Seeking NY sightseeing advice for a Southern California native.

January 7, 2017 2:22 PM

If we want to visit 9/ll Memorial, Empire State Building, Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty, do I book separately or buy a City Pass? Any other $$ saving advice/suggestions?
posted by Sunnyshe to Travel & Transportation around New York, NY (4 answers total)

You can definitely do those on a City Pass, but Top of the Rock is much better than the Empire State Building, unless ESB has some sentimental value to you. [One World Trade Center, Observatory is amazing as well, but not on City Pass, I don't think.]

The 9/11 Memorial is not the same thing as the Museum, but both are included in the City Pass.

Are you coming in the winter from Southern California? Bring boots and a heavy coat. It's been a cold winter so far.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:29 PM on January 7, 2017

Metro pass, best option combined with a plan to bus to or pop up into the various targets of interest areas. With air temps down using the transit for heat/comfort and seats to rest while you refine the street plan of attack type game works well. Actual walking to locations is always further than you think.
posted by Freedomboy at 3:18 PM on January 7, 2017

I found the NY Pass a great value (as a New Yorker doing a staycationy week) and it worked exactly as advertised. The value of skipping lines is high. (I don't know City Pass well enough to say NY Pass is necessarily a better value, but some pass is an excellent idea for you.)
posted by kalapierson at 4:44 PM on January 7, 2017

Best answer: NYer here. The city pass does offer a savings if you plan to visit most of the attractions on the list. I did the math once, and I think basic entrance to 3 of the items equalled the cost of the pass. Plus you should factor in the convenience of not waiting in line.

A few thoughts:

+ Unless you really really love tall building observation decks, you only need to visit one. (1 WTC, ESB, Top of the Rock.)

+ The 9/11 Memorial is free. However, tours of the memorial and the 9/11 Museum have fees. I hear the museum is great. (I haven't been.)

+ The Circle Line is really interesting.
posted by Cranialtorque at 12:02 PM on January 11, 2017