The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
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The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum is located at the former site of the World Trade Center in downtown New York City. The memorial and museum aren't just for the victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The memorial also acknowledges the six people and thousands injured during the 1993 terrorist attack on the buildings. The carvings of the names of all the people who died in all the attacks are a place to reflect not only on the deaths, but also on the hope of the living. The whole place can be overwhelming, so the best way to explore the museum and memorial is to take a guided tour. The tour guides are experts in the history of 9/11 and its repercussions on the world thereafter.
How to Get There
Four airports serve the Metropolitan Area of New York: LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Stewart International Airport and Newark International Airport. There are shuttles from JFK and LaGuardia into Manhattan. From there, you can take public transportation downtown to the museum. Other than New York, additional major cities nearby include Jersey City, Newark, and Yonkers.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Visit The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Aside from the memorial photo gallery and the carved list of names that surround the two squares where the towers once stood, there are other artifacts of the attacks in the museum. You can watch videos of firsthand accounts of the tragedy. The current museum stands on the site of the former Marriott World Trade Center, which was demolished in 2002 after irreparable damage during the attacks.
The memorial glade seeks to remind visitors of the sacrifices of those who helped in the aftermath. Many people who responded to the call have died of lung-related illnesses, and many others who still survive suffer great pain and incapacity. In fact, many more people have died from the toxins and particulates in the air around Ground Zero than in the attacks themselves. You and your family can stroll through the glade, and, perhaps, sit for a while to honor those sacrifices.
The best time to visit the memorial is during the commemoration of the events every 11th of September. It's a solemn occasion, but it lets you and your family pay your respects to the thousands who died.
Ticket Information
The outdoor memorial is free every day of the year for everyone. The indoor museum is open Wednesday through Monday. Family members of victims get in for free. Active and retired military personnel are free too. Adult museum tickets are $33. Tickets for children ages seven to 12 cost $21. Admission for seniors and children from 13 to 17 costs $27. Children under the age of six get in for free.
Family-Friendly Options
Family-friendly tours with both content for adults and age-appropriate content for children are available. There are also short sessions during which experts will explain terrorism to children in an age-appropriate fashion. When planning visits with children or large groups, it's always best to get everything taken care of months in advance. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum allows you to reserve tickets up to six months ahead of time.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Before arriving in Manhattan, be sure to check timetables for all methods of public transportation. Traffic in Manhattan is unpredictable, so using buses and the subway are both much better options. That means that if you've come to New York City in an RV, then you should find a place to park it outside the city limits rather than trying to drive it around the city.
In any event, once you arrive in Manhattan, take whichever mode of public transportation you wish downtown to Greenwich Street. There's a subway station on the site, and the closest bus stop is Church and Vessey Streets, two blocks away. The tours all last about an hour, and then it's easy enough to stay an hour or two thereafter to read some names on the walls, look at the photos and pay your respects to the fallen.
The best place to take photos is in the memorial glade. The peaceful surroundings are just right for family photos. Remember that you may not use professional photography equipment in the glade, the museum or the memorial.
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum Accommodations
On Site Accommodations
The Club Quarters World Trade Center Hotel is on the premises. It's a boutique hotel, so it's a good idea to book it months in advance when you buy your tickets. If you wait too long, there won't be any rooms available. None of the parking garages in the area accommodate RVs, however.
Campgrounds Nearby
Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park is just a 45-minute drive from Yonkers. This campground offers spacious sites that can comfortably accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. At different points throughout the park, you can experience the tural beauty provided by the Lower Hudson Valley.
Sun Air Lakeside Campground is a Jersey City, New Jersey campground that offers relief from the busy city life. Situated beside Dogwood Pond in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, this park allows extended stays in a peaceful environment. The local town of Oak Ridge provides many of the amenities absent in the park itself, including restaurants, theaters, laundromats, and stores.
There is one Jersey City, New Jersey campground within the confines of the city. Liberty Harbor Marina & RV Park is a must-visit location for anyone interested in U.S. history. From this RV park, you can see the New York skyline, including the Statue of Liberty.
Activities Near The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Things to Do
Fishing
If you'd like to fish, then there are plenty of places in and around Battery Park, which is only a few blocks from the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum. You need fishing licenses for each family member who plans to fish.
Geocaching
You might not realize it, but south of 14th Street in Manhattan, there are many opportunities to find and place geocaches. Always do your geocaching in groups for safety's sake.
Climbing
For climbers, there is the VITAL Climbing Gym near Broome Street. The gym offers climbing for all skill levels. Check the gym's website for further information.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Because New York City experiences all four seasons, you'll have to bring clothing for the applicable season when you visit. That means big hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen during the summer, windbreakers and long-sleeved shirts for fall and early spring, and parkas and good boots for winter. New York City is a walker's city, so having comfortable shoes is essential. Along with your train and public transportation schedules, bring a city map.
Safety & Accessibility
Although the memorial and museum are both fully accessible, as are certain nearby subway stations, the best option for people with disabilities is to book an Access-a-Ride vehicle. These will drop you off at the corner of Cortlandt and Greenwich Streets. That intersection is on the east side of the memorial.
Firearms are prohibited in the museum, the memorial and the glade. You're also not allowed to demonstrate on the property. All visitors should act per the site's theme as a place for quiet reflection and honor.
Conclusion
There's much more in the United States to see, but New York City is the perfect jumping-off point. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a good place to visit to gain perspective and appreciate American history and culture. It's family-friendly, educational and accessible.
FAQ
The only place where you can camp with your RV is on Noble Street in Brooklyn at Skyline RV Camp.
No, there is no place to park your RV at or near the memorial.
Although masks are optional, the staff ask that people who feel ill not visit.
Yes, there are all manner of age-appropriate activities for children.
You may bring service and guide animals with you but not your household pets.