World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial | Free-City-Guides.com

The World Trade Center in New York is home to the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center), a large shopping complex and of course the National September 11th Memorial Park and Museum. We thought the memorial was absolutely stunning and a fitting tribute to remember those who died in the attacks. The outline of the footings for each of the original twin towers has been transformed into a beautiful water feature with the names of those who died inscribed around the outside. The surrounding area is a park packed with trees and seating areas. We spent a while here in quiet contemplation and found it incredibly moving. The 9/11 Memorial operates daily from 8am until 8pm.

The September 11th Museum will enhance your visit to the area further, bringing to life the memories of those who survived. That day in 2001 will be etched on your mind after you visit. The memorial park is free, but the museum admission ranges from $24 to $36 (2025 prices). The museum is open every day except Tuesdays. You can use this form to check availability and book ahead.

Next stop will probably be a trip up to the One World Observatory at the top of the new tower, which is the tallest in the United States. The elevators climb 102 floors in 47 seconds! Once at the observatory, there’s a multi screen show which explains more about the city you can see. Then there are the incredible 360 degree views.

One other highlight at the World Trade Center is the huge underground shopping mall. Access is via ‘The Oculus’ – a cavernous, light-filled atrium (pictured below). This space is worth seeing even if you don’t want to visit the stores in the mall. Beyond this there are several floors of shops and eateries. This mall is the largest shopping complex in Manhattan.

With so much to see, the World Trade Center is often packed with visitors. When you’ve finished looking around here, head to nearby Wall Street or Hudson River Park.