2024 New York CityPASS + C3 Pass Review

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Where Are Those Morgans New York City Pass and C3 Pass Review

A New York CityPASS is one of the best ways to save money and in this review, we’ll show you how to make the most of your pass. Having used the passes ourselves, we know the ins and outs for both the CityPASS and C3 option. Our goal is to help you save money so you have to spend on other things in New York!

In this guide, we’re going to help you decide whether a CityPASS or a C3 Pass is the best choice for your visit to NYC including pros and cons.

Disclosure: We received New York CityPASS and C3Pass tickets in order to share our opinion about this product but this is not a sponsored post.

Our NYC Experience

Woman sitting in King Kong's hand at the Empire State Building in New York City
Kristen in the King King exhibit at the Empire State Building

Kristen is a New York state native and we lived in NYC for a few months in 2021. We chose to move to the city so we could create the best content possible because you can’t just visit New York City for a weekend and claim to be an expert. Read more about us.

When we lived in the city, we used both a New York CityPASS and C3 Pass to visit top attractions including the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Museum, Top of the Rock, the Modern Museum of Art and more. These passes were extremely easy to use and we’ll also show you the exact itinerary we used.

What Is A New York Attraction Pass?

Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in the middle of the Hudson River
View of the Statue of Liberty from a Helicopter Tour in NYC

Before we get into our review for the New York CityPASS, it’s important to understand the concept of an attraction pass. If you’ve already used a pass, feel free to skip down to our review.

A New York CityPASS will instantly give you access 10 of NYC’s popular landmarks, observation decks, museums and boat cruises. We like to compare an attraction pass to buying in bulk because the more you purchase, the more you’ll save.

If this is your first time visiting New York City, an attraction pass is one of the best ways to save money. After purchasing your pass online, you’ll receive an email with the pass which can be printed out, saved in the app or downloaded to your phone.

A NY CityPASS is considered active once it has been scanned at the first attraction via QR code and you have 12 months to activate it. Most of the attractions on these passes will require advanced timed entry reservations. These can be made online and you’ll need to show your timed entry reservation along with your CityPASS.

We like this company because all your timed reservations can be kept in one centralized place so you can efficiently organize your itinerary before arriving in the city. The timed reservations also means you won’t waste time waiting in long lines.

New York CityPASS Options

Woman looking through glass panels at Top of the Rock observation deck
Kristen soaking up the views of Central Park from Top of the Rock

CityPASS sells three different passes in NYC:

  • New York CityPASS
  • New York C3 Pass
  • New York C-All Pass

Unlike other NY passes, these are attraction based options. We’ll explain everything in this CityPASS review and here is a chart we created to give you a high level overview:

Chart comparing the three kinds of citypasses for New York

As you can instantly see from our chart, you’ll have 10 attractions to chose from no matter what pass you purchase. Compared to other NY passes, a CityPASS has fewer attraction options, but it includes the top bucket list tourist sites.

Here are a few pros and cons to using a New York CityPASS:

Pros

  • 9 day validity no matter the amount of attractions purchased
  • Set price point will save you money
  • Does not have to be used on consecutive days
  • Best for a longer visit or visitors who want to see select attractions
  • Often one of the cheapest options out of all the NY attraction passes

Cons

  • Small list of attractions to choose from
  • Not as much savings as other NY passes
  • You might miss some of the top attractions
 

Our CityPASS + C3 Pass Itinerary

View of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge
The One World Trade Center among Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge

We’re going to use the exact itinerary we followed to show you how much money you can save. This example will use both a CityPASS and C3 Pass. Here is what we visited with prices from the official websites:

New York CityPASS

  • Empire State Building (day and night visit): $44.00 + $5.00 booking fee + $4.35 tax = $53.35
  • American Museum of Natural History: $28.00
  • Statue of Liberty: $24.50
  • 9/11 Memorial and Museum: $33.00
  • Top of the Rock (sunset visit): $55.00 + $4.88 tax = $59.88

New York C3 Pass

  • Edge at Hudson Yards (sunset visit): $43.00 + $3.82 tax = $46.82
  • Guggenheim Museum: $30.00
  • The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) = $28.00

The total cost of this itinerary with 5 attractions is $198.73 and the total cost of 3 attractions is $104.82. An adult CityPASS costs $138 and an adult C3 Pass costs $96.

So there you have it in black and white, you can save $60.73 with the CityPASS or $8.82 with the C3 Pass. With the CityPASS, you’ll also be able to visit the Empire State Building twice in one day which we did not include in the price to keep things simple.

Want A New York CityPASS?

Head over to the official website to grab your pass now.

This is just an example and how much you save will depend on what you visit. You’ll save the most money if you visit expensive options such as the best NYC observation decks, especially at sunset.

How Much Does It Cost?

Sun setting over Midtown and Lower Manhattan with Empire State Building
The Empire State Building lit up during sunset

The New York CityPASS is sold at a set price point that doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year. Here are the current prices:

  • CityPASS: $138 adults + $118 for children
  • C3 Pass: $96 adults + $74 for children
  • C-All Pass: $212 adults + $157 for children

Adults are considered to be 18+ and children are considered to be 6-17 years of age. If you’re traveling with a child under 6 years, they may receive free entry at some of the attractions.

The New York CityPASS is one of our favorite attraction passes in the city. A C3 Pass or a CityPASS is a great option if you only want to visit a few attractions.

However, if you want to see a lot and you’re considering the C-All Pass, we recommend the NY Sightseeing Pass instead because you’ll have 100+ attractions to choose from with a DAY based option for maximum savings.

>> Ready to purchase? Click here to buy a NY CityPASS

Need help organizing your visit to NYC?

Our popular 50+ page New York City Guidebook can help you with planning every aspect of your trip.

New York CityPASS Attractions

The main difference between a CityPASS and the C3 Pass are the amount of attractions included on the pass itself. Here is a quick explanation:

A New York CityPASS gives you entry into 5 attractions from a list of 8 attractions with 2 non-negotiable options. While the New York C3 Pass gives you entry into 3 attractions from a list of 10 attractions. However, the validity for either pass is 9 days starting with the day you visit your first attraction.

Here are the attractions you must visit with the NY CityPASS:

  1. Empire State Building
  2. American Museum of Natural History

And then you can choose 3 more attractions from the following list:

  1. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
  2. Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty
  3. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
  4. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
  5. Top of the Rock Observation Deck
  6. Guggenheim Museum

Travel Tip: With the CityPass in NY, the non-negotiate options include special bonuses. You can visit the Empire State Building twice in one day and one ticketed exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in addition to the permanent collection.

The New York C3 Pass will grant you entry to any 3 of the following 10 attractions:

  1. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
  2. American Museum of Natural History
  3. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
  4. Edge at Hudson Yards
  5. Empire State Building
  6. Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
  7. Guggenheim Museum
  8. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
  9. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  10. Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Travel Tip: The C3 Pass offers Edge at Hudson Yards and the Museum of Modern Museum of Art which are not included on the regular CityPASS.

Since there are only 10 options on this pass, et’s look at each attraction individually in this New York CityPASS review:

1. Empire State Building

Empire state building observation deck view over hudson yards and the edge one of the best new york attractions on CityPass and C3 pass
Street view of Manhattan from the top of the Empire State Building

Where better to start than with NYC’s centerpiece and most iconic skyscraper, the Empire State Building. Completed in 1931, it spent almost 40 years as the world’s tallest building and today remains the beating heart of Midtown Manhattan.

  • Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: esbnyc.com
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 1-2 hours

Entry to the observation deck lobby is halfway along W 34th St between 5th and 6th Ave. Your pass will give you the same entry as a general admission ticket with access to exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors. If you want to visit the 102nd floor observatory, you’ll have to purchase a separate ticket.

But the New York CityPASS will allow you to visit the Empire State Building twice in 24 hours. We used this pass to visit once during they day and then again at night after the sun had set.

Further Reading: How to visit the Empire State Building

2. American Museum Of Natural History

Dinosaur T Rex at the Museum of Natural History in  NYC
T-rex in a dinosaur exhibit at the NYC American Museum of Natural History

New York City’s American Museum of Natural History is an extremely large complex near Central Park. It features 45 exhibition halls, 34 million specimens, a planetarium and a library. If you’re visiting NYC with kids, this is the perfect place to let them loose with so much to see and learn.

  • Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: amnh.org
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 2-3 hours

The Natural History Museum is located on Central Park’s western flank in line with 79th street. Your pass will give you admission to the permanent museum halls plus the choice of one special exhibition.

Travel Tip: Have you seen the movie Night at the Museum? It’s based on this very museum!

Awesome view over Manhattan at sunset from top of the rock observation deck as part of the new york CityPASS and c3 pass attractions list
Midtown Manhattan view from Top of the Rock observatory

3. Top Of The Rock

The Top of the Rock is the other original observation deck located in Midtown Manhattan inside 30 Rockefeller Center. It’s our favorite observation deck in the city because the 70th floor is completely open featuring 360° New York views.

While this building isn’t as iconic as the Empire State Building, it offers the best views of the famous building as well as the closest views of Central Park. If you’re having trouble figuring out which observation deck to visit, be sure to read our Top of the Rock vs. Empire State Building comparison.

  • Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: rockefellercenter.com
  • Reservations required: No
  • Average time needed: 45 minutes

Top of the Rock sits on top of Rockefeller Center and the entrance is located on W 50th street between 5th and 6th Ave. Your pass will give you the same access as a general admission ticket and you won’t have to pay the extra $15 for a sunset time slot. But the catch is you can’t book advanced reservations so if you’re visiting in peak season of summer, arrive early to secure your spot.

Further Reading: Tips for visiting Top of the Rock

4. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Interior of the Guggenheim Museum in Central Park Manhattan spiral walkway with round light ceiling
Main entrance to the Guggenheim Museum in New York City

The Guggenheim is art museum featuring a collection of impressionist, modern and contemporary art. Additionally, the building itself is almost as famous as the artists work inside designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Here you can works by famous artists like Picasso and Cezanne as you spiral up the winding atrium walkway. An enormous projector screen plays documentary style movies throughout the day, perfect for watching briefly in between exhibits.

  • Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: guggenheim.org
  • Reservations required: No
  • Average time needed: 1 hour

The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum is located 5 blocks northeast of the Met Museum between 88th and 89th streets along 5th Ave. Your pass will give you general admission to the Guggenheim’s collection plus special exhibits and a free digital guide.

Travel Tip: Check movie times and grab a bench when a spot is free as you climb the spiral walkway.

Statue of Liberty ferry included with new york CityPASS and c3 attractions pass
Close up view of the State of Liberty

5. Ferry Access To Statue Of Liberty

The New York CityPASS and C3 Pass both include a ferry ride on Statue Cruises to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. This is one of the most iconic statues on earth and one of the best things to do in NYC. A ferry leaving from Lower Manhattan transports you to the Statue of Liberty before continuing for a second stop at Ellis Island.

  • Address: Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: cityexperiences.com
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 2-3 hours

Seeing Lady Liberty up close is a rite of passage for first time visitors to New York City. She’s an impressive sight from below, but you’ll also learn about her history, construction and unveiling at the museum.

Large entry hall at Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Ellis Island National Immigration Museum Great Hall

The Ellis Island Museum is not a compulsory part of the tour, but we highly recommend it if you have time. Inside you’ll learn about how thousands of European immigrants landed in America via this tiny island in the upper New York bay.

These two historical landmarks can only be visited by taking a ferry from Castle Clinton in Battery Park, Manhattan or New Jersey. Your pass includes one ticket for the Statue City Cruises ferry ride to Liberty Island and one admission to Ellis Island Immigration Museum with audio guide. If you want crown or pedestal access, you’ll have to purchase separate tickets.

Travel Tip: The reservation time on your ticket does not mean the time of your ferry. This time represents your entrance to the security building behind Castle Clinton before entering the staging area for the next available ferry.

Further Reading: How to get the ferry to the Statue of Liberty

6. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan Island in NYC
Entrance to the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

You can see New York City’s most iconic landmarks from a different perspective with Circle Line Cruises. This experience offers indoor and outdoor seating available across two decks which is suitable for warm or cold weather. It’s an amazing way to see Manhattan’s famous buildings, bridges and landmarks with plenty of time for photographs.

  • Address: 83 North River Piers West 43rd Street and, 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: circleline.com
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 1-1.5 hours

These cruises are a relaxing way to explore New York as well as get a unique vantage point of the city. Our favorite aspect wasn’t Manhattan’s famous skyline, but the fantastic narration detailing history and fun facts about the city. We took the best of NYC cruise which is no longer offered on the CityPASS, but you still have three great options:

  • Landmarks Cruise (1.5 hours) – Includes Statue of Liberty plus many other NYC landmarks
  • Liberty Midtown Cruise (1.0 hour) – Amazing views of midtown and downtown landmarks
  • Liberty Super Express (50 mins) – Fastest way to see the Statue of Liberty

All Circle Line Cruises depart from Pier 83 in Midtown Manhattan, directly to the west of Times Square and just North of Hudson Yards. Here are a few tips we learned during our cruise:

  • Sit on the left side of the boat. Manhattan is on the left side for most of the cruise and the boat passes the Statue of Liberty on both sides.
  • You might be tempted to head straight outside for an open air seat. But seriously consider weather conditions before taking your seat. Remember it will be much colder once the boat is moving.
  • Lines for food were huge during the beginning of our cruise but got much quieter the second half. Wait until the second part of the cruise to get food so you don’t miss any of the good stuff waiting in line.

7. The 9/11 Memorial And Museum

9/11 memorial and museum in lower manhattan included attractions with new york CityPASS and c3 pass for visitors to nyc
9/11 Memorial Pool in Lower Manhattan

The New York City 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a very sobering reminder about the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. At the memorial, you’ll find two large square holes in the ground marking the exact position of where the Twin Towers once stood along side a fantastic museum explaining the event in great detail.

This might seem like an upsetting place to visit, but the museum is incredible. A large collection of memorabilia, detailed timelines, video footage and a touching tribute to those who sadly lost their lives is on display. It’s a harrowing experience and it might leave you feeling emotionally drained.

  • Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: 911memorial.org
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 2 hours

You should plan to spend at least 2 hours inside, but you might need longer if you want to see everything. The second half of the museum is an extremely detailed timeline of events. This timeline is fascinating so be sure to leave enough emotional energy to appreciate the latter parts.

Don’t forget to stop at the large memorial pools dedicated to those who lost their lives. If you notice a white rose near an individual name, this rose indicates its their birthday. The 9/11 Museum is located in Lower Manhattan just northwest of the Financial District. This is a very walkable area with plenty of other attractions to see.

Further Reading: Unique things to do in Lower Manhattan

Intrepid sea air and space museum pier 86 manhattan nyc
Birds eye view of the Intrepid in New York City

8. Intrepid Sea, Air + Space Museum

The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is a National Historic Landmark docked on the banks of the Hudson River. Seeing serious action in WWII and the Cold War then collaborating with NASA to serve as recovery for astronauts and various tours in the Vietnam War, the Intrepid features a colorful history with exhibits showcasing space shuttles, submarines, fighter jets and the Concorde.

  • Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: intrepidmuseum.org
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 2-3 hours

The Intrepid is located at Pier 86 very close to Circle Line Cruises and to the Northwest of Times Square in Midtown. Your pass will include general admission including the Space Shuttle Pavilion and the submarine Growler.

Travel Tip: The Intrepid was featured in the movie National Treasure and Ben Gates jumps from the Aircraft Carrier deck.

9. MoMA

MoMA museum of modern art painting in manhattan
Wyeth Cristina’s World 1948

New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is home to one of the largest collections of modern art in the world including media, paintings, architecture, photography and sculpture. If you like modern art, this is the place to lose yourself for a half day taking in the works of Dali, Cezanne, Kahlo, Matisse, Monet, Warhol, Pollock and Picasso to name just a few.

  • Address: 1 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: moma.org
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 2-5 hours

Entrance to the MoMA is located on W 53rd street between 5th and 6th Avenues halfway between Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Your pass includes general admission with a free audio guide. You can also see a same day film for free with free entry into MoMA PS1 in Long Island within 14 days.

Travel Tip: Van Gogh’s Starry Night is on floor 5.

10. Edge At Hudson Yards

Awesome view from the edge in hudson yards manhattan
Visitors at Edge Sky Deck in Manhattan

Edge at Hudson Yards is one of New York City’s newer cloud dwelling observation decks. This viewing platform claims the title to the highest outdoor sky deck in the western hemisphere. Views over New York from Edge are spectacular with Top of the Rock left, the Empire State Building straight ahead as well as Lower Manhattan and New Jersey directly off to the right side.

  • Address: 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
  • LocationGoogle Maps
  • Official website: edgenyc.com
  • Reservations required: Yes
  • Average time needed: 1-1.5 hours

Edge entrance is on the 4th floor of the Hudson Yards pristine shopping mall. You’ll find Hudson Yards northwest of Midtown as you look at a map of New York City. This is the only NYC observation deck located in the western part of Manhattan so you’ll have a great vantage point.

Further Reading: How to visit Edge at Hudson Yards

What About The Other New York Passes?

Four attraction passes in new york city

There are four main attraction passes in New York City. The names are very similar, but there are subtle differences. One pass might be better suited for your visit depending on your needs. If you’re unsure about the New York CityPASS, we recommend you read our New York Pass Comparison for a detailed explanation.

But let’s take a quick look so you can compare how they work:

New York Sightseeing Pass

This Company offers attraction passed in major cities across the United States. We’ve used this pass in New York City and it’s a great option if you want to visit several top attractions.

The major different between a CityASS and Sightseeing Pass is the amount of attractions you can visit. They also offer a DAY based pass which is not an option with CityPASS. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Choose either a day based or attraction based pass
  • Prices increase the more days or attractions you add
  • 100+ attractions to choose from

We like the NY Sightseeing Pass because you can literally save hundreds if you plan well. We used a 3 Day pass in the city to visit 12 attractions. It’s also great for visitors who want to see a lot of museums.

>> Buy a New York Sightseeing Pass here

Go City New York

The company offers attraction passes in major cities around the world. We’ve used a Go City Pass in Rome, London and Paris so we’re very familiar with how they work.

This pass is set up similarly to the Sightseeing Pass offering a day based option known as the All-Inclusive Pass and an attraction based option called the Explorer Pass. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Choose either a day based or attraction based pass
  • Prices increase the more days or attractions you add
  • 100+ attractions to choose from

>> Buy a Go City New York Pass here

We prefer the NY Sightseeing Pass when compared to the Go City Pass when it comes to New York City, but this company can be a great option when traveling outside of the US. Head over to official website here for more information.

Further Reading: Our Go City Rome Explorer Pass review

The New York Pass

This pass is owned by Go City and it’s essentially the exact same as Go City’s All-Inclusive version. The prices and attractions are almost identical, but there is no attraction based pass available. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Choose how many days you want to have unlimited access to attractions
  • Prices increase the more days you add

We can’t find any major differences between The New York Pass and the Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass. Head over to official website here for more information.

>> Buy The New York Pass by Go City here

How To Make Timed Reservations

As we mentioned earlier in this New York CityPASS review, you can’t just purchase a pass and turn up for the top attractions without a reservation. Unfortunately, there’s going to be a little bit of planning involved.

Even if you bought individual tickets to each attraction, you would still have to book advanced time slots. Reservations are in place to handle large tourist volumes at the most popular sites, particularly around sunset.

Chart showing how to make New York CityPASS reservations online

In order to make these advanced reservations, this is what you need to do:

  1. Buy your New York CityPASS ticket or New York C3 Pass ticket
  2. Head to the Reservation and Planning section
  3. Look up each attraction individually
  4. Click details to read more or click on the dark blue Reserve Time button
  5. Enter your email address and CityPASS order number
  6. Select your prefered dates and times for that particular attraction to confirm your reservations
  7. Show your CityPASS and timed reservations at each attraction in New York

Or you can visit the official CityPASS website for more reservation information.

Travel Tip: Be sure to save your New York CityPASS to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay app on your phone for easy access to each attraction.

Is The New York CityPASS Worth It?

Yes, we think the New York CityPASS is worth it for visitors who want to visit the top attractions in the city. This pass is sold at a set price point and it’s a cheap option so you only pay for things you actually want to see. This is a far less overwhelming way to see the top rated attractions and perfect for first time visitors wanting to tick off the highlights with enough time at each one.

However, this pass only offers 10 attractions so what your giving up is the choice to pick from 100+ attractions when compared to the other New York attraction passes. If you want to visit several of New York’s top attractions, this pass is not a good choice because it’s too limiting.

The simplicity of the CityPASS is what makes them special. We love how easy it is to make attraction reservations directly on their user friendly website. And we also like the 9 day validity coupled with the fact you don’t have to visit on consecutive days which means you have plenty of time to visit each attraction.

Want A New York CityPASS?

Head over to the official website to grab your pass now.

The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Woman standing looking at a painting of George Washington in the MET Central Park Manhattan NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art on CityPASS and C3 pass
Kristen taking in en enormous painting at the Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) is no longer included on the New York CityPASS as of 2022. It’s also not included on any of the other NY passes. This is one of the best art museums in the world and it would be a shame to miss it on your NYC visit because it contains 1.5 million works.

Here you’ll find paintings, sculptures and other forms of art from classical, European, ancient Egypt, American, Byzantine, African, Asian and so much more. It’s located almost directly opposite the History Museum on the eastern side of Central Park in line with 82nd street.

However, if you’re a New York State residents or New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut student, you decide the amount you pay for admission (donations are greatly accepted). Children under 12 can also visit for free.

Travel Tip: There are two floors at the Met filled with endless amounts of exhibits so plan for at least half a day.

Tips For Using CityPASS

We created the map below to help you establish your bearings in the city so you can see the locations to the popular attractions in New York. The major attractions are spread out across Manhattan, but this map gives you an idea of how you could double up or even triple up attractions in a day.

Map of the New York CityPass attraction in Manhattan

We’ve covered a lot of information in this New York CityPASS review, but we want you to have an amazing trip! So here are a few additional tips to consider:

  • Sunset is by far the most popular time of the day. If you want to visit attractions at sunset, we recommend you book your time slot as far in advance as possible.
  • Book one to two hours before sunset if you can’t secure tickets. You’ll have to wait around a little bit, but try to plan the extra time into your visit.
  • Check age limits for children. Many NY attractions allow children under 3-5 visit for free so you may not need a pass for them depending on their age.
  • Arrive at opening times. This is one of the best ways to avoid the large crowds in the afternoon.
  • If you want to visit both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you should take the first ferry of the day. It will take a few hours to get around both museums so this way you won’t be limited by boat schedules.

More Pass Reviews

More New York Guides

Want more New York content? Head over to our New York Travel Guides to explore the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks and the best of NYC.


We hope this review of the New York CityPASS or C3 Pass helps with planning your trip to NYC!

Please let us know if you have any questions about the CityPASS in New York or NYC in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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5 thoughts on “2024 New York CityPASS + C3 Pass Review”

  1. Hi!
    I’m planning our visit to NYC in May and just discovered today that the MET is no longer part of the CityPASS. Also I went to the MET website and discovered you no longer have to make a reservation. On the CityPASS website they show a photo of the MET but it’s no longer in their list.
    Thought you might like to know.
    Thank you,
    Mark

    Reply
    • Hi Mark, thank you very much for letting us know about The MET. Unfortunately, they have opted out of all New York pass programs for the foreseeable future. Hopefully they can re-join at some point down the road, because it is one of the very best museums in NYC and it does help when tourists can save money on multiple attractions with a pass like CityPass. We’ve updated this guide to reflect this new position taken by the MET, but thanks again for getting in touch and have a great time in New York.

      Reply
  2. This is great, the map is so helpful too! I love how you break down the logistics on how to explore NYC. So many great tips in here that I did not know about and must do. Love hearing it from a travelers perspective like you guys. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • Thank you Mariana, we’re glad you found the map helpful! Using a New York CityPASS is the perfect way for visitors and even NY residents to hit the city’s top touristy highlights at a relaxing pace and save money in the process. Hope you are able to tick all of the best NYC attractions off this year!

      Reply

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