9/11 Memorial & Museum Entry Ticket: 2026 Prices & Info
An entry ticket to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum admits you to the underground Museum, where the historical and memorial exhibitions tell the story of the 2001 attacks and honor those killed. It costs $36 for adults in 2026, with reduced rates for seniors, students and young people, and free admission for children under 7, U.S. veterans, 9/11 family members and rescue and recovery workers. The outdoor Memorial plaza is free and needs no ticket.
The most important thing to understand before you book is the difference between the Memorial and the Museum. The outdoor Memorial — the two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, the inscribed names, and the Survivor Tree — is free and open to everyone. The Museum, built underground at the World Trade Center site, is a separate, ticketed experience.
This guide explains exactly what the entry ticket includes, what it costs in 2026, and who is admitted free.
Museum Ticket Prices at a Glance
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | $36 |
| Senior (65+) | $30 |
| Young adult (13–17) / college student | $30 |
| Youth (7–12) | $24 |
| Child (6 & under) | Free (ticket required) |
| U.S. veterans, 9/11 families & responders | Free |
Prices are set by the Museum and can change, so confirm the current figure on the official site when you book.
What’s Included in the Ticket
The entry ticket admits you to the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s exhibitions — the historical exhibition documenting September 11, 2001, the memorial exhibition remembering the victims, and the artifacts in Foundation Hall, including the Last Column and the slurry wall. Access to the outdoor Memorial plaza is free for everyone and does not require this ticket. A live guide is not included; it’s a self-paced visit.
Your ticket covers the full Museum below ground: the two main exhibitions, Foundation Hall with the Last Column, and the recovered artifacts that make the history tangible. It’s a self-guided visit, so you move through the galleries at your own pace, which many visitors prefer given the emotional weight of the material. For an overview of what’s below ground, see our guide to what’s inside the Museum.
What is included: Timed-entry admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, including the historical and memorial exhibitions and Foundation Hall
Duration: Timed entry; most visitors spend about two hours
Rating: 4.9 stars (6,000+ reviews)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Best for: Visitors who want to experience the Museum’s exhibitions at their own pace
Buy This TicketIf you would value the added context of a guide, compare the guided tour options, or weigh every route in our tickets and prices guide.
Who Gets in Free
Admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum is free for 9/11 family members, 9/11 rescue and recovery workers, active-duty and retired U.S. military and veterans, active FDNY, NYPD and PAPD members, and children aged 6 and under. In addition, a limited number of free timed tickets are released for Monday visits. The outdoor Memorial is always free for everyone.
The Museum offers free admission to those most closely connected to the events of September 11, including victims’ family members and the rescue and recovery workers, as well as U.S. veterans and serving first responders, each with valid identification. Beyond those categories, the Museum releases a limited number of free tickets for Mondays. Our guide to free versus paid access sets out exactly what is free and how to secure a free Monday ticket.
Booking and Security
Museum admission is by timed entry, so you choose an arrival slot when you book. All visitors pass through airport-style security screening at the entrance, and lines are longest around midday and on weekends, so an early or late slot is calmer. Because the Museum can sell out at peak times, booking ahead is sensible; our guide on booking tickets in advance explains when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 9/11 Museum ticket in 2026?
Adult admission is $36. Seniors, young adults aged 13–17, and college students pay $30, and youth aged 7–12 pay $24. Children 6 and under are free but still need a ticket. U.S. veterans, 9/11 family members, and rescue and recovery workers enter free with valid ID. Prices can change, so confirm the current rate when you book.
Do I need a ticket for the outdoor Memorial?
No. The outdoor Memorial plaza — the reflecting pools, the names, the Survivor Tree and the Memorial Glade — is free and open to the public without a ticket. Only the underground Museum requires paid, timed-entry admission. Our guide to the Memorial versus the Museum explains the difference in full.
Is the entry ticket a guided tour?
No. The standard entry ticket is a self-guided visit — you explore the exhibitions at your own pace. If you would prefer the context and structure a guide provides, separate guided tours are available, some of which also include the outdoor Memorial and Ground Zero area.
Is the Museum ever free to enter?
Yes. The Museum releases a limited number of free timed tickets for Mondays, made available online each Monday morning on a first-come, first-served basis, with last entry in the late afternoon. Because they’re limited, they go quickly. Several groups, including 9/11 families, responders and veterans, are always free.
How long should I allow for the Museum?
Most visitors spend about two hours in the Museum, though the historical exhibition alone can take longer if you read and watch in depth. The subject matter is intense, so allow time to move at your own pace. Our guide on how long to visit helps you plan.
Can I get a refund?
Reseller entry tickets typically offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit, which is useful if your New York plans change. Check the policy on the option you choose before booking. The outdoor Memorial requires no ticket, so there’s nothing to cancel for a plaza-only visit.
What are the reduced and family rates?
Seniors, young adults and college students pay $30, and youth aged 7–12 pay $24. The Museum also offers family passes that bundle admission for two adults and children at a lower combined price than buying separately. Bring ID for any concession or veteran rate.
Is there security screening?
Yes. All Museum visitors pass through airport-style security screening, so allow extra time, especially at busy periods, and travel light. Large bags and certain items are restricted. Our guide on what to bring covers the bag policy and what to leave behind.
