St. Paul's Chapel
Aside from the Ground Zero tour info listed below, be sure to visit St Paul's Chapel www.trinitywallstreet.org/congregation/spc/ located directly across the street from Ground Zero. St. Paul's is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use (opened in 1766). The church is known for where George Washington worshiped (see the pew where he sat during services) as well where 9/11 workers found 24x7 refuge and care from hundreds of volunteers in the aftermath of the Towers falling. As you tour the inside of the church, you will see the beds the rescuers napped in during their round the clock work at the site, letters from families thanking all of the volunteers as well as pictures and artifacts celebrating the survivors and the victims.
With regular religious services still performed, the church itself has become a living shrine to the 9/11 tragedy and I can tell you from personal experience, you will have a hard time not getting emotional touring this church and the grounds.
An interesting and for me, an uplifting side note is that after the planes struck the towers, many of the surrounding businesses were either damaged beyond repair or at a minimum had their power knocked out for days. This church-- just across the narrow street from the towers-- had no damage except for a tree that fell in the cemetery attached to the church.
Ground Zero Tours:
- Take a walking tour (available daily) along the World Trade Center site led by individuals whose lives were profoundly changed by the events on September 11th whether that be survivors, lower Manhattan residents, volunteers, recovery workers or family of victims. Each of these tours is as unique as the tour guide and personal stories are shared and questions answered. Most of these tours takes place indoors, traveling along the windows of the World Financial Center, looking out onto Ground Zero.
- To join a tour you must first purchase a ticket ($10 for adults, free for children under 12) at the Tribute Center (120 Liberty Street) on the day of the tour. Tours last a little over an hour. The Tribute Center suggests to arrive one hour prior to the tour time you would like as space is limited and cannot be guaranteed
As the Tour Website states: Please do note that the content of these tours are serious and can be frightening for children under 10 years old. Please use your own discretion as to the appropriateness of this tour for your child.
- Tour Times (subject to change):
Sunday-Friday: 11 am, 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Saturdays: 11 am, 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Contact Information:
- Visitor Services: 212-393-9160 x138
- Email visitorservices@tributewtc.org
- website: www.tributewtc.org/index.php
diana ellefson is a freelance travel writer based in new york city.
twitter id: @dianaellefson
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