T
Life and honor
Jason was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Focused on how bringing life and happiness back into NYC is the best way to honor the memory of all those lost that day.
9/11 Guided Museum & Memorial Tour: VIP Ground Zero Experience
+10 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2–4 hours
- Price from
- $109 / person
- Location
- New York City
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 37 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 13
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- ExperienceFirst
- Meeting point
- We meet inside the Oculus, a mall and transportation hub at Ground Zero. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and standing by the L'Arte del Gelato stand on the main level.
Description
Don't just visit Ground Zero; understand the profound legacy of September 11 through a deeply personal lens. This VIP experience pairs you with a guide who has a direct, personal connection to the events of 9/11 on the walking tour element, offering a narrative you won’t find in any history book. You'll then be immersed into the 9/11 Museum with a docent-led tour giving you the ultimate 9/11 experience. From the architectural symbolism of the Oculus to the hallowed ground of the Memorial Pools, we handle every detail and ticket, ensuring a seamless, respectful, and truly "in-depth" journey through the site of the world’s most significant modern turning point. Your guide is a primary source, sharing firsthand stories of resilience that bring history to life. Skip the "megaphone" crowds for a conversational, small-group experience designed for reflection. Upgrade to the VIP All Access option to include a visit to One World Observatory for incredible views to top off your visit.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $109
- Child (ages 4–12)
- $101
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 12 of the next 46 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Oculus
Explore this transportation hub and shopping center to admire its striking architecture and learn how it symbolizes renewal at Ground Zero after 9/11.
Pay your respects to those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Your guide will explain the meaning behind all the symbolic places in the memorial plaza, including the Survivor Tree and Reflecting Absence, which are the largest man-made waterfalls on the continent.
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Explore the museum with an expert guide who will explain the exhibits and the stories they contain. This guided tour covers the collections of media, memorabilia, and more. You're welcome to stay as long as you’d like after the guided portion of your museum tour.
One World Observatory
Enjoy stunning views from the 360-degree observation deck at the top of Freedom Tower, the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. This self-guided upgrade includes your ticket to all three floors of the One World Observatory.
What's included
Included
Skip-the-Line Entry to 9/11 Museum
NYC guide with a personal connection to 9/11 (Memorial walking tour part)
Museum guided tour with a museum docent
Skip-the-Line Entry to One World Observatory (All Access Option only)
Not included
Gratuities
Guided tour inside the One World Observatory
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
37 reviews
How it compares in New York City
- Starting price $109 is 79% above the typical $61 for tours of similar length in New York City
Excurgo comparison of 2,446 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our Ground Zero tour is appropriate for all ages. The subject matter is covered sensitively, and we’ve had many families enjoy our tours over the years.
- Your guided tour of the 9/11 Museum will begin after your outdoor walking tour. There’s a security checkpoint to enter the museum, and all large bags must be checked. You may stay as long as you like in the museum after your tour.
- Our tours run rain or shine, so please check the local forecast to plan. In rare cases when we have to cancel for extreme weather, we'll offer you the chance to reschedule or give a full refund.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
9/11 Guided Museum & Memorial Tour: VIP Ground Zero Experience lasts about 2–4 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $109 per person for this New York City experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 4–12 pay from $101, adults from $109. Infants go free.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 12 of the next 46 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We meet inside the Oculus, a mall and transportation hub at Ground Zero. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and standing by the L'Arte del Gelato stand on the main level. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 13 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Reviews(37)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
Amazing, humbling experience
We had a walking tour with Jaclyn and she was amazing! Very knowledgeable and really cares about the history and people affected. Highly recommend everyone visit and reflect on the events of that day.
E
911
Excellent, Helene was great.
T
Worthwhile tour of our shard history
Sergio was a great guide, full of interesting stories, very knowledgeable about the whole site. Enjoyed it immensely
K
9/11 VIP
James Q was very good. He was enthusiastic and heart felt. James could relate from personal experience.
D
Well Organized and Well Done
As first timers to NYC, this tour was a must! Our tour guide, Kevin, was extremely knowledgeable and weaved personal stories with the solemn facts of this catastrophe. The tour company made sure to keep us apprised of changing traffic conditions, etc. we would absolutely recommend this tour!
T
New York 2026
Our guide, Amy, was knowledgeable and entertaining. Pace was good, with adequate rest stops and bathroom breaks.
H
Highly recommended
Paul was a fantastic tour guide! Hearing about his experience during 9/11 and showing us the “extras” was perfect for us. His love for the city and its history was quite evident.
P
Unforgettable visit.
Kevin was thorough, well-informed, accommodated all of us, probably sixteen or so people from around the US and two from Ireland. The mood was respectful given the venue and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attack. I'd say we were there about 4 hours.
C
VIP Tour of 9/11 Memorial (25th Anniversary)
What a guide Sean turned out to be!!! He's a New Yorker who saw 9/11 happen!!! He talked about how he felt that day. With the first plane, an inability to comprehend what happened. With the 2nd plane, it eventually sank in, but initially he thought he must be wrong the plane must have turned out his sight, lost in the smoke billowing from the first tower hit. But the boom of the collision brought thr incomprehensible into focus.. This man is invested in sharing this memorial with anyone who comes. He weaves stories of the victims' lives, conversations they had with their families and first responders, some of their life experiences and their hopes and dreams. You get a feel that the victims were real 3 dimensional people who mattered. I've always heard the numbers of fatalities, and it was awful. But with Sean sharing their stories, their loss became heartbreaking for me. Something I feel like I want to remember and retell myself and make certain people can't forget. I can't express how I appreciated his depth of knowledge and how impacted I was by his retelling of 9/11 -- from some history of the hijackers, the stories of fearless firefighters, police and 1st responders, stories of the airline crews that day and their attempts to alert the outside world of what was happening on board, the real estate destruction, the rescue and cleanup efforts, etc. I so appreciated having him as my guide. I'm not sure I'll ever be the same. After Sean finished we also had a wonderful guide how led us through the inner memorial. All in all, it was a moving experience and I highly recommend the VIP TOUR OF THE 9/11 MEMORIAL.
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/11 Guided Museum & Memorial Tour: VIP Ground Zero Experience | 2–4 hours | 4.8 (37) | $109 | |
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 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional Museum and One World Access | 2–5 hours | 5.0 (1,041) | $29 | View |
 New York Private 9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional Museum Ticket | 2–4 hours | 4.9 (286) | $190 | View |
 NYC 9/11 Memorial and Museum Ticket with Tour Options | 1h 30min | 4.7 (6,737) | $36 | View |
 VIP Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial Tour plus Battery Park & Wall Street | 1h 30min | — | $34 | View |
from$109
4.8(37) Free cancellation