One World Trade Center Now The Tallest Building in New York City [PHOTOS]

My mother, brother and I spent this past weekend in New York City.  It was my first time ever in Manhattan, and I absolutely fell in love with it.

During our stay, we had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial.  It was a very emotional visit, and I will remember it always.

This week, the construction effort will hit a milestone.  For the first time since the Twin Towers were destroyed, the Empire State Building will no longer be the tallest building in New York.  One World Trade Center has made it to 100 floors, and upon it's completion in December of this year, it will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and 3rd tallest in the world!

The memorial features two pools that are located exactly where the twin towers stood.  Standing between the pools, you can't even hear the noise of the city. It was a very surreal and somber experience.

I thanked every police officer I saw at the memorial and thanked them for all they did on 9/11 and all they do now.  They were very receptive and enjoyed talking to us.  They truly are heroes.

One thing that caught my attention was the Survivor Tree, a tree that was badly damaged, but survived the collapse of the towers on 9/11.  It was nursed back to health and now stands tall in full bloom near the twin memorial pools.

Air traffic in and out of the city is always busy, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up as jets flew near the towers, just a few blocks away.

If you ever vacation in New York City, the 9/11 Memorial is a definite must-see.