New York Explorer Pass: Is It Worth It for 9/11 Visitors?
The New York Explorer Pass is a multi-attraction city pass that lets you choose a set number of experiences from more than 100 options across New York, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is one of the choices. It can be worthwhile if you plan to combine the Museum with several other paid attractions on the same trip. If the Museum is your only priority, a standalone entry ticket is usually simpler and less expensive.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is one of the attractions available on the New York Explorer Pass, a bundled ticket product sold separately from the Museum’s own admission. This guide explains how the pass works, confirms that the 9/11 Museum is included among its options, and sets out honestly when it makes sense for a visitor whose main purpose is visiting the Memorial and Museum.
The outdoor Memorial plaza itself remains free and open to the public with no ticket of any kind, pass included.
What the New York Explorer Pass Is
The New York Explorer Pass is a digital, pay-once pass that lets you pick a fixed number of attractions — 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 — from a list of more than 100 New York experiences, then visit each one once within a set window after your first use.
Unlike a single-attraction ticket, the Explorer Pass does not commit you to a fixed itinerary at purchase. You buy a pass sized to the number of attractions you intend to visit, then choose which ones to redeem as you go, through a mobile app. Options on the list range from observation decks and museums to sightseeing cruises and walking tours. It is a general city-sightseeing product, not one built around the 9/11 Memorial & Museum specifically, and the Museum is simply one entry on a long menu.
Is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum Included
Yes. “9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets” appears on the pass’s list of included attractions alongside options such as the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge, Top of the Rock, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry.
If you select the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as one of your pass choices, it counts as one of the attractions your pass allows. It is worth remembering the distinction this site raises throughout: the Memorial versus the Museum are two different things. The pass covers admission to the underground Museum; the outdoor Memorial plaza is free regardless of any pass.
Because Museum admission is normally timed entry, redeeming your pass choice for it will still likely require reserving a specific date and arrival slot rather than simply walking in. Confirm the reservation step on the Explorer Pass’s official redemption instructions when you activate your pass, since the process for timed-entry attractions can differ from same-day, walk-up options on the same list.
Pricing and How Many Attractions to Choose
Pricing is set by how many attractions you choose to bundle, starting from around $89 for a 2-attraction pass, with higher tiers for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions. The pass is valid for use over 30 days from your first attraction visit, and must be activated within a year of purchase.
The per-attraction cost generally falls as you add more choices, which is the core appeal of this kind of pass: it rewards visitors who plan to see several paid attractions rather than just one or two.
What is included: A digital multi-attraction pass letting you choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions from more than 100 New York options, including one-time admission to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Duration: Pass usable over 30 days from your first attraction visit; must be activated within 1 year of purchase
Rating: 4.6 stars (8,500+ reviews)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before use, for a full refund
Best for: Visitors combining the 9/11 Memorial & Museum with several other New York attractions in the same trip
Buy This TicketIs It Worth It for a 9/11-Focused Visit
If the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the only attraction on your itinerary, a standalone entry ticket is simpler to book and typically less expensive than any tier of the Explorer Pass. The pass becomes worthwhile only once you are also visiting two or more other paid attractions, particularly higher-priced observation decks, on the same trip.
This is worth stating plainly, in keeping with the purpose of a memorial visit: the Museum’s own admission is a modest, single, dedicated ticket, and buying it directly is the most direct way to plan a visit centered on remembrance. The Explorer Pass exists to serve a different kind of trip — one where the Museum is a meaningful stop within a broader week of New York sightseeing that might also include the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, or Top of the Rock. If your primary reason for coming to Lower Manhattan is to spend unhurried time at the Museum and the outdoor Memorial, a standalone ticket or a guided tour will usually serve you better than allocating one of a limited number of pass choices to it.
For a full comparison of every ticket route into the Museum, see our tickets and prices guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New York Explorer Pass?
It is a digital city pass that lets you choose a set number of attractions from more than 100 New York experiences, then visit each one once during your pass’s validity window. It is sold and managed separately from any single attraction’s own ticketing.
Is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum included in the New York Explorer Pass?
Yes. The Museum is listed among the pass’s included attractions, alongside options like the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge, and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry. Selecting it uses one of the attraction choices your pass allows.
How many attractions can I choose?
Passes are sold in tiers of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions, chosen from the full list at the time you redeem each one. You are not required to decide which attractions you want before you buy, only how many.
How much does the New York Explorer Pass cost?
Pricing starts from around $89 for the smallest 2-attraction tier, with cost per attraction generally decreasing as you add more choices. Confirm current pricing for each tier on the official booking page, since it can change.
Do I still need a timed-entry reservation for the 9/11 Museum with this pass?
Likely yes for that specific attraction. The Museum operates on timed entry, so redeeming your pass choice for it will probably still involve booking a specific date and arrival slot rather than walking in unannounced. Check the redemption instructions provided with your pass before your visit.
How long is the pass valid?
The pass is valid for use over 30 days starting from your first attraction visit, and must be activated within one year of the original purchase date. Plan your itinerary so your chosen attractions fit within that 30-day window.
Is the New York Explorer Pass worth it if I only want to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum?
Generally, no. A standalone Museum entry ticket is a simpler, typically cheaper way to plan a visit focused solely on the Memorial and Museum. The Explorer Pass earns its value when you are also visiting several other paid New York attractions on the same trip.
What is the cancellation policy?
The pass offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before use, with a full refund. Review the specific terms at checkout, since policies can vary by promotion.
