Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum
When we went to New York last month, we paid our respects at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It was a very poignant, emotional and moving experience that had us remembering what we were doing and where we were on the day the events unfolded almost 25 years ago.
It's something that you should visit as a way to respect and remember what happened that day, but there are a few things that you should know before you go. Here's everything you should know before visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City.
What is the 9/11 Memorial Museum?
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is located beneath the 9/11 Memorial and reflection pools in Lower Manhattan. It documents and remembers the events of 9/11, which occurred on Tuesday, September 11th 2001.
It depicts the events of the day through the use of artefacts, exhibits, videos, photographs and personal stories. It tells the story of the victims, the attacks, the rescue and recovery mission and the preservation and memorialisation of the site. It's both an historic institution and a place of remembrance and reflection.
Where is the 9/11 Memorial Museum located?
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is located in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It's easily accessible by foot, subway, train, bus and taxi. The time it takes you to get there will differ based on where you're staying and your method of transport. Plan your visit in advance to make the most of your time there.
How much time should I allow to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum?
I would recommend allowing around four hours to see both the inside and outside of the 9/11 Memorial Museum. This is especially the case if you want an in-depth experience, reading and seeing all of the exhibits and information that goes along with it.
There are also a few videos to watch throughout your time there, and so you should make the time to sit and watch them respectfully. Do no rush. Be respectful of the exhibits and other guests who may want to take their time.
Should I buy tickets to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in advance?
I would recommend pre-booking your tickets for the 9/11 Memorial museum as it can help to cut down time waiting in queues to pay when you get there. This is especially the case if you're going during peak times, like tourist season.
It's an emotionally heavy experience
It is an upsetting experience, so make sure that you're prepared. There are many exhibits that are exceptionally moving, especially recorded phone calls, photographs of the victims and personal items, among many other exhibits.
It's normal to take breaks throughout your visit, which is why around four hours is adequate enough. The museum is designed to encourage guests to reflect and remember, so if you're planning on bringing children, consider talking to them about it before you go and just remember that there are some sections that may not be suitable for young children because of the nature of the exhibits.
There are photography rules when you get inside
There are rules when it comes to taking photos. Any restricted areas will be clearly signed to say that photography of any kind is not allowed. If you're ever in any doubt about what you can and cannot take pictures of, ask an assistant. Also, make sure you're respecting other guests, taking care not to capture their faces in your photos. While this isn't a rule they have, it's a way to respect the memorial and those who visit it.
Final thoughts about visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum for first timers
There are some things that you need to know that I haven't touched upon here, especially if you're going for the first time. Let me give you some helpful tips before you visit:
- Arrive early - this helps to avoid large crowds
- Wear comfortable shoes - you will do a lot of walking and standing, both inside and outdoors
- Bring tissues - the experience is emotional and extremely sad, so be prepared
- Visit both the indoor museum and the outside memorial - there are many ways to pay your respects in and around the memorial grounds
- Feel free to take your time - there's a lot to see and a lot to read, so take your time
- Speak softly - the museum is incredibly respectful and quiet, so speak softly if you need to say something and respect people's emotions while you're there
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I hope you found this information useful. If you have any other tips for first timers visiting the 9/11 Memorial Museum, then leave them in the comments below. I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content!
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