New York CityPASS®: Save up to 41% at 5 Top Attractions

New York sightseeing can drain a wallet fast. The New York CityPASS bundles five major attractions into one mobile pass, giving you nine consecutive days to visit the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and three more chosen sights. I like the simple planning and the useful app, which keeps tickets and reservations in one place. I also like the flexibility to change some time slots when weather or tired feet disrupt your plans.

The main catch is that two attractions are fixed, so you must use the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History even if they are not high on your list. The pass can still save money, but the real value depends on how many included attractions you would buy separately.

Key Points at a Glance

• Two famous sights are built in: The pass always includes the Empire State Building Observatory and American Museum of Natural History.
• You choose three more attractions: Pick from Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Statue City Cruises, Circle Line cruises, the Intrepid Museum, or the Guggenheim Museum.
• Nine days gives you breathing room: The clock starts with your first attraction visit, then runs for nine consecutive days.
• The mobile app matters: The booking voucher is not always the final attraction ticket. Download the My CityPASS app to access QR codes and reservations.
• The Empire State Building includes a night return: Visit once during the day and return the same evening for bonus general admission.
• Savings are strongest for first-time visitors: If you want several headline sights, $154 can be a very good deal. If you have already seen the Empire State Building or prefer smaller museums, the value drops.

How the New York CityPASS Works

You buy one pass for $154 per person and receive admission to five attractions. Two are already selected for you:

• Empire State Building Observatory
• American Museum of Natural History

You then choose three attractions from six options. This setup is easy for a first visit because it covers several of New York’s best-known sights without forcing you to buy separate tickets at every stop.

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days from the first time you use it. That wording matters. It is not nine separate sightseeing days that you can spread across a month. Once activated, the nine-day period begins, so plan to use the first attraction when you are ready to start the main sightseeing portion of your trip.

The pass gives one-time admission to each attraction unless a benefit says otherwise. The Empire State Building is the exception, since its AM/PM Experience includes a second same-night general admission visit.

You receive the pass on your phone. Present the mobile ticket at each attraction for scanning. Some attractions require a time reservation, so use the My CityPASS app or the CityPASS website before heading across town.

The Empire State Building, Twice in One Day

The Empire State Building is one of the pass’s strongest inclusions because admission covers more than a quick elevator ride to a viewing deck. You get access to the 86th Floor Observatory, the second-floor museum, and the AM/PM Experience.

The museum gives you some context before the view. That is useful because the building is not just a tall platform with a famous name. Its construction and place in New York’s story help explain why the skyline looks the way it does.

Your first general admission visit can be during the day. Then you can return the same night for a second general admission visit. The appeal is obvious: daytime gives you a clear look at Manhattan and its surrounding waterways, while night brings a completely different scene of lights and glowing streets.

You should allow enough time between visits to do something nearby rather than waiting around the building. The bonus is especially useful if you want to compare the city in sunlight and darkness without paying for another ticket.

The limitation is equally clear. If you have already visited the Empire State Building, you may not want to devote time to it again. One pass holder specifically wished the venues were all optional for this reason. Since it is a fixed attraction, you cannot swap it for another museum.

American Museum of Natural History Needs Extra Patience

The American Museum of Natural History is the other fixed attraction, and it can easily fill half a day or more. Admission includes the permanent museum halls, with more than 40 galleries, plus one ticketed choice based on availability.

That extra choice may be one of the following:

• A giant-screen film
• The Hayden Planetarium Space Show
• The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium
• Another ticketed exhibition

Because the add-on depends on availability, check the current choices when you make your plans. Do not build your entire day around one particular show without confirming it first.

There is an important practical wrinkle here. The mobile CityPASS ticket may not take you straight through the museum entrance. Several pass holders found that they had to wait in a line to convert the pass into museum tickets. The museum was the main place where this extra step caused a delay.

I would visit early in your schedule and allow time for that ticket exchange. Comfortable shoes, water, and a small daypack will help, since this is a large museum with plenty to see. A packed lunch is also listed as a useful item to bring, though food and drinks are not included with the pass.

One value question deserves attention. The museum has had free or pay-what-you-wish access options in some circumstances, and one pass holder noted that a free visit may be possible. Because policies can change, check the museum’s current admission terms before you decide. If you would otherwise pay full admission and add a planetarium show or special exhibit, CityPASS becomes more useful.

Pick Three: Views, Memory, Sea, and Art

The flexible portion is where you shape the pass around your interests. You choose three of these six attractions.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Top of the Rock gives you another high view of New York, but the experience differs from the Empire State Building. From here, you can see the Empire State Building as part of the panorama, which makes for a more recognizable skyline view.

The general admission ticket is included. Time reservations may be required, and weather matters. One pass holder was able to move a Rockefeller Center booking when poor visibility spoiled the outlook, while other bookings may be less flexible. It is wise to check the forecast before reserving, but do not leave it until the last minute if popular time slots are limited.

Using both Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building may feel repetitive if you only want one observation deck. If skyline views are a priority, though, the two locations give you different perspectives.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a serious, moving stop rather than a quick photo opportunity. General admission is included, and it pairs naturally with a downtown day that includes the Statue of Liberty or a Circle Line cruise.

Give yourself time here. The subject matter calls for a slower pace than a typical sightseeing attraction. One pass holder described the memorial and museum as a powerful part of the visit, while another praised the way it fit with the Empire State Building and other major stops.

This is one of the pass choices I would prioritize if you want more than observation decks. It gives the trip emotional and historical weight, though it may not suit young children or anyone who prefers a purely lighthearted sightseeing plan.

Statue City Cruises to Liberty and Ellis Islands

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

This is not a crown or pedestal ticket. Crown Tickets and Pedestal Access are specifically excluded, so book separately if those parts are essential to your plans.

The ferry makes a full day easier to organize because it combines transportation and admission to two islands. It also gives you a classic harbor view without buying a separate cruise. Still, allow plenty of time. Ferry schedules and security procedures can make this a longer outing than the ticket description suggests.

Cold weather can change your plans. One pass holder skipped the boat trip because winter conditions seemed unpleasant. If you visit in a cold month, keep a warm layer handy and avoid treating the ferry as a casual spare-hour activity.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

The pass includes one regularly scheduled cruise from the current selection:

• Landmarks Cruise
• Liberty Midtown Cruise
• Liberty Super Express Cruise
• Statue at Sunset Cruise

Schedules change, so check circleline.com before you set your day. The cruise is a good choice if you want to see the city from the water without committing to the longer Statue City Cruises outing.

The Statue at Sunset Cruise received especially strong praise from one pass holder who happened to get a beautiful sunset. That option can provide a memorable view with less museum time, but the schedule and weather will shape the experience.

Intrepid Museum

The Intrepid Museum is a good choice if aircraft, ships, and military technology appeal to you. General admission includes the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the submarine Growler, the immersive Kamikaze experience, and temporary exhibitions.

This choice adds variety to a pass otherwise heavy on buildings, museums, and boat trips. It can also work well for families with older children, though the amount of walking and the subject matter may not suit every group.

Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim 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 multiple languages, accessed on your own phone.

The building itself is a major part of the visit. The unusual interior makes the museum feel different from a standard gallery stop. If you prefer art and architecture to lookout decks, this is the clearest choice.

The drawback is selection. Some people wanted the pass to include the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art. Those are not among the current options, so check the list before buying if either museum is central to your New York plans.

How Much Money Can You Really Save?

The advertised maximum saving is up to 41 percent. That is a useful benchmark, but not a guarantee for every itinerary. Your actual saving depends on the attractions you select, the regular ticket prices on your dates, and whether you would have paid for every fixed attraction anyway.

At $154, the pass starts to make sense when you plan to visit five included attractions. It can also be worthwhile if you use the Empire State Building’s second visit and choose several high-priced experiences such as Top of the Rock, a cruise, the 9/11 Museum, or Statue City Cruises.

The pass is less compelling if you only want three sights, if you would visit the American Museum of Natural History under a cheaper admission arrangement, or if you have no interest in the Empire State Building. The fixed attractions are the key calculation.

I would compare the individual ticket prices for your exact dates before buying. Do not compare the pass only with the cheapest possible museum admission. Compare it with the attractions you would actually choose, including observation decks and cruises.

The other kind of value is time. You avoid repeated ticket purchases and keep your attraction plans in one app. That does not remove every line, as the American Museum of Natural History may still require a ticket exchange, but it can reduce the hassle of buying separate admissions across the city.

The App Is Your Real Ticket Wallet

The most important preparation step is downloading the My CityPASS app. The booking platform may initially provide a voucher, but the actual attraction tickets and QR codes appear in the CityPASS app.

The app lets you view attraction details, make reservations when required, and access your tickets from one place. You can also change some dates and times, although not every reservation has the same flexibility.

I would download the tickets before leaving your hotel and take screenshots of the QR codes. One pass holder did this as a backup in case of connection trouble. You should still keep the live app available, but a screenshot can save time when your phone signal is weak.

Do not assume that booking everything at the last minute will work. Several pass holders found that early reservations helped them stay on schedule, while others successfully changed appointments close to the visit. The safest approach is to reserve popular time slots early, then adjust them if needed.

Building a Sensible Nine-Day Plan

You do not need to cram all five attractions into two days. The pass gives you nine days, which is enough to spread out the larger visits.

A practical outline might look like this:

• Pair the Empire State Building with nearby Midtown sights, using the night return on the same day.
• Give the American Museum of Natural History a half-day or longer, then keep the rest of that day light.
• Put Top of the Rock on a clear-weather day.
• Group the 9/11 Memorial and Museum with a downtown outing.
• Use Statue City Cruises or Circle Line on a day with suitable weather.
• Choose the Guggenheim or Intrepid based on your interests rather than trying to force in every type of attraction.

The pass can help organize a short New York visit, but it can also encourage overplanning. I would rather use four attractions comfortably than race through five just to prove the pass was worth it. At the same time, the $154 price works best when you do use the full set, so find a pace that balances savings with enjoyment.

Who Should Buy This Pass?

I think CityPASS suits a first visit to New York, especially if you want the classic attractions and prefer to plan ahead. Families and short-stay visitors may find the app and bundled admission particularly helpful, since each day has a clear structure.

It also suits anyone who wants both observation decks, a museum, and at least one harbor experience. The nine-day validity helps if your trip includes rest days or plans outside the main sightseeing circuit.

I would be more cautious if you have visited New York before, dislike large attractions, or mainly want the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art. You should also think twice if the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History are not on your list, since you cannot replace them.

The pass is wheelchair accessible. Transportation, food, and drinks are not included, so budget separately for subway or taxi fares and meals. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, comfortable clothing, and a small daypack.

Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms add some useful flexibility, but attraction reservations still need careful attention after you receive the pass.

Should You Book the New York CityPASS?

I would book it if you are visiting New York for the first time and plan to see at least five of the included attractions. The strongest combination is the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, one additional observation deck, one museum, and one cruise or island visit.

The pass is not a universal bargain. Check the current individual prices, confirm the museum admission rules, and remember that Statue of Liberty crown and pedestal access are excluded. If those details fit your plans, the $154 price buys more than tickets. It gives you a useful framework for seeing the city without stopping at a ticket booth every few hours.

FAQ

How long is the New York CityPASS valid?

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day you use it. The period begins when you activate the pass at your first attraction.

How many attractions are included?

You receive admission to five attractions. The Empire State Building Observatory and American Museum of Natural History are included automatically, and you choose three more from the available options.

Which attractions can I choose?

You can choose Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Statue City Cruises, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, the Intrepid Museum, or the Guggenheim Museum.

Does the pass include Statue of Liberty crown access?

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

Can I visit the Empire State Building twice?

Yes. The AM/PM Experience includes one daytime visit and bonus same-night general admission on the same day.

Do I need the My CityPASS app?

You should download the app or use my.citypass.com to access tickets, make reservations when required, and see attraction details. The initial booking voucher may not be the final mobile ticket.

Can I change my attraction reservations?

Some dates and times can be changed, but flexibility varies by attraction and reservation. Booking early and checking the rules for each attraction is the safest approach.

Is transportation included?

No. The pass covers entry to the five attractions, but transportation, food, and drinks are not included.