Purchase one of the New York CityPASS tickets to get access to a host of top attractions in NYC while saving money (New York CityPASS cites between 34% and 46% savings depending on ticket type). There are three tickets to choose from:
- New York CityPASS – 5 attractions
- New York C3 – 3 attractions and recommended for a shorter stay
- New York C All – 10 attractions to see it all
New York CityPASS Attractions & Access
| Attraction | CityPASS | C3 | C ALL |
| Empire State Building | Included | Choice | Included |
| American Museum of Natural History | Included | Choice | |
| Top of the Rock Observation Deck | Choice | Choice | Included |
| Ferry Access to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island | Choice | Choice | Included |
| 9/11 Memorial & Museum | Choice | Choice | Included |
| Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises | Choice | Choice | Included |
| Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum | Choice | Choice | Included |
| Guggenheim Museum | Choice | Choice | Included |
| The Museum of Modern Art | Choice | Included | |
| City Cruises | Choice | Included | |
| Edge at Hudson Yards | Choice | Included |
It’s worth remembering there are option tickets, e.g. you can choose from Top of the Rock Observation Deck or the Guggenheim Museum – check the New York CityPASS website for options on each ticket – https://www.citypass.com/new-york-comparison.
A Personal View
While I haven’t fit everything on the list into my itineraries while in New York, I’ve managed quite a few. Here’s a quick summary and a few links to recent ITTN interviews with the experts to give you a taste of what’s on offer.
Top of the Rock – Rockefeller Centre
Top of the Rock observation deck offers unobstructed views of the city from all directions – ideal for photography enthusiasts. Everything from Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Financial District and the bridges are clearly visible in good weather. Add an ice-skating or roller-skating experience in front of the Rockefeller Centre to make the most of your time here. No experience is necessary and the skating is for an hour giving plenty of time to progress from clinging to the side to skating solo (there are aids for kids who aren’t confident on the ice and the staff are incredible – offering help and support with cheer). For more, check out the ITTN interview with Ryan Schwartz from the Rockefeller Center at https://ittn.ie/news/the-rockefeller-center-with-ittn/
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
A selection of the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises is available through the New York CityPASS. The “Landmarks Tour” is 90 minutes and takes in a multitude of the sights and the skyline of Manhattan. Starting at the harbour near Hudson Yards, it sails past One World Trade Center, Ellis Island and pauses at the Statue of Liberty for photos. After which it cruises under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges before looping back again.
Ticket holders need to arrive 30 minutes before departure and it is worth being early to get the best seats on the top deck. The tour has great guides showing points of interest and providing an engaging history of the buildings and structures that make up the New York City skyline. There is food & beverages sold onboard as well as an inside deck if the river chill gets too much. Bring weather-appropriate clothes and make sure there is plenty of memory storage for your photos!
9/11 Memorial
9/11 Memorial is at the former World Trade Center complex and comprises twin reflecting pools with a poignant list of those lost inscribed around each pool. This area is free to visit and is directly beside the new Oculus Center. Designed by Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, it is intended to resemble. This is a transportation hub linking multiple subway stops and offers a multitude of retail shops.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is onboard a colossal US aircraft carrier named Intrepid (very close to Hudson Yards and beside the Circle Line harbour). This is likely to be surprisingly fascinating for grown-ups, a must for history and science fans and truly inspiring for little ones with big dreams and big imaginations – not even the sky is the limit here. There is a collection of planes including a British Airways Concorde onboard. The Space hanger showcases the journey into space and even has a full-sized space shuttle on display. Also docked beside the aircraft carrier is a submarine dating back to the cold war. Learn the history and explore the submarine (not for the claustrophobic!).
Empire State Building
This art-deco masterpiece has undergone a state-of-the-art renovation and took two hours to explore the imaginative displays (without any queues). Check out ITTN’s interview with Nicole Bernicker from the iconic Empire State Building Observatory – https://ittn.ie/news/iconic-empire-state-building-launches-a-new-experience/
Living Life on the EDGE – Hudson Yards
The Edge at Hudson Yards is one of the new kids on the block when it comes to observation decks in NYC. It is the highest outdoor sky deck in the world and offers a glass floor 100 stories above the streets below to really test your metal. Tiered steps offer unobstructed views and it is worth being first in line at opening to get the best spots or photo opportunities.
The Edge is at Hudson Yards which has a large range of retail shops as well as eateries. The High Line, a disused rail track converted into a living parkway stretching 1.5 miles from the Whitney Museum, through Chelsea and ending at Hudson Yards. Walkers can join along the way and it is free to enjoy.
Also at Hudson Yards is the Vessel, located on its doorstep. The Vessel is 154 interconnecting flights of stairs that rise up in an almost-beehive style shape. Currently closed to the public, you can still walk around or through this immense structure.
For more on Hudson Yards, check out ITTN’s interview with Haley Ward from Hudson Yards – https://ittn.ie/news/hudson-yards-in-nyc-by-nyc-company-and-ittn/.
More at MoMA
MoMA is home to some of the most iconic paintings of the 20th and 21st centuries, from Dali, Picasso, Matisse and Monet to Warhol – many will be surprised by how many works of art are familiar to them.
While there, Guillermo del Toro’s exhibition on “Crafting Pinocchio” was stunning and fascinating to see the level of work, craftsmanship and detail that went into every minute aspect of the movie.
Check out ITTN’s interview with MoMA’s Carly McCloskey – https://ittn.ie/news/more-at-moma-with-ittn-and-nyc-company/
Tips & Tickets
New York CityPASS, New York C3 and New York C ALL tickets are valid for 9 consecutive days starting with and including the first attraction visited, and come with a 365-day risk-free return policy.
Different attractions have various operating hours and days (for example, the Circle Line Cruise operated different itineraries on various days). Book the tickets in advance. You will then have a login to book each experience on the website. These do not have to be booked immediately or at the same time. though it is worth booking sooner rather than later to ensure your preferred date and time. A top tip for the Irish tourist is to book each attraction before you travel and to take a photograph of the QR code or ticket with your phone – in case you have issues accessing the tickets or QR codes in your email in NYC.
- New York CityPASS – 5 attractions with tickets c. €137 Adult / €117 Child (6 – 17)
- New York C3 – 3 attractions for a shorter stay with tickets c. €96 Adult / €74 Child (6 – 17)
- New York C All – 10 attractions with tickets c. €193 Adult / €143 Child (6 – 17)
NYC & Company
To help plan an epic NYC itinerary, check out NYCGO.com, the official guide to New York City. This has everything you need to know from attractions, broadway, dining, museums and galleries, nightlife, shopping, sports and tours.
