Tribute WTC Visitor Center
There are two ways that visitors can see the twin towers memorial waterfalls and eventually the museum. The first organization is the 9/11 Memorial Center, which is free but you need to order tickets in advance and the wait time is about three weeks and once you arrive the line to view the memorial is rather lengthy. The second organization is the Tribute WTC Visitor Center. Created in 2006, the center offers “a central place for information about 9/11 at the WTC site. Visitors learn factual information about the events on September 11th, the identity of 2,973 people killed in the attacks, the unprecedented rescue and recovery operations and the tremendous spirit of support and generosity that arose after the attacks.” There is an admission fee to the museum, but included in the fee is admission to the 9/11 Memorial Center and their museum (coming summer 2012), the two waterfalls, and a very powerful tour. The tour alone is worth the money. The Tribute WTC Visitor Center Museum’s first room includes a model of the seven buildings and a map underneath showing their locations. The second room has items recovered from ground zero such as business cards, twisted steel girders and even a plane window. The next room totally encompasses the reason the museum is called the Tribute Center because it contains pictures of loved ones to remember those who perished that day. The basement has changing exhibits and moving testimonials. As you descend the stairs be sure to notice the “1000 peace crane.” The tour is led by people who are connected to the victims - mostly retired firefighters and police officers. They share their personal stories in amazing detail, including the reconstruction of the area, that you will not hear any place else.
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