Best NYC Attractions with a City Pass 2026

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world, and visiting in person is genuinely moving. The ferry departs from Battery Park and makes stops at Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Grounds-level access is included in all passes; pedestal and crown access requires separately booked upgrades.

Ellis Island is equally powerful — the immigration museum inside the original processing hall tells the story of over 12 million people who passed through on their way to a new life in America. Allow at least 90 minutes here alone.

The 86th-floor open-air observation deck offers 360-degree panoramas of Manhattan. The building itself is an art deco masterpiece, and the journey up is part of the experience. Visit at dusk for the dramatic transition from golden-hour Manhattan to the glittering city lights at night.

The 102nd floor is not included in most passes and requires a paid upgrade, but the 86th floor is spectacular on its own. Crowds peak between 11am and 4pm — aim for early morning or after 8pm for shorter queues.

Top of the Rock offers one of the most iconic photographs in New York — the Empire State Building framed by the surrounding skyline. Unlike the ESB itself, there’s no building blocking your view. The three-level observation deck is generally less crowded than the Empire State Building.

If you have the CityPASS and are choosing between Top of the Rock and EDGE at Hudson Yards, Top of the Rock is the classic choice for first-timers. EDGE is newer and more dramatic, better for those who’ve already seen the Rockefeller view.

The Met is one of the great museums of the world — two million works spanning every civilisation and era, spread across a building so large that most visitors only scratch the surface. Egyptian art, European Masters, ancient Greek sculpture, American decorative arts, and the rooftop garden (seasonal) all deserve time.

Don’t try to see everything. The Met rewards a focused visit — pick two or three galleries you’re genuinely excited about and go deep rather than skimming the highlights hall.

At 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The observatory experience begins with a short film during the elevator ascent that traces Manhattan’s history — genuinely well done. Views stretch to the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and beyond on clear days.

The AMNH on the Upper West Side is one of the world’s greatest natural history museums. The fossil halls — particularly the fourth-floor dinosaur halls — are extraordinary. The Rose Center for Earth and Space and Hayden Planetarium are worth the visit alone. This is an exceptional choice for families with children.

SUMMIT opened in 2021 and immediately became one of the most distinctive observation experiences in the city. Multiple glass chambers, mirrored rooms, and suspended glass floors create an experience that feels more like contemporary art than sightseeing. The views are excellent — right next to the Chrysler Building — but the artistic atmosphere is what sets it apart.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum is one of the most important and carefully considered memorial sites in the world. The outdoor reflecting pools are free; the museum below tells the story of the attacks and their aftermath with extraordinary sensitivity. Allow two to three hours and do not rush. Not recommended for young children.

MoMA’s collection of modern and contemporary art is world-class. Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, Pollock, Frida Kahlo — the permanent collection alone justifies a visit. The building itself is elegant, with a sculpture garden that’s one of the most pleasant outdoor spaces in Midtown. If choosing between the Met and MoMA, the Met is broader; MoMA is more focused and immediately engaging for 20th-century art lovers.

The Intrepid is a decommissioned Essex-class aircraft carrier moored on the Hudson River at Pier 86. On deck you’ll find historic aircraft including the Concorde. Below deck, the Space Shuttle Pavilion houses the Space Shuttle Enterprise. A Cold War-era submarine is docked alongside. A magnificent choice for families with children fascinated by planes, ships, or space exploration.

A guided bike tour across the Brooklyn Bridge and into Dumbo is a wonderful way to see a part of New York that many visitors only admire from a distance. The tour typically crosses the bridge, explores Brooklyn’s waterfront neighbourhoods, and returns via the Manhattan Bridge or ferry. One of the most enjoyable — and most underused — inclusions in the Go City passes.

A Circle Line cruise gives you a perspective on New York that you simply can’t get from the streets. The full island loop is the classic experience, but shorter harbor sightseeing cruises and the Beast speedboat are also available. Best enjoyed in good weather.

A helicopter tour over Manhattan is a bucket-list experience for many visitors. Seeing Central Park, the Hudson River, and the skyline from the air is spectacular. Weather-dependent and subject to last-minute cancellations — have a backup plan.