New York CityPASS 2026: Is It Worth It? Honest Review
$164 buys you five New York attractions. The math works if two specific museums were already on your list. Here's how to check before you buy.
$164 buys five New York attractions over nine days. Most people who buy it save money. Some don't — the difference is almost always whether the two fixed attractions were already on their list.
In 3 minutes
- Price: $164 adults · $136 children (6–17) · valid 9 consecutive days
- Fixed: Empire State Building + American Museum of Natural History
- Choose 3 from: Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty ferry, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line cruise, Intrepid Museum, Guggenheim
What the CityPASS is
Two fixed attractions — Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History — plus your choice of three from a list of six. Digital pass, valid on your phone, activates any time within a year of purchase.
There's also a C3 pass ($109 adults): choose any three from a broader list that includes MoMA. Valid 30 days instead of 9. The Met Museum is not included in either pass.
Where to buy
Our take: Same pass, same price. GYG if you want free cancellation before your trip starts; official site if you prefer booking direct.
The honest math
Individual ticket prices in 2026:
| Attraction | Adult price |
|---|---|
| Empire State Building (86th floor) | ~$44 |
| American Museum of Natural History | ~$28 (suggested) |
| Top of the Rock | ~$40 |
| 9/11 Memorial & Museum | ~$33 |
| Guggenheim | ~$30 |
| Statue of Liberty ferry | ~$25 |
| Circle Line cruise | ~$52 |
| Intrepid Museum | ~$36 |
Against any 5 from this table: savings range from $30 to $75 depending on your choices. The math works most clearly if Circle Line or Intrepid are among your three — both are expensive individually.
Who should buy it — and who shouldn't
Buy it if Empire State and AMNH were already on your list, you're in New York for 4+ days, and you want to add a cruise, observatory, or the 9/11 Memorial. Families with children save most — the $136 children's ticket covers the same five attractions.
Skip it if your trip is art-focused. The Guggenheim is the only art museum in the pass. The Met, MoMA, and Whitney are not included. The free museums in New York plus individual tickets will often cost less for museum-focused visitors. Short trips (2–3 days, 2 attractions): C3 or individual tickets win.
What most reviews skip
The AMNH caveat. The American Museum of Natural History uses suggested pricing — the stated $28 is not mandatory. Visitors who usually pay less than suggested should adjust the math accordingly.
Activate the pass on your first attraction, not your first day. The 9-day window starts on first use. If your last attraction is on day 10, wait to activate.
- CityPASS price
- $164 adult · $136 children 6–17 · Under 6 varies by attraction
- C3 pass price
- $109 adult · $86 children 6–12 · Choose any 3 attractions
- Validity
- CityPASS: 9 consecutive days · C3: 30 days · Purchase valid 1 year before activation
- Fixed attractions
- Empire State Building · American Museum of Natural History
- Choice attractions (pick 3)
- Top of the Rock · Statue of Liberty ferry · 9/11 Memorial & Museum · Circle Line · Intrepid Museum · Guggenheim
- Not included
- Met Museum · MoMA (standard pass) · Whitney · Brooklyn Museum
- Buy at
- citypass.com · GYG (free cancellation)
Prices can change — confirm on citypass.com before purchase.
Last verified: April 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much is the New York CityPASS in 2026?
$164 adults, $136 children (6–17). Empire State + AMNH fixed, plus 3 from 6 choices. Valid 9 consecutive days.
Does the NYC CityPASS include the Met Museum?
No. The Met is not in any version of the CityPASS. Suggested admission is $30 for adults.
Does the NYC CityPASS include MoMA?
Not in the standard pass. MoMA is available through the C3 pass ($109 adults).
Is the NYC CityPASS worth it?
Yes, if Empire State and the American Museum of Natural History were already on your list. Those two cost ~$70 individually. Add three more and total savings reach $60–80.
What is the NYC C3 pass?
$109 adults ($86 children). Choose any 3 from a list that includes MoMA, Empire State, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Memorial, and others. Valid 30 days.