9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 76 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission worth booking?
9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission is a 1.7-hour experience in New York, United States, from $24 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 76 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (76)
- Duration
- 1.7 hours
- From
- $24 per person
Experience New York’s Unbreakable Spirit as you join us on a powerful journey through the heart of New York City, where resilience, heroism, and renewal come to life. Begin at St. Paul’s Chapel, a sanctuary of hope after 9/11, setting the tone for this deeply emotional tour. Visit the striking Oculus, a symbol of the city’s rebirth, and pay tribute at the FDNY Memorial, where stories of unimaginable bravery unfold. At the 9/11 Memorial, stand in awe at the Reflecting Pools, a solemn reminder of the lives lost, as your guide reveals the profound symbolism of this sacred space. As you stand at the base of One World Trade Center, feel the power of the Freedom Tower as a beacon of strength. Conclude at the 9/11 Museum (if option selected), where personal artifacts and exhibits bring history to life. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an unforgettable emotional journey through New York’s heart and soul, honoring the enduring legacy of 9/11.
What you get
About this experience
Experience New York’s Unbreakable Spirit as you join us on a powerful journey through the heart of New York City, where resilience, heroism, and renewal come to life. Begin at St. Paul’s Chapel, a sanctuary of hope after 9/11, setting the tone for this deeply emotional tour. Visit the striking Oculus, a symbol of the city’s rebirth, and pay tribute at the FDNY Memorial, where stories of unimaginable bravery unfold. At the 9/11 Memorial, stand in awe at the Reflecting Pools, a solemn reminder of the lives lost, as your guide reveals the profound symbolism of this sacred space. As you stand at the base of One World Trade Center, feel the power of the Freedom Tower as a beacon of strength. Conclude at the 9/11 Museum (if option selected), where personal artifacts and exhibits bring history to life. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an unforgettable emotional journey through New York’s heart and soul, honoring the enduring legacy of 9/11.
What's included
Included
- Headset so you can always hear your guide
- Admission Ticket to the 9/11 Museum (if option selected)
- Group of 20 people or less
- Guided Tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero
- Expert, English-speaking tour guide
Not included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Guided Tour of the 9/11 Museum
What you'll see and do
St. Paul's Chapel
St. Paul's Chapel, located in Lower Manhattan, is the oldest surviving church in New York City, dating back to 1766. It played a crucial role during the 9/11 attacks, serving as a relief center for first responders and recovery workers. Just blocks from Ground Zero, the chapel miraculously survived the devastation without damage. For months, it provided a place of rest, support, and comfort, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope. Today, it stands as a powerful memorial to the events of 9/11 and a testament to the enduring spirit of the city. It serves perfectly as the start of your guided tour.
15 minutes here
The Oculus
After the moving St Paul's Chapel, your guide will take you to one of the most modern building in New York City. The Oculus, located at the World Trade Center site, is a strikingly modern transit hub and shopping center designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. Opened in 2016, its futuristic white structure resembles a bird in flight and serves as a symbol of renewal and hope following the 9/11 attacks. The Oculus features a spacious, light-filled interior with a soaring, ribbed roof. Its design not only facilitates transportation but also stands as a powerful emblem of the city's recovery and resilience.
15 minutes here
Brookfield Place
Your next stop is at Brookfield Place, a modern complex known for its sleek architecture and vibrant amenities. The development includes a series of high-rise office buildings, a luxury shopping mall, and a variety of dining options. Its notable features include the Winter Garden Atrium, a stunning glass-enclosed space with lush palm trees and a soaring ceiling, providing a serene escape from the bustling city. Brookfield Place offers picturesque views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty, making it a popular destination for anyone seeking a blend of shopping, dining, and relaxation. It is also another testimony of the resilience and revitalization of the area after the attacks.
10 minutes here
World Trade Center's Liberty Park
As your tour continues, your guide will take you to Liberty Park, near the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It is a serene green space that offers stunning views of the One World Trade Center and the surrounding skyline. Opened in 2016, the park features lush landscaping, walking paths, and seating areas, making it a perfect spot for reflection and relaxation. One of its key highlights is the Liberty Park Overlook, which provides a unique vantage point to observe the historic sites of the area. The park is also home to the Survivor Tree, a symbol of resilience that survived the 9/11 attacks. Liberty Park serves as a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, honoring the past while inviting you to enjoy the beauty of nature amidst the urban landscape.
15 minutes here
FDNY Memorial Wall
This next stop is one of the most poignant on the tour. The FDNY Memorial Wall, located at the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) headquarters on Pearl Street, honors the bravery and sacrifice of FDNY members who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated in 2004, the wall features engraved plaques with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters, creating a poignant tribute to their heroism. The memorial serves as a place of reflection and remembrance for the families, colleagues, and the public, paying homage to the dedication and courage of New York’s fire service. It stands as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by these first responders, particularly highlighted during events like 9/11.
10 minutes here
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The 9/11 Memorial and Reflecting Pools, located at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the six people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The Memorial features two massive reflecting pools set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, each nearly an acre in size with cascading waterfalls—the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. The names of the victims are inscribed on bronze panels surrounding the pools, offering a place for reflection and remembrance. The pools serve as a powerful tribute to those lost, providing a serene and poignant space for visitors to contemplate the impact of 9/11.
15 minutes here
One World Trade Center
As your tour approaches its end, your guide will take you at the foot of One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower. It is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, standing at 1,776 feet, symbolizing the year of American independence. Completed in 2013, it was built on the site of the original World Trade Center towers and is a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal. The building features a striking glass facade and a design that blends strength with elegance. During your visit in New York City, you can explore the One World Observatory on the 100th to 102nd floors, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of New York City and beyond. The building is not only an architectural marvel but also a tribute to the enduring spirit of New York and a reminder of the city's ability to rise from tragedy.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
If selected: Your tour draws to its end, your guide will tell you all the things not to miss during your self guided visit of the 9/11 Museum. Located beneath the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site, it is a profound and moving tribute to the victims, survivors, and heroes of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. Opened in 2014, the museum features powerful exhibits that include artifacts from the Twin Towers, personal belongings, photographs, and oral histories. Visitors can explore detailed accounts of the events leading up to, during, and after 9/11, as well as the stories of resilience and recovery. The museum's exhibitions are housed within the archaeological remnants of the original World Trade Center, including the "Survivor Stairs" and the exposed steel "Last Column." This setting, combined with the emotional narratives and carefully curated displays, creates a deeply immersive experience that honors the memory of those lost and the enduring impact of the attacks on the world.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
Meet your guide in the plaza outside the M Social Hotel Downtown, at the SE corner of Church Street and Fulton Street. Your guide will be holding a City Wonders flag. Arriving by Subway: Trains 2,3,4,5,A,C,J,Z to Fulton Street.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The guided tour finishes at the entrance of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Your guide will hand your entry ticket and you will be able to visit the Museum at your own pace.
Options you can book
9/11 Memorial Tour with Museum
Memorial Museum Admission: Visit key memorial sites and end with powerful exhibits honoring the legacy of Sep 11. Includes 9/11 Museum entry.
9/11 Memorial Ground Zero Tour
Without Museum Entry: Explore St. Paul’s Chapel, the Oculus, FDNY Memorial & Ground Zero on a moving journey through history and resilience.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Wonders USA
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Please dress appropriately and bring layers in case of cold weather
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 74 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
74 verified traveler reviews for 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Walk through compassion and love, remembering the helpers
Safe our guide was 8 on 9/11 so her retelling was so filled with proper emotion, memory and compassion, as well as first person experience. She had the most loving stories that made us feel for those lost, their families and New York City as a whole. It was the best way to visit such a sacred memorial.
via Tripadvisor
Non starter
I suppose its a little unfair to only award the visit 1☆ as the atrocious weather caused it to be cancelled at the very last minute. My issue is that we made our way to Ground zero and discovered a number of other guided tours going ahead so it beggered the question why our tour was called off. I still await my refund.
Response from the operator: Hi Chris, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused by the last-minute cancellation and understand your frustration regarding the refund. Please contact us directly with your booking reference number so we can look into the cancellation and refund status for you and assist you further. We appreciate your understanding and hope to resolve this for you as quickly as possible.
via Viator
Wonderful and informative tour of 9/11 Ground Zero
This was a wonderful tour. Our tour guide Nicola had been at Ground Zero on 9/11 and had an appointment in WTC Tower 1 but was slightly late. He was almost there and then the first plane hit. Nicola was so knowledgable about the history of the site including the historic church, significance and construction of the two reflecting pools, what it felt like the day of the attacks, and meaning of all the various landmarks. We finished with a voucher to tour the museum. We toured the museum on our own. There was some confusion about the meeting site of the tour as the tour operator (City Wonders) instructed us via text (four guests, two in each party) to wait for Nicola at a plaza across from the M Social hotel and Nicola was waiting at the M Social hotel. Otherwise, this was one of the best tours I have ever been on. I feel like we were really able to better understand the actual experience of New Yorkers on 9/11. The tour allowed us to pay respect to the thousands who died, their families and the many heroes that day. It caused us to reflect deeply on the tragedy of 9/11, a day and time we will never forget. Thanks so much to Nicola!
via Tripadvisor
A Must
Ron was a fantastic guide , very respectful. The tour was so moving and is a must
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour
Very impactful tour. Jeff was an awesome guide. Having someone that was there that day (in NYC) brings a personal touch to the tragic story.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $24 to $79
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 27
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by City Wonders USA, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.2.
See everything City Wonders USA runsWhy this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission cost?
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Prices start at $24 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission take?
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Plan for about 1.7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 76 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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Around 27 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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Included: Headset so you can always hear your guide; Admission Ticket to the 9/11 Museum (if option selected); Group of 20 people or less; Guided Tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero; and Expert, English-speaking tour guide. Not included: Gratuities (optional); and Guided Tour of the 9/11 Museum. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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Meet your guide in the plaza outside the M Social Hotel Downtown, at the SE corner of Church Street and Fulton Street. Your guide will be holding a City Wonders flag. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in New York. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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Across 76 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including 9/11 Memorial Tour with Museum, 9/11 Memorial Ground Zero Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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