What do 9/11 Memorial & Museum tickets include, and how do you book?
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum sits at 180 Greenwich Street in the Financial District, built seven storeys below the plaza in the actual footprints of the Twin Towers. Inside, the exhibits use recovered objects, oral histories, and a wall of 2,983 blue tiles to tell the story of that day. This guide covers what the ticket includes, how to get there, and what to expect once you're inside.
About This Experience
180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007, in the Financial District. The museum entrance sits on the Memorial plaza.
Subway to WTC Cortlandt (1), Cortlandt St (R/W), or Fulton St (2/3/4/5/A/C/J/Z), or take the PATH train to World Trade Center.
Wednesday through Monday, 9:00 to 19:00, last entry at 17:15. Closed Tuesdays.
Timed tickets from $25 online; walk-up price at the door runs closer to $33, with reduced rates for seniors, students, veterans, and children. The outdoor Memorial and its two reflecting pools are free to visit anytime, and a limited number of free museum tickets go out for Monday evenings on a first-come basis.
A museum built seven storeys below the plaza, inside the archaeological footprints of the original Twin Towers.
The slurry wall that held back the Hudson, the Last Column covered in tributes, the Survivors' Stairs, Spencer Finch's wall of 2,983 blue tiles with no two alike, a recovered FDNY Ladder Company 3 fire truck, and the In Memoriam gallery.
Check Live Availability & Prices
Ticket prices shift by date and time slot, so it's worth checking exact availability before you plan your visit.
Which 9/11 Memorial & Museum Ticket to Pick
There is one ticket that matters here: the $25 timed entry pass, which covers full access to the museum's historical and memorial exhibitions, the In Memoriam gallery, and the outdoor Memorial pools above. It does not include a guided tour or audio guide; those are separate add-ons if you'd rather have a docent or a narrated walk instead of reading the wall text yourself.
This ticket suits anyone who wants to understand what happened at the World Trade Center site, not just see the outdoor Memorial from the sidewalk. It rewards people willing to give it two full hours, and it's not a stop to rush between other errands in the Financial District. Families with young children should know some sections, including recordings from the day and images of the towers falling, are intense; the museum flags these areas so you can guide kids around them.
What the ticket does not cover is transportation, food, or entry to the separate 9/11 Tribute Museum a few blocks away, and it won't guarantee same-day entry if you show up without a reservation, since slots sell out in summer and around the September anniversary. For more museums worth building a New York itinerary around, browse the full guide to museums in New York.
Book 9/11 Memorial & Museum Tickets
One museum, one ticket that matters, and it's worth reserving ahead.
from $25Top rated 9/11 Memorial & Museum Ticket
- Built at Ground Zero
- Timed-entry ticket
- Allow two hours
What You'll See
The exhibition begins in the archaeological remains of the site: the slurry wall that held back the Hudson River during construction, and the Last Column, the final steel beam removed from Ground Zero, covered in messages and mission patches left by recovery workers. Nearby, the Survivors' Stairs, the section of the original stairway hundreds used to escape the site, stands as one of the few structural remnants of the original complex.
Spencer Finch's installation covers one wall in 2,983 hand painted squares of blue, one for each victim, no two the same shade, a quiet counterpoint to the historical exhibition's photographs, recordings, and personal effects. A recovered FDNY Ladder Company 3 fire truck, crushed in the collapse, sits near the In Memoriam gallery, which puts a name and a story to every person lost.
How a Visit Flows
-
9:00 AM
Arrive at opening
Early entry means shorter lines at security and a quieter first hour in the historical exhibition.
-
9:15 AM
Enter through the pavilion
Bag check and security screening happen before you reach the underground galleries; keep photo ID and your ticket confirmation handy.
-
9:30 AM
Descend to bedrock level
The ramp down passes the slurry wall and the Last Column before opening into the main historical exhibition.
-
10:15 AM
Move through the historical exhibition
Photography is restricted in the most sensitive rooms; allow close to an hour if you're reading the panels rather than skimming.
-
11:15 AM
Visit the In Memoriam gallery
Touchscreens let you look up individual victims by name; it's a good place to slow down before heading back up.
-
11:45 AM
Walk the Memorial pools
Finish outside at the two reflecting pools, free to visit and open even if you skip the museum entirely.
Know Before You Go
Not suitable for
- Young children sensitive to distressing imagery or sound
- Anyone pressed for time; the visit runs close to two hours
- Travelers hoping for a quick photo stop rather than a full exhibition
What to bring
- Photo ID matching your ticket confirmation
- A printed or mobile copy of your timed ticket
- A light jacket; the underground galleries run cool
- Tissues; several sections are genuinely difficult
Not allowed
- Large bags or backpacks beyond a small purse or daypack
- Photography in the most sensitive historical sections
- Food or drink inside the galleries
Insider Tips
A few things make the visit easier if you plan around them.
- Book your timed slot at least a week ahead in summer or around the September anniversary
- Arrive 15 minutes before your slot to clear security without rushing
- Check the museum's website for free Monday evening tickets, released weekly
- Visit the outdoor Memorial pools separately and for free if you only have a short window
- Skip photography in the In Memoriam gallery and just be present for a few minutes
- Pair the visit with the nearby Oculus or Battery Park rather than cramming in more sights the same day
Where You're Headed
9/11 Memorial & Museum Tickets FAQ
How much do 9/11 Memorial & Museum tickets cost?
Timed entry tickets start at $25 online. Walk-up admission at the door runs closer to $33, with reduced rates for seniors, students, veterans, and children.
What time does the 9/11 Memorial & Museum open?
The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 17:15.
What day is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum closed?
The museum is closed on Tuesdays; the outdoor Memorial pools stay open every day.
How do you get to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum?
Take the subway to WTC Cortlandt on the 1 line, Cortlandt St on the R/W, or Fulton St on the 2/3/4/5/A/C/J/Z, or ride the PATH train to World Trade Center.
What will you actually see inside?
The historical exhibition, the slurry wall, the Last Column, the Survivors' Stairs, Spencer Finch's wall of 2,983 blue tiles, a recovered FDNY fire truck, and the In Memoriam gallery honoring each victim by name.
Do you need to book tickets in advance?
Yes. Slots sell out, especially in summer and around the September anniversary, so reserve a specific time before you arrive.
Is the outdoor Memorial free?
Yes, the two reflecting pools above the museum are free to visit at any time, separate from the ticketed museum.
How long should you plan for the visit?
Allow at least two hours for the museum alone, more if you also want time at the reflecting pools.
What Visitors Say
Nothing about this museum feels like a typical exhibit. We booked the 9:00 slot and had the historical exhibition almost to ourselves for the first half hour.
Heavier than I expected, in a good way. The Last Column and the blue tile wall stopped me for a long time. Glad we gave it the full two hours instead of rushing.
The $25 ticket is fair for what you get. Booking a specific time slot online meant no line at security, which I didn't expect in that part of downtown.