Ground Zero Tour: Insightful 9/11 Historic Experience
5.0
21 Ratings
New York
Experience an insightful 3-hour Ground Zero tour, led by NYC firefighters who were part of the heroic effort on 9/11. Visit the Memorial Plaza, learn about Operation Aegis, and explore the new WTC complex. Includes access to the highest Observatory in the western hemisphere.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Oculus - The experience starts at the Starbucks across the street from the Oculus, the most expensive subway hub in the world. The tour also introduces FDNY Captain John Jonas and his team “the Dragon Fighters.”
What's Included
  • Preferred access to One World Observatory
  • 2-hour guided walking tour with visual aids
  • All fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities (Welcomed and appreciated)
Additional Information

[Excellent Value for a 3-Hour Experience. Each guide utilizes highly visible 11’ x 17’ images to enhance your tour] The journey begins with the tale of Sept. 11th’s Heroes, Capt. Jonas & Ladder 6. These valorous NYC firefighters were pivotal in an operation that saved over half a million lives. The tour includes a visit to the Sept. 11th Memorial Plaza, home to the Reflective Pools, the Survivor Tree, and the Museum.

Explore the surrounding events of Operation Aegis, a massive maritime rescue mission. Further, we’ll explore the reconstructed Winter Garden and the Fountain of Tears Memorial, a touching tribute to the 11 American Express employees who tragically lost their lives on 9/11. The tour wraps up inside the new WTC complex, offering a deep dive into its innovative design and construction. Additionally, we delve into the story of the Survivor Tree, exemplifying survival and resurgence. Every tour maintains a personal touch with small groups capped at 25 adults.

Included in this package is the unique opportunity to visit the tallest Observatory in the western hemisphere. Note that all guests will need to undergo a security check.

  • Well organized
  • This tour is copyrighted
Location
20 Dey St
Dey Street
This tour meets at the 9/11 Memorial's Starbucks Café located on 20 Dey Street between Broadway and Church Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour to check-in with your host at the Starbucks.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(21 Ratings)
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Debra_b
Dec 27, 2023
Anthony our tour guide... - Anthony our tour guide was amazing, he went out of his way for us. We enjoyed everything about the WTC!
Review provided by Viator
Leann_d
Sep 25, 2023
Fantastic tour with Andrew (the professor!) - I cannot stress enough how amazing and informational this your was. Our guide, Andrew, was incredibly knowledgeable. He took plenty of time to allow us to see all of the fascinating points and he even took photos of our family so we could all be in the pictures! He was patient, answered questions and helped me personally (mobility challenged) without missing a beat. He gave us tips for after the tour as well. He even cracked a few jokes and had everyone feeling comfortable really quickly. So glad we booked this tour-highly recommend -ask for Andrew!! P.a. The weather was absolutely terrible (rain, windy, cold)-but Andrew did an amazing job and kept us out of the weather as much as possible. We really loved him!
Review provided by Viator
Lewis_f
Sep 21, 2023
Highly recommend - The tour was amazing! Very comprehensive and informative. Our tour guide Chris was fabulous, very friendly, courteous and approachable. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Angela_p
Jun 10, 2023
Great tour! - Andrew was a great tour guide. We learned a lot and loved his personal touch from experiencing the actual event.
Review provided by Viator
Ken_b
Jun 5, 2023
Outstanding 9/11 tour experience! - Richard was awesome! Very knowledgeable, engaging, accommodating, thoughtful, and just gave an overall outstanding experience on a heavy topic.
Review provided by Viator
Jeanette_r
Jun 2, 2023
Amazing Ground Zero Tour - Chris did an excellent, amazing job guiding our tour!! He was very knowledgeable and he answered all of our questions!! By way, the system wouldn’t allow me to upload photos. We took many to remember this awesome tour of history!
Review provided by Viator
Robert_m
May 29, 2023
Great experience! - Andrew was an excellent tour guide! Brought a great deal of knowledgeable facts to everything related to 9/11 and the rebuild of World Trade Center area. Highly recommend him and the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Simon_w
May 28, 2023
Entertaining and yet suitably reflective. - So.... here's the thing. I've visited NYC several ties since 9/11 but never really felt comfortable enough to do this. This time my primary reason was the Oculus and the architecture and the Observation Deck. What was an absolute surprise was the way in which our guide, the ebullient Richard, conveyed the history of that particular day - the heroes, the tragedy, the humanity - from not only the 'outside world' perspective, but from being very present, living so close and witnessing first hand what I watched on tv that fateful day, whilst trying to telephone a friend in Brooklyn. It's something which our generation will always remember wherever we were around the globe. Richard does somehow manage to "entertain" whilst conveying some of the unreality of the tragedy. "Professor, someone just flew a plane into the World Trade Center" for a moment became the craziest excuse ever for skipping a class. Because that would never happen, right? It's a fantastic tour, Richard was a superb guide, full of energy, the place was incredible and the collective reverence for the heroic NY Firemen and so many other First Responders was deepfelt. The area around the Memorial Fountains was suitably reflective and calm despite the large crowds. But guys..... fifty dollars for a bucket of pretzels, really! Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Dawn_k
May 20, 2023
It was amazing! - The 9-11 memorial, and the dove. Richard was a wonderful guide, he really gave an impacting tour and took time to explain every detail with such emotion. It was incredible.
Review provided by Viator
Kayalexander_l
Jul 10, 2023
wonderful! - Wonderful view and overall good experience. Unfortunate is that part of the view is not accessible as the restaurant and the check-in desks blocks a section of the (what I expected) 360degree view.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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