I had mixed feelings about visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as it felt somehow strange to have a tourist attraction out of something so deeply sad and harrowing but I guess like many places around the world, they are created to serve as a reminder and to ensure the tragic events are never forgotten. We were all touched by the stories of such bravery and kindness. Listening to one of the survivors, now a volunteer, retell her experience was just so moving. The modern museum is huge with various exhibition rooms telling the story of 9/11 through personal accounts and interactive technology along with around 60,000 artifacts. It also details the years leading up to the attacks and threat of terrorism. Built on the site where the Twin Towers once stood, several archaeological remnants including the ‘Survivors Stairs’ have been preserved. Allow around 2 hours for your visit to cover it in full. Tickets can be booked here.
The two waterfall pools also located on the site are inscribed with names of the victims of the attack and serve as a peaceful place in the city to contemplate and remember. The architect Michael Arad designed it to represent an absence made visible. The water flows constantly but will never fill the void.
The Oculus Center is just a few minutes’ walk away. This futuristic building serving as a transport hub for the World Trade Center is pretty cool for a wander inside but mainly full of well-known high end retail brands and several chain food outlets. If you’ve been to Valencia you’ll recognise the similarities with the City of Arts and Science, also designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calstrava.
For lunch we found El Vez and Burrito Bar just around the corner. A fun Mexican restaurant great for nachos, burritos and quesadillas washed down with a margarita.
With a sport obsessed husband and kids, it was a must to experience an American sports fixture on our trip. We had originally wanted to go to a basketball match but after looking at the price, ice hockey was a much more affordable option. We took the train over to Newark from Penn Station and enjoyed an early evening game cheering on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Our first time watching ice hockey was great fun and the Americans really do go to town on it, creating a fantastic family friendly atmosphere. We had fairly cheap seats up at the top but the view was awesome. Madison Square Garden is home to the New York Rangers so worth checking out their fixtures too if you want to avoid the train ride over to New Jersey. Prices are generally higher though.
Fam Full of Wanderlust 