A year after its inauguration, I decided to go see the 9/11 Memorial. It was pure coincidence that I arrived there a day before the tragedy’s 11th anniversary. I appreciated the simplicity and openness of the memorial, generous with greenery and swamp white oak trees. The two infinity reflecting pools are impressive, with waterfalls seemingly falling into abyss. Nearly an acre in size each, the twin pools feature the largest manmade waterfalls in the North America. They sit within the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. Architect Michael Arad created the Memorial design, selected from a global design competition that included more than 5,200 entries from 63 nations.
One of the symbols of the memorial is the Survival Tree. It miraculously survived the attacks, being minimized to a mere stump; it was removed and brought back to life, after which it came back home, at the World Trade Center. It is currently strapped to the floor, so it grows solid roots.
To visit the 9/11 Memorial, you must reserve advance passes for a specific date and time. Visitor passes are free and available through the Memorial’s online reservation system. On the day of the visit, you simply pick them up from the Memorial.
