In September of 2007, six years will have passed since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. New York City is recovering, but the gaping hole where the Twin Towers once loomed remains a compelling reminder of the tragedy. Nothing yet has been built here – and may not for a long while, such is the political wrangling – but paying homage at this ravaged gap in Lower Manhattan’s skyline is a memorable – cathartic, even, for some – experience. Surrounded by a protective fence, Ground Zero is filled with cranes and construction equipment. On some days, it’s crawling with hard-hatted workers; on others, the hulking machines sit untouched and the site takes on a poignant silence, especially after dusk, when the visitors and the office crowds have gone for the day. Stairs lead up to viewing platforms where you can look down at the site; afterward head to the nearby Trinity Church and St Paul’s chapel, which played a crucial role in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, providing shelter and serving as a communications center. Many put up signs with the names of their missing loved ones here, and today you’ll see several memorials in and around the church including the interactive exhibit “Unwavering Spirit,” whose name exemplifies New York City’s strength and resilience after September 11.