Looking to save serious money on New York City attractions? You’re in the right place. With 8 different NYC attraction passes currently available from 2 different companies, our comparison will help you choose the right one. We’ve genuinely saved hundreds of dollars with our passes in New York, but you can just as easily lose money if you’re not smart. We’ll show you how to do it right and save big.
We’ve personally tested attraction passes from these companies in various cities around the world. In New York, we’ve used CityPASS, the former Sightseeing Pass, and most recently Go City/New York Pass in July 2025 (you’ll see proof in our photos). This complete 2025 guide shows you exactly which pass will save you the most money based on your specific interests and travel style.
Hi, we’re Mark and Kristen Morgan. We left our scientific careers in 2018 to become travel writers and photographers, and since then our expert guides have helped millions of travel planners take better trips. Read more about us.
Why trust our comparison? We’ve used and reviewed attraction passes in many cities around the world, we have personally used every single New York attraction pass, and we haven’t just visited NYC as tourists – we actually lived there.
Quick Answer: The Go City All-Inclusive Pass and The New York Pass are the exact same pass offered by the same company. They’re day based passes, and they’re our top picks for most visitors because they offer 100+ attractions with maximum flexibility (add MORGANS5 as a promo code at checkout to save 5% on all passes). But the “best” pass depends entirely on your goals, so keep reading to find the perfect fit.
Disclosure: We received Sightseeing Pass, CityPASS and Go City passes in order to share our opinion about these products. But this is not a sponsored post and our honest opinions are based on genuine first hand experience.
Note: Our content is reader supported and contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and it helps us keep this site running.
Our Real Experiences: How Much Did We Save?
Okay, you’re reading our guide because you want to save money.
Let’s take a look at what we would have paid without a pass vs how much we paid for a pass – based on exactly what we did with CityPASS, Sightseeing Pass, Go City and New York Pass (using current price information at time of last update to this guide):
CityPASS (5 Attractions)
We used our CityPASS tickets in early 2021 when we lived in New York. Here’s what we did and how much we saved (prices include booking, service or processing fees + taxes on top of base ticket costs):
- Empire State Building (AM/PM special): $80
- Top of the Rock: $52
- 9/11 Museum: $36
- Statue of Liberty Ferry: $25.50
- Natural History Museum: $30
Without Pass: $223.50
With CityPASS: $154 (Our Savings: $69.50 – 31%)
Saving $140 as a couple made it well worth using the passes for those specific attractions. Plus, you can save even more than we did if you choose Circle Line Cruises and Intrepid over 9/11 Museum and Statue of Liberty ferry because they cost more individually.
With CityPASS, the AM/PM ticket for Empire State Building is non-negotiable. It means you can go during the day and at night, which is a cool added bonus.
The downside to this pass was having limited control over what we saw. It had great savings, but we were locked into very specific attractions. We’ll explain this more later in the guide, but you can also read our New York CityPASS review to learn more.
Sightseeing Pass (12 Attractions)
We used our 3-Day Sightseeing Pass tickets in April 2022 when we visited NYC for cherry blossoms. Here’s what we did and how much we saved (prices include booking, service or processing fees + taxes on top of base ticket costs):
- Edge NYC: $47
- Bronx Zoo: $38
- NY Botanical Garden: $35
- Top of the Rock: $52
- St Patrick’s Cathedral Tour: $20
- Madame Tussauds: $40
- Spyscape: $32
- Escape Game: $46
- Fotografiska: $24
- Rise NY: $45
- 9/11 Tribute Museum (now closed): $17
- One World Observatory: $57
Without Pass: $453
With 3-Day Sightseeing Day Pass: $259 (Our Savings: $194 – 43%)
Between us we saved almost $400 on all these popular and hidden gem attractions, so we really got to see a lot of the city while saving money for more pizza and bagels! This is great example of what can be achieved with a multi-day pass from Go City or the New York Pass.
❌ Important: Sightseeing Pass has temporarily suspended operations, but you can read our New York Sightseeing Pass review if you’re interested in learning more about this pass.
Go City (6 Attractions)
In July 2025 we used 1-Day All-Inclusive passes from Go City to tick off 6 attractions. We’d already done most of them plenty of times, but this time we took our 8 month old baby in a stroller to see how it would all work as a family. Here’s what we did and how much we saved (prices include booking, service or processing fees + taxes on top of base ticket costs):
- Edge: $47
- Vessel: $16
- Intrepid: $38
- Big Bus: $81
- Museum of Broadway: $43
- Top of the Rock: $52
Without Pass: $277
With 1-Day Go City Pass: $164 (Our Savings: $105 – 40%)
We saved over $200 between us by being smart with our attraction choices. This is another excellent example of how much you can fit in if you buy a day-based pass, rather than attractions-based.
We also activated the Big Bus ticket but didn’t use it within our 1-Day Pass because Big Bus tickets last 2 days, so we used it the next day even though our Go City Pass had expired. That’s a nice travel hack for you!
Note: If you’re wondering why the math doesn’t work out, it’s because Vessel isn’t included on the pass, but having the Go City Pass gave us 50% off the ticket price which was a bonus.
New York Pass (3 Attractions)
On the same July 2025 trip to NYC we also bought and used a 3-Choice New York Pass Explorer, which was attractions-based. Here’s what we did and how much we saved (prices include booking, service or processing fees + taxes on top of base ticket costs):
- One World Observatory: $57
- Empire State Building: $58
- Madison Square Garden Tour: $48
Without Pass: $163
With 3-Choice New York Pass: $119 (Our Savings: $44 – 27%)
We love the simplicity of the savings we got with our New York Pass Explorer. With just three attractions visited we still saved almost $100 between us. This is the key – visit expensive attractions with your pass and save the cheaper attractions to pay individually.
We’ve written a review of the Go City New York Pass if you want to learn more about how we saved with these passes.
Complete Breakdown: All 8 NYC Passes Explained
There are 2 companies currently offering NYC attraction passes (remember the New York Pass is owned by Go City):
- CityPASS: C3, C-All and CityPASS
- Go City: All-Inclusive, Explorer, New York Pass, New York Explorer and New York Essentials (new for July 2025)
The New York Sightseeing Pass also had a Day Pass and Flex Pass but they’re temporarily unavailable. We’ve kept them in the list below and if they resume business, we’ll update this guide.
Understanding Pass Types
Day-Based Passes: Unlimited attractions for X consecutive days:
- Best for: Fast-moving travelers, families, first-timers
- Downside: Must use on consecutive days
Attraction-Based Passes: Choose X attractions, no time limit:
- Best for: Flexible schedules, return visitors, specific interests, slowing down
- Downside: Easy to over-buy if you don’t use all attractions
1. New York CityPASS – Classic Choice
Type: Attraction-based (5 attractions)
Price: Adult $154 | Child $129 (+$2 processing)
Valid: 9 consecutive days
Max Savings: 41%
How It Works:
- 2 compulsory attractions: Empire State Building + Natural History Museum
- Choose 3 from: Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Museum, Circle Line Cruise, Intrepid Museum, Guggenheim
✅ Pros:
- Perfect for first-time visitors wanting the classics
- Empire State Building includes day AND night visit
- Simple decision-making (limited options)
❌ Cons:
- No choice on 2/5 attractions
- Limited to just the biggest tourist spots
- Must use within 9 consecutive days
Our Experience: This was our first NYC pass back in 2021. We chose Top of the Rock, 9/11 Museum, and Statue of Liberty for our additional three. The Empire State Building day/night combo is genuinely cool – we went up at 2pm and returned after dark.
Best For: First-time visitors who only want the absolute must-see attractions without decision fatigue.
Be Aware: We don’t love how CityPASS advertises the individual attraction prices for this pass. They use the highest possible list price (ie. peak season at sunset) rather than the cheapest or average price, which heavily inflates the overall savings.
2. C3 Pass (CityPASS) – Budget Option
Type: Attraction-based (choose 3 of 10)
Price: Adult $109 | Child $86 (+$2 processing)
Valid: 9 consecutive days
Max Savings: 40%
Choose 3 from: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Museum, Edge at Hudson Yards, Natural History Museum, Circle Line Cruise, MoMA, Intrepid Museum, Guggenheim
✅ Pros:
- Lowest entry price point
- More attraction variety than regular CityPASS
- Easy to save by picking 3 expensive attractions
- No forced inclusions
❌ Cons:
- Only saves money if you choose the most expensive attractions
- Limited to 3 attractions total
- Still focused on major tourist spots only
Our Experience: We used this pass for Edge at Hudson Yards, MoMA and Circle Line Cruises to save a few bucks that was better spent on food and drinks.
Best For: Budget travelers visiting 3 expensive attractions.
3. C-ALL Pass (CityPASS) – All-Inclusive Icons
Type: Attraction-based (all 10 included)
Price: Adult $239 | Child $179 (+$2 processing)
Valid: 9 consecutive days
Max Savings: 42%
Includes All 10: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Museum, Edge at Hudson Yards, Natural History Museum, Circle Line Cruise, MoMA, Intrepid Museum, Guggenheim
✅ Pros:
- Best value per attraction if you do them all
- No decision-making required
- Includes only the most popular attractions
❌ Cons:
- 10 attractions only works for 3+ days in the city
- You pay for everything whether interested or not
- Limited to this exact attraction selection
Our Experience: We haven’t used this one personally. It’s great value if you genuinely want to see these specific 10 attractions, otherwise we’d go for a different pass with more flexible options.
Best For: Tourists who want to see every major NYC attraction and have at least 3+ days.
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4. Go City All Inclusive Pass – Our Top Pick
Type: Day-based (unlimited attractions per day)
Price: Adult $164-414 | Child $124-309
Valid: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days
Attractions: 100+
With this pass you can hit as many attractions as you can get through in a set number of days – the more days you do, the more attractions you see and the more money you save. Tons of fun things to do including walking and foodie tours, so take a look through all options.
✅ Pros:
- By far the most attractions included (100+)
- Includes unique experiences you won’t find elsewhere
- Perfect for fast-moving travelers
- Great family options
- Includes Big Bus
- Our 5% discount on all tickets
❌ Cons:
- Must visit multiple attractions daily to break even
- Consecutive days only (not as much flexibility)
Our Experience: We used the 1-Day pass and ticked off 6 awesome attractions. It’s our favorite way to cram things into action packed days and really do NYC properly.
Best For: First timers who want to see lots of popular and hidden gem attractions, families who want flexibility and kid-friendly attractions.
Check Go City All Inclusive Prices → (Add MORGANS5 promo code at checkout to get 5% off your entire order)
5. Go City Explorer Pass – Maximum Flexibility
Type: Attraction-based (choose 2-10 attractions)
Price: Adult $89-299 | Child $74-244
Valid: 30 days from first use
Attractions: 100+
Attractions based pass like CityPASS but with the Go City Explorer you have full control over exactly which attractions you do. This is the pass we’d buy if we went back to New York with just a few specific expensive attractions in mind.
✅ Pros:
- Total control over what you see
- 30 days to use (not consecutive)
- More than 100+ attractions available
- Best for return visitors or slow travelers
- Includes Big Bus
- Our 5% discount on all tickets
❌ Cons:
- Real value doesn’t start until 4+ attractions
- Easy to buy more than you’ll use
Best For: Return visitors, people with flexible schedules, those who prefer to choose exactly what they want to see.
Check Go City Explorer Prices → (Add MORGANS5 promo code at checkout to get 5% off your entire order)
6. The New York Pass – Same As Go City All-Inclusive
Type: Day-based (unlimited attractions per day)
Price: Adult $164-414 | Child $124-309
Valid: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 consecutive days
Attractions: 100+
The New York Pass is the exact same product as the Go City All Inclusive Pass with identical pricing, attractions, support and even the mobile app. Since the All-Inclusive Pass is our top pick, this day-based New York Pass is also our top pick.
Honestly, we find it frustratingly confusing that this pass is listed as one of the major passes when it’s just a spin off of an already existing pass but with a different name. But it’s a great pass with massive potential to save a ton of money, so give it a try.
Check New York Pass Explorer Prices → (Add MORGANS5 promo code at checkout to get 5% off your entire order)
7. New York Pass Explorer – Same As Go City Explorer
Type: Attraction-based (choose 2-10 attractions)
Price: Adult $89-299 | Child $74-244
Valid: 30 days from first use
Attractions: 100+
Again, The New York Pass Explorer is the exact same product as the Go City Explorer Pass with identical pricing, attractions, support and even the mobile app.
We love the flexibility and options available with this pass, so choose it if you want a slow pace with unique off the beaten path attractions.
Check New York Pass Prices → (Don’t forget to add MORGANS5 promo code at checkout to get 5% off your entire order)
8. New York Pass Essentials – Go City’s Take On CityPASS
Type: Attraction-based (choose 3 attractions)
Price: Adult $99 | Child $79
Valid: 30 days from first use
Attractions: 1/4 observation decks + 2/9 other attractions
Released in July 2025, the New York Pass Essentials allows you to choose one of 4 NYC observation decks along with 2 out of 9 other top attractions for a total of 3. It’s a similar setup to CityPASS but it does have a bit more flexibility with choices.
You’re likely to want to do an observation deck, but then you have to choose between other set attractions and you might not want to do any of them. Although this pass works perfectly if you want to do three of the most expensive options.
Check New York Pass Essentials Prices → (Add MORGANS5 promo code at checkout to get 5% off your entire order)
Sightseeing DAY Pass – No Longer Operating
Type: Day-based (unlimited attractions per day)
Price: Adult $169-429 | Child $124-329
Valid: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 consecutive days
Attractions: 100+
Our Experience: We enjoyed using this pass for 3 days in spring 2022. We hit the major spots but also discovered places we’d never heard of like the New York Botanical Garden, Spyscape and Fotografiska. The variety made it feel like we were exploring the city rather than just checking off tourist boxes.
The pass is currently unavailable but we’ll update this guide if anything changes.
Sightseeing FLEX Pass – No Longer Operating
Type: Attraction-based (choose 2-12 attractions)
Price: Adult $95-330 | Child $79-265
Valid: 30 days from first use
Attractions: 100+
The pass is currently unavailable but we’ll update this guide if anything changes.
Which Pass Should You Choose?
We know what you’re thinking – there’s a lot of information to digest in this guide. We hear you! So let’s take a simplified approach to find the perfect fit.
Step 1: What Type Of Traveler Are You?
🏃 Fast-moving explorer (2-4 days and want to see everything) → Go City All Inclusive or The New York Pass
- The Go City All-Inclusive Pass and New York Pass are perfect if you’re trying to pack in as much as possible.
- We managed to hit six attractions in one day and loved the variety on offer.
- This approach gave us the best value for our money.
🎯 Focused sightseer (5 specific attractions in mind) → CityPASS, Go City Explorer or New York Explorer
- CityPASS is great if you have a shortlist of popular must-see spots.
- We like not having to make too many decisions and find it easy to save with 5 attractions.
- This is a popular choice for first-time visitors.
👨👩👧👦 Family with kids → Go City All Inclusive or Go City Explorer
- Easy to find kid-friendly things to do with 100+ attractions available.
- You can use our 5% discount for adults and kids.
- There’s something for every age and interest.
💰 Budget-conscious → C3 Pass for 3 attractions or The New York Pass for 10+ attractions
- For 3 attractions, the C3 Pass has the lowest upfront cost if you pick expensive attractions.
- If you want to see 10+ attractions, day passes offer the best savings.
Step 2: Calculate Your Savings
Follow our easy steps below:
- Make a list of the attractions you definitely want to see.
- Check the individual ticket prices for each (include fees + taxes).
- Add up the total.
- Compare that total to the price of the pass.
- Don’t forget to consider “bonus” attractions you might try with a pass (trust us, there’s tons of unique hidden gems to discover)
Step 3: Know The Fine Print
A few things you should keep in mind:
- Day Passes: Must be used on consecutive days (no skipping days)
- Attraction Passes: Usually valid for 9-30 days from first use
- Reservations Required: Many top attractions need advance time slot bookings
- Peak Season: Lines will be longer, so reservations are harder to get
- Weather: Have backup indoor options in case it rains or snows
- Upgrades: Most passes only include general admission (ie. not sunset time slots or special exhibits)
Our Top Tips + Advice
Okay, after using attraction passes all across the world, here’s a quick fire summary of our top tips for you to follow before and after buying a pass:
Before You Buy
Check Current Promotions
- Our Go City and New York Pass links include 5% discounts with MORGANS5 promo
- Check for sales like Black Friday to see if there are any flash discounts
- Prices tend to be lower during spring and fall (the shoulder seasons).
Make Your Must-See List
- Write down 5-10 attractions you absolutely can’t miss
- Look up the regular ticket prices for each.
- Only buy a pass if savings are $30+ (remember booking fees and sales tax add-ons without a pass)
Match Your Pass To Your Travel Style
- If you’re a fast-paced traveler, day passes will help you see more in less time.
- Prefer a more relaxed pace? Go for attraction-based passes.
- Families often get the most out of passes with lots of variety.
- Solo travelers on a tight budget might do better buying individual tickets.
After You Buy
Reserve Time Slots ASAP
- Book time slots right away for popular attractions like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge at Hudson Yards, One World Observatory, the 9/11 Museum, and the Statue of Liberty ferry.
- Check to see which other attractions recommend advance bookings, especially during busy seasons.
Plan Around Time + Weather
- For the best views, visit observation decks 2 hours before sunset and stay until it’s dark.
- Save indoor attractions for rainy days.
- Hit major spots early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
- Do outdoor activities when the weather’s nice.
Get The Most From Day Passes
- Start your day early because many attractions open at 9am.
- Group attractions together geographically to save time.
- Always have a backup plan for each area.
Download The Apps
- Grab the official app for your pass before your trip because you’ll need to scan QR codes.
- Apps show real-time availability, let you access your pass, and sometimes include offline maps or planning tools.
Discounts + Seasonality
What About Other Discounts?
- Use our Tiqets 10% discount for attractions not on your pass (like 9/11 Museum).
- Check for student, military, or senior discounts at individual sites.
- New York State residents can get free entry at some museums.
- Complete your itinerary with awesome free attractions like the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park.
Think About The Seasons
Here’s our advice for each season:
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Peak (June–Aug, Dec) | Book further in advance, expect crowds and long waits, have indoor backups |
| Shoulder (Apr–May, Sep–Nov) | Great for outdoor attractions, shorter lines, our favorite time for photography |
| Off-Season (Jan–Mar) | Lowest prices, best deals on passes, ideal for museums – but be ready for cold, clouds and fog |
Is There A Catch?
Like all things that save you money, there is a catch when using any attraction pass in New York City: You have to be organized and plan well.
You can set yourself up for a successful money saving trip by booking time slots in advance and planning to visit attractions at times day when they won’t be jam-packed.
If you turn up at Top of the Rock at 5:00pm expecting to walk straight up for sunset on a Saturday evening in July, just know that you’re not going to have a good trip and you’ll waste money on a pass.
Here’s the final thing we’ll leave you with: If you read reviews about these passes online you’ll either see 1 star or 5 star reviews. The 1 star reviews were left by people who didn’t plan well and the 5 star reviews were left by people who did. It’s that simple. Be a 5 star person and you’ll save money!
Our Final Recommendation
After using all of the passes in NY (plus other cities around the world) and analyzing the options thoroughly, here’s our honest take:
For most visitors: Go City or The New York Pass
Why they win:
- 100+ attractions to choose between
- Unique experiences beyond famous spots
- Great for families with varied interests
- Our bonus 5% discount
- Easy-to-use app and website
- No real downsides
Ready To Save? Get Your Pass Now
Phew, that’s a lot of information! Hopefully we achieved our goal of showing you which pass is the best fit for your plans. If you’re ready to buy, here are our top choices:
- Our Top Pick: Go City All Inclusive or The New York Pass
- Classic Tourist Route: New York CityPASS
- Budget Option: C3 Pass
Then follow these steps:
- Download the app
- Book attraction reservations
- Have backup plans for weather
- Have a fantastic trip!
Next Steps
We hope our comparison helps you decide which attractions pass is right for your New York City adventure, but please let us know if you have any other questions in the comments box a little further below.
Still figuring out your plans for NYC?
- Follow our 4-day NYC itinerary
- Here are our favorite things to do in NYC
- Here’s exactly where to stay in NYC
Finally, we recommend reading our ultimate first-timers New York City travel guide for more helpful tips and advice.
Happy Travels,
Mark & Kristen
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Mark and Kristen spent 6 years traveling the world, visiting over 40 countries across 4 continents and more than 30 US states. They created Where Are Those Morgans in 2018 to help others plan the best possible vacations by writing authentic travel and hiking guides based on their real experiences.
Since the arrival of baby Maya in late 2024, Mark and Kristen’s extensive travels have slowed down but they still take plenty of trips. Where Are Those Morgans now helps millions of travelers each year to visit new places and hike new trails through information-packed blog posts and expert travel guidebooks. Read more about Mark and Kristen.
Great breakdown of the different attraction passes! It really helped me weigh my options for our upcoming trip to NYC. I appreciate the detailed comparisons and insights on the savings. Looking forward to exploring the city!
Glad to hear you found our guide helpful, Rejekibet. Have a fantastic time in NYC!
Hello, this is an awesome article, thanks!
However, it seems like the NY Sightseeing have changed their prices, as they are not the same as found in your article…
Could it be that they have updated them not long ago?
We will be staying from the 12th to the 17th of August and I want to show my kids the most interesting vistas and neighborhoods.
Is there a coupon code that can be used as the links don’t seem to work?
Thanks
Hi Oli, We recently updated this guide with 2023 summer prices mid-June, but now that we are in the middle of summer, unfortunately prices will be at their highest. The prices fluctuate throughout the entire year so our prices are only meant to be a guideline to show how much you can save. That being said our links will always give you 10% off the current price.🙂 You will need to use our links to receive the 10% discount. We just checked our links and can confirm they are working so we recommend you clear the cookies on your browser and try again. Since you will be visiting in August, we also recommend you make reservations for attractions when possible and for the attractions you can not reserve, try to arrive early in the day when the attractions open so you make the most of your trip. Hope you have an amazing time in NYC with your kids!
Hello! Thank you for the planning advice. What is the promo code to receive your extra 10% discount.
Hi Nicole, thanks for reading! Any NY Sightseeing link or button in this guide already has the 10% discount applied 🙂 You must use our links to receive the discount. Have a great time in NYC!
Hi! I love your posts. You helped me a lot with my out west trip 2 years ago. We are going to NYC -5 of us in June. Debating the passes. Can you help me understand which of the NY sightseeing pass I should get – flex or day – want to do 9/11 museum for sure and I read about the issue with this pass. With either- do I need to book 9/11 directly with the museum ? We will be there 6/7-11. Any thoughts on which pass you would buy ? Want to do the bus hop on and off tour, 9/11, Statue of Liberty, Empire State , top of rock and possibly a boat tour. Also a Broadway show. Debating lion king , wicked and Hamilton. And a Yankees game. Would love any help !
Thank you so much. Jenny
Hi Jenny, we just sent you an email with our recommendations and have a wonderful trip to NYC! 🙂
Hi. I have clicked the link to purchase the NY pass with your 10% discount but this doesn’t seem to be applied. Can you please help?
Hi Sophie, We just sent you an email regarding the discount 🙂