New York CityPASS: A Complete Guide

4.7
(174)

New York City is the most popular tourist destination in the US, receiving over 60 million people annually.

The big apple deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list because it is home to amazing art, spectacular buildings, and delectable cuisine. 

New York offers something for everyone.

And you wouldn’t want to stay in a hotel room the entire time you’re in this city.

You’ve got to get out and experience all that New York has to offer! 

And that is why it is super important to save in any way you can.

The top attractions for less money with sightseeing Passes.

These Passes are available in many locations across the U.S. and Europe.

And it offers you the opportunity to experience the best attractions in each city at a significant discount.

This is where the New York CityPASS comes into play.

If you’re in New York for a while, why not sIn this situation, you up your sightseeing with a little glitz and glamor?

Here’s everything about the New York City Pass:

For tourists who want to spice up their vacation plans, the New York CityPASS is the ideal pocket rocket.

You can enter museums and other attractions all across the city with it.

And most importantly it is valid for 9 days straight after the first usage.

The New York CityPASS includes admission to five of the city’s top eight tourist attractions.

Alongside the Museum of Natural History and the Empire State Building, you can choose three other venues.

There are choices on how you will use your New York minute.

If you enjoy visiting museums, the Guggenheim should be on your list of places. 

If soaking in the Big Apple’s sights sounds more your style, you can visit the Top of the Rock for panoramic vistas of Central Park.

Confused?

Don’t worry; we’ll assist you in making the best decision.

Let’s explore.

What is New York CityPASS?

The New York CityPASS is a well-known tourist Pass that lets you save money on sightseeing in New York.

This Pass can save you up to 40% off the price of admission by combining entry fees to several of New York’s most well-known sites!

And every dollar you can save matters when visiting New York City.

You can see a specific number of attractions with the New York CityPASS.

You can select five out of eight New York City attractions included with the Pass.

All Passes have access to two of these attractions; the remaining six are available on a “either/or” basis.

After using the Pass for the first time, you have nine days to visit all six attractions.

What attractions does it cover?

What attractions does it cover
Image: Esbnyc.com

The New York CityPASS includes admission to five of the city’s top eight tourist attractions.

Every Pass contains two of these attractions, plus you can choose three more places from a list of six alternatives.

Every Pass offers the following attractions:

Empire State Building 
American Museum of Natural History 

The three “either/or” attractions listed below are also available for your visit:

Top of the Rock Observation Deck OR Guggenheim Museum 
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry OR Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
9/11 Memorial & Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum 

Empire State Building

Empire State Building
Image: Esbnyc.com

The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the New York skyline.

Its classic architecture and design will take you to the 1930s.

And its observatory is undeniably one of the most impressive points to view the city.

So get ready to jump into the past 90 years and explore the future of memories with your family.

Remember to put this visit at the top of your list of things to do in New York City!

The Empire State Building is open from 8:00 to 2:00, and a typical visit lasts 2 hours.

American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History
Image: Amnh.org

Seeing this museum with your family is a great idea when visiting sites in New York.

With exciting sections devoted to marine life, fossils, and meteorites, its permanent exhibition devotes itself to the history of planet Earth.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (optional)

Any engineering and military enthusiast’s dream comes true at this museum.

It provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the ww2 aircraft carrier Intrepid’s deck.

Also, it showcases a wide range of aircraft and helicopters from various eras.

It has a fully explorable submarine, the USS Growler, the supersonic Concorde airplane, and the Concorde submarine.

Top of The Rock (optional)

The Comcast Building’s observatory, known as The Top of the Rock, at Rockefeller Plaza, provides the best skyscraper-based views of New York.

All those gorgeous photos of the Empire State featured on postcards were shot from here.

If you enjoy photography, you’ll be astounded by the images you can capture of this New York architectural landmark.

Particularly if you ascend to the Top of the Rock at dusk or in the morning mist.

Guggenheim Museum (optional)

The Guggenheim in New York lives up to the legend that every Guggenheim in the globe is a blast both inside and out.

Its collection of modern art includes pieces by artists like Van Gogh, Gaugin, Picasso, and Malevich.

And its gift shop is the ideal location to purchase a memento of the city.

Statue of Liberty Ferry (optional)

The Statue of Liberty represents New York City like no other city in the world.

Although seeing it up close is spectacular, the vistas of Manhattan from Liberty Island are almost more impressive.

You will need to board a ferry from Battery Park to get there, but the New York CityPASS takes care of the ticket cost for you.

It also includes the boat to Ellis Island, where you can visit the Immigration Museum.

You can check out an exhibition about the days when immigrants from all over the world arrived to New York for a brighter future.

The Statue of Liberty is accessible from 9.30 am to 5.25 pm.

 An average visit lasts between four and five hours.

Manhattan Cruise (optional)

Manhattan Cruise
Image: Circleline.com

Circle line cruises are top-rated among tourist attractions.

Because it’s equally impressive to view Manhattan from the outside as it is inside.

It is a soothing pastime that will take you away from Times Square’s bustle and offer you a chance to observe New York from a different angle.

So why are you still waiting? Get your tickets and explore.

What other benefits do I get to?

You save money!

The City PASS covers the most expensive attractions and gives you up to 40% discount.

You will get more value out of the Pass even if you only visit the two main attractions and one of the optional sites.

And saving money won’t prevent you from seeing some of New York’s most notable attractions.

Fast Track Entry

No one wants to wait in crowded lines, but don’t worry, we will help you bypass these lines.

Some of the available attractions offer “fast track entry” with the New York CityPASS.

Simply skip the ticket booth and show your Pass ticket at the gate. That’s it. You’re in.

Who is this Pass good for?

Packed Planners / Active Travelers :

New York CityPASS is for you if you spend one week in New York. 

You desire to view the “typical” New York City attractions. 

You don’t have much time to plan your trip. 

You enjoy going at your own pace when visiting a new city. 

You have a limited travel budget.

This is a perfect Pass for you if you’ll only be in town for a short period.

First time visitors:

If you are visiting New York for the first time, the New York CityPASS is something you should look into.

Visitors willing to see only included sites:

This Pass is ideal for people who only intend to see a couple of New York City’s top attractions.

You will receive heavily discounted access to five of New York’s top attractions, which may be all you require.

And you can take your time at each location because the Pass is still valid for 9 days after your initial use.

Family Tourists and Small Groups:

For families and small groups who want to experience some of the top sites in New York without breaking the bank, the New York CityPASS is the ideal option.

Don’t delay; it’s an opportunity to give your family a memorable experience at an affordable price.

Also, when you travel in a group, that quickly adds up with savings of up to 40% per adult.

Who is it not good for?

Heavy Sightseers:

If you only want to take in a small amount of sightseeing, the New York CityPASS is fantastic.

Go City: New York Explorer Pass, on the other hand, can serve you better if you’re looking for more possibilities.

Those Who Do Not Plan on Visiting at Least Three Attractions:

You won’t get enough value if you don’t visit at least three attractions on the Pass.

Instead, you can purchase your tickets at the gate separately.

How much does the New York City Pass cost?

The New York CityPASS allows you to save up to 40% on admission to some of New York’s most popular attractions.

Here is a brief overview of the current price:

Visitors’ AgeTicket Price ($)
Adults (18+ Years)$130
Child (6-17 Years)$110

Many attractions in New York provide free admission to children under 6 years old.

You don’t need to worry about payment.

You can reserve your order and pay later.

Additionally, you can cancel for free and earn a full refund if you do so up to 24 hours in advance!

How to use the New York CityPASS cleverly?

Here are a few clues to get the most out of your Pass:

Visit all five attractions:

Make the most of your Pass by visiting all five available attractions.

The more you see, the greater your return on investment.

Calculate the value of a youth Pass:

Do the math before purchasing a youth Pass for children below and at five years of age.

Most of these locations offer free or reduced admission, varying by location and age.

A youth pass will not save you money, but it will save you time in the ticket lines.

Visit the Empire State Building Twice:

Visit the Empire State Building Twice
Image: Esbnyc.com

The New York CityPASS offers a special ticket for the Empire State Building,

granting a bonus visit that same night.

Take advantage of this perk to maximize your savings because these tickets are more expensive than the standard entrance ticket.

Start early:

Start sightseeing early if you only have a few days in New York.

You can maximise your time for sightseeing by doing so.

Where can I buy the New York CityPASS?

The best and most convenient way to purchase your New York CityPASS is online.

You must first decide how many tickets you want.

Click on the checkout button and pay online.

How to use the Pass:

You will receive your tickets via email after you’ve paid for the Pass.

To enter each attraction, just scan your tickets.

You may also choose to print a paper copy of your tickets.

Final Thoughts:

Is the New York CityPASS worth it?

For many tourists, the answer is definitely YES.

There is no better way to enjoy the city of dreams in a short time.

The New York CityPASS offers up to 40% off standard entrance costs while bundling several of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

You should think about it because that’s a substantial saving.

But remember that these Passes are popular and sell out quickly.

So reserve your tickets in advance and give yourself a short trip.

Featured Image: Tiqets.com

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!