New York: how can you avoid paying $79 to visit the Empire State Building (and visit it twice without paying extra)?

Published on July 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm

New York is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but also one of the most expensive. Every year, millions of tourists dream of taking in the Big Apple and visiting the city that never sleeps. The famous Empire State Building is one of the city's tallest buildings, and one of the most emblematic monuments to be discovered. But to climb to the 86th and 102nd floors of the tower, you'll have to pay $79... Unless you're a New York CityPASS holder, which will save you a lot of money!

Summary

The New York CityPASS: how does it work?
The advantages of the CityPASS for visiting the Empire State Building
Practical information

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The New York CityPASS: how does it work?

The New York CityPASS includes two standard attractions: the Empire State Building and the Museum of Natural History. In addition to these two visits, you can then choose three attractions from a selection of six options (a 2-hour cruise on the Hudson River, the ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Air and Space Museum and its aircraft carrier, the Top of the Rock observatory, the Guggenheim Museum and the 9/11 Memorial).

As you can see, the New York CityPASS gives you access to five of the city's top attractions at a lower price than if you had paid for each activity separately. According to the official website, you save 39% by buying the pass!

Vue sur l'Empire State Building depuis Top of the Rock

The advantages of the CityPASS for visiting the Empire State Building

The adult pass costs 138 dollars (around 130 euros) and 118 dollars (around 111 euros) for children aged 6 to 17. Children under 6 are free. As entry to most attractions is free for children under 5, you don't necessarily need to buy a pass for your children (depending on the attractions you choose!).

The pass is valid for 9 days from the date of first use, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the five attractions on offer. So you can buy it in advance and plan your stay with peace of mind.

In addition to its price, the New York CityPASS acts as a queue breaker. Most attractions, including the Empire State Building, have dedicated queues for pass holders. In busy tourist periods, it's an essential sesame that will save you time on your visits!

The final advantage, and perhaps our favourite, is that the New York CityPASS allows you to visit the Empire State Building twice in one day! In fact, you're entitled to a second visit in the evening of the same day. So you can admire Manhattan as it wakes up in the morning, then come back in the evening to watch the sun set over the city. For a more romantic atmosphere, a saxophonist plays on the 86th floor every Thursday and Saturday night. If you're lucky, you might even see a marriage proposal!