Visitors to Make Online Reservations to See 9/11 Memorial

The memorial on the site where the World Trade Center towers once stood opens on September 12, 2011 — one day after the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. Starting on July 6, family members of the victims of 9/11 and the trade center terrorist attack on February 26, 1993 can make online reservations to see the 2,982 names of those who died in bronze. The general public can register to visit the memorial beginning on July 11.

The memorial includes two reflecting pools and waterfalls as well as a survivor tree, which was taken from the wreckage on 9/11 and nursed back to health. Admission will be free of charge, but visitors must make reservations for a specific date ahead of time.

"Because the construction surrounding the World Trade Center site projects will continue over the next few years, we need to manage capacity on the plaza," said memorial spokesman Michael Frazier.

Visitors can also access the memorial using their smartphones. The free "Explore 9/11" iPhone app has a walking tour with photographs submitted by survivors and witnesses as well as a timeline of events from the days of the terrorist attacks. 

An underground museum at the site is scheduled to open in 2012. One World Trade Center, northwest of the memorial, is scheduled to be completed in 2013.