With over 30 million travelers having used CityPASS products, this isn't some fly-by-night deal; it's recognized by people as a reliable sightseeing pass, trusted and tested at scale.
What is the New York CityPASS?
New York CityPASS bundles the city's must-see attractions into one pass, and with 30 million travelers having used CityPASS since 1997, it's a proven way to sightsee smarter, not harder. If five headline stops are already on your list, you can save up to 41% versus buying tickets separately. Choose from included highlights like the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Statue of Liberty ferry access, and Circle Line cruises. Pick your pace with two options: the 5-attraction CityPASS for travelers who want to see it all, or the 3-attraction C3 for a lighter, more flexible itinerary. Both are valid for 9 days, so you can spread your sightseeing out and skip the rush.
Why should you buy the New York CityPASS?
Backed by millions of travelers
Save more without locking everything
New York CityPASS can slash costs by up to 41%, and still leave room to build your own adventure around the attractions that matter most to you.
Two ways to explore
Go big with the New York CityPASS® 5 Attractions; Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History are locked in, and you get to pick 3 more from CityPASS's curated list. Want more flexibility? The New York C3® by CityPASS® lets you choose any 3 straight from the list.
Built for every kind of NYC traveler
Whether you're a first-timer chasing the classics, a skyline chaser timing the perfect deck visit, or a museum lover who'd rather skip the itinerary-planning altogether; this pass has a version that fits.
Which CityPASS New York Pass is best for you?
If you want the full first-time NYC checklist: the New York CityPASS®
Pass type: Attraction-based
Savings: Up to 41% vs. individual tickets.
Pass overview
- Includes 5 attractions: Empire State Building Observatory and the American Museum of Natural History, and 3 more choices.
- Optional picks include Top of the Rock Observation Deck, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Intrepid Museum, and Guggenheim Museum.
- Best for travelers who already know they want a big-ticket NYC itinerary.
Who will love this pass
- First-time visitors doing the classic icons
- Families spreading sights across 3–5 days
- Travelers who want one bundle instead of multiple tickets
Pass validity and usage
- Valid for 9 consecutive days from first use or earliest reservation
- Unused passes stay valid for 1 year from purchase
- Use the My CityPASS app to load tickets and reserve required entries like Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line, Intrepid Museum, and the Statue of Liberty ferry
Book here: New York CityPASS®: Choose 5 Attractions
If you want just a few top picks on a tighter budget: the New York C3® by CityPASS®
Pass type: Attraction-based
Savings: Up to 40% vs. individual tickets.
Pass overview
- Choose 3 attractions from a wider menu of 10 sights.
- Top options include the Empire State Building Observatory, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Edge Observation Deck, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Museum of Modern Art, and Guggenheim Museum.
- Best when you want flexibility without committing to five paid attractions.
Who will love this pass
- Short-stay visitors in New York for 2–3 days
- Return visitors with a shortlist
- Budget travelers who prefer fewer, bigger sights
Pass validity and usage
- Valid for 9 days after first activation
- Unused passes are valid for 12 months from purchase
- Access tickets and make reservations where needed in the My CityPASS app or at my.citypass.com
Book here: New York C3® by CityPASS®: Choose 3 Attractions
What does the New York CityPASS include?
Observation decks & skyline views
- Empire State Building Observatory – Soar to the 86th-floor observatory, trace Manhattan in every direction, and return the same night for a second, glittering skyline reveal.
- Top of The Rock® Observation Deck – Climb Rockefeller Center’s three-tiered deck for crisp Midtown panoramas, a straight-on Empire State Building view, and one of the city’s most photogenic skylines.
Museums & cultural icons
- American Museum of Natural History – Discover dinosaur giants, cosmic wonders, and one ticketed exhibition or experience inside one of New York’s richest, most family-friendly museum days.
- Guggenheim Museum – Wander Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiraling rotunda, then linger over modern masterpieces with a digital guide and architecture tour inside Manhattan’s most recognizable museum shell.
History & memorial experiences
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Discover powerful artifacts, personal stories, and the weight of recent history in Ground Zero’s museum, where the city’s resilience feels immediate and unforgettable.
- Intrepid Museum – Step aboard a legendary aircraft carrier, peer into the Growler submarine, and stand beneath the Space Shuttle Enterprise in one of Manhattan’s boldest museums.
Cruises & harbor experiences
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry access – Journey across New York Harbor to Liberty and Ellis Islands, where Lady Liberty towers overhead and immigration stories unfold in the nation’s most symbolic setting.
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – Glide past bridges, skyscrapers, and Lady Liberty on a classic harbor cruise that swaps island logistics for breezy deck views and nonstop skyline drama.
How to use a New York CityPASS
Step 1: Choose New York City Pass 5-Attraction Pass or the C3 Pass
Pick the pass that best fits your needs! Choose between the 3-attraction and 5-attraction options based on how much ground you want to cover.
Step 2: Book your tickets
Purchase your City Card easily using PayPal, credit/debit card, or iDEAL.
Step 3: Check your email
Receive your ticket instantly in your inbox. Be sure to check the spam and junk folders.
Step 4: Download the MyCity PASS app
Download the MyCity PASS app on your phone and follow the activation instructions.
Step 5: Start exploring!
Activate your pass at the first attraction of your choice, gain entry, and enjoy sightseeing!
Frequently asked questions about the New York CityPASS
Download the My CityPASS app from your confirmation email, enter your order number, and load your tickets there. You can also print the PDF, but the app is the easiest way to manage reservations, maps, and attraction details.
Yes. The pass activates when you visit your first attraction or make the earliest qualifying reservation. From that point, your nine consecutive days start running, so avoid reserving something early unless you're ready to begin using it.
Generally, no; each attraction is single-entry. The one exception is the Empire State Building on the 5-attraction pass, which includes a bonus same-night return in addition to your daytime visit.
Yes. Reservations are required for the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line, Intrepid, and the Statue ferry. Top of the Rock and the Guggenheim are usually recommended, so check the app before locking in your days.
Not in a broad way. The pass can save you from buying separate walk-up tickets, but it does not remove security lines, timed-entry bottlenecks, or ferry screening. At busy attractions, pass holders can still wait a long time.
No. It covers the official ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, museum admission, and audio guides, but it does not include pedestal or crown access. If going inside the monument matters, you'll need a separate ticket.
Yes. On this product, Top of the Rock is general admission at all times of day, including sunset. What it does not give you is priority handling, so the most popular skyline window can still feel crowded and slow.
No. The pass only covers attraction entry. Subways, buses, taxis, and other transport are separate, so budget for those separately. That matters more in New York because the included attractions are spread across Midtown, Uptown, and Lower Manhattan.
No. Once you've started using the pass, you cannot get a refund for missed attractions or partially used days. If you have not activated it, unused passes remain valid for up to one year from purchase.
