5/5
BASED ON 13,329 REVIEWS
Guided tours led by New Yorkers with personal connections to the events of 9/11
When the planes hit the Twin Towers on September 11th, the world watched as one of the most recognizable symbols of power and freedom fell. From the smell of fire to the sound of sirens, New Yorkers witnessed firsthand the events of that day. Even now, they can recall the moments of tragedy and heroism that tested and ultimately strengthened our city.
Walk with us as we explore Ground Zero, New York. Hear firsthand accounts from guides who remember 9/11. Learn about the new World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Take a moment to honor the lives lost and to see and celebrate New York City’s resilience.
Firsthand Accounts
As longtime New Yorkers, we'll never forget September 11, 2001, and the days that followed. We each had different experiences, but together they tell a shared story. Here, our guides relate a few of their memories from 9/11.
Read more firsthand accounts from our guidesOn September 11, I awoke to a delightful break from the sweltering heat and humidity we had endured all summer long. I was singing at a nursing home, a distance away from the Financial District, and had begun engaging with the residents in the dementia unit when a nurse ran in saying, “A small plane just hit the twin towers!” We ran to the TV and watched in horror, along with 2 billion other people, as the second plane hit. This was no accident. All I could think was “Wow, it’s going to take a long time to repair this damage.” My heart broke in a thousand different ways as I watched what happened over the next hour or so. The Activities Director said I could go home if I wanted to and that the residents on the Dementia Unit would not really know the difference. Those words struck a nerve in me. I wanted to stay. I wanted to have a few more hours in a room full of people who did not know the world just changed.
Linda
I was sleeping in on September 11, 2001, and was awakened at around 9:15am by the sound of fire engine sirens- lots of them. I looked out of the apartment window, out into the gorgeous Indian summer day, and saw a stream of firetrucks racing downtown. A big plume of thick smoke was visible in the sky as I looked south from 24th street. Judging by its size, I figured it must have been in a nearby neighborhood.
Jon
I went to bed in my Hell’s Kitchen apartment about 6am and didn’t wake up until the phone rang at 11:30am. My wife at the time answered and, from the conversation, I could immediately tell that something terrible had happened, the extent of which I couldn’t fathom until I turned on the TV and witnessed the nightmare that had happened just three miles to the south of me. The World Trade Center had been attacked and was now gone.
Tom
Reviews
Our guide, Nikola, was there when the attacks happened. It was so moving to hear the story from his perspective. This is a not to be missed tour! So thankful we went!
Sheila
Ray, our guide, gave the day the respect it deserved. He talked about people who were intimately involved in the day, including his family members. To walk up to the pools where the towers stood is one thing, but to get the story behind how and what’s there, is so much more.
Robert
The tour was phenomenal and informative. The tour guide, Jared, was passionate and engaging. This can be an emotional experience.
Stanley
We toured the chapel, the plaza and the memorial itself, which is obviously very emotional. John was able to give us the information that we would most definitely have missed if we hadn’t taken this tour.
Kim
The 9/11 Memorial is very well done. A must-see if you are in NYC… Our guide was very informative. Got a lot of information you would not get by just walking around yourself. Highly recommended.
Ronald
Amy was a great guide who took good care of keeping us in the shade on an unusually hot day. She also shared many pieces of information about little details I never would have noticed. I was very glad to be able to share this experience with my 15-year-old daughter who really enjoyed it.
Kate
The tour was the perfect length to not be too tiring, especially since we had a long day ahead. The tour guide was so informative and open to questions. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Bianca
Our guide, Jim, made this tour so memorable. Jim is so knowledgeable about 9/11 because he lived it, heard it and saw it. I could take the tour again and I highly recommend it.
Frank
We had a great time taking the time to learn about the 9/11 memorial and all of the symbolism around it. Helene was a wealth of information!
Jennifer
This tour helped to bring closure to my grief and hope as a testament to New York’s resilience. My tour guide was amazing as well. The observatory was a beautiful experience … perfect way to see all of New York!
Sara
Great experience… the tour was a bit surreal and Fred relayed the stories and how the events that day impacted New Yorkers.
Jean-Jack
The guide, David, was wonderful. I loved how he used his own experience with his father being at Ground Zero to make it more pertinent. He also made sure everyone was included with their own memories.
Bonnie
Plan Your Trip
Accessibility
The tour is wheelchair accessible. However we do not provide wheelchairs.
The 9/11 Memorial is also designed with accessibility in mind, including chamfered corners so that someone who is seated can experience the same views as someone standing.
Restrooms
During our tour, there are restrooms in St. Paul’s Chapel. There are also bathrooms inside the 9/11 Museum and Freedom Tower if you have tickets for those attractions.
Duration
Our guided tour is 90 minutes. You can also add on a visit to the museum, the observatory, or both. Your self-guided 9/11 Museum NYC experience will take about two hours. A visit to the One World Observatory at Freedom Tower takes about an hour.