The New York Pass Review | Is it worth it?

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NYC is one of the most spectacular cities in the world, offering countless activities, historic landmarks, and attractions for all ages. Of course, it’s not without its downsides. New York is expensive, and getting around the city isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

That’s where The New York Pass comes in. This NYC attraction pass includes over 100 popular places and activities in New York City, saving you up to 60% on admission fees and tickets. Multi-day New York Passes are also available, so you can take advantage of huge discounts while sightseeing across New York’s 5 boroughs.

In this guide, I’ll tell you all about the New York Pass, why it can save you tons of money on the Big Apple’s hottest attractions, and how it stacks up against the city’s other tourist cards.

• What is the New York Pass?
• How much does the New York Pass cost?
• New York Pass attractions
• My New York Pass review
• New York Pass alternatives
• Tips for making the most of the New York Pass

Our experience with the New York Pass

I have used The New York Pass many times, specifically when we had family and friends visiting. From my experience, it’s the best city pass for first-time visitors who want to see as many expensive attractions as possible in a short time. My favorite option is the 3-day card; it gives you just enough time to sightsee without becoming overwhelmed. There are longer duration cards, but trying to fit as many attractions as possible into your trip gets exhausting fast. Just something to be aware of!

What is the New York Pass by Go City, and how does it work?

The New York Pass is an all-inclusive digital pass that grants you access to over 100 attractions. You pay one flat rate for the pass, which is available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 consecutive days.

What is the New York Pass by Go City?

Your options with The New York Pass are vast; you can visit several NYC museums, the most popular observation decks in NYC, and more. The pass also includes some of the best tours in New York City, so you can discover all that the Big Apple has to offer.

This attraction pass can save you up to 60% on activities and tours, so it’s a great deal. In addition to the monetary savings, the pass can help you maximize your time since many attractions include skip-the-line tickets.

To buy the pass, go to the official New York Pass site and select the duration. Once you make the purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You can print out the pass’s QR code if you want a physical copy. Otherwise, download the Go City app, available on iPhone and Android, to sync your digital pass.

Note: Some attractions and tours require advanced reservations. You can book your spot using the app.

Who is the New York Pass best for?

The New York Pass is worth it if it’s your first time in the city and you want to see as many tourist attractions as possible. It’s also great for families since it includes many kid-friendly tours and activities.

Who is the New York Pass best for?

I also recommend The New York Pass if you’re spending 2 days in New York or planning a 3-day NYC itinerary. This way, you can fit a lot of sightseeing into a short trip.

Who isn’t the New York Pass for?

On the other hand, the New York Pass isn’t ideal for everyone. If you aren’t interested in NYC’s hot tourist attractions or sightseeing or want to explore at a slower pace, I don’t recommend the pass. Also, if you’re on an extremely tight budget, you’re better off prioritizing all the free things to do in New York City, or getting another type of card, like the New York City Pass or the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass, where you pay per number of attractions instead of per days.

For longer trips, such as a week in NYC, the pass might not be worth the money if you only see a handful of attractions. It really depends on what you plan on doing during your trip. For example, you could spend 10 days in New York and buy a 3 or 4-day New York Pass. This way, you can spend a few days cramming in all the top sights and then relax for the remainder of your trip.

New York Pass prices

The price of the New York Pass depends on the duration you select. The adult prices are for people 13 and older, while the kid prices are for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 get free admission at most NYC attractions.

You can see the adult and kid prices for each pass below:

New York Pass attractions

The New York Pass has deals on over 100 attractions, so it’ll appeal to all travelers. Whether you want to go museum-hopping, explore the city’s green spaces, or enjoy a one-of-a-kind tour, you can do it with this pass.

New York Pass observation decks

The New York Pass includes some of NYC’s top observation decks, including the Top of the Rock and One World Observatory. You can also take advantage of free tickets to The EDGE and the Empire State Building, one of the most famous buildings in New York.

New York Pass observation decks

• Empire State Building Observatory ($52)
• One World Observatory ($48)
• The EDGE ($50)
• Top of the Rock ($60)

New York Pass museums

The museums in NYC are first-rate, and dozens of them are included in the New York Pass:

New York Pass museums

• American Museum of Natural History ($28)
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ($30)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum ($33)
• Guggenheim Museum ($30)
• Statue of Liberty Ferry and Ellis Island Immigration Museum ($25)
• Intrepid Museum ($36)
• Whitney Museum of American Art ($30)
• Museum of the City of New York ($20)
• Staten Island Museum ($8)
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden ($5)
• MoMA PS1 ($10)
• Madame Tussauds + MARVEL Universe 4D ($48)
• New York Hall of Science ($19)
• New York Historical Society ($22)
• South Street Seaport Museum ($20)
• Staten Island Children’s Museum ($8)
• Museum of Sex ($45)
• Museum of Jewish Heritage ($18)
• Museum of Broadway ($47)
• Museum of Arts and Design ($18)
• Museum at Eldridge St. ($14)
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum ($18)
• Fotografiska Museum NYC ($28)
• Fraunces Tavern Museum ($10)
• International Center of Photography ($18)
• The Paley Center for Media ($20)
• The Skyscraper Museum ($5)

New York Pass tours

The New York Pass attractions list also includes a variety of walking tours in NYC. You’ll also find everything from boat rides in NYC to New York foodie excursions and ghost tours in NYC’s most haunted neighborhoods.

New York Pass tours

I recommend using the first day of your pass to take NYC’s Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour to get an overview of the city. Here are all the New York City tours that are included in the pass:

• Big Bus 1-Day Downtown & Uptown Hop-on Hop-off Tour ($80)
• 9/11 Museum Workshop: Hands-On 9/11 Tour ($30)
• Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg ($32)
• Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour ($39)
• Central Park Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking ($63)
• Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour ($36)
• Broadway and Times Square Tour ($39)
• SoHo, Little Italy, & Chinatown Walking Tour ($39)
• Patrick’s Cathedral Tour ($25)
• Clipper City Tall Ship: Daytime Sail or City Lights Sail ($60)
• Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn ($32)
• Harbor Lights Cruise by Circle Line ($54)
• Landmark Cruise by Circle Line ($44)
• Lower East Side Food and Culture Walking Tour ($40)
• Madison Square Garden Tour Experience ($46)
• NYC Boroughs: Brooklyn, The Bronx, Harlem, Queens and Coney Island ($94)
• NYC Bus Tour of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens ($89)
• Wall Street Walking Tour ($39)
• The Official Chinatown Walking Tour ($37)
• The Official Little Italy Walking Tour ($37)
• Best of NYC Cruise by Circle Line ($52)
• Brooklyn Bridge Guided Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking ($63)
• Catacombs by Candlelight Tour ($37)
• Christmas Lights Walking Tour of Brooklyn ($25)
• Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tours ($39)
• Greenwich Village at Night Walking Tour ($39)
• Greenwich Village Walking Tour ($39)
• Harlem Gospel Tour by Inside Out Tours ($55)
• Harlem Walking Tour ($30)
• High Line Chelsea Meatpacking Tour ($39)
• Holiday Markets & Lights Tour ($49)
• Liberty Cruise by Circle Line ($32)
• Liberty Super Express Cruise ($29)
• NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour ($39)
• NYC TV & Movie Bus Tour ($61)
• Statue at Sunset Cruise ($29)
• Radio City Music Hall Tour Experience ($42)
• Rockefeller Center Tour ($30)
• Top of the High Line and Hudson Yards Tour ($39)
• Marvel & DC Superheroes Tour ($39)
• New York Highlights Bike Tour ($86)
• New York Sights Walking Tour ($61)
• New York Yankees Game Tickets ($66)
• Yankee Stadium Tours ($41)
• Queens-Flushing Meadows International Food Excursion ($59)
• Pride Walking Tour ($30)
• Food on Foot Tours ($59)
• Golden Mile: Fifth Avenue Guided Tour in NYC ($39)
• New York City News Media Walking Tour ($39)
• New York City Sketching Art Tour ($49)
• The Bowery Historic District Walking Tour ($37)
• Taste of New York Brooklyn Brewery ($7)

Other New York Pass attractions

Finally, there are some other unique attractions the New York Pass allows you to explore, such as botanical gardens, performance arenas, and historical monuments:

Other New York Pass attractions

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden ($22)
• New York Botanical Garden ($35)
• Central Park Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking ($57)
• RiseNY ($42)
• The RIDE ($79)
• Luna Park at Coney Island ($74)
• Deno’s Wonder Wheel ($10)
• Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking ($57)
• Harlem Gospel Concert by Harlem One Stop ($30)
• Harlem Jazz Series ($28)
• Staten Island Zoo ($10)
• ARTECHOUSE New York ($35)
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center – Westchester ($33)
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Jersey ($32)
• LEGOLAND New York Resort ($94)
• Surrey Rental on Governors Island ($45)
• The Cathedral of St. John the Divine ($15)
• Spirits on Foot: Beer, Spirits & Wine Crawls ($39)
• Shake, Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos Show ($36)
• Butterbeer Experience at Harry Potter New York ($12)
• Perfect Picnic ($19)
• 3 Virtual Reality Experiences ($65)
• SEA LIFE Aquarium New Jersey ($32)
• Masters of the Camera ($49)

Attractions that require advance reservations

If you want to do any of the tours, you should book your spot in advance. As for the attractions, most of them don’t require reservations, but some do. You can see the full list of things you will need to book in advance below:

Attractions that require advance reservations

• Empire State Building
• American Museum of Natural History
• Statue of Liberty Ferry and Ellis Island Immigration Museum
• THE RIDE
• 3 Virtual Reality Experiences
• 9/11 Museum Workshop: Hands-On 9/11 Tour
• LEGOLAND New York Resort
• Harlem Jazz Series
• Harlem Gospel Concert by Harlem One Stop
• New York Historical Society
• Masters of the Camera

New York Pass map

I recommend consulting a map while planning your trip itinerary so you can make the most of your time. The New York Pass app has a map feature, but if you don’t want to download the app, you can use the downloadable map below:

[MAP]

Where to buy the New York Pass

You can buy the New York Pass online here. Simply choose the duration and verify how many adult and kids passes you want. You can pay for the pass online via debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal.

Where to buy the New York Pass

You’ll receive a confirmation email with your order number. You can print out the QR code for the pass if you prefer a physical version. Otherwise, download the New York Pass app and enter your order number to activate the digital pass.

The New York Pass by Go City has a savings guarantee, and you can cancel your non-activated pass within 1 year of purchase for a full refund.

My New York Pass review

Overall, the New York Pass is worth it if you want to see a lot during your trip. It’s advantageous if you want to visit the more expensive attractions like the observatories. You can also save a good chunk of money on tours since the pass includes several sightseeing tours throughout Manhattan’s neighborhoods.

The variety of New York Pass attractions makes this card ideal for families and first-time visitors to NYC. You can definitely get your money’s worth, especially on premium attractions and the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.

My New York Pass review

Remember, the pass is only valid for consecutive days, so you should plan ahead and determine which places you want to go beforehand. If you get the 1 or 2-day New York Pass, I recommend going to the most expensive tourist sites to get the best value for money.

Otherwise, the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-day passes seem to be the best for maximizing your savings. You can sightsee at a less frantic pace, and still save on famous attractions that would cost a lot more if you purchased the admission tickets separately.

Is the New York Pass worth it? – Examples of savings with New York Pass itineraries

The New York Pass is a great deal, and you’ll get the best bang for your buck with a bit of planning. Below, you can see my New York Pass itinerary examples, which give you an idea of how much you can save with this pass:

Note: These are just examples of how much you can save when using the New York Pass. They are not meant to be realistic itineraries, and I don’t recommend getting a card that covers the entire length of your trip, especially for trips longer than 5 days. I always suggest leaving some days in your itinerary to just walk around, explore free attractions, and enjoy a slower pace to mingle with locals. Non-stop sightseeing can be tiring, and you may not fully enjoy the experience. For instance, for a 10-day itinerary, I would recommend the 7-day pass, and for a 7-day itinerary, the 5-day pass.

Best New York Pass alternatives: NY CityPass, NY Sightseeing Pass, and more

Although this isn’t the only tourist card available, it’s my top choice for first-time visitors. Below, you can compare the New York Pass with the other attraction passes in NYC.

The New York Pass and the Go City Explorer Pass are owned by the same company, so they offer many of the same attractions. However, while the New York Pass includes unlimited attractions within a specified period, the Explorer Pass is valid for 60 days and includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions. It’s a cheaper option and ideal for people who will be in the city for a longer period and know exactly what they want to see.

Best New York Pass alternatives: NY CityPass, NY Sightseeing Pass, and more

The New York Sightseeing Day Pass is very similar to the New York Pass: it grants you unlimited access to over 100 attractions and lasts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 days. I recommend comparing the attractions included in the New York Pass vs. the New York Sightseeing Pass to decide which one best suits your interests. There is also the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass. Like the Go City Explorer Pass, it’s valid for 60 days. You can choose from a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or 12-attraction pass.

Yet another option is the New York CityPass. This card is valid for 9 days and gives you access to 5 top NYC attractions. Comparing the New York Pass vs. the CityPass is a bit more complicated, but to sum up, the New York CityPass is best for people staying in the city for at least a week who only want to see a few attractions.

Finally, the C3 Pass also has a 9-day validity but only grants access to 3 premium tourist sites. It offers 11 attractions to choose from, including the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and several museums and cruises.

Tips for making the most of your New York Pass

Finally, here are some tips to help you maximize your savings and find the right New York Pass for your trip:

• Decide which pass is best for you: Think about the must-see attractions on your list and the cost of admission. Also, consider the distance between those attractions and how long you’ll be in the city. This will help you find the perfect pass and choose an appropriate duration.

• Consider the time of year: If you visit NYC in the winter, you’ll spend more time inside, probably in museums and indoor observation decks. Keep that in mind when looking at the attractions in the New York Pass and other city passes.

• Plan your itinerary: Pay attention to the location and opening/closing times of each attraction you want to visit. This will help you make the most of your time.

• Batch your attractions together: Once you know where each place is located, you can design your itinerary to visit all the attractions in one area before moving to the next. Remember, getting around the city can be time-consuming, so choosing activities and attractions close to each other is wise.

• Start early and activate your pass in the morning: This is important! The New York Pass counts calendar days, not 24-hour periods. So, if you activate your pass at noon, the day will still end at midnight, not at noon the following day.

Tips for making the most of your New York Pass

• Take advantage of more expensive attractions: Get the most value from your pass by visiting pricier attractions like the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock and taking the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.

• Take the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour on your first day: This way, you can get a general overview of the city and form a better idea of what you want to see.

• Beware of museum overload: NYC’s museums are chock-full of artifacts and exhibits, so it’s easy to get caught up in them. Unless you’re a museum buff, stick to one museum per day.

• Download the New York Pass app: You can access your pass, reserve tickets, consult a convenient city map, and more all in one place.

• Maximize sightseeing and get a shorter pass: Just because you’re spending 10 days in the city doesn’t mean you need a pass for all 10 days. Instead, maybe get the 7-day New York Pass and do all your sightseeing at the start of your trip.

FAQs – The New York Pass Review

Still have doubts about The New York Pass? Here are the answers to some common questions to help you out:

That’s it from me! I hope this guide helped you better understand The New York Pass. If it’s a good fit for you, click here to buy it online.

I’d also love to hear your New York Pass review, so tell me about your experience below. I’ll also try my best to answer any other questions you have.

Enjoy New York City!