National 9/11 Memorial Museum on Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best List
TripAdvisor did a little research, a little surveying, and a little analysis to find the most popular places to visit.
Their annual Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best “Things to Do” list, is described as “a definitive list of extraordinary experiences for travelers looking to create memorable moments.”
Based on their user reviews, TripAdvisor has singled out the top places worth visiting.
A complete list of top attractions, and other great experiences, can be found at TripAdvisor.com. The National 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York landed 4th on the list.
The National 9/11 Memorial Museum serves as a tribute to the events of September 11, 2001. Terrorist attacks occurred on the World Trade Center, resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. The museum’s mission is to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attacks and to educate visitors about the historical significance of that awful day.
It’s located at the World Trade Center site adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial, which features twin reflecting pools set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers.
The purpose of the museum is to remember and honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks, including those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. It also aims to provide a space for reflection, education, and remembrance.
It features a wide range of exhibits, including artifacts salvaged from the World Trade Center, such as twisted steel beams, damaged emergency vehicles, personal items from victims, and photographs. Interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and oral histories are also used to convey the events of that day and the stories of those affected.
It also outlines the events leading up to 9/11, the timeline of the attacks, and the aftermath. Additionally, it explores the global impact of the attacks and their significance in the context of modern history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of never forgetting the lives lost that day.
8 Seemingly Unreal Places to Add to Your Travel Bucket List
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
This Arizona canyon was naturally carved by rainwater streams within the sandstone. The Navajo Nation gave it the name ‘The place where water runs through rocks.’ Visit Arizona explains that the Upper Antelope Canyon tour is more frequented due to increased sunlight and towering walls reaching 120 feet. Alternatively, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is equally remarkable, providing visitors with an immersive encounter among the swirling sandstone walls.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Among the world’s largest springs, the Grand Prismatic measures an expansive 370 feet in diameter, exceeding the size of a football field. Its vibrant appearance stems from bands of orange, yellow, and green that encircle the deep blue waters. These diverse colors originate from different strains of thermophile bacteria, thriving in the progressively cooler waters around the spring, as explained by Yellowstone National Park. For a bird’s-eye-like view of the Grand Prismatic, they suggest visitors follow the half-mile Fairy Falls trail to a lookout.
The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
Located in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, the Door to Hell is a large fiery crater. It emerged when a natural gas field accidentally caught fire in 1971 and has been burning continuously since then, according to National Geographic. A well-visited tourist spot, the Door to Hell permits visitors to hike down into the crater for a close view of the flames and an opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the site. The Door to Hell, also referred to as the Darvaza Gas Crater, is located in a rural part of the country.
Diamond Beach, Iceland
Found along Iceland’s South Coast, the Diamond Beach is a volcanic black sand shoreline adjacent to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Ice blocks from the glacier lagoon wash ashore after breaking into smaller pieces at sea, as mentioned in the Diamond Beach Travel Guide. The beach is also a natural habitat for seals.
Mendenhall Glacier Caves, Alaska
According to the Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier is among the numerous expansive glaciers originating from the Juneau Icefield, an area spanning 1500 square miles of rock, snow, and ice. The glacier gradually advances under the influence of gravity, descending down the slope. Over time, it carves the bedrock and erodes during its 13-mile path until it reaches Mendenhall Lake.
Thor’s Well, Oregon
Located on the Oregon coast near Cape Perpetua, there’s a large sinkhole that appears to swallow seawater continuously, resembling a bottomless pit. According to Yachats Oregon, it’s often called the “drainpipe of the Pacific.” They explain that the well is actually a hole in the rock that gives the impression of draining ocean water. Some researchers believe this well might have started as a sea cave shaped by waves. Over time, its roof likely collapsed, creating openings at the top and bottom, which spray ocean water.
Crooked Forest, Poland
Found close to the town of Gryfino in West Pomerania, Poland, the Crooked Forest consists of 400 peculiarly contorted pine trees. As revealed by Discovery, these pine trees were planted approximately in 1930, back when the area was part of the German province of Pomerania. Starting from the ground, the pine trees exhibit a distinctive feature: they grow with a sharp 90-degree bend towards the north, before gracefully straightening up towards the sky.
Pink Beach, Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
The beach is named for its pink sand, which comes from tiny organisms in the coral reefs nearby. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and see marine life like sea turtles and manta rays in the clear water. The beach also has great views of hills and turquoise waters.
