Best NYC Pass in 2026: Comparisons, Best Value & Quiz

With hundreds of popular attractions to see, NYC attraction passes can help you maximize your experience and save money in the process.

There are multiple NYC passes available, and we’ll help you choose the one that’s exactly right for your trip duration, travel style, and must-see attractions.

Here’s what we will cover about NYC passes (click to jump to a section):

• Overview of the top 3 pass options
  • NYC CityPASS
  • Go City Explorer Pass
  • New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)
• NYC pass comparison
• Are NYC passes worth it?
• Which NYC pass saves the most money?
• Interactive quiz to help you decide the best pass

Let’s do it. 👇

Quick Links:

• NYC CityPass
• Go City Explorer Pass
• New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)
• Interactive Quiz

Note #1: This article was written by a real human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

Note #2: Prices are current as of April 2026. Please visit the links to see the most accurate price.

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Overview of NYC Passes in 2026

There are three main NYC passes worth exploring. While others exist, they aren’t the best value, have poor reviews, and don’t warrant your attention.

Two notes for ALL of these passes.

#1- You must still book time slots in advance for certain popular attractions, such as observation decks. So, plan ahead!

#2- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is NOT included on any of these passes.

Here are the three New York City passes we will cover:

1. NYC CityPASS
2. Go City Explorer Pass
3. New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)

Let’s look at each one below.

1- NYC CityPASS Explained

The NYC CityPASS is a straightforward attraction pass that gives you access to 5 attractions at one fixed price, currently $164 for adults & $124 for children (ages 6-17). You can access tickets and make reservations in the My CityPASS app (4.9 stars on both the App Store & Google Play).

The pass is valid for nine (9) consecutive days once activated.

The interesting part of the CityPASS is that two of the attractions are fixed, AND then you get to choose three more from a list of six options.

The NYC CityPASS always includes:

1. Empire State Building: You get the AM/PM experience at the 86th Floor Observatory of the iconic building.
2. American Museum of Natural History: Admission to the famous museum and 1 ticketed exhibition within the museum, which includes options like the butterfly vivarium, Insivible Worlds experience, a giant-screen film, and others

Outside of the two non-changeable experiences, you also get to choose from THREE of the following six options:

1. Top of the Rock Observation Deck
2. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
3. Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (general island access; pedestal/crown NOT included)
4. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (choice of routes)
5. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
6. Guggenheim Museum

NYC CityPASS Value

The NYC CityPASS is a really solid value if you care about both the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History.

The price per attraction with this pass is ~$33.

Pros of NYC CityPASS

The NYC CityPASS is great for many reasons, especially with first-time travelers to New York City. Here are some of the pros of the CityPASS:

• Simplest option. Very low decision fatigue, one straightforward price, etc.
• The 9-day window is quite generous.
• The Empire State Building AM/PM experience is a great value and very fun. Being able to see the city both day and night makes for a great memory.
• Broadway ticket discounts for CityPASS holders, although there are better options for cheap Broadway tickets.
• Very well-known pass with thousands of positive reviews & name recognition at attractions.

Cons of NYC CityPASS

Of course, the NYC CityPASS also has some drawbacks. Here are things to be aware of and general cons of the CityPASS:

• The Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History are set in stone. If you’ve done either before or have no interest in these, the pass quickly loses value.
• Only 8 attractions are available with the pass, which is quite limited compared to others.
• No access to the MoMA, One World Observatory, etc.

Who is the NYC CityPASS Best For?

Ultimately, the NYC CityPASS is best for first-time visitors who want straightforward access and savings ot some of the city’s most iconic experiences.

If you’re coming with a group that wants to hit the classics and/or a couple/solo traveler who wants to avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many choices, it’s the best option.

Travelers’ Reviews for NYC CityPASS

Here are some real reviews from GetYourGuide by travelers who used the NYC CityPASS.

“Please, please, please do not hesitate — buy this pass. It’s EXTREMELY good value for money.”

“Saves you an absolute fortune to purchase this before you come to New York. Well worth the money.”

“We liked the limit of 5 things to choose, so we didn’t spend ages having to research each.”

Complaint: “We wish all the venues were optional as we wouldn’t go to the Empire State Building again.”

Our Honest Review of the NYC CityPASS

The NYC CityPASS is a great option if you want straightforward access at one simple price. We have loved so many of the attractions on this pass. If we were to build an itinerary from the available attractions, we would do:

1. Empire State Building (mandatory for the pass): We loved the AM/PM experience. Seeing the city during the day gets you a grasp of how big it is, and the nighttime lights are breathtaking.
2. The American Museum of Natural History (mandatory for the pass): This is one of our favorite museums in the city. Science, space, Earth, and animals help you tap into your inner kid while you learn a lot along the way.
3. 9/11 Memorial & Museum (part of the 3 choices): The 9/11 Museum is somber, thought-provoking, and a must-visit if you were alive during 9/11.
4. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (part of the 3 choices): If you are, or ever were, into planes, space, and ships, this is for you. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this museum.
5. Guggenheim Museum (part of the 3 choices): While it’s not our top pick for NYC museums, we loved our visit here. The building itself is iconic, and the art is thought-provoking and unique.

2- Go City Explorer Pass Explained

While the NYC CityPASS offers a set rate for five total attractions, the Go City Explorer Pass functions by letting you choose anywhere from 2 to 10 attractions at a set price. The price starts around $89 for two attractions, and goes up from there.

You can access tickets and make reservations in the Go City app (4.7 stars on the App Store & 4.8 stars on Google Play).

The main advantage of the Go City Explorer Pass is that the price per attraction decreases as you increase the number of attractions.

Additionally, you can choose from 100+ attractions included in your package. Some options include:

• All 4 major observation decks: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge at Hudson Yards, One World Observatory
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry (general access; pedestal/crown still separate)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
• American Museum of Natural History
• Guggenheim Museum
• Intrepid Museum
• Big Bus 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (uptown + downtown routes)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Central Park Full Day Bike Rental
• Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology
• Madame Tussauds
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• Yankee Stadium Tour
• Various walking tours (Central Park, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Harry Potter)
• And many more!

Go City Explorer Pass Value

The true value of the Go City Explorer Pass comes when you opt for the more expensive attractions included in your pass, especially if you are buying the smaller pass with only 2 or 3 attractions. Let’s show an example of where it’s valuable, and how it can also be a waste of money if used incorrectly.

Smart Use Example

If you paid for the five attraction pass at $179, and used it for tickets at the following attractions (normal ticket prices noted):

1. Museum of Modern Art ($30)
2. 9/11 Memorial & Museum ($36)
3. Edge ($45)
4. American Museum of Natural History ($37)
5. Clipper City Tall Ship Sailing Experience ($68)

The $216 (non-pass ticket price) minus $179 (pass price) would give you a savings of $37. That means you could essentially go to another attraction, like The Met, for “free”.

Bad Use Example

If you paid for the five attraction pass at $179, and used it for tickets at the following attractions (normal ticket prices noted):

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden ($22)
• Museum of Modern Art ($30)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum ($36)
• American Museum of Natural History ($37)
• Edge ($45)

The $170 (non-pass ticket price) minus $179 (pass price) would COST YOU an extra $9. So, you could have gone to each place, paid for tickets individually, and saved money.

Value: To emphasize, if you’re going to use the Go City Explorer Pass, you should prioritize the highest-cost attractions as part of your pass. If not, it may not be worth the money!

Many of the best options in this pass are the guided walking tours. Most are around $50, so even the two-attraction option would give you some savings!

Pros of Go City Explorer Pass

The Go City Explorer Pass is great for many reasons, especially with first or second-time travelers to New York City. Here are some of the pros of the Go City Explorer Pass:

• Maximum flexibility with over 100 options available and a wide variety, including walking tours, bike rentals, etc.
• Has options for Edge, One World Observatory, and the MoMA, which are top options for many travelers.
• Cheaper entry point ($89 for 2 attractions), which is great for shorter trips.
• 30-day validity window from first use, making it great for longer trips or extended stays.

Cons of Go City Explorer Pass

Of course, the Go City Explorer Pass also has some drawbacks. Here are things to be aware of and general cons of the Go City Explorer Pass:

• For some people, the number of choices (100+) can be overwhelming.
• For the five-attraction pass, the cost per attraction is higher than with CityPASS.
• More research and strategy are required to get the most value out of the pass.

Who is the Go City Explorer Pass Best For?

The Go City Explorer Pass is best for travelers to NYC who want flexibility and don’t want to be locked into a predetermined list of attractions. It’s an especially good pass if you want to visit multiple observation decks in New York City or if you know for certain you want to visit the Museum of Modern Art.

Additionally, if you are going to be in New York for 10+ days, buying one of the big bundles of attractions and using it throughout a 30-day window is a great advantage.

Travelers’ Reviews of Go City Explorer Pass

Here are some real reviews from GetYourGuide by travelers who used the Go City Explorer Pass.

“The ease of using Explorer Pass rather than buying tickets for each thing you do is great! If you plan carefully about how much you will actually do, you save a lot of money too.”

“This was a lifesaver!! Took out all the stress and we loved deciding on the day what we were going to do.”

“Guide was great and we gained access easily to all the attractions. The trip was fantastic.”

Complaint: “It would be nice to have some directions to get into the attractions as some are quite hard to find.” (The Go City app does have a “Getting There” section — just easy to miss.)

This person should have downloaded our 100% free NYC Navigation Guide, too. 😜

Our Honest Review of the Go City Explorer Pass

If you are strategic and choose the higher-priced attractions, the Go City Explorer Pass is a great option for travelers! If you choose lower-cost attractions, you will waste money.

That being said, if you plan ahead and use it wisely, then the Go City Explorer Pass is a solid option.

3- New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive) Explained

The third pass we’ll look at is the New York Pass, which is essentially a Go City All-Inclusive or unlimited pass. We will refer to it as the New York Pass for simplicity’s sake.

This pass, starting at ~$169 for 1 day, gives you unlimited access to 100+ attractions per day for a set number of consecutive days.

You can access tickets and make reservations in the Go City app (4.7 stars on the App Store & 4.8 stars on Google Play).

Note: It is consecutive calendar days, NOT 24-hour periods. So, plan wisely and start it as early in the day as possible to maximize your time.

You can choose from 100+ attractions included in your package. Some options include:

• All 4 major observation decks: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge at Hudson Yards, One World Observatory
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry (general access; pedestal/crown still separate)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
• American Museum of Natural History
• Guggenheim Museum
• Intrepid Museum
• Big Bus 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (uptown + downtown routes)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Central Park Full Day Bike Rental
• Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology
• Madame Tussauds
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• Yankee Stadium Tour
• Various walking tours (Central Park, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Harry Potter)
• And many more!

All the points about attractions, choosing more expensive options, etc., that we referred to in the Go City Explorer Pass section apply here since they are the same pass provider, only the New York Pass is “unlimited” per day.

New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive) Value

The main value of the New York Pass is that you can see as many attractions as you want in a specified number of days. So, if you are the type who likes to go HARD when you travel and plan out every minute of your trip, this pass may be perfect for you.

If you like the ability to wander through neighborhoods, relax, and maybe even take a break, this pass probably won’t make sense for you.

Value: You must do 3-4 attractions per day to make it worth the money. If you’re a power user and can get in 5-6 attractions per day, then you’re gonna get a TON of value from this pass.

Pros of New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)

The New York Pass is great for many reasons, especially with first or second-time travelers to New York City. Here are some of the pros of the New York Pass:

• Unlimited attractions per day, so the more you do, the more you save. This is the MAIN selling point.
• 100+ available attractions to choose from, including the MoMA, Edge, walking tours, bike rentals, and more.
• Best value for power travelers who want to go, go, go during their trip to NYC.
• A simplified experience with all your attractions in one pass and one app.

Cons of New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)

Of course, the New York Pass also has some drawbacks. Here are things to be aware of and general cons of the New York Pass:

• The pass works for consecutive calendar days, not 24-hour periods, so when you activate it matters.
• Casual travelers and those who enjoy leisure will find themselves “chasing” this pass to recoup their money.

Who is the New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive) Best For?

The New York Pass is best, and probably only, for travelers who like to pack in as many attractions as possible into a short time period. If you think you will only do 1-2 attractions per day, do NOT get this pass.

It’s an especially good pass if you want to visit multiple observation decks in New York City or, for example, if you know for certain you want to visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim.

Travelers’ Reviews of New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)

Here are some real reviews from GetYourGuide by travelers who used the New York Pass.

“These passes are amazing — get to do so much and didn’t have any problems at all.”

“Caught up in the worst blizzard New York has had in years, so were able to use this at so many indoor attractions — recommended 100 times over.”

“The most popular activities require reservations. To avoid disappointment, reserve well in advance.”

Complaint: Several reviews note you must book popular attractions well in advance as the pass doesn’t guarantee availability.

Our Honest Review of the New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive)

If you like to see at least multiple attractions each day, this pass can make sense. You must see at least three, but preferably four, attractions per day for it to make fiscal sense.

This pass is NOT for travelers who like to mix in attractions with leisurely neighborhood explorations, shopping, or days devoted to eating your way through the city.

NYC Pass Comparison

Let’s break it down a little bit further and compare the top New York City attraction passes side by side.

	CityPASS	Explorer Pass	New York Pass
Price (adult)	From ~$164	From ~$89	From ~$169
Rating	⭐ 4.6 (10,728)	⭐ 4.6 (7,988)	⭐ 4.5 (2,495)
Pass type	Fixed 5-attraction bundle	Pick 2–10 from 100+	Unlimited per day, consecutive
Flexibility	Low (2 mandatory)	Very High	Very High
Validity	9 consecutive days	30 days from first use	1–10 consecutive days
Includes Empire State	✅ Mandatory	✅ Optional	✅ Optional
Includes Top of Rock	✅ Optional	✅ Optional	✅ Optional
Includes Edge	❌	✅	✅
Includes One World	❌	✅	✅
Includes MoMA	❌	✅	✅
Includes Statue of Liberty ferry	✅ Optional	✅ Optional	✅
Includes Hop On Hop Off bus	❌	✅	✅
Includes Summit One Vanderbilt	❌	❌	❌
Includes Broadway	❌ (discount only)	❌	❌
Includes transportation	❌	❌	❌
Refund policy	⚠️ No refunds	✅ 30-day pre-activation	✅ 30-day pre-activation
Best for	First-timers, classics only	Flexible explorers, longer stays	Power sightseers, 3–5 day blitz

Are NYC Passes Worth It?

As we’ve laid out in this article, an NYC attraction pass can be worth it if you use it wisely!

It all comes down to the type of traveler you are, how many attractions you want to see, and how long you’ll be in the city. For most travelers who want to see 1-2 attractions per day, the NYC CityPASS or Go City Explorer Pass are well worth the money.

If you are a power traveler and want to see 3-5 attractions per day, the New York Pass (unlimited) is worth the money.

Remember though, New York City has loads of free things to do, too!

Which NYC Pass Saves the Most Money?

The NYC pass that saves the most money depends on how you use it.

But generally speaking, if you’re going for volume, the New York Pass (Go City All-Inclusive) is the best pass for saving money!

Interactive Quiz for Choosing the Best NYC Pass

If you’re still confused, don’t worry, it’s a lot to wrap your head around. We have a simple five-question quiz to help you determine the best pass, which may be no pass at all.

Best NYC Pass Recap & Next Steps

No matter which pass you choose, or if you don’t choose a pass at all, New York City has SO much to offer! And please remember to make time for amazing restaurants and bars, of which the city has tens of thousands.

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