Following a new $2.2 million state grant announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York State residents and students will soon be able to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum for free every single Sunday afternoon.
A major expansion of ‘First Sundays’
Currently, the museum offers free entry exclusively on the first Sunday of every month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through its “New York First Sundays” initiative, which was originally launched with support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
This new state funding officially expands that monthly perk into a year-round, weekly program.
“The events of 9/11 and those we lost that day should never be forgotten, and every New Yorker—especially those too young to remember the attacks—should have the opportunity to visit,” Gov. Hochul shared in a statement.
What you need to know before visiting
The program is designed to give thousands more New Yorkers access to the museum’s historical archives, artifacts, and personal accounts without financial barriers.
- When it begins: October 2026
- Who qualifies: Anyone who lives or studies in New York State
- 📍 9/11 Memorial & Museum, 180 Greenwich St, Lower Manhattan
- 🕐 Every Sunday afternoon, year-round for one year
Whether you’re looking to pay your respects, explore the exhibitions, or teach younger family members about the city’s history, this initiative makes planning a visit much easier.
Be sure to check the 9/11 Memorial & Museum website closer to October to reserve your free resident tickets in advance.