First time visiting the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there.
History and overview of the Flight 93 National Memorial
The story of the Flight 93 National Memorial begins on September 11, 2001, when September 11 attacks claimed the lives of 40 passengers and crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93, who thwarted a terrorist attack by choosing to resist. Congress authorised the memorial in 2002, and the site is now managed by the National Park Service (NPS).
The design of the memorial follows the flight path of the aircraft toward the crash site near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Visitors pass through the Visitor & Learning Centre, then trace the flight path walkway to the Wall of Names, ending at the impact site marked by a boulder. A tower of voices, 93 feet tall with 40 wind chimes, adds a living tribute to those who perished.
Visiting the memorial is about of reflection and recognising collective courage. The architecture, landscape and exhibits converge to honour lives lost and a choice made under unimaginable pressure. It’s a place where the scale of heroism meets quiet contemplation.
Opening hours of the Flight 93 National Memorial
- The Visitor & Learning Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving.
- The memorial grounds and trails are open sunrise to sunset, year-round (weather and conditions permitting).
Ticket prices at the Flight 93 National Memorial
- Entrance to the memorial grounds and the Visitor & Learning Centre is free of charge. No ticket or entrance fee required.
How to get to the Flight 93 National Memorial & parking
Location
The Flight 93 National Memorial is at 6424 Lincoln Highway (US Route 30), Stoystown / near Shanksville, PA 15563.
Parking & transport
- Free parking is available at the Visitor & Learning Centre and near the Memorial Plaza parking areas.
- The site is accessible by car from the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other regional routes; public transport options are limited due to the rural location.
Accessibility & visitor tips for the Flight 93 National Memorial
The Visitor & Learning Centre, restrooms and the plaza are wheelchair-accessible. Pets on leash are permitted on the grounds and trails, but are not allowed inside the Visitor & Learning Centre.
Allow at least 90 to 120 minutes to explore the Visitor Centre and walk some of the memorial plaza area; longer if you wish to explore trails. Since you visit the crash site area and outdoor memorial spaces, bring water, wear comfortable shoes and plan for changing weather conditions.
What you’ll experience at the Flight 93 National Memorial
You’ll begin in the Visitor & Learning Centre which houses exhibits telling the story of Flight 93 — the plane, passengers, crew and sequence of events. Interactive displays, audio recordings and personal artefacts ground the tragedy in human terms.
Next you walk the flight-path walkway that descends through the landscape toward the Wall of Names, where each of the 40 victims is honoured on a marble panel. Beyond lies the crash site, marked by a boulder and framed by the hemlock-gate memorial.
Finally you may visit the Tower of Voices, a striking 93-foot tower with 40 wind chimes that sound in the breeze, each chime representing one of the crew or passengers. The tower offers a meditative moment — if the wind cooperates.
The Flight 93 National Memorial: In summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the ticket prices? | Free admission. |
| What are the opening hours? | Visitor & Learning Centre 9 am–5 pm daily; grounds open sunrise to sunset. |
| Where is it located? | 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown (near Shanksville), PA 15563. |
| Is parking available? | Yes — free parking at Visitor Centre and Memorial Plaza areas. |
| Is the attraction accessible? | Yes — centre and plaza are wheelchair accessible; trails vary. |
Nearby attractions
- Laurel Hills/Laurel Highlands scenic area — Outdoor recreation region offering hiking, nature and views.
- Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Shanksville) — A small local historic church near the crash-site area.
- Fort Loudoun Historic Site — Nearby historic military site with visitor programmes.
- Johnstown Flood National Memorial — Memorial to the 1889 flood event, located within driving distance.
- Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site — Historic rail-route site in the broader region.
More Pennsylvania travel
Other Pennsylvania travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Understanding Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg.
- Drake Well: The birthplace of the oil industry.
- How Philadelphia’s historic attractions provide an introduction to America’s past.
- 4 great reasons to visit Pittsburgh.
- Learning how Australia’s highest mountain got its name at the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial.
