West Street (between Liberty and Vesey streets)

World Trade Center station (E train)

www.wtc.com

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, many visitors to New York City feel compelled to visit the site of the tragedy. Eight buildings were destroyed or had to be subsequently demolished, and nearly 3,000 lives were taken when hijackers flew two jet planes into the 110-story Twin Towers.

Visitors to the site can view its rebirth. Already completed is 7 World Trade Center, and work has begun on the tallest building, Freedom Tower. It is expected to be completed in early 2011. The building is full of symbolism. It will be 1,776 feet tall, its base is the same dimensions as the towers it replaces, and it will have glass parapets at the heights of the two fallen towers. You can view a massive WTC timeline made up of large panels that run along Church Street.

In January 2004, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation announced the winners of an international competition for the World Trade Center Memorial that drew more than 5,000 entrants from sixtythree countries. Reflecting Absence, designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, is composed of two large reflecting pools amid a large open space of trees. The names of those who died in the attacks are to be distributed, in no particular order, around one of the reflecting pools. On a lower level there will be an underground space for exhibits, a research library, and lecture halls. The unidentified remains of those killed will be housed in a room at this level as well.