World Trade Center Site

Also known as Ground Zero, the World Trade Center site is situated in lower Manhattan’s Financial District. It is currently under construction after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

The 9/11 Memorial is located at the World Trade Center site. It was opened to the public on September 12th, 2011, the day after it was dedicated in a special ceremony for the families of the nearly 3,000 victims who died in the attacks. Situated in the footprints of the twin towers, the shimmering, tranquil pools are powerful reminders of the tremendous voids left by the devastating events that took place on 9/11.

The 9/11 Memorial

The World Trade Center Site Memorial is called “Reflecting Absence” and was created by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. Their winning design was chosen from over 5,200 submissions from 63 countries in the 2003 World Trade Center Site Memorial competition, the largest design competition in history. The sunken fountains feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America and span nearly an acre. They are flanked by beautiful groves of trees in the surrounding plaza representing life and rebirth.

On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the National September 11 Memorial was dedicated in a special ceremony attended by world leaders and televised around the globe. The 9/11 Memorial was then opened to the public the next day. There are almost 3,000 names commemorating the men, women, and children killed in the 9/11 attacks inscribed in bronze around the twin Memorial pools. The arrangement of the names is unique from any other memorial. Names are grouped together by affiliation rather than alphabetically, so colleagues, friends and families are together.

Tribute WTC Visitor Center

Through exhibits, educational programs and walking tours, the Center provides a central hub for those seeking information about September 11th. A project of the September 11th Families' Association, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center offers visitors to the World Trade Center site a way to connect with other people whose lives have been affected by the events of 9/11. Visitors can use the Tribute WTC Visitor Center to link to others in the September 11th community. Exhibits feature artifacts from the site as well as first-hand accounts from survivors and families of victims.

Visiting the World Trade Center Site in New York City

The World Trade Center site is located in lower Manhattan. It is bound to the north by Vesey Street and to the south by Liberty Street.

A visitor pass is required to visit the 9/11 Memorial. The entry is located at the northeast corner of Albany and Greenwich Streets. Passes can be reserved in advance at the 9/11 Memorial website or call 212-266-5211.

The Tribute WTC Center is located across from the World Trade Center site at 120 Liberty Street, next to FDNY firehouse 10/10. For more information call 1-866-737-1184.