We Want to See ALL the ‘Tourist’ Stuff!
Should we get the New York CityPASS, NY Pass or Explorer Pass? We want to see ALL the ‘tourist’ stuff! Please help, the passes are so confusing!
Susan, (Raleigh)
NYC Insider Guide Answer:
Hi Susan! First, I recommend you review our page comparing ALL the New York City Sightseeing Passes.
Then please download the (free mini) Printable Guide with the Attractions Costs in them.
Some questions to evaluate while researching passes include:
- How long will you be in NYC?
For Short stays – choose a flex pass or a per attraction pass. Longer Stays – all inclusive passes like the Sightseeing Pass and New York Pass.
- Will you be taking a lot of tours?
Lean towards the Go New York (formerly Explorer Pass) and New York Pass - Are you willing to commit to exactly what you want see?
Save big with Go New York Cards - Want to pay a bit extra to have all the options while you’re here and wing it during your trip?
Explorer Pass or New York Pass
If you went to all 13 of the attractions below, paid the full price, fees and suggested donations, you would spend roughly $338 per adult.
- Empire State Building
- Statue of Liberty Ferry
- Top of the Rock
- American Museum of Natural History
- AMNH and Space Show/Planetarium
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Central Park Zoo
- Intrepid Museum
- Guggenheim Museum
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met)
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
- Circle Line Cruise
- 9-11 Memorial Museum
I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Which is the BEST New York City Pass?
Compare all the New York City Discount Passes, get savings coupons and find out how to get free entry to hundreds of tours, museums and attractions, plus skip the line privileges. Which is the BEST – Go New York Explorer, New York Pass or The Sightseeing Pass?
Best Discount Card for NYC Attractions
Sightseeing Pass |
New York Pass |
Go City New York |
CityPASS |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Central Park | ✔ Bike Tour |
✔ Bike Tour ✔ Victorian Gardens (summer) ✔ Walking Tours |
✔ Bike Tour ✔ Victorian Gardens (summer) ✔ Walking Tour |
|
| Empire State Building | X $40 Credit to Use | ✔ 86th Floor | ✔ 86th Floor | ✔ 86th Floor ✔ Same Night Re-entry |
| Madame Tussauds | ✔ Included | ✔ Included | ✔Included | |
| One World Observatory | ✔ Included | ✔ Included | ✔ Included | |
| Rockefeller Center | ✔TOTR | ✔Rock Center Tour ✔TOTR |
✔ Rock Center Tour ✔ TOTR |
✔TOTR or Guggenheim |
| Liberty/ Ellis | ✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration ✔ Secret Tour |
✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration |
✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration ✔ Secret Tour |
✔Ferry/Grounds/Ellis or Circle Line |
More From NYC Insider Guide
- New York Attractions Pass Comparison
- New York Explorer Pass vs. The New York Pass for Bus Tour?
- CityPass Was a Great Introduction to New York
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