World Trade Center — Attraction in New York

The overwhelming sentiment about the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum is that it is a profoundly moving, emotionally impactful, and essential experience. Visitors, both those who lived through the events and younger generations, consistently describe it as a powerful and somber tribute. Here's a breakdown of what people think about the different components: The Memorial Plaza (The Twin Reflecting Pools) Solemn and Respectful: The design, with its twin waterfall pools in the footprints of the original towers, is widely seen as a fitting and deeply respectful tribute. The sound of the waterfalls is often described as a way to drown out the city noise, creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere. Visually Striking: The sheer scale of the voids and the endless cascade of water effectively conveys the immense loss of life and the physical absence left behind. Personal Connection: Visitors are often moved by seeing the names of the victims engraved around the edges of the pools, with many leaving flowers or notes in the indentations next to a loved one's name. The Museum Harrowing but Necessary: The museum is frequently described as a difficult and emotionally draining experience, but also an incredibly important one. It doesn't shy away from the brutality of the attacks, but visitors feel that this honesty is crucial for remembrance. Rich with Artifacts and Stories: People are often struck by the thousands of personal artifacts, from twisted steel beams and a wrecked fire truck to everyday items like shoes and wallets. These objects, combined with audio recordings, news footage, and survivor testimonies, bring the human side of the tragedy to life. Educational and Informative: The museum is praised for its comprehensive historical exhibit, which provides context for the events of 9/11 and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. It's considered an important learning tool, especially for younger people who did not witness the attacks firsthand. Well-Designed: The museum's architecture, which is built on the original foundations of the towers and incorporates elements like the "Last Column" and the "Survivor Stairs," is seen as a powerful way to connect visitors to the actual site. Key Themes in Visitor Opinions: Emotional Weight: Visitors universally describe the experience as emotionally heavy and overwhelming. Many feel a deep sense of sadness, but also an appreciation for the stories of heroism, resilience, and hope that are also told. "Must-See" Attraction: For many, particularly tourists visiting New York City, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is at the top of their list of places to visit, with many feeling it's a vital part of American history that must be witnessed in person. Importance of Remembering: The memorial's primary purpose—to honor the victims and ensure that the attacks are never forgotten—is a sentiment that resonates strongly with the public. Many reviews highlight the importance of visiting to pay respects and reflect...

20% inflation is not Biden's fault nor is it Trump's fault. It was the pandemic's fault, whomever you want to blame and it was global inflation that we won. Nice.

Still, a 20+% haircut sucks. However, I lived through the Carter administration watching over even worse inflation.

And my SO foreclosed on a condo in the 2009 real estate crash.

I lost my cushy tech job in 2001 directly after 9/11 which I watched in horror from a safe bird's-eye view through a picture window high up in Jersey City. Looked like a Southwest jet to me as it turned to show it's belly before sinking into the tower, it's imprint left behind like a 2d image.

And an instant later the fireball like a Bruce Willis movie. And oh my fkng dog.

It's a blur seeing the top of tower 2 burn, knowing people were trapped and heart-wrenchingly burning in a full load of jet fuel.

And let me be the billionth one to tell you, it was a controlled implosion that brought down building one. I watched it, floor by floor, the floor would go black and fall onto it's downstairs neighbor, all in a breathtakingly controlled disaster that could have demolished half of lower Manhattan. Maybe all of lower Manhattan. Who has the anti-fire power to control that burn?

So when tower one went down and the boats on the river did their abrupt U-turns towards Jersey, our building was evacuated. The grey clouds of debris billowed over the river towards us. Can you imagine being in that cloud of poison asbestos? The price of living in the best city on the planet. All hail NYC. I love you! You annoint me with thine oil said the atheist beast in me.

I was able to call my fiance in Maryland. We lived as a remote couple at the time. This episode convinced her to marry me. She died of melanoma 5 years later. A serious shock to her hundreds of family and friends. She had welcomed me in difficult circumstances, to euphemize a phrase. Her family is equally as amazing. Her funeral taught me how she was loved. I knew, but I didn't know that much! I feel blessed to have known her, and her family, and her friends. But that was a different life compartmentalized away to visit in dreams and sudden, shocking memories.

Confession. I moved to Maryland for much too long and finally got back.

Anyways , as they say, I got in a call to my fiance in time to tell her I was alive and being evacuated. No phone service, landline nor cell worked for I don't remember how long. At least a couple days. Freaked my fiance out.

So there you go. I've never written this out and it's cathartic. I used to get so freaking upset on 9/11. I hated it. It made me feel weak. But there were a thousand heros that day. Holy shit-meister, these people in blue and red. I am humbled. So humbled.

And the people who faced the worst we could ever imagine ever in our worst, worst... Humans are amazing in every way possible.

Photo is unretouched, taken several months ago. You can see what a nightmare NYC is! Truly the sesspool...

A Journey of Remembrance, Resilience, and Hope

Giving the World Trade Center complex a 5-star rating feels strange, because it’s not something you "enjoy" in the typical sense. You don't leave feeling entertained; you leave feeling profoundly changed. It’s a deeply moving, impeccably executed space that every single person should experience. It’s a testament to the absolute worst and the absolute best of humanity, all in one place.

The first thing I did was walk to the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. You could be in the middle of a frantic, noisy Lower Manhattan street one moment, and then you step through the trees and everything goes quiet. It's not a forced silence, but a natural hush that falls over the crowd. Seeing the two memorial pools for the first time... it stops you in your tracks. They are massive, solemn voids, with water cascading endlessly into the earth where the Twin Towers once stood. You can't see the bottom. I walked the perimeter of the North Tower pool, tracing the names of the victims etched into the bronze. Seeing people leave flowers or little flags in a name, and realizing each one represents a whole life, a family, a story... it's just incredibly powerful. It’s heartbreaking, but also beautiful in the way it honors them.

Next, I went into the 9/11 Museum. Be prepared for this. It’s an emotional gut punch, but in a necessary way. The museum takes you down, deep underground, alongside the original slurry wall that held back the Hudson River. The scale of it all is hard to comprehend. The artifacts are what really get you: a crushed fire truck, the "Last Column" covered in messages, personal items like a pair of glasses or a work ID found in the rubble. It’s the small, human things that make the enormous tragedy feel so personal. Hearing the voicemails left by people on the planes... I had to step away for a minute. It’s raw and unfiltered, but it tells the story with the dignity and respect it deserves.

After the weight of the memorial and museum, going up the One World Observatory feels like a deliberate, symbolic ascent. The elevator ride itself is an experience, showing the skyline of New York evolving over centuries. When you step out at the top, the view is just... breathtaking. A full 360-degree panorama of the city, the rivers, and beyond. Looking down from that incredible height, you don't just see buildings; you see a city that refused to be broken. You see life, vibrant and bustling, stretching out in every direction. It’s a view filled with hope...