Yes, The NYC Pass Is Worth It (Max Out Your Value With These Sample Itineraries)
Are New York's streets paved with gold? No, but as one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. for tourists and locals alike, it feels like they should be. Among the top things to do in the city are paid attractions, like a visit to the Top of the Rock or a cruise to the Statue of Liberty.
First-time visitors to New York long to go to the top of the Empire State Building for glorious views of the city that never sleeps. Art lovers wish to visit MoMA; history buffs head for Ellis Island; and entertainment enthusiasts jump at the chance of a Broadway tour. And luckily, you can do all of that without breaking the bank by picking up The New York Pass. At first glance, $189 for a two-day pass doesn't seem particularly cheap, but it can save you a ton of money — and time on buying tickets — if you max it out.
Here are five two-day itineraries in New York City using The New York Pass, which comes as a convenient downloadable app. The itineraries are for visitors with diverse interests, so feel free to mix and match. Bear in mind that these itineraries are quite intense; a three-day pass costs just $40 more and would still save you money.
The first-timer's itinerary
If you're visiting New York City for the first time, lucky you! There's so much to see and do that you could jam-pack your itinerary from dawn till well past dusk. For this two-day itinerary, we've picked some of the most popular attractions for first-time visitors, so grab your New York Pass and let's go.
On day one, use your pass to get the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off: 1-Day ticket. There are two routes (you can ride both), with stops at popular places like Times Square and Grand Central Station. As you ride, the audio guide will give you an insight into the places you'll pass. Take the Downtown Loop and pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, then hop back on the bus to visit the Empire State Building, where you can go up to the Observatory for a classic NYC experience. Finally, take the Best of NYC Cruise at golden hour to see the city bathed in warm light.
The next day, take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum for a look at Lady Liberty up-close, and a chance to discover the site where over 12 million immigrants passed through on their way into the States. Today, you can also take a two-hour guided bike tour in Central Park to see the most famous attractions. Lastly, as the sun sets, go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and watch the city twinkle in the darkness. Savings with the two-day New York Pass: $110.
The best itinerary for art and architecture lovers
New York City is a mecca for art and architecture fans, and the New York Pass has got you covered. Start day one on 5th Avenue with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building filled with incredible modern art, before heading south a little to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Here, you can follow a self-guided tour of the U.S.'s biggest Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral. Next, you're heading south to spend some time outdoors on the Top of the High Line and Hudson Yards Tour, where you can discover one of the city's newly revitalized neighborhoods. Your last activity is in Hudson Yards: enter Edge and enjoy an open-air, glass-floored viewing platform 100 stories up.
Wake up bright and early the next day to visit the Museum of Modern Art to see work by greats like Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso. Next, you're heading Downtown to the Brooklyn Bridge for a guided bike tour through parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Stay in the area for the Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour to learn about the city's graffiti history as you wander around Bushwick. Round off the day with the 90-minute Landmark Cruise that will take you past some of New York's most famous buildings and bridges. Savings with the two-day New York Pass: $89.
The itinerary for history buffs
The city is brimming with attractions and tours for history lovers, and with the New York Pass, you can access a ton of them. Start day one with a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum to see the symbol of America and view exhibits about the history of immigration to the city. Next, return to the city and take the Colonial New York Retold Walking Tour to learn about New York's evolution from a minor port city to a bustling colonial metropolis. Have a break from the tours and explore on your own with a bike rental in Harlem. Go for a pedal to discover the historic Apollo Theater and the lovely campus of Columbia University. Finally, it's time to mix history with food and get a glimpse of the fascinating Lower East Side on a foodies walking tour.
On day two, set out for the NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour to learn about the Railroad's history in the city. Next, visit the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to step out onto the flight deck of the USS Intrepid and tour a 1950s-era submarine. When you've had your fill of military history, you're going to Chinatown to take a guided walking tour to see some of the district's major sites and learn about the history of one of New York's largest immigrant communities. Savings with the two-day New York Pass: $62
Calling all entertainment lovers
This is the perfect entertainment-themed tour for a weekend with the New York Pass. Kick-off on Friday with the Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour to see locations from films like "When Harry Met Sally" and "The Avengers". Next, take the Broadway and Times Square Tour to get a peek behind the scenes of the city's famous theater district. Then, spend the evening listening to live music with the Harlem Jazz Series and enjoy the tunes of legends like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.
On your second day, start at the Rockefeller Center for the Radio City Music Hall for the Stage Door Tour to learn the secrets behind the famous Great Stage and meet with one of the legendary Rockettes®. While you're in the building, head up to the Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, where you can have 360-degree views of the city 70 floors up. After this, pay a visit to Madame Tussauds to get your picture taken among the stars. With your pass, you'll also get access to the thrilling MARVEL Universe 4D experience here. Spend the night at the Shake, Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos Show at the fabled Cutting Room. If you've gone for the three-day pass, don't miss the Harlem Gospel Tour, which runs for four hours on a Sunday and lets you enjoy a performance of a local gospel choir. Savings with the two-day New York Pass: $68
Family-friendly itinerary
The New York Pass includes something for everyone, so there'll be no complaints from little kids or teenagers with this itinerary. Bonus: kids aged 3-12 years get the pass at the discounted price of $144 for two days.
The first thing you're going to do on day one is rent a bike from Unlimited Biking's Central Park location and cycle through the park to the American Museum of Natural History. Next, you'll cycle back through the park and take advantage of the city's excellent network of cycle lanes to reach the start of the Marvel & DC Superheroes Tour. On the tour, you'll see many of the sites where the movies were filmed. You can drop your bike back at the end of the day.
The next day, it's time for some history and culture, but with a kid-friendly twist. At RiseNY, you'll go on a journey through New York's pop culture history, with trips on a virtual subway car and a flying theater. Spend the afternoon at Coney Island's Luna Park and enjoy four hours of thrilling rides. Finally, head back to the city and take the kids up to the Empire State Building Observatory for an unforgettable experience. Great alternatives to these activities are Yankee Stadium, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, or a High Line Tour. Savings with the two-day New York Pass: Adults: $38