9/11 Memorial and Museum

180 Greenwich St. $24, 65+ $18, 7-17 $15. Memorial: Daily 7:30am-9pm. Museum: Sun-Thu 9am-8pm, F-Sat 9am-9pm.

The World Trade Center built here in 1987 consisted of the two tallest buildings in the world. This new 9/11 Memorial and Museum was built here at "Ground Zero"--as it became known after the attacks--to honor the thousands of people killed here in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, when these buildings were demolished by terrorist attacks in 2001. Each of the Memorial’s twin reflecting pools sits within an original footprint of the Twin Towers and measures almost an acre, and they feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The name of each person who died in the attacks here are inscribed into bronze panels lining the top edge of the Memorial pools. A related museum is built underneath the plaza.

9/11 Memorial in NYC

waterfall at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

inscribed names at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

The glass-and-steel Oculus designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to resemble a white dove in flight is white inside and out. It is now the third largest train station in New York City, after the Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station. This transport hub connects the PATH station and 1 New York City Transit Authority subway train to the ferry terminal, the World Financial Center, and One World Trade Center on the west, and to the 2 3 4 5 A C J Z N R W New York City Transit Authority subway trains through the Fulton Center on the East. The roof opens one day each year, when it provides a view of the World Trade Center.

exterior of Oculus at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

interior of Oculus at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

transportation hub in interior of Oculus at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

The Westfield World Trade Center shopping mall sprawls below.

Westfield World Trade Center shopping mall in interior of Oculus
at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

One World Trade Center

Dubbed the Freedom Tower, this new 1,776-foot-tall building is now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Positioned on its top levels, One World Observatory™ provides panoramic views of New York City.

One World Trade Center at 9/11 Memorial in NYC

Brookfield Place,

an upscale shopping center, is across the way at 225 Liberty Street. It is also home to the Le District. Sort of like a French Eataly, this food court has a variety of counters dispensing cheese, pastries (don’t miss the spectacular round cheese bread, and ask for it heated up), crepes, frites (with an array of sauces), wine, and more.