
New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 654 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory worth booking?
New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory is a 3-hour experience in New York, United States, from $24 per person. It scores 86 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 654 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 86 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (654)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $24 per person
This moving and evocative tour of Ground Zero begins at the site of what served as a rescue center for victims and place for mementos after the attacks: St. Paul's Chapel. This historic church was miraculously unharmed when the Twin Towers fell despite being only a block away. You'll then walk to the 9/11 Memorial where we'll reflect on the lives lost in the World Trade Center attacks. See "Reflecting Absence," the largest artificial waterfalls on the continent. Your guide will share the meaning behind the memorial, stories from the day, and how New Yorkers came together in the aftermath. From there, begin a self-guided tour in the lobby of the Freedom Tower by watching "Voices," a film dedicated to the men and women of the Twin Towers and Freedom Tower. Upgrade your experience to take the "Sky Pod" elevator 1,250 feet up to the One World Observatory, where you can see the NYC skyline stretching across Manhattan.
What you get
About this experience
This moving and evocative tour of Ground Zero begins at the site of what served as a rescue center for victims and place for mementos after the attacks: St. Paul's Chapel. This historic church was miraculously unharmed when the Twin Towers fell despite being only a block away. You'll then walk to the 9/11 Memorial where we'll reflect on the lives lost in the World Trade Center attacks. See "Reflecting Absence," the largest artificial waterfalls on the continent. Your guide will share the meaning behind the memorial, stories from the day, and how New Yorkers came together in the aftermath. From there, begin a self-guided tour in the lobby of the Freedom Tower by watching "Voices," a film dedicated to the men and women of the Twin Towers and Freedom Tower. Upgrade your experience to take the "Sky Pod" elevator 1,250 feet up to the One World Observatory, where you can see the NYC skyline stretching across Manhattan.
What's included
Included
- Self-guided tour of the lobby of Freedom Tower with the film “Voices”
- Visit to the meaningful sites of Ground Zero
- Optional upgrade to visit the One World Observatory with the highest panoramic views in NYC
- A local guide who shares stories about their personal connection to 9/11
- Moment of reflection at the largest man-made waterfalls on the continent
Not included
- Gratuities
- 9/11 Museum (upgradable on site depending on availability)
What you'll see and do
St. Paul's Chapel
The tour begins one block from Ground Zero at a historic church, built in 1766, that miraculously survived the falling debris from the attacks. Your guide will explain how this beautiful church served the community in the wake of the tragedy.
15 minutes here
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Pay your respects to those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Your guide will share the meaning behind all the symbolic places in the memorial plaza, including the Survivor Tree and “Reflecting Absence,” which is the largest man-made waterfall on the continent. PLEASE NOTE: Museum entry is not included in this tour.
60 minutes here
One World Observatory
Upgrade your experience to take the "Sky Pod" elevator up 1,250 feet to see breathtaking views of Manhattan from the 360-degree observation deck. It spans three levels and includes the See Forever Theater, immersive LED displays, touch-screen video, and dining.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
We meet inside the Oculus, a mall and transportation hub at Ground Zero. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and standing by the L'Arte del Gelato stand on the main level.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
You will go to the One World Observatory on your own after the tour. You can spend as long as you like at the top but most people spend about an hour.
Options you can book
Tour with Observatory Entry
With Observatory Entry
Tour Only
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
- ExperienceFirst
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Tour is wheelchair accessible
- Please dress appropriately and bring layers in case of cold weather
- One World Observatory entrance is NOT included unless option is selected at time of booking
- Children 5 and under free with paid adult ticket
- Also note, in case you are approached by street booksellers, they are not affiliated with us
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 652 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
652 verified traveler reviews for New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Touching Educational Memorable
This tour was wonderful and made our visit to the 9/11 Memorial 100x more meaningful, educational, and memorable. It was invaluable to hear the stories and experiences through the eyes of a native NYer. Timothy M. was our guide. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour with Paul
Paul was a wonderful guide. He lives in the neighborhood and was there during 9/11. I don’t think we could have had a better tour. We love New York and will be back. Ed and Barbara from Texas
via Tripadvisor
Impressive tour!
We had a great tour outside the ground zero area. Our tourguide was Liz and she had remarkable stories. Walking around the aera combined with these stories made you realize how the crazy the impact was
via Tripadvisor
One of the best tour guides we have had!
Tim Dowd was amazing! Enjoyed every minute of the tour He was informative and so engaging Great great job!
via Tripadvisor
Tour Guide Ray R is the best!!
The tour was great. Our tour guide Ray R was awesome. He was so informative and very friendly and professional. He had some great stories he was sharing about the tour. I would highly recommend Ray R!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 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
- 229
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by ExperienceFirst, who run 35 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.9 and 5 in the 90+ Club.
See everything ExperienceFirst runsWhy this scores 86
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory 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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory take?
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Plan for about 3 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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 86 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 654 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Around 229 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory 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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Included: Self-guided tour of the lobby of Freedom Tower with the film “Voices”; Visit to the meaningful sites of Ground Zero; Optional upgrade to visit the One World Observatory with the highest panoramic views in NY; A local guide who shares stories about their personal connection to 9/11; and Moment of reflection at the largest man-made waterfalls on the continent. Not included: Gratuities; and 9/11 Museum (upgradable on site depending on availability). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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We meet inside the Oculus, a mall and transportation hub at Ground Zero. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and standing by the L'Arte del Gelato stand on the main level. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory 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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory 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 New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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Across 654 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for New York 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Tour with Observatory Entry, Tour Only. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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