New York CityPASS®

New York CityPASS turns a long list of big-ticket sights into one phone ticket. For $154 per person, you get the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and your choice of three more attractions within nine days. I like the simple mobile pass and the choice of major sights, but you need a plan: some popular stops require timed reservations, and a few venues may still make you exchange the pass for an admission ticket.

I also like that the Empire State Building ticket includes a same-night return option and that the American Museum of Natural History ticket includes a choice of one special experience, subject to availability. The main catch is value. You save only if you use at least four attractions, and the pass is non-refundable if your plans change.

Key points to know before you buy

• Five attractions in nine days: Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History are fixed, with three additional choices.
• The pass lives on your phone: You can present the mobile ticket or print it for entry.
• Top sights are covered: Options include Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Circle Line, Intrepid, and the Guggenheim.
• Reservations can matter: Check the CityPASS site or app before heading out, especially for popular time slots.
• The Empire State Building ticket has extra value: You receive 86th Floor Observatory admission, the second-floor museum, and bonus same-night general admission.
• Transportation is separate: You must get yourself between attractions, and some choices are on opposite sides of Manhattan.

How the New York CityPASS works

The pass is designed for a sightseeing-heavy stay. You receive admission to two required attractions, then select three more from six choices. Once you first use the pass, it remains valid for nine consecutive days, including that first day.

That nine-day window is generous for a typical New York visit. You do not need to rush through five stops in a weekend, though you can use it that way if your energy and schedule allow. A pass that is not activated expires one year after purchase, according to the provided terms.

You can show the ticket on your phone, place it in a mobile wallet, or print it. The mobile format is useful in New York, where keeping several paper tickets organized can become a small nuisance. You can also use the CityPASS website to check attraction details and make reservations when required.

The pass is not a guided tour. There is no named guide or shared group itinerary. You choose the attractions, decide how long to stay, and handle transportation between them. That freedom is useful, but it also means you need to manage your own day.

Is $154 a good deal?

The honest answer is: it depends on your choices. At $154, the pass can be a good buy if you plan to visit the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and at least two or three of the other included attractions.

If you use all five admissions, the pass spreads its cost across a full sightseeing schedule. You also gain convenience because admission is bundled and, at many sites, you avoid buying a separate ticket at the door. The savings are less convincing if you use only the two required attractions or choose to spend your time in free New York parks, neighborhoods, and galleries.

I would make a rough plan before purchasing. List the attractions you genuinely want to visit, then compare their individual admission prices with $154. Do not count an attraction just because it is available. The choice of three is useful only if those three places fit your interests and route.

Several of the included sights are time-intensive. The American Museum of Natural History can fill much of a day, while the Statue of Liberty involves a ferry ride and two islands. If your schedule is short, you might not reach five attractions without making the trip feel like a checklist.

Empire State Building: city views plus a same-night return

The Empire State Building is one of the pass’s fixed attractions, and the ticket includes the 86th Floor Observatory and the museum on the second floor. The observatory gives you the classic Manhattan view, while the museum provides context before or after you go upstairs.

The useful extra is the bonus same-night general admission. Your daytime or afternoon visit can be followed by another general-admission visit later that evening, giving you a chance to see the city in a different light. The details of entry and current operating procedures can change, so check the attraction information before you go.

Allow about three hours if you want time for the museum, security and entry procedures, the observation deck, and photographs. If you are trying to use five attractions in a short stay, this is one stop to schedule carefully.

The Empire State Building is in Midtown, so it pairs well with other central Manhattan plans. You do not need to build an entire day around it, but it deserves more than a quick dash upstairs. The views are the main draw, and the building itself is part of New York’s visual identity.

American Museum of Natural History: plan for a long indoor visit

The American Museum of Natural History is the other required stop. Admission includes the permanent museum halls and more than 40 galleries, along with one ticketed option, depending on availability.

Your additional choice may be the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, a giant-screen film, or the Hayden Planetarium Space Show. Because these options depend on availability, check what is offered when you make your plans. The included choice adds value, but it should not be treated as guaranteed access to every special exhibition.

Allow around four hours. You can spend longer if you want to read displays carefully, and the museum is large enough that a short visit may feel rushed. This is a good rainy-day choice and a practical way to give your feet a break from outdoor sightseeing.

One important warning: presenting the CityPASS does not always mean walking straight inside. The museum may require you to wait in line and exchange the pass for its own ticket. That extra step can be frustrating, especially when you thought the pass was meant to remove all queues. Build in a little time and check the current entry instructions before arriving.

Choosing your three additional attractions

The heart of the pass is your choice of three. The best combination depends on what kind of New York experience you want, not just which places have the longest lines.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Top of the Rock gives you another high-level view of Manhattan. Its location and viewpoint create a useful contrast with the Empire State Building. From one deck, you see the Empire State Building as part of the skyline, while from the other, you are inside that famous view.

General admission is included. Set aside about three hours, especially if you have a timed entry and want to allow for the visit itself. Choosing both observation decks makes sense for people who enjoy city views and photography, but some visitors may prefer to use their third-choice admission on a museum or boat ride.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

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

This is more than a quick photo stop. You need time for the ferry, security, the islands, and the museums. About three hours is listed as an estimate, but your schedule should leave room for the pace of ferry service and your interest in the exhibits.

Crown Tickets and pedestal access are not included. If you want either of those upgrades, you must arrange them separately through the attraction. The included ticket is best for the ferry, island grounds, museums, and audio-guided visit.

This choice suits you if the Statue of Liberty is a priority. It is less convenient if your New York plans are tightly packed around Midtown, since transportation to the departure point is not included.

The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

The pass includes general admission to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This is a serious and emotional stop, not just another item on a sightseeing list.

Allow about three hours, and do not schedule it immediately before a rushed activity. The outdoor memorial and indoor museum require time and attention. You should be prepared for difficult material and give yourself room afterward to process the visit.

Timed reservations can be important, particularly during busy periods. Booking two or three days ahead is a sensible approach based on the practical use of the pass. The booking process can be changed for many attractions if your schedule shifts, but availability may not remain the same.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

The pass includes one regularly scheduled cruise from the available options. Choices may include the Landmarks Cruise, Liberty Midtown Cruise, Liberty Super Express Cruise, or Statue at Sunset Cruise, depending on the current schedule.

The boat is a smart way to rest your feet while still seeing a great deal of the city. I would place it between two walking-heavy activities rather than treating it as another exhausting block of sightseeing. A cruise can also help you understand Manhattan’s shape and waterfront position in a way that a subway ride cannot.

Check the schedule before building your day. The included cruise is not simply an open boarding voucher for every Circle Line sailing. Current departure times and the exact eligible routes matter.

Some upgrades may be available directly from the operator. Those upgrades are not part of the basic CityPASS admission.

Intrepid Museum

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

This is a strong choice if you like engineering, military history, aircraft, or hands-on displays. Allow about three hours. The museum sits away from the main Midtown cluster of some other attractions, so check the route before committing to it alongside Lower Manhattan or the Statue of Liberty.

The Intrepid can be especially useful for a family group with mixed interests. It offers large objects and distinct sections, so different ages can find something to hold their attention. It is not the best pick if you are already planning several museums and want more open-air time.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim includes general admission to its collection and special exhibitions. You also receive access to a free daily architecture tour and a digital guide with content in multiple languages, accessed on your own phone.

Allow about three hours. The building itself is part of the experience, so do not treat it as a quick gallery stop. The Guggenheim is on the Upper East Side, which makes it a less natural pairing with many Midtown and Lower Manhattan sights unless you plan your route around it.

Choose this option if modern and contemporary art, museum design, or a quieter cultural stop appeals to you. If your main aim is classic New York views and landmarks, Top of the Rock or Circle Line may give you more of what you want.

Reservations, queues, and the mobile ticket

The mobile ticket is one of the pass’s best practical features. You can keep your admissions in one place, open the ticket at each stop, and adjust many reservations if you arrive early or fall behind.

That convenience has limits. Some attractions require you to reserve a time, and popular buildings or museums can fill up. I would check each attraction as soon as you decide on your dates, with special attention to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, observation decks, cruises, and the Statue of Liberty ferry.

The claim of avoiding long lines needs a little care. The pass generally removes the need to buy a standard admission ticket at each attraction, but it does not guarantee instant entry everywhere. The American Museum of Natural History may require a ticket exchange, and some venues have their own security or timed-entry process.

Keep your phone charged. You can print the tickets, which is a sensible backup if your battery is low or your group is sharing devices.

Building a realistic nine-day plan

The pass gives you nine consecutive days, so spread the stops out when possible. A simple plan might place one major attraction in the morning, a neighborhood walk or meal nearby, and a second activity only when the route and energy level make sense.

For a two-and-a-half-day visit, using the pass for five attractions is possible but demanding. A family group may find that children tire from the walking, even when the app and reservations work well. If your time is short, choose four attractions you truly want rather than forcing all five.

Here is a practical way to group the choices:

• Use the Empire State Building with a Midtown plan.
• Pair the American Museum of Natural History with the Upper West Side.
• Combine the Guggenheim with other Upper East Side plans.
• Schedule the 9/11 Memorial with Lower Manhattan.
• Treat the Statue of Liberty as a major half-day outing.
• Use Circle Line as a sitting break between active stops.

Transportation to and from every attraction is your responsibility. The pass does not include subway fares, taxis, rideshares, or ferry transportation beyond the included Statue City Cruises admission.

Who should buy the CityPASS?

I would recommend it to you if you already want several of the included headline attractions. It suits first-time New York visitors who prefer a ready-made list, families who want easy ticket management, and couples or friends who plan to spend much of their stay sightseeing.

It is also useful if you value flexibility. Several reservations can be changed, and the nine-day validity gives you room to spread out your schedule. The app keeps attraction dates and times in one place, which is helpful when your plans shift.

I would be more cautious if you prefer wandering neighborhoods, visiting small museums, or keeping your days open. The attraction list is limited, and some choices may be far from your hotel or from one another. You may also spend more than necessary if you use only two or three admissions.

The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed for a refund. Make your attraction list first, then buy it when the numbers and schedule make sense.

Should you book the New York CityPASS?

Book it if you plan to visit the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and at least two of the optional attractions. The strongest value comes from using four or five admissions, especially if you choose expensive sights such as Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, or Circle Line.

Skip it if your New York plans are mostly free activities, neighborhood walks, or one major museum. The pass saves time and money only when you use its admissions. Check reservations before your trip, allow for ticket exchanges at some venues, and remember that transportation and special upgrades cost extra.

FAQ

How much does the New York CityPASS cost?

The listed price is $154 per person.

How long is the CityPASS valid?

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

When does an unused CityPASS expire?

A nonactivated pass expires one year from the purchase date.

Which attractions are automatically included?

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 the six listed options.

Which optional attractions are available?

The options are Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry experience, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, the Intrepid Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum.

Does the pass include transportation between attractions?

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

Does the Statue of Liberty ticket include the crown or pedestal?

No. Crown Tickets and pedestal access are not included.

Can I use a printed ticket instead of a mobile ticket?

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