You’ve scored a New York CityPASS? Awesome! That’s like finding a secret cheat code for the greatest city on Earth. It means you're about to save a stack of cash—dead serious—and glide past lines like a VIP. No more stressing over shelling out big bucks for every museum or skyscraper view. You're set to hit the best spots without breaking the bank.
But hold up, chief. You can't just flash your pass like a platinum credit card at every turn. There’s a method to the madness if you want to be a smooth operator and not look like a total tourist newbie trying to figure out which end of the ferry is the front. This is your definitive, no-sweat guide to maxing out that bad boy and experiencing the city like a local with a sweet hook-up. Let’s go!
Step 1: Secure the Goods and Get Digital
First things first, you gotta get your hands on that golden ticket, and then tame it with technology.
1.1 Buying the Pass: Don't Sleep on This
You likely already bought it, but if you’re still chillin’ and thinking about it, don’t wait until you’re waiting on line at the Empire State Building.
Pro Tip: Buy it online. You’ll get an email confirmation with a barcode and all the deets. They'll probably tell you it's valid for a whole year from the purchase date, but once you use it, the clock is ticking for your 9-day window. Fuhgeddaboudit stressing about that until your first swipe.
1.2 The App Game: Download the My CityPASS® App
This ain't optional, pal. This app is your bodega of information, your all-in-one guide.
Download the official My CityPASS® App to your phone. We're talking iPhone or Android, doesn't matter.
Log in and sync your purchase. The app is where your mobile tickets live. You'll see your tickets (they call 'em that, but it's really your pass) for the mandatory attractions (like the Empire State Building) and your flex tickets for the ones you get to choose.
1.3 Check the Rules: Reservations are Mad Important
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
New York has changed. Thanks to the whole world wanting to see the Big Apple, a lot of the best spots are now saying, "Slow your roll, make a reservation."
Open the app and seriously check the entry instructions for every attraction you plan to visit.
Attractions like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum or the Statue of Liberty ferry often require a reservation even with the CityPASS. If you just show up, they might tell you to "take a walk," and nobody wants that. Book those slots ASAP!
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| How To Use New York City Pass |
Step 2: Planning Your Attack
You’ve got a pass, you’ve got the app, now you need an itinerary that doesn't have you schlepping across all five boroughs multiple times a day. Efficiency is key to being a boss tourist.
2.1 The Mandatory Five (Or Three, Or Whatever): Scope Out the Vibe
The CityPASS typically covers five attractions: two 'set' ones, and then you choose three from a list.
Empire State Building: Classic move. They often give you an AM/PM admission, which is clutch. See it during the day, then come back later for those jaw-dropping night lights. Two views for one ticket? Legendary.
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH): It’s mad big. Plan a good chunk of time here unless you just want to high-five the T-Rex and bounce.
2.2 Picking Your Flex Attractions: Choose Wisely
This is where your inner NYC explorer shines. Do you want another killer skyline view, or do you want to get cultured?
More Sky-High Views: Top of the Rock, Edge at Hudson Yards, or One World Observatory. Pick one, maybe two, unless you’re deadass obsessed with seeing the city from above.
Deep Dive: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), or the Guggenheim. Don't try to tackle two major museums in one day. Your feet will sue you.
Sail Away: A Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise or a trip to the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island. Fuhgeddaboudit just taking a selfie from Battery Park. Get out on the water.
2.3 Group 'Em Up: Neighborhood Zoning
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
This is the smartest thing you’ll do. Group your attractions by their geographic location.
Downtown Day: Hit the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, and the Statue of Liberty Ferry (all near each other).
Midtown/Uptown Day: Smash the Empire State Building early, then head up to Top of the Rock and MoMA. Finish up with a walk through Central Park.
Flexibility is King: Remember, the pass gives you nine days from the first use. If it's mad brick (super cold) one day, hit a museum instead of a cruise. You do you.
Step 3: Activation and Entry—The Moment of Truth
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You're at the attraction. The line is long. This is the moment to look like you know what's up.
3.1 First Scan: The Big Moment
When you show your mobile ticket at the very first attraction, your CityPASS activates.
Heads Up: The clock starts running for your 9-day period right then and there. Don’t use it to get into a small, cheap museum on day one if you want to use it for the big-ticket items later. Save that first scan for a high-value day.
Get Your Phone Ready: Have the app open, ticket pulled up, and screen brightness blazing. Don’t fumble when you get to the front of the line.
3.2 Skipping the Ticket Line: The VIP Move
This is the perk you paid for. Most attractions have a separate, shorter line for pass-holders or those with pre-purchased tickets (that's you, sleeve!).
Look for the Signs: Seek out signs that say "CityPASS," "Pre-Purchased Tickets," or "Voucher Holders." Avoid the "Buying Tickets" line like it’s a packed subway car during rush hour.
Scan and Go: Present your mobile ticket QR code (the one in the My CityPASS® App). The staff will scan it, maybe tear off a virtual "ticket," and BAM! You're in.
3.3 Confirmation and Keepsakes
Reminder: Revisit older posts — they stay useful.
Sometimes, even after scanning the pass, you might be given a physical ticket for entry or for an exhibition.
Hold onto that thing. Don't be a clown and toss it right away. It might be your actual entry ticket to the special exhibit the pass includes.
Validate the Flex: If you’re using one of your three flex tickets, confirm with the gate agent that this is indeed one of your chosen attractions being used up.
You are now officially a CityPASS savant. Go get that $5 schmear on a bagel, stand on line like a local, and enjoy the sights. You’ve earned it, kid.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How to check how many attractions I have left on my CityPASS?
Just open the My CityPASS® App. It keeps a running tally of your used and unused attractions, like a digital score card. It’s foolproof.
How to make a reservation for a specific attraction with the CityPASS?
In the My CityPASS® App, click on the attraction you want to visit. The entry instructions will have a link or details on how to book your date/time slot using your CityPASS barcode. It’s all in the app.
How long is the CityPASS valid for once it's activated?
It's valid for nine consecutive days, starting with the day you use it for the very first time. Plan your heaviest sightseeing for that window.
How to use the dual Empire State Building admission?
The CityPASS includes a special AM/PM entry. You enter once during the day and can return the same night for a second visit. Check the exact return times on the app; it’s usually later in the evening.
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
How to decide between the two main observation decks?
Top of the Rock (in Rockefeller Center) offers the best view of the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building is the classic, iconic spot. The Edge is the modern thrill-seeker’s choice.
How to get to the Statue of Liberty with the CityPASS?
You must make a mandatory reservation through the official ferry operator's website using your pass details. The ferry leaves from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
How to know if a special exhibit is included with my CityPASS admission?
For the museums (like AMNH or MoMA), the CityPASS often includes general admission plus a special feature, like a film or temporary exhibit. Always check the current details on the app for that specific attraction before you roll up.
How to skip the lines using my mobile ticket?
Look for the "CityPASS," "Pre-Paid Ticket," or "Groups" line at the entrance. This is your fast track. Do not stand in the general "Purchase Tickets" line.
How to save on food and drinks while using the CityPASS?
Hit a local bodega for a cheap hero (sandwich) and a soda (not pop!). The food inside the attractions is mad expensive. Pack snacks or eat before you go inside.
How to get a refund if I don't use my CityPASS?
Unactivated CityPASS tickets are typically valid for one year from the date of purchase. Check the official CityPASS website for their current refund policy, as it can change. Don't activate it if you're unsure.
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