More about: Are New York tourist passes worth it?"
New York is a cosmopolitan and enormous city full of places of interest that you won't want to miss, such as museums, iconic buildings and viewpoints. Some are free and others require an entrance fee, so if you're deciding what to do in New York, you should know the advantages of buying a tourist card to better plan your trip.
Tourist cards are purchased for a certain number of attractions or for a certain number of days, so they can be adapted to different types of trips. In addition, some include passes for tourist buses, one of the most convenient ways to travel in one of the world's most congested cities, and discounts on other activities, such as helicopter or boat tours. In this article, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions that arise when choosing a tourist card.
When is it worth buying the New York tourist card?
It is always useful to buy a tourist card, whether you plan to visit New York for a day, a week, a month or even longer, because even if you only visit a few attractions, they allow you to save money, especially if it is your first time in NY and you want to see everything.
Tourist cards are a very good option, as they offer up to 70% off admission to New York's main paid tourist attractions. They also include discounts at bars, shops, restaurants, and other activities, such as helicopter rides, boat trips, bicycle rentals, and tours on NY's best tourist buses.
When you purchase the card, you can choose:
- By number of days with unlimited attractions, or
- By number of attractions with a flexible time limit.
If you are visiting the city for the first time and want to see a lot in a short time, your best option is the card based on the number of days. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, it is better to purchase a tourist card based on the number of attractions.
Furthermore, the list of attractions offered by the companies will allow you to better plan your trip, as it shows you the most important places in New York that you cannot miss.
The best tourist cards in New York
It is best to purchase your tourist card before you travel and see which sites interest you most, especially if you are short on time, but you can also purchase it when you arrive in New York. Even if you chose certain attractions before travelling, you can exchange them for others during your stay.
This article will help you choose the best tourist card in New York (comparison).
Advantages of purchasing the New York tourist card
- You can choose the number of attractions you want from over 150 attractions in New York.
- You don't waste time queuing to buy tickets.
- You can choose a certain number of days or opt for a more flexible time frame to visit the attractions at your own pace.
- The passes offer discounts for children.
- Prices are reduced the more days or attractions you choose.
- They include discounts at shops, restaurants, and activities such as boat or helicopter rides, bicycle rentals, etc.
- They include tourist bus tours for one day or more.
Please also note that most tourist cards include admission to well-known sites such as the Empire State Building or the American Museum of Natural History, but not all include the Statue of Liberty, so it is best to plan in advance the places you want to visit in order to choose the card that is most convenient for you.
On the other hand, some sites require you to book your ticket in advance, which you should check on the official websites of each card.
Is it worth buying the tourist card for a long trip?
If you plan to visit New York for 30, 60 or more days, the tourist card is very convenient. For example, you can purchase flexible 60-day passes to visit between 5 and 12 attractions that interest you, depending on the card you choose.
You can select the attractions that interest you before you travel or choose them when you arrive in the city. You can also change attractions during the validity period of your pass.
The good thing is that the card is activated when you visit the first attraction. From that moment on, the days or time you have purchased will begin to run, rather than on a specific date. In addition, during the validity period of your pass, you will have access to many discounts and benefits in bars, restaurants, shops and shows, as well as on tours or bicycle and tourist bus rides.
Another important fact is that the more attractions your pass includes, the greater the discounts. On the other hand, some cards offer discounts for family groups. Buying a tourist card is one of the most practical tips for visiting New York and saving money.
Main attractions of the Big Apple
- 9/11 Memorial
- South Street Seaport
- Rockefeller Centre
- Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Times Square
- Central Park
- Rockefeller Centre
- Empire State Building
- Fifth Avenue
- Chinatown
- Battery Park
- Diamond District
Is it worth buying the tourist card for a short trip?
Tourist passes usually include discounts for admission to the main paid tourist attractions, which are the ones you would visit on a first trip to New York. However, if you are only going for a few days, it is always a good idea to check in advance which sites are of interest to you so that you can make the most of your stay, as some sites are likely to be free and you will not need to buy a tourist card.
If your itinerary includes several paid attractions, I recommend purchasing a tourist card for each day, or a Day Pass, for consecutive days. These cards offer unlimited access to attractions for each day you purchase. Don't forget to check in advance which sites require advance booking to ensure you get in.
Guides for planning your short trip to New York
- New York in 2 days: itinerary and essential tips
- New York in 3 days: practical guide to make the most of your trip
- New York in 4 days: updated itinerary and tips
- New York in 5 days: everything you need to know to make the most of it
- New York in 6 days: itinerary and tips for your trip
New York attractions to see in one day
- One World Observatory
- Food On Foot/ Midtown Mix Food
- Circle Line
- Madison Square Garden
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Madame Tussauds
- Statue of Liberty
Is it worth it if I only want to see the main attractions?
If you prefer to see the city's most important attractions on your trip to New York, and these require payment, it is very convenient to purchase a tourist card, as most companies offer very interesting benefits that you can take advantage of throughout your trip, in addition to the tickets.
On the other hand, some tourist cards often include passes for tourist buses for a day or more, which will make it easier for you to get from one attraction to another, which is very important in a city with chaotic traffic like New York.
With a tourist card, you will get discounts to enter NY's must-see viewpoints such as the Empire State Building or take advantage of the best price to visit the Statue of Liberty. Please note that not all tourist cards include the latter, nor do they include admission to the crown, which sells out months in advance.
Below are some of the attractions you can add to your tourist card.
Attractions of interest in New York
- Top of the Rock Observatory
- Guggenheim Museum
- Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
- Bicycle rental in Central Park
Is it worth it if I'm travelling with children?
If you choose a New York tourist card, you can organise your trip with fun attractions for the little ones. A tourist card is ideal for discovering the best things to do in New York with children.
I recommend purchasing tourist passes by attraction rather than by day, as children may prefer to spend more time at one attraction rather than visiting several in a single day. In addition, if you choose by attraction, you can exchange it for another in the event of any inconvenience or last-minute change of plans.
In New York, there are many attractions for children that you cannot miss. I recommend that you make a list of the best destinations for children and then plan each day by combining attractions for children with attractions for adults.
Below is a list of the attractions most chosen by children.
New York attractions for children
- American Museum of Natural History
- Bicycle rental in Central Park
- Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
- Luna Park
- National Geographic Encounter Virtual Aquarium
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
- Staten Island Children's Museum
- Madison Square Garden Tour
- Planet Hollywood
Is it worth it if I go to New York in the summer?
New York is known worldwide as the city that never sleeps, and that's because there are fabulous activities all year round, especially in summer. Without a doubt, the tourist card will allow you to enjoy summer in New York to the fullest while saving money.
It's very convenient to buy tourist passes if you visit the city in summer to make the most of all the attractions without wasting time buying tickets. Summer is the time when New York receives the most visitors and prices almost double.
One of the most popular attractions to visit in the summer is Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn. This coastal area offers many paid attractions, so it is advisable to purchase a tourist pass to enjoy them without spending so much money.
Visiting New York's islands is also a great option for the summer, as you'll find festivals, public swimming pools and various events there. Summer is the best time to take a cruise on the Hudson River in Manhattan.
In the Big Apple, you can also enjoy exciting water sports such as kayaking. Tourist cards include discounts that you can take advantage of if you decide to try any of these sports. Summer is also an ideal time for bike tours, which are often included in tourist cards.
New York attractions in summer
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, public swimming pools, Manhattan skyline
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Astoria Pool, public swimming pool
- Central Park
- Hudson River
- Coney Island
- Governors Island
- Randall's Island
- Liberty Island
Is it worth going to New York in winter?
Winter in New York lasts from January to the end of March, approximately. It's a time when you can take advantage of interesting shows such as NYC musicals during Broadway Week, or watch an NBA game that takes place in winter. Ice skating in Bryant Park is something else you can do in winter in New York.
Travelling in winter has many advantages, as the cost of tourist attractions is reduced by more than half, and bars and restaurants also lower their prices. In addition, the streets are quieter in winter and other famous events begin, such as Valentine's Day celebrations, which are not to be missed if you travel to New York in February.
Among the most striking attractions of the winter season is New York Fashion Week, a symbol of fashion in the city. It is also an ideal time to visit its museums, such as the Transit Annex Museum, where you will be amazed by the miniature train exhibition.
Is it worth visiting the city for a weekend?
The city that never sleeps offers many attractions every day of the year, except for holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. Therefore, if you are interested in visiting paid attractions and are going to New York for a weekend, it is best to choose a tourist card for each day with the best companies in the city.
I recommend that before you travel, you select the places you don't want to miss and then choose the best tourist card to visit them. This article will help you choose the best New York tourist card (comparison).
If you don't know which attractions to choose, the companies even recommend package options for a weekend. Also, keep in mind that some tourist cards include at least one day of sightseeing by bus, which allows you to tour the city more comfortably and in less time.
Is it worth buying a tourist card if I want to see New York's museums?
New York is home to some of the most interesting museums in the world. Without a doubt, tourist cards allow you to put together a package of the best museums in New York and take advantage of discounts. You can visit museums in both summer and winter, but it is ideal during the cold season, when prices are reduced by more than half.
New York City has more than 100 museums, among which you are sure to find many that interest you. Among them are the Natural History Museum, the largest in the city, the Metropolitan, the Guggenheim, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Maritime Museum, which is also interesting for children.
Most museums have low admission prices, and some are free. You can also take advantage of the tourist bus to travel from one museum to another in greater comfort. Ideally, you should combine your museum visits with visits to other New York attractions to take full advantage of what the tourist cards have to offer.
Main museums in NY
- American Museum of Natural History
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met)
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Brooklyn Museum