Take a walking tour of a downtown NYC community steeped in rich history

The 9/11 Memorial welcomes visitors and the city's residents to take a walk of remembrance through a commemorative self-guided tour of lower Manhattan.  A rich history exists in downtown and the 9/11 Memorial is providing a guide to easily find local landmarks associated with events of September 11, 2001. Tourists can also learn about the history and future of the 16-acre WTC site.

Called the 9/11 Commemorative Tour around the World Trade Center, the guide takes you to  points of interest like the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site at 20 Vesey St.

Not far from the Preview Site, take a walk over to the rebuilt 7 World Trade Center building,  250 Greenwich St. The original 7 WTC skyscraper was the last building to fall on 9/11 and the first to be rebuilt, opening in 2006.  In the park in front of 7 WTC, find the "Balloon Flower (Red)" sculpture by artist Jeff Koons. Nearby, check out the cross-shaped steel beam at Church Street between Vesey and Barclay streets. The so-called WTC Cross was found amid the rubble of the WTC site two days after 9/11. When recovered, it became a symbol of hope, faith and healing for many rescue and recovery workers searching for human remains.

Along the tour route, there is also St. Paul's Chapel and the Bell of Hope, both at 209 Broadway; the Trinity Root, Broadway and Wall Street; The Koenig's Sphere at Battery Place in Battery Park;  The Tribute WTC Visitor Center, 120 Liberty St., and more. This walking tour will provide a gateway to remembrance as well as show the rebirth of an important community.

The self-guided tours will be available for sale at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site in the coming weeks. More information soon.

By Michael Frazier, Sr. Communications Manager for the 9/11 Memorial