Touring Ground Zero

Passengers aboard a Circle Line boat to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island take photographs. Because of heightened security, entering the statue itself is not yet permitted.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

Rick Chupp of Bloomington, Ind., writes a tribute on the viewing platform at the World Trade Center site.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

The Empire State Building soars behind a visitor at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. The building remains open but with tighter security.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

Towers of light pay tribute to those lost Sept. 11.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

“The Sphere”--a steel and bronze sculpture created in 1971 by artist Fritz Koenig to promote peace through international commerce--was partially crushed by falling debris from the towers. It now serves as a temporary memorial.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

People wait in line at the South Street Seaport Museum to get tickets to the Trade Center viewing platform.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

Signs guide visitors to neighborhood restaurants.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

A man who calls himself “The Naked Cowboy” entertains visitors.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

Large U.S. flags are a familiar site near Ground Zero.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

The lobby of the Empire State Building is abuzz with people.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

On the boat to the Statue of Liberty, tourists take photographs of the altered New York City skyline.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a popular place to visit.  (Gary Friedman / LAT)

On the boat to the Statue of Liberty, tourists take pictures and capture the new skyline of New York City.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

Signs of support for New York pepper Madison Avenue.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

A man at Grand Central Station reads the memorials and missing posters posted there.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)

Vistors to Ground Zero take pictures and video from the viewing platform.  (GARY FRIEDMAN / LAT)