute Center is a project of the September 11th Families’ Association, bringing together those who want to learn about 9/11 with those who actually experienced it. Tour Guides are 9/11 family members, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, civilian volunteers or lower Manhattan residents whose personal stories are shared with you and are a testament to the human spirit.
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Tips for Visiting the 9/11 Tribute Center
Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster- It should go without saying that a visit to the 9/11 Tribute Center is a highly emotional experience. In fact, the museum is aware of this and even leaves tissue boxes out in some of the galleries to fortify visitors against the tear-jerking stories of 9/11 survivors and family members. These 9/11 stories are stories of loss, desperation, resilience, and courage. As such, they deeply strike visitors from all backgrounds and leave them emotionally shaken. Ask questions and interact- When you take a tour, you can communicate one-on-one with someone who has experienced the tragic event first-hand and can therefore provide you with an even deeper understanding of 9/11. Be observant and don't miss a thing- When you visit the Tribute Center, you can sense that those who designed the museum were aiming for a sort of cacophonous mix of powerful experiences and emotions- which is what surely was present on the day of the attacks. But it results in a museum where profound testaments and deeply intriguing stories are sort of scattered about here and there. They're easily missed if you're not carefully noticing each exhibit, sign, artifact, and poster. Visit the 9/11 Memorial on the same day- The twin reflecting pools of the 9/11 Memorial are a beautiful yet haunting vestige of what was lost on 9/11. The designers of the memorial have had the names of every person who died in World Trade Center terrorist attacks inscribed onto the bronze panels that surround the two pools. The Memorial seems to encourage visitors to remember the past but look to the future. It shouldn't be missed by those interested in understanding the emotional response the city of New York has had to the events of 9/11.
What to Do There
The museum consists of five different galleries and a "Hall of Healing" that illustrates the worldwide response of sympathy for New York seen after the attacks.\ The five galleries included in the museum are named and organized as follows:
World Trade Center Community
This first gallery gives visitors a feel for the workplace culture that existed at the World Trade Center prior to the attacks. It includes a short video about what life was like for workers there. It also includes a model of the two World Trade Center towers and images of what the structure looked like before the attacks.
The Attacks
The second gallery displays a timeline of what took place on September 11, chronologically taking the visitor through the events and offering artifacts on display taken from Ground Zero.
Recovery
In the third gallery, visitors see another video describing the search, rescue, and recovery of victims in the months that followed the attacks. Signs with pictures of lost victims and statements from family members pleading for information about them are posted on the walls.
Those Lost
This gallery allows visitors to come face to face with victims from the attacks. It includes pictures of victims of both the 9/11 attacks and the attacks of 1993 that occurred at the World Trade Center.
Gallery Five
This last gallery offers temporary exhibits that change throughout the year. It also offers interactive computer exhibits and a table of open notebooks where visitors can leave their thoughts on the museum or on the 9/11 attacks.
Guided Tours
One of the best things to experience at the 9/11 Tribute Center is a tour offered by one of the museum's guides. These guides are all either survivors of the 9/11 attack or family members of those who experienced or died in the attacks. The tours that are offered at the Tribute Center not only give museum visitors a chance to hear the guide's story, but also to interact with the guide and question him or her about the experience. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It may not be appropriate for children under the age of 6. The last ticket is sold 30 minutes prior to closing Tours at the 9/11 Tribute Center last 1 hour and 15 minutes and meet up at the museum's entrance at 120 Liberty Street. It's important to note that the tours do not take place within the museum itself, but rather at the 9/11 Memorial that is located just a few minutes' walk from the Tribute Center. This Memorial area includes two tribute pools where the original buildings stood and the "survivor tree".
Nearby Things to Do
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum - A visit to the Tribute Center should ideally be combined with visits to the other attractions around the World Trade Center Complex. Prominent among these is the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum located at 180 Greenwich Street. This nearby museum gives a more factual account of the World Trade Center attacks. However, visitors may have more trouble getting tickets for this. As of the winter of 2016, tickets for the National 9/11 Museum need to be purchased at least three months in advance. St. Paul's Chapel - Another important attraction to see near the Tribute Center is St. Paul's Chapel located at 209 Broadway. This church had a distinguished history even before it became known as "The Church That Stood" throughout the 9/11 attacks. St. Paul's Chapel functioned as a rest area and first aid center for recovery workers during the attacks. It is also known for being the oldest church building in all of Manhattan. It was constructed in 1764. One World Observatory - Visitors can actually go inside the new World Trade Center by visiting One World Observatory. This is an observation deck located within the new office building constructed at One World Trade Center. One World Trade Center is now the tallest building in the entire city. It offers views of not only the Financial District, but also the rest of Manhattan and neighboring Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Places to Eat Nearby
One World Observatory dining - If you're looking for a bite to eat during your visit to the Tribute Center and its surroundings, try eating at one of the restaurants located at One World Observatory. These three restaurants- One Café, One Mix, and One Dine- allow diners to enjoy breathtaking views as they eat. Hudson Eats at Brookfield Place - Another option is Hudson Eats at 200 Vesey Street, which is a 35,000 square-foot food hall that includes diverse dining options like Umami Burger, Little Muenster, Doso Toros, Num Pang, and much more.
Need to Know
Hours
- Tribute Center Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
- Tour Times: Sunday-Friday, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm; Saturday, 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm
- Closings: 9/11 Anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day. All holiday hours are subject to change without notice.
Directions & Address
120 Liberty Street New York, New York 10006 Public Transportation: By Subway: 2 or 3 trains to Park Place; A, C, 4 and 5 trains to Fulton Street; R train to Cortlandt Street; E train or PATH to World Trade Center. Nearest intersection is Liberty Street and Greenwich Street.
Visit with a New York City Explorer Pass
Remember, the New York City Explorer Pass® is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes a 9/11 Tribute Center guided tour, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple New York City attractions for one low price.