Ground Zero

The recovery effort officially ended at Ground Zero with a memorial ceremony for site workers and families of the victims on May 30, 2002 .Soon after the recovery effort was completed, the Southern (downtown) Liberty Street side of the World Trade Center area was opened up as a viewing platform for visitors. The area begins at Liberty and Church Street. The platform near St Paul's Chapel was dismantled and TICKETS are NO LONGER REQUIRED. The Liberty Street viewing area is wheelchair accessible.

An OBSERVATION WALL has been constructed along the perimeter of the site on Church St. The wall contains a memorial list of the names of the missing and information about the World Trade Center site before and after the attack.

Visitors may also view the site from other vantage points such as West and Albany St., South End and Liberty St., Vesey and West St., Park Place and Greenwich St., Church and Vesey St. It is possible to walk the entire perimeter with some minor detours because of construction. If you do walk the perimeter, be sure to explore Battery Park City to the West. The World Financial Center Towers re-opened last spring. The Winter Garden, which cost $50 million to renovate and restore re-opened the week after September 11, 2002. $3.5 million was spent on new front windows facing Ground Zero. The Winter Garden is a destination for public shopping, art, and performances as well as a place to watch the re-development of the World Trade Center area.

The Hudson River Promenade behind the World Financial Center buildings has views of the Statue of Liberty and the Colgate Clock. The recently created Irish Hunger Memorial is a shining symbol of the courage and endurance of the Irish people and their role in the building of New YorkThe NYC Police Memorial is a moving tribute to all NYC policemen and women who have been lost in the line of duty. The names of those lost at the World Trade Center were added to the Memorial.

Near the Northeast corner of the Trade Center Site is St Paul's Chapel (where George Washington prayed after his inauguration). The Chapel was used as a 24 by 7 respite center for workers and volunteers involved with the recovery effort. It re-opened to the public after a thorough cleaning.

Visit the exhibit inside St. Paul's to learn about the Chapel's role in the recovery effort.

Ground Zero was a place of both horror and great bravery. The tragedy affected each of us very differently. People from all over the world continue to come to Ground Zero every day to bear witness and to pay respects to those who died there. It is difficult for some who lost loved ones or who live in the neighborhood to watch the masses streaming through the area every day. When visiting Ground Zero please remember that it is a burial ground and be respectful of those who live in the area or have lost family, friends, or associates in the tragedy.

If you want to learn more about historic Lower Manhattan including "Ground Zero" during your visit to New York, consider taking the escorted walking tour of Lower Manhattan run by New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) every Saturday and Sunday morning. Full tour information can be found at www.nycvp.com/ground_zero1.html.

The tour starts from a convenient mid-town location. Tour participants travel to Battery Park, the beginning of the walk, by subway. The tour includes views of Ground Zero from the official viewing area and also features some of New York City's most famous landmarks and America's most historic sites, including views of the Statue of Liberty from the famous NY Harbor, the "Sphere" -- International Peace Memorial, Battery and Bowling Green Parks, Customs House, the "Bronze Bull", Wall Street, Federal Hall, Trinity Church, St. Paul's Chapel, the lyrical Woolworth Building -- arguably the most beautiful skyscraper in the world, and City Hall Park. The past does make a difference! Lower Manhattan is a very precious part of the New York City. Even before September 11th, Lower Manhattan was the single most historic area in all the United States.

As a result of the attacks of Sept 11th, 50 to 100,000 people no longer work in the Lower Manhattan area. One way to aid the recovery of New York is to explore the rest of Lower Manhattan on your own. Visit historical and cultural sites and patronize the local businesses that were devastated by the attack. Eat and shop Downtown!

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other members of the New York community would like to encourage people coming to New York City to see Ground Zero to also explore the great attractions of New York City.

When you are ready to book your (first or next) trip to New York City, New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP.com) can help you to plan and purchase hotel accommodations, show, dining, tour and attraction tickets as well as transportation to and from the City. Our Lower Manhattan tours also provide an introduction to New York City subways.

New York City Vacation Packages offers hotels in all price ranges. Our midtown hotels will put you right at the center of New York City's cultural life where you'll be able to take in a Broadway play, visit Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building and many other great restaurants, theatres and museums. Our Downtown choice is in Battery Park City by the Hudson River, near Ground Zero, and all of the attractions of Lower Manhattan. All New York City attractions are easily accessible by subway, bus, and/or taxi.