9/11 and Downtown Memorials NYC Walking Tour

In this tour, I will take you to the 9/11 memorial, and less well-known memorials around that area: the Sphere, and America's Response Monument in Liberty Plaza, the Irish Hunger memorial, a piece of the Berlin Wall, and St Paul's Chapel to see artifacts collected during the tragic events of 9/11. As a former professor in public art, I will speak about the different traditions in design approach to memorials, and what those can teach us about ourselves. I will talk about how memorials are a telling of history, and discuss how their designs can focus on particular issues. Along the way, we'll stop for refreshments at Brookfield Place (it also has bathrooms!), walk along the Hudson river which offers great views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and walk through the Oculus, a new transportation hub and an architectural jewel.

We will start at Engine 10, and go up Liberty plaza where I will introduce you to the 9/11 memorials and their significance. Visitors will see the Survivor Tree and will have time to walk around the 9/11 memorials and reflect on the tragic events of that day. We will cross the West Side Highway to the Berlin Wall, and continue on Vesey St to see the Irish Hunger Memorial, a must-see memorial on your visit. We will then cross back to the World Trade Center, and go through the Oculus, a beautiful architectural transportation hub. We will go to St. Paul's Chapel, a sight used by volunteers and firefighters during the post 9/11 recovery period. The tour ends at the entrance of the 9/11 museum with your tickets to a timed entrance.