New York CityPASS®

New York CityPASS gives you a practical way to tackle New York’s big sights without buying every ticket one by one. The pass covers the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History, then lets you choose three more attractions from six major options. That is a useful mix of skyline views, museums, boats, and landmarks.

I like the nine-day validity, which gives you room to spread out the sightseeing instead of racing from one attraction to the next. I also like the mobile ticket and reservation tools, especially since most of the pass is managed from your phone.

The main catch is that the pass only pays off if you use it well. Some popular attractions need advance time slots, and one museum may still make you exchange the pass for an admission ticket, so this is not always a complete skip-the-line solution.

Key points to know before buying

• Five attractions total: The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are fixed, followed by your choice of three more.
• Nine consecutive days: The clock starts when you first use the pass, not when you buy it.
• Strong mobile setup: You can present the pass on your phone or print it, and reservations can be made or changed through the CityPASS system.
• Best value at four or five visits: The pass is less useful if you only have time for two or three attractions.
• Big choice of experiences: Pick from Top of the Rock, Statue City Cruises, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line, Intrepid Museum, and the Guggenheim.
• Plan the popular stops early: Time slots can fill, especially for major observation decks and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

How the New York CityPASS works

The pass costs $154 per person and remains valid for nine consecutive days after first use. Your first visit might be the Empire State Building on a sunny morning, but the pass can then carry you through the rest of your New York plans for more than a week.

Two attractions are included automatically:

• Empire State Building
• American Museum of Natural History

You then choose three attractions from these six:

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck
• Ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Intrepid Museum
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

You do not need to visit all five in one day, and that is where the pass earns its keep. New York sightseeing involves plenty of walking, subway rides, weather changes, and occasional delays. A nine-day window lets you place one major attraction alongside lighter activities instead of treating the city like a checklist.

The mobile pass is easy to show at the entrance. You can add it to a digital wallet, use the CityPASS app or website for details, and print the tickets if you prefer paper. For some attractions, you select an arrival time in advance. Most time changes can be handled through the same system, which is handy when a museum visit takes longer than planned or the weather ruins your intended observation-deck hour.

Empire State Building, New York’s classic first view

The Empire State Building visit includes the 86th Floor Observatory and the museum on the second floor. The admission also includes a bonus same-night general admission visit, giving you the option to return later that evening.

The 86th Floor is the classic New York view, with open-air observation space and a clear look across Midtown. The experience can take around three hours once you include entry, the museum, the elevator process, and time outside on the deck. I would not squeeze it into a narrow schedule.

The same-night return is particularly useful if you visit during daylight. You can see the city in the afternoon, then return after dark for a different view. Check the current entry instructions and any required time arrangements before going, since the pass does not mean every part of the process is automatic.

This stop works well early in your trip. It gives you a sense of New York’s shape, which helps you understand how the other attractions fit together. It is also one of the places where advance planning matters most.

American Museum of Natural History, a full half-day choice

The American Museum of Natural History includes the permanent museum halls and more than 40 galleries. You also receive a choice of one ticketed feature, based on availability: the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, a giant-screen film, or the Hayden Planetarium Space Show.

Allow about four hours. You can move quickly through a few halls, but the museum is far too large to treat as a brief stop between two observation decks. Families can easily spend much longer, especially if children want to linger over the dinosaurs, animals, space displays, or special feature.

The extra choice is valuable, but it has a condition: availability. Do not assume every special presentation will be open at your preferred time. Ask about the available options when you arrive or check the current details before setting your day around one specific show.

One practical warning matters here. You might still have to wait in a line to show the CityPASS and exchange it for the museum’s own ticket. That means the pass can save money without removing every queue. Build in a little arrival time, particularly on a crowded day.

Top of the Rock, the best choice for a second skyline view

Top of the Rock gives you general admission to the observation deck at Rockefeller Center. A visit can take around three hours, including entry, elevators, and time at the viewing areas.

The appeal here is different from the Empire State Building. From Rockefeller Center, you can look toward the Empire State Building itself, as well as across Midtown. Choosing both observation decks gives you two distinct views of Manhattan rather than repeating the same experience.

Top of the Rock is a strong pick if skyline views are high on your list. It is also a smart choice for photographers who want the Empire State Building in the picture. Pick a time slot in advance when required, and keep your schedule loose enough to handle weather or a late start.

The pass covers general admission. Any extra access or upgrades offered at the attraction are not automatically included, so check the terms before paying for anything additional.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, a longer historical outing

The pass includes one Statue City Cruises ferry ride to and from Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It also includes audio guides, admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum, and admission to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

This is a roughly three-hour visit, though the ferry schedule and time spent on the islands can affect your day. Treat it as a major outing, not a quick photo stop. The boat ride gives you a useful view back toward Manhattan, while the two islands offer very different places to explore.

The pass does not include Crown Tickets or Pedestal Access. If reaching the crown or pedestal is central to your plans, you will need to investigate those options separately and pay attention to the ticket rules.

This choice suits you if you want a mix of ferry travel, famous landmarks, and museum time. It is less convenient if your schedule is already packed with Midtown attractions, since crossing to the islands takes time and depends on the cruise timetable.

9/11 Memorial & Museum, allow time for a serious visit

Admission covers the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Plan for about three hours, and do not place it between two rushed sightseeing stops.

The outdoor memorial and indoor museum are emotionally demanding. One practical tip is to leave room afterward rather than immediately hurrying to the next attraction. The museum requires attention, and many displays are difficult to process quickly.

This is one of the pass choices that needs advance booking. A time slot at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum can be especially important on busy days, so reserve it two or three days ahead when possible. The ability to change reservations through the app can help if your plans shift.

Choose this attraction for its importance, not because it is an easy way to fill an afternoon. It offers a serious look at a defining event and asks more of you than a quick trip to an observation deck.

Circle Line, a useful break from walking

The CityPASS includes one regularly scheduled cruise from the available selections. Depending on the current timetable, choices include the Landmarks Cruise, Liberty Midtown Cruise, Liberty Super Express Cruise, or Statue at Sunset Cruise.

Circle Line is one of the most useful choices for pacing. You sit down, see the city from the water, and get a break from sidewalks and subway stairs. One family found that placing the boat trip between other activities helped everyone manage a busy day.

Check the current schedule before building your itinerary. The included cruise options and departure times can change, and the pass does not guarantee that every sailing runs at every hour. If you want a longer or upgraded cruise, additional charges may apply.

This is a good choice if you want city views without another museum or tower. It is also useful for families, larger groups, and anyone who needs a slower block in the middle of a packed Manhattan day.

Intrepid Museum, a hands-on change of pace

The Intrepid Museum includes general admission, the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the submarine Growler, the immersive Kamikaze experience, and temporary exhibitions.

Allow about three hours. The museum is a good contrast to the city’s art institutions and historic buildings because it focuses on aircraft, ships, space travel, and military technology. The mix gives you several distinct areas to explore rather than one long indoor gallery.

The submarine and Space Shuttle Pavilion are especially different from the other CityPASS choices. Pick Intrepid if you want a more practical, machinery-focused museum, or if your group needs a break from traditional art and memorial sites.

As with the other options, confirm current access details and any timed-entry requirements before heading over. The pass includes general admission, but extra ticket upgrades are not part of the standard package.

Guggenheim Museum, a compact art stop with added digital help

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum includes general admission to the collection and special exhibitions. You also get access to a free daily architecture tour and a digital guide with content in several languages, accessed on your own mobile device.

The Guggenheim can take about three hours, depending on the exhibitions. The building itself is part of the visit, with a famous spiral design that changes how you move through the galleries.

The free architecture tour is a useful extra if the schedule lines up. The digital guide is convenient, but remember that it uses your personal phone, so bring it charged. This is a good choice for you if modern and contemporary art appeal more than ships, ferries, or skyline decks.

Compared with the larger natural history museum, the Guggenheim can feel easier to fit into a day. It is still wise to check opening details and reserve ahead if the museum requires it.

Does $154 offer good value?

The pass makes financial sense when you already plan to visit several included attractions. A practical target is four or five visits. If you use only two or three, buying individual admission may be cheaper, though the exact comparison depends on current ticket prices.

The best savings come from pairing costly attractions, such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty ferry, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Add the American Museum of Natural History or Intrepid Museum, and the pass has a stronger chance of paying for itself.

The pass also saves decision-making time. You do not have to search for each ticket separately, and your selected attractions appear in one place. That convenience matters when you are arranging a short visit for a family or a group.

Still, do not buy it simply because New York has famous sights. Start with your actual plan. List the attractions you truly want, check their current individual prices and reservation rules, then compare the total with $154.

Building a sensible nine-day plan

Do not activate the pass on a casual first morning unless you are ready to use one of the included attractions. The nine-day period begins with first use, and unused passes expire one year after purchase.

A sensible plan might look like this:

• Use the Empire State Building on one day and take advantage of the same-night return if it fits.
• Give the American Museum of Natural History its own half-day.
• Pair Top of the Rock with nearby Midtown sightseeing.
• Place Circle Line between two walking-heavy activities.
• Give the 9/11 Memorial and Museum a quiet part of the day.
• Reserve the Statue of Liberty for a day when you can follow the ferry schedule without rushing.

You do not need to follow a fixed order. The key is to group attractions by area when possible and protect time for the stops that require reservations.

Public transportation is near the attractions, but transportation to and from each site is not included. Your pass covers admission, not subway fares, taxis, or other transfers. New York’s distances can look modest on a map, yet several major sights are far enough apart to affect your timing.

Who should buy it?

I would recommend CityPASS to a first-time New York visitor who wants several headline attractions and has at least four sightseeing slots available. It is also a good fit for families, since one phone-based system can handle multiple admissions and reservation changes.

It suits couples and friends who want a clear plan but still need some flexibility. The nine-day window gives you more breathing room than a one-day attraction bundle.

I would be cautious if you prefer wandering without fixed plans, have only a day or two in the city, or mainly want neighborhood walks and free sights. The attraction list is focused, and some choices require time slots. You need to use enough of the package to make the price worthwhile.

The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase, so make your attraction list before paying. Also confirm that the email connected with your booking is correct. One booking problem occurred when the email was not properly passed along, although customer service later helped resolve the issue.

Should you book New York CityPASS?

Book it if you can name at least four included attractions that you genuinely want to visit. The strongest combinations include both observation decks, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Statue of Liberty, Circle Line, or Intrepid, with the two required attractions filling out the plan.

Skip it if you are unlikely to use the full choice of visits. The pass is not a magic ticket that removes every queue, and you still need to arrange transportation and some reservations.

For a well-planned New York trip, though, $154 buys a useful bundle of major sights, a nine-day schedule, and one simple mobile ticket. Plan early, leave room between appointments, and treat the pass as a framework rather than a race.

FAQ

How many attractions does New York CityPASS include?

It includes five attractions total. The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are included automatically, and you choose three more from six listed attractions.

How long is the CityPASS valid?

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day you use it.

When does the nine-day period begin?

The nine-day validity period begins when you first use the pass at an attraction.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. You can present the pass on a mobile device. You may also print it for entry.

What does the Empire State Building ticket include?

It includes the 86th Floor Observatory, entry to the second-floor museum, and bonus same-night general admission.

Does the pass include the Statue of Liberty Crown?

No. Crown Tickets and Pedestal Access are not included. The pass covers the Statue City Cruises ferry, audio guides, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Which museum features are included at the American Museum of Natural History?

Admission includes the permanent halls and more than 40 galleries, plus a choice of one ticketed exhibition, the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, a giant-screen film, or the Hayden Planetarium Space Show, based on availability.

Can I change attraction reservations?

Most reservations can be changed through the CityPASS reservation system. Availability and attraction rules still apply.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the attractions is not included.

Can I cancel the CityPASS after buying it?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed or amended for any reason.