Visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Today I wanted to take a minute to remember the lives lost on September 11th, including the first responders who put their lives on the line in attempt to reach those in danger. If you have the opportunity to visit the museum I highly recommend it. 9/11 is a day Americans will never forget and I hope the museum continues to serves as a reminder to younger generations the impact this single event had on the world.
When the hubs and I and our favorite travel couple visited New York in 2015 we agreed we wanted to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. To say it was the most humbling experience of my life is an understatement. Being a freshman in high school in 2001 doesn’t lend itself to acknowledging the magnitude of the event. As an adult I understand the impact it had from a community level all the way up to a global level.
Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial is free of charge and open to the public daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The names of those who died in the attack in 2001 and 1993 are inscribed around the two memorial pools outside the museum. Also on the memorial grounds is the “Survivor Tree.” A single tree which emerged from the rubble, rehabilitated, and replanted at the ground in 2010.
Museum
Ticketing
It was recommended to us to purchase our tickets ahead of time to avoid long lines. Tickets can be purchased online up to six months in advance. General Admissions for adults is $24.00 and they offer discounts for seniors, US college students, and FDNY/NYPD/PAPD to name a few. Free admission is given to 9/11 Family Members, 9/11 Rescue and Recovery Workers, and Active/Retired U.S. Military. There is also free admission on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to close on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets covering museum admission plus guided tours (45-minutes or 60-minutes) are also available.
What to Expect
Our visit began with a 15 minute video developed exclusively for the museum featuring key political members; George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, etc. Their recount of the day’s events was indescribable, you need to hear it for yourself. The first part of the museum reminded me of an art exhibit; soaring ceilings, dark wood floors, void of sound. The second part of the museum takes you through the timeline of the day, the artifacts, and the voices of loved ones lost and those left behind. Kuddos to the developers of the museum, they did a fantastic job. Photography was not allowed in most of the museum, but here are a few of the photos captured.
“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” – Virgil
Until next post…xoxo Becca
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