The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City is the most recognized site of remembrance, but it is not the only one. Across the country and even abroad, communities have built meaningful memorials that honor the victims and heroes of 9/11. Each one has its own design and atmosphere, offering travelers a chance to connect with history and reflection wherever they may be.
This traveler’s guide highlights meaningful memorials, what makes them special, and where to find them.
National September 11 Memorial & Museum │New York City
Twin reflecting pools sit where the towers once rose, bordered by bronze panels with victims’ names. Inside the museum, artifacts and stories make the experience deeply personal. Visitors often call it life-changing.
The Pentagon Memorial │Arlington, Virginia
One hundred eighty-four benches honor victims from the Pentagon and Flight 77. Each bench faces either toward or away from the building to show where that person was. They are arranged by age, from the youngest to the oldest.
Flight 93 National Memorial │Stoystown, Pennsylvania
On a quiet field in Pennsylvania, this memorial honors the 40 passengers and crew who stopped Flight 93. The Tower of Voices rises 93 feet tall with wind chimes that ring across the landscape as if their voices are still present.
Empty Sky Memorial │Jersey City, New Jersey
Twin walls match the width of the Twin Towers and bear the names of New Jersey victims. Aligned directly toward Lower Manhattan, the memorial creates a powerful sightline back to Ground Zero.
Postcards Memorial │Staten Island, New York
Two postcard-shaped sculptures face the skyline. Granite plaques carry the names and silhouettes of Staten Island’s victims, creating a personal message across the water.
Jersey City 9/11 Memorial │Hudson River Waterfront
On the Exchange Place waterfront, this memorial offers a direct view of Lower Manhattan. A recovered steel beam from the Twin Towers anchors the site. At the same time, a bronze cast of the Double Check businessman sculpture recalls the spontaneous tributes that covered the original in 2001. Visitors often describe it as a smaller, raw reminder of how ordinary places became sacred in the days after the attacks.
The Sphere │Liberty Park, New York City
Fritz Koenig’s bronze Sphere survived the collapse of the towers. It was later moved to Liberty Park, where it overlooks the memorial pools as a symbol of resilience.
Garden of Remembrance │Boston, Massachusetts
A curved granite wall lists the names of 206 Massachusetts victims. Set in Boston’s Public Garden, the site blends quiet reflection with the beauty of a historic park.
9/11 Memorial Labyrinth │Boston College, Chestnut Hill
Built in honor of 22 alumni, this labyrinth invites visitors to stroll through its winding path. Students describe it as a meditative way to reflect and remember.
Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden │Beverly Hills, California
Positioned beside the city’s fire department, a 30-foot steel beam from Ground Zero stands above a pentagon-shaped base. Plaques list all 2,977 victims, making it a powerful site on the West Coast.
Arizona 9/11 Memorial │Phoenix, Arizona
At the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, a steel ring features inscriptions cut into its surface. As sunlight shifts, words and dates fall across the ground, creating a living timeline of the day.
9/11 Living Memorial Plaza │Jerusalem, Israel
This international tribute includes a piece of steel from Ground Zero. The flag-shaped sculpture rises into a flame, representing the shared loss and resilience of nations.
Boston Logan 9/11 Memorial │Boston, Massachusetts
Called the Place of Remembrance, this memorial honors Flights 11 and 175, which departed Logan on 9/11. A glowing glass cube holds etched names of passengers and crew.
“Tear of Grief” │Bayonne, New Jersey
Also called the Tear Drop Memorial, this 100-foot sculpture was a gift from Russia. Granite panels list the victims’ names while the steel teardrop hangs in the center as a symbol of shared grief.
Weehawken 9/11 Memorial │New Jersey
Two trident beams from the towers rise from a reflecting pool. The site also marks the spot where ferries brought survivors during the historic boatlift evacuation.
A National Network of Remembrance
From New York to Pennsylvania, Arizona to Israel, these memorials create a tapestry of memory. Each offers travelers a chance to pause, reflect, and honor the lives lost on September 11.