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.
"I got a ride over to Manhattan in an ambulance that was heading over from a local hospital, as thousands were crossing the opposite way into Brooklyn to escape the chaos..."
What’s Included
9/11 Memorial
Pause to pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial and learn about its many symbolic elements. One of the most famous of these, Michael Arad’s “Reflecting Absence” is one of the largest man-made waterfalls in the world, pouring endlessly into the empty footprints of the Twin Towers and inscribed with the names of those who died in the attacks.
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9/11 Museum
No place covers the events of 9/11 as extensively as this museum. The 9/11 Museum includes firsthand accounts, artifacts, historical records, and more relating to September 11th. Your insider guide will help you prepare for your visit, and you'll get a skip-the-line ticket to save time (often an hour or more) waiting in line. We recommend spending two hours to see all the museum offers.
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Freedom Tower and the One World Observatory
Visit the One World Trade Center, built after the destruction of the World Trade Center. In the Freedom Tower lobby, watch “Voices,” dedicated to the men and women of both the old and new WTC. Next, climb aboard the SkyPod, an elevator that shows you a time-lapse of NYC while whisking you 1,250 feet in the air to the One World Observatory. This three-level observation deck features a theater, interactive displays, dining, and the highest panoramic views in the city.
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More at Ground Zero
Each guide's experience of 9/11 is unique, and so is each tour. In addition to the stops above, you may visit other sites at Ground Zero. These include the FDNY Memorial Wall, the Survivor Tree, the Brooks Brothers building that served as a temporary morgue, and the Millennium Hotel, where the FBI thwarted another attack on New York. Your guide may also stop into the Oculus, the grand entrance to the WTC Transportation Hub.
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"I was typing a reflection paper due in class that day when my best friend’s mom messaged me on AOL asking to me to look out my dorm room window to see if the World Trade Center was bombed."
Amazing tour! It made it so much more meaningful to hear about the personal experiences along the way. Completely exceeded my expectations.
Laura (October 2026)
Our tour guide, Jim, was amazing. He was speaking from a firsthand experience when he told us the events of the day as it unfolded and the aftermath… Listening to the story was extremely emotional and heartfelt, whilst very educational.
John (October 2026)
Our guide James did a fabulous job… he kept the group engaged throughout without it being overwhelming considering the very somber subject matter. Highly recommend taking the tour, 9/11 museum and going up to the observation deck at One World Observatory.
Greg (October 2026)
Amy was a FABULOUS tour guide… She took time to make the group feel special and made sure each of us with special needs were accommodated. Her knowledge of 9/11 as a NY[er] living through it was a unique experience.
Ronny (October 2026)
Ray our guide was so passionate…as he was present twenty five years ago on his way into work. So his knowledge was first hand. We learnt so much more on this visit than when we last came sixteen years ago.
Samantha (September 2026)
Sean our guide was a passionate and extremely informative story teller, the fact he was there on that fateful day personalised it further and added to the experience.
Jade (September 2026)
Excellent tour, great guide and very informative. Highly recommend anyone visiting the area. Our guide, Megan, was fantastic, knowledgeable and loves what she does.
Ben (September 2026)
Our guide Maya was exceptional, knowledgeable, and very personable. The observation tower was amazing, much more than expected. The memorial was emotional.
Sandy (September 2026)
I highly recommend this tour. Ray R. provided in-depth commentary about the 911 attacks, New Yorker's experiences and the thoughtful planning that went into the creation and building of the memorial. Ray made the experience very meaningful and memorable.
Katie (September 2026)
Nicola was an excellent guide, able to personalize his experience so that we could relive through it with him. I definitely recommend this tour!
Neil (September 2026)
What an experience — informative and humbling. The tour guide gave us so much insight and was very respectful. He ensured we all got what we wanted from his tour and that we were looked after with our ongoing plans. Thank you, Tim.
Helen (September 2026)
Absolutely fantastic tour, our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The history outside of the 911 Memorial is just as important as the history inside it. Highly recommend this tour before going into the Memorial. Also, purchase tickets to the freedom tower, the view is breathtaking.
Nate (September 2026)
FAQs
Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
Yes, the tour is accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.
Is the tour appropriate for children?
Yes, our guided tour of Ground Zero is appropriate for all ages. The subject matter is covered sensitively, and we’ve had many families enjoy our tours over the years. Kids 4-12 can join our tour at a reduced rate.
Does this tour cover the 9/11 Museum or Freedom Tower?
Yes, this tour includes admission to the 9/11 Museum and the One World Observatory at Freedom Tower. Your visits to these attractions are self-guided, but your tour guide will prepare you for your visit. We recommend allowing about an hour for Freedom Tower and two hours for the museum, but you may stay as long as you wish at either landmark.
What is the tipping policy?
Tips are always appreciated by our guides but never expected. They should be given if you believe your guide did an outstanding job and want to show your appreciation.
If I miss the tour, can I still get my ticket for the museum or observatory?
Your tour concierge will give you your museum or observatory ticket (or both if you’ve selected both upgrades) when you check in for your tour.
Getting Here
Meeting Point
Nearest Subways
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to Fulton Street — Transit Center, or r to Cortland Street.
By Car
Note that traffic may be unpredictable and could cause you to miss the tour.
Open MapTour Ending Point
The guided portion of our tour ends at the 9/11 Memorial (about 4 blocks from the meeting location). Your self-guided visit to the museum and observatory will be after the tour.
Policies
Arrival
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early as we start on time. We can’t guarantee latecomers will be able to catch up and join the group.
When you arrive, just tell the guide your name at check-in. No need to print out anything.
Refunds and Rescheduling
We understand plans change. We offer a 100% refund or the option to reschedule up to 24 hours before your tour start time. Cancellations within 24 hours aren’t eligible for refunds or rescheduling.
Weather
Our tours take place outdoors, rain, snow, or shine. Please check the forecast and dress for the weather. In rare cases of serious inclement weather, we may cancel the tour and offer you the opportunity to reschedule or receive a full refund.
from $109
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