New York CityPASS®

New York CityPASS turns a costly sightseeing spree into one tidy ticket. For $154 per person, you get the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History, then pick three more major attractions during nine consecutive days. That gives you time to see New York at a sensible pace instead of racing from one sight to the next.

I like the mobile ticket, which you can show from your phone, and the choice of big-name sights. I also like the built-in flexibility: you can reserve and adjust many time slots through the CityPASS app. The main catch is simple: you need to use at least several attractions to make the price work, and some venues still require a ticket exchange or advance reservation.

Key points before you buy

• Nine days from first use: Your pass stays valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day you activate it.
• Two attractions are fixed: The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are included automatically.
• Choose three more sights: Pick from Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Circle Line, Intrepid Museum, or the Guggenheim.
• Mobile entry keeps things simple: Present the pass on your phone, or print it if you prefer.
• Reservations still matter: Popular attractions may require a time slot, often several days ahead.
• Best for a planned visit: You save the most when you already expect to visit four or five included attractions.

How the New York CityPASS works

This is not a guided tour with one fixed route. It is a flexible sightseeing pass that lets you build your own New York schedule over roughly a week and a half.

Your pass includes two set admissions:

• Empire State Building
• American Museum of Natural History

You then choose three attractions from six options:

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

You can use the pass any time during the nine-day period after first use. A nonactivated pass expires one year after purchase. That long activation window helps if your plans shift before your trip, but once you enter the first attraction, the nine-day clock starts.

At $154, the value depends on your choices. If you use only three attractions, the pass is unlikely to be the smartest buy. If you visit four or five major sights, the savings become much easier to see, especially when you add the convenience of managing several admissions in one place.

Empire State Building: classic views with a useful bonus

The Empire State Building is the fixed first stop for a reason. Its 86th-floor observatory gives you the traditional New York skyline experience, with the city spreading out below in every direction.

Your admission also includes the second-floor museum. Allow about three hours if you want to take your time with both the museum and observatory rather than simply ride up, take photos, and leave.

A particularly useful feature is the same-night general admission bonus. The AM/PM experience lets you visit during the day and return later that evening for another general-admission look, subject to the attraction’s operating rules. That gives you two very different city views without paying again.

This stop works best when you reserve a time that fits your wider Manhattan plans. It sits close to several central sights, so you can pair it with other Midtown activities. Just remember that a clear view is never guaranteed, and the building can take a good part of your day once entry and museum time are included.

American Museum of Natural History: plan for more than one short visit

The American Museum of Natural History is the other fixed CityPASS attraction, and it is large enough to reward a careful plan. Admission covers the permanent museum halls, including more than 40 galleries.

You also receive a choice of one ticketed feature, based on availability. Options include the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, a giant-screen film, or the Hayden Planetarium Space Show.

Allow about four hours, though you could easily spend longer. The museum is not a quick photo stop. If you have children, choose a few galleries before arriving rather than trying to cover everything. Adults may prefer to focus on a small group of exhibits and leave time for the ticketed feature.

There is one practical warning: the mobile pass does not always mean you walk straight through every entrance. At this museum, you may need to wait in line to show the CityPASS and exchange it for the museum’s own tickets. That can be frustrating, particularly when you thought the pass would remove every queue.

Top of the Rock: compare it with the Empire State Building

Top of the Rock is one of the strongest choices for your three optional attractions. Its observation deck gives you a different view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building, including a clear look toward the Empire State Building itself.

General admission is included, and the suggested visit time is about three hours. You do not need to choose both observation decks, but many visitors find the comparison worthwhile. The two stops provide different angles on the same city, and the choice often comes down to how much skyline viewing you want.

If you are trying to stretch the pass’s value, this is an easy pick. It is also a good option for a first New York visit because the view is one of the city’s central experiences. Reserve ahead, especially for the most popular times. Time slots can fill, and changing a reservation is easier when you handle it through the app before the day arrives.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: a ferry ride with real substance

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

This is more than a quick boat ride past the statue. Allow about three hours, and give yourself enough time to move between the islands and look through the museums. The ferry also gives you a useful break from walking, which can help if you are packing several sights into one day.

The pass does not include access to the Statue of Liberty’s crown or pedestal. Those are separate upgrades, if available directly through the attraction. The included admission is best for visitors who want the ferry, island access, and museums without paying extra for the restricted areas.

Do not place this stop at the end of a tightly planned day. Ferries and island visits take time, and a missed connection can throw off the rest of your schedule.

9/11 Memorial and Museum: allow time for the emotional weight

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum includes general admission and is one of the most meaningful choices on the pass. The memorial itself is outdoors, while the museum requires more time and emotional energy than a standard sightseeing stop.

The suggested visit length is about three hours, but I would avoid rushing this one. The memorial can be quiet and heavy, and the museum asks for your attention. Plan a less demanding activity afterward rather than scheduling another major museum immediately after it.

Advance reservations are important here. A practical approach is to book at least two or three days ahead when possible, especially during a busy visit. The CityPASS system makes it easier to manage the time slot, and many reservations can be changed if your plans shift.

Circle Line: put the boat between two walking stops

The Circle Line choice includes one regularly scheduled cruise. Depending on the current schedule, you can select a Landmarks Cruise, Liberty Midtown Cruise, Liberty Super Express Cruise, or Statue at Sunset Cruise.

Schedules can change, so check the available options before you build your day. The cruise is a smart way to see more of Manhattan while giving your feet a rest. I would place it between two land-based attractions rather than treating it as a rushed add-on.

Allow about three hours for the listed experience. The cruise can also help you understand the city’s shape from the water, which is hard to grasp when you spend the whole day among tall buildings.

This option is especially useful for families and for anyone who tires from long walks. It may not be your best choice if you prefer museums and indoor sights, but it adds a different kind of sightseeing to the pass.

Intrepid Museum: aircraft, a submarine, and a space shuttle

The Intrepid Museum is built around the former aircraft carrier Intrepid. General admission includes the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the Growler submarine, the immersive Kamikaze experience, and temporary exhibitions.

Allow about three hours. The attraction has enough variety to interest adults, older children, and anyone drawn to aviation, naval history, or space exploration. The Space Shuttle Pavilion is the obvious draw, but the submarine gives the visit a very different feel.

This stop is farther from some of the central Midtown sights, so consider travel time when planning. Transportation to and from attractions is not included in the CityPASS. You will need to arrange your own subway, bus, taxi, or other transport.

If your schedule is short, the Intrepid can be a better pick than another observation deck because it changes the pace of your trip. If you are staying far from the west side, however, check your route before committing to a tight itinerary.

Guggenheim Museum: a smaller, focused art stop

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum includes general admission to its 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.

Allow about three hours. The Guggenheim is a good choice if you want art and architecture rather than another panoramic view or boat ride. Its distinctive building is part of the experience, and the architecture tour adds useful context without requiring a separate fee.

This stop is on the Upper East Side, away from several of the pass’s Midtown attractions. Group it with the American Museum of Natural History if that fits your plans, but do not underestimate the distance and time between stops.

The Guggenheim is less useful for someone who wants only the most famous New York icons. It becomes a stronger choice if you already enjoy modern art, changing exhibitions, or notable buildings.

Reservations, queues, and the phone app

The CityPASS is easy to carry because it lives on your phone. You can present the mobile ticket at included attractions, and you may also print it if that suits you better.

The app helps you view your choices, access tickets, and make or change reservations where required. That flexibility matters in New York, where weather, tired feet, and delayed transport can wreck an overconfident schedule. Several time slots can be adjusted, but you should not assume every attraction works the same way.

The pass reduces ticket-buying lines, but it is not a magic key for every entrance. Some venues require you to exchange the mobile pass for their own ticket. Others may require an advance reservation. Check the current instructions for each attraction before setting out.

There was also an isolated setup problem involving an email address not reaching CityPASS, which prevented reservations until customer service corrected it. To avoid this kind of trouble, open your pass as soon as you receive it and confirm that your name, email, and attraction options appear correctly.

Building a sensible nine-day plan

Nine days sounds generous, but New York can consume a day faster than you expect. A family may plan five attractions and end up with tired children after two or three busy days. Build in open time.

A practical plan might look like this:

• Day one: Empire State Building and a nearby Midtown activity
• Day two: American Museum of Natural History
• Day three: Top of the Rock
• Day four: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Day five: 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• Another day: Circle Line, Intrepid, or Guggenheim

You do not have to use the pass on consecutive calendar days. The nine days are consecutive once activated, but you can leave gaps between visits.

I would group sights by area when possible. Pair the American Museum of Natural History with the Upper West Side, or combine the Guggenheim with other Upper East Side plans. Put the Circle Line cruise between walking-heavy activities. Most of all, do not book every hour. New York works better when you leave room for meals, subway delays, and simple wandering.

Who gets the best value from CityPASS

I think CityPASS suits first-time visitors who already want several of the included headline attractions. Families can benefit because one purchase covers a set of major admissions, and the mobile format is easier than keeping track of separate paper tickets.

It also suits couples and friends who prefer a clear sightseeing framework. You can choose your three extras before the trip, then modify reservations if the day changes.

The pass is less attractive if you want only one observation deck, one museum, and plenty of free time. It is also not ideal if the included selection does not match your interests. The choices are strong, but they are limited to this group of attractions.

Cancellation is another point to note: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Buy only after you have a reasonable plan to use it.

Should you book the New York CityPASS?

Book it if you expect to visit at least four included attractions, and especially if your list contains the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Museum, Statue of Liberty, or Intrepid.

Before buying, add up the normal admission prices for the exact sights you want. If the total comes close to $154, the pass may still earn its keep through simpler ticket handling and time-slot management. If you would use only two or three attractions, pay as you go.

For a carefully planned first visit, CityPASS is a practical deal. Just reserve popular sights early, leave space between activities, and remember that a mobile pass can shorten ticket buying without removing every line.

FAQ

How long is the New York CityPASS valid?

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day of use. A pass that has not been activated expires one year after its purchase date.

Which attractions are included automatically?

The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are included automatically.

How many additional attractions can I choose?

You can choose three additional attractions from Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry access, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Circle Line cruises, Intrepid Museum, or the Guggenheim Museum.

Does the pass include Statue of Liberty crown or pedestal access?

No. Crown Tickets and Pedestal Access are not included. The pass covers the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island access, audio guides, and the two listed museums.

Do I need to reserve attraction times?

Some attractions require reservations, and popular sights can become busy. Use the CityPASS app or the provided access information to check requirements and book available time slots.

Can I use the pass without a phone?

Yes. You can present the ticket on a mobile device or print it for entry.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the attractions is not included in the CityPASS price.