The opening scene of La La Land may reinforce Los Angeles’ reputation as one big traffic jam, but the rest of the film is essentially a beautifully crafted love letter to the city. Here’s Los Angeles city guide: What to see and do.
And while the famous landscape showcased in the film remains more or less the same, over the past decade the city itself has changed hugely, with east-side neighbourhoods such as Echo Park and Silver Lake going from places to avoid to places to be seen. Other areas of LA are going through a gentrification process similar to that of San Francisco a decade ago, with tech firms such as Snapchat and youth media company Vice moving in to Venice Beach. Not that this has gone unopposed: last autumn in east LA’s Boyle Heights, locals fiercely fought the arrival of art galleries, which they saw as the first step towards a takeover; and in Downtown, the homeless community of Skid Row is being surrounded by corporate interests.
Los Angeles is a mixed bag. Its extensive sprawl hides places of calm away from the noise of Downtown and the freeways, so it doesn’t have the hectic feel of most other major US cities – and its western city limits is the incredible Pacific coastline. The advent of Uber and Lyft now means that even in a city as car-dependent as LA, visitors don’t need to drive themselves in unforgiving rush hour traffic or try to locate a taxi rank. The extension of the Metro system last year was a boon, too: a trip from Downtown to Santa Monica now takes 45 minutes and costs $1.75. Norwegian started flying direct from Gatwick in 2014, and fares start at £179 one-way, which is cheaper than some New York flights.
Los Angeles city guide: What to see and do
Griffith Park & Observatory at sunset
The light in Los Angeles is one of its most celebrated features. British artist David Hockney, who has two homes here, loves to talk about it, and it plays a major part in some of his best-known works. But I’d argue that the best time to appreciate the light in LA is as it fades and night takes over. And the best place to do this is at the Griffith Park Observatory – made famous by the knife fight scene in Rebel Without A Cause and, more recently, a key location in La La Land. Things can get crowded as the sun goes down but arriving early and checking out the planetarium is a good way to secure a plum spot. Entrance and parking is free (although planetarium show tickets cost $7 for adults). The park also offers some challenging hikes, so another option is to park at the entrance and walk the two miles to the summit, which takes around an hour. Those based on the west side of town might want to dodge the hour or so drive to Griffith Park by heading to the Getty Museum in Bel Air, which also offers spectacular views – as well great art and architecture. Like the observatory, it’s free, although parking costs $15 ($10 after 3pm).
Get thrifty at a flea market
The city’s best-known flea markets are in Pasadena and Long Beach. Both can be fair old drives, and it’s worth setting off early to dodge the traffic and get there in time for some bargains. The Rose Bowl flea market (adult $9, second Sunday of every month) takes place in the shadow of the eponymous stadium (famous for hosting college football games and the 1994 Fifa World Cup Final) and is great just to walk around. Parking is free and the mix of Americana bric-a-brac, mid-century modern furniture and unique clothing is excellent. Long Beach market (entry $6, third Sunday each month) is slightly more down-at-heel, taking place in a car park, but many of the same vendors are there. It’s also a bit cheaper and attracts sellers from further afield. In summer, go early and take plenty of water – it can be brutally hot and exposed.
Catch a ballgame
Dodger Stadium, close to Downtown, is a great place to get to grips with the mysteries of baseball, a sport I couldn’t stand until I watched it live. The atmosphere is relaxed, it’s completely acceptable to strike up a conversation about the intricacies of a game with a stranger, and the team is one of the best in the league. For basketball there’s the choice between the less fashionable Clippers and former golden boys the Lakers, who are an unpredictable prospect at the moment. Both teams play at Staples Center (tickets prices vary enormously) in Downtown.
Watch a film in the open air
Made famous by singer Father John Misty, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Santa Monica Blvd is a great place to watch films in spring and summer – tickets sell out quickly, so move fast. The company behind the screenings also takes over other sites in the city, such as Downtown cinemas which are used only sporadically for much of the year. Other interesting places to see films include the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood, and the discerning Downtown Independent. The 1920s New Beverly Cinema on the west side offers some intriguing double bills. •cinespia.org
Los Angeles city guide: What to see and do
BEACHES
Venice
Venice is one of the coolest areas in the city at the moment: in the wake of the tech startups and media companies setting up here, great restaurants and shops have also opened, mainly on Abbott Kinney Blvd. Halfway up at no 1429 is the popular Gjelina. It’s a 10-minute walk from here to the beachfront, for a people watching experience like no other, with local vendors and street performers mixing with many a chiselled Californian. Muscle Beach is still a mecca for workout enthusiasts, and those who want something a little more relaxed can rent bikes and ride the trail north towards Santa Monica pier.
Oxnard
Thirty minutes’ drive west of Venice is the pristine (and far less touristy) beachfront of Malibu. Another half-hour on, Oxnard has half a dozen beaches to choose from, most with parks close by or directly adjacent. Surfers congregate either at Mandalay or Silver Strand beaches. Oxnard beach, between the two, is popular with families and has picnic and barbecue areas, as well as a playground.
El Matador
Ten minutes west of Malibu, and more dramatic than Oxnard, is El Matador, with cliffs, coves and rock formations that make it a favourite for photo shoots. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Downtown or Hollywood but feels a world away. The one issue is parking: the beach’s car park only has 20 spaces, so set off early and be prepared to park on the street and obey any signs, as you can get a ticket for even a minor infringement.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is easily reached on the city’s Metro tram-cum-train from Downtown. The station is a five-minute walk from the pier, with its arcades, fast food, musicians and thousands of visitors. For something a bit more relaxed, the beach itself is usually much quieter, with 3½ miles of sand to explore. The Annenberg Community Beach House ($10 adult, $4 child) at the northern end has a children’s play area and pool.
To mark its 150th anniversary, Canada is offering free entry to its stunning national parks. But which to pick? Here’s 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks.
Canada has vast swathes of unspoiled nature, from coasts to mountains to tundra and frozen Arctic deserts. While some of these spectacular landscapes are in legendary national parks, such as the Rocky Mountains’ Banff and Jasper, the Pacific coast’s Gwaii Haanas and the remote whitewater paddling heaven of the Northwest Territories’ Nahanni, a host of less famous gems await the adventurous.
This year, to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, visitors can gain free admission to the parks with a special pass which must be pre-ordered. Camping spots fill up early, so reservations are recommended. It’s also good to take advice on bear and cougar safety. For much of the accommodation mentioned, it’s worth hunting for online deals.
Bruce Peninsula, Ontario | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
The stunning turquoise waters of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron give way to steep cliffs and thick stands of cedar and other ancient trees in this park, a four-hour drive north-west from Toronto. It’s the start of the 550-mile trek along the Bruce Trail, which meanders from the park to the vineyards of the Niagara region further south. There are also shorter cliffside walks along the lake, and paddling or kayaking across smaller lakes. Visitors can rent a canoe from Thorncrest Outfitters in Tobermory, test their mettle by boulder-climbing in more remote spots, or scramble through caves along the lakeshores. Another wonderful thing to do is to take a ferry from Tobermory to Fathom Five national marine park and swim to one of the many underwater wrecks. Some of the shallow ones are close to shore and easy to see while snorkelling. For deeper wrecks further from shore, boats and scuba gear can be hired from Divers Den in Tobermory (diversden.ca) or G&S Watersports. B&Bs, hotels, inns and campsites are in Tobermory, the closest town, at a range of prices. Try the Blue Bay Motel for £74pn .
Tip: Instead of driving, take a ParkBus from Toronto to Bruce Peninsula park (adult £54 return).
Pacific Rim, British Columbia | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Endless beaches, fog-shrouded rainforests and rugged trails alongside the ferocious open waters of the Pacific Ocean make up this 500 sq km coastal park on the southern edge of Vancouver Island, a five-hour drive from Victoria. Whale-watching – mostly greys but, at certain times of the year, humpbacks and killer whales as well – is a time-honoured pastime here, and can be done from the beach. Ambling along Long Beach, south of Tofino, exploring treasures in tidal pools can easily absorb days. But braving the breathtaking 45-mile West Coast Trail, following paths of ancient First Nation traders, will take training – it is not for beginners, and requires map and tide-table reading skills for some stretches. Reservations are vital as numbers are limited during the season. There are only three entrances and exits, but a two- or three-day hike can be started at the midpoint of Nitinat, avoiding the most difficult parts. The trail begins at Pachena Bay and ends at Gordon River six gruelling days later. Limited camping is available in the park, but the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet, also offer B&Bs, cabins, hotels, resorts and dining at a range of prices. Try Jamie’s Rainforest Inn in Tofino (from £80, room only).
Tip: The best chance of seeing whales is in May, June, September and October.
Waterton Lakes, Alberta | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
The heights of the Rocky mountains meet the flat prairies in this park. Aspen forests and wildflower meadows pepper the landscape. The woods are home to grizzlies, black bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes, so it’s important to keep to the 191 miles of trails in the park – which range in difficulty from short strolls to steep treks of several days’ duration – and to make a noise while walking to scare off any bears. The park nestles in the unusually diverse Crown of the Continent ecosystem, which includes the headwaters of rivers running across North America to the Pacific and Atlantic, and north to Hudson’s Bay.
Often seen as an antidote to the bustle of Banff and Jasper, Waterton Lakes is a three-hour car trip south of Calgary. Visitors can drive to three campsites in the park, including one in the Waterton Lakes Townsite, or hike to nine others throughout the backcountry, such as the one at Goat Lake). Hotels include Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort (doubles from £80 room only).
Tip: A small herd of bison grazing the grasslands in the park’s northern end can be seen for free from the Bison Paddock Loop Road, but make sure to stay in the car.
Grasslands, Saskatchewan | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Scoured long ago by retreating glaciers, this region is so flat and treeless that old-timers say if a dog runs away, it’s still possible to see it three days later. Golden knee-high grasses sway in the winds. Bison roam, white-rumped pronghorn antelope dash past in swift-footed herds, and black-tailed prairie dogs poke curious heads out of the ground. In the south-west corner of Saskatchewan, the park is a four-hour drive from provincial capital Regina, or seven hours from Calgary to the town of Val Marie at the park’s western entrance. Seasoned hikers can head to the Valley of the 1,000 Devils, with its hoodoo rock formations and dinosaur fossils. Camping is allowed anywhere, but check with the visitor centre at Rock Creek campground for safety information. There’s lots of organised camping on flat expanses of the park for RVs and tents, plus tipis for hire. Tent-cabins sleeping up to six cost £55 a night in Frenchman Valley campground, pitches £10, reservations necessary.
Tips: Grasslands is one of Canada’s darkest and largest dark sky preserves, perfect for stargazing. Some fossil-digging events are scheduled each year.
Point Pelee, Ontario | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
It’s birds, birds, birds at this tiny park, a four-hour drive south-west from Toronto. Point Pelee, a marshy spit jutting into Lake Erie, is an international mecca for birdwatchers. The song-filled northward migration in mid-May has evolved into a famous birder festival. Among the rareties: ivory gull, sharp-tailed sandpiper, lark sparrow and warblers from every corner of the western hemisphere. Check for accommodation at all prices at tourismleamington.com. Typical is the Days Inn at £80 B&B. Or go a little further for the delights of the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region, staying at the Colonel Butler Inn from £110 B&B.
Tip: Paddle the marshes in a 10-person canoe on a guided trip through the bulrushes for about £12 for a family of four.
La Mauricie, Quebec | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Breathtaking Laurentian forests of evergreens and hardwoods and 150 crystal-clear lakes make this the quintessential Canadian park experience. There’s snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing in winter, and canoeing, hiking, swimming, fishing and mountain biking when the snow vanishes. It’s a two-hour drive from either Montreal or Quebec City. Three campsites offer more than 500 pitches for tents, tent-trailers and RVs at less than £18 a night. All-year tent-cabins sleeping five are £70 a night.
Tip: A brilliant place for autumn colour.
Prince Edward Island | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Feel the salt wind and marvel at the sculpted red sand dunes, while lounging on one of the seven beaches that make up this strip of park along the northern edge of Prince Edward Island. Two of the most popular beaches are Brackley and Stanhope. The park is about half an hour’s drive from the province’s historic capital, Charlottetown, where Canada’s Confederation was born 150 years ago. A family-friendly, leisurely stay can include strolling boardwalks, easy hiking and spotting blue herons in the ocean.
The park has two campsites, Stanhope and Cavendish, with pitches from £12 a night, and the historic Dalvay-by-the-Sea hotel, once an oil tycoon’s summer home, with 25 antiques-filled rooms and cottages from £120 room only.
Tip: Toward the western end of the park is Green Gables Heritage Place, inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novels.
Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Forested highland hills meet steep cliffs rising from the ocean in this island gem. Famous Cape Breton hospitality, sensational ocean landscapes, and access to the fabled Cabot Trail make it tough to find a more congenial spot in Canada. A five-hour drive from Halifax, this is the home of the Acadians, descendants of French settlers. Visitors can learn how to boil a lobster (£26pp) at La Bloc in Chéticamp, then drive down the iconic switchback road along the coast where there are six campsites next to the road and one in the backcountry. A tent-cabin for six costs £60 a night. Some campsites in this park come already equipped with tents; all you need is a sleeping bag, a reservation and £40 a night (up to six people).
Tips: Hook a mackerel and fry it for dinner just off the Cabot Trail, and learn to make Acadian potato pancakes for $22pp while savouring the cultural lore of Cape Breton. For dates and details, see cbisland.com. Or be a lumberjack for the day with world champion Darren Hudson, who runs Wild Axe camps teaching skills like logrolling, tree climbing and axe throwing (adults $90, youths $25-$50).
Gros Morne, Newfoundland | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Jagged mountain faces, waterfalls, fjords and gorges make this one of the most geologically exciting parks in Canada. A Unesco world heritage site, the park provides a rare chance to see “deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth’s mantle exposed”. A special treat is a guided day hike to the top of the Western Brook Pond gorge, to where ponds on the plateau feed waterfalls that fill the lake (from £35 an adult with Bontours. From the summit, hikers gaze across a lush green valley guarded by towering cliffs. A seven-hour drive from the capital, St John’s, or half an hour from the airport in Deer Lake, the park has moose and caribou, dwarf trees, bogs, glacial lakes, tundra and heath all in the same world-class site.
There are more than 200 conventional campsites, most with electricity, and four “primitive” ones, with wooden tent pads, bear-proof food lockers or poles, and pit toilets. Four sites offer tent-cabins for five at £70 a night, firewood included. The less hardy can stay in cabins, hotels and B&Bs such as Bottom Brook Cottages, £76 a night for a two-bedroom cottage.
Tip: Take a guided tour to the Lobster Cove Head lighthouse and learn how its beacon led sailors home, then end the day with an outdoor fire circle and the best sunset on the island.
Auyuittuq, Nunavut | 10 of Canada’s best lesser-known national parks
Vast plains run between rugged, glacier-clad mountains on the Arctic Circle. Rivers run so fast and cold that they can claim lives. Polar bears pad silently – at a safe distance – along the cliffs. For the truly wild-spirited, nothing will challenge the stamina like this park on Baffin Island, reached by flying to Iqaluit and then to Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq community, each a few miles from the park. Visitors have to register with a parks team and take safety training, then a guide leads groups to the park boundary by boat or dog team, skis or snowmobile, depending on the weather. Extreme climbers can brave Mount Thor, a sheer 1,675-metre face. Guides and outfitters can lead the less experienced.
There are no campsites. Backcountry camping is permitted, but watch for polar bears! Hotels include the Auyuittuq Lodge in Pangnirtung for £147 pp full-board.
Tip: The hamlet of Pangnirtung is home to the renowned Uqqurmiut arts and crafts centre of Inuit art, with print shop and tapestry studio.
New York Attraction Passes Reviews is a place everyone should visit at least once in their life, and while it has a reputation for being expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Unfortunately, the best and most famous attractions in the city are, on average, the most expensive in the world. Walking through Central Park will cost you nothing, but all the wonderful museums and tours are pricey. The New York Pass can be a great money and time-saving tool for many travelers, but definitely not for everyone.
Further down the page we’ll recommend who should get New York Passes and who’s better off without them, but first let’s look at the current prices for everything. If you want more information about specifics take a look at main New York City prices page to see what hotels, food, transportation, and attractions cost, shown in any currency you’d like, at today’s exchange rates.
New York Attraction Passes Reviews is an ideal solution for many people, as it allows you entry into over 50 of the cities best attractions and tours for a single price. That price seems high at first, until you do the math to see what it includes and how much you can save. You can find list of Cheap New York Attractions passes in our previous article.
New York Attraction Passes Reviews is good for one year so you can buy now and validate it anytime in the next 12 months. The price of the New York Pass usually goes up in late January, so if you buy before then you’ll still be able to use your Pass anytime in the following year.
For the above prices you get a card with a magnetic strip, which you present at the Will Call window or entry door of most attractions, meaning you can usually skip the often-lengthy ticket lines themselves. You also get a guidebook with hours, location, and description of everything included, which will help you plan your visit more efficiently.
Most popular attractions included with the New York Pass
– Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off Tour: $62
– 9/11 Memorial & Museum: $24
– Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry: $18
– Empire State Building: $32
– Circle Line harbor cruise: Up to $41
– Metropolitan Museum of Art: $25 (suggested)
– Museum of Modern Art (MOMA): $25
– Guggenheim Museum: $25
– American Museum of Natural History: $22
– Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum: $24
– Madame Tussauds Wax Museum: $37
– Top of the Rock observation deck: $30
Most of the other included attractions are at least a bit cheaper than those listed above, but these are the most popular (and expensive) ones that nearly everyone wants to visit. Interestingly, the New York Pass includes every one of the best attractions in the city. Most passes in other big cities don’t include at least one or two of the most popular sights, but this one is complete unless you want to do the Ground Zero Museum Workshop, which isn’t all that great anyway.
Suggested itineraries for New York Passes to get the best value
Many people have asked me where they should go on their first New York City visit of only 1, 2, or 3 days using a New York Pass. Rather than answering each time, I wrote this article that many people should find helpful.
Recommended New York Pass attractions in brief
Hop-on, hop-off bus ($62)
New York is filled with famous sights and the best way to see most of the top sights in a short time is on the hop-on, hop-off bus.
Circle Line Cruise ($37 to $42)
CircleLineLibertyGroupPicYou’ll see more than half of the famous sights from the HOHO bus, and you’ll see all the rest on these excellent Circle Line Cruises. Combine the cruise with one lap on the HOHO bus and you’ll feel like you’ve seen most of New York City in one day.
Better still, they all spend 10 minutes right in front of the Statue of Liberty, so this is the best way to see it up close and to take the best photos.
Empire State Building and Top of the Rock Observation Deck ($32 each)
Manhattan looks impressive from the ground, and even more impressive from the observation decks on the tops of these buildings near Midtown. Do one during the day and the other at night for the best combination.
Madam Tussauds Museum $37
If you’ve never been in one of these wax museums, you’ll honestly be amazed. You can be in and out in an hour or so, and since it’s included with the New York Pass and located in the heart of Times Square, it’s a quick thrill and excellent value.
New York Attraction Passes Reviews includes a free smart phone app that is very helpful
Any visitor to New York City might consider downloading the free New York Pass app for iPhone or Android. It’s well organized and a very comprehensive look at the most popular sights in New York City, complete with a map and the opening hours for each. I used the app on a visit in late 2014 and it was a great helper for using my New York Pass, but honestly it’s probably worth a free download even if you don’t buy a New York Pass.
The advantage of the New York Pass
Not only are you very likely to save quite a bit of money if you plan your day well, but you’ll be skipping most of the longest lines at ticket booths, which means you’ll have time for at least one more sight per day than someone paying for each one separately.
And since New York Attraction Passes Reviews can be so expensive on a quick visit, locking in literally all of your sightseeing funds at once can help you worry less about the ever-mounting costs. It can be shocking and depressing when the day nears its end and you realize each person has spent $100 on admission fees.
The downside of the New York Pass
WallStreetBullOf course the price itself seems like a lot of money all at once, so those on tight budgets might be ruled out altogether. Another thing to seriously consider before buying a New York Pass is that doing even 3 or 4 main sights in a day is going to be busy and probably frantic.
There are plenty of free and cheap things to do in New York City, so for many people they are better off visiting perhaps one major sight per day and then spending the rest of the day shopping or visiting neighborhoods or taking photos. A trip like that might be more memorable in the long run, and it will certainly be more unique than rushing from sight to sight. If you prefer a more relaxed sightseeing schedule, don’t buy the pass.
Who SHOULD get the New York Pass?
– Visitors who want to see the most things in a short time
– Anyone who already plans on going to many of the most expensive attractions
Who SHOULD NOT get the New York Pass?
– Backpackers or those on very tight budgets
– Those who’ll be staying in New York City for over a week and would prefer to see sights at a slow pace
Important advice: Start early and plan ahead
Once in a while I’ll get a message from someone who bought the New York Pass and didn’t feel like it was good value. I’ve noticed that these unfortunate visitors tend to make two major mistakes, and if you can avoid them you should be very happy with your purchase.
1. Start early in the day, around 9am if possible
TopRockSouthBelieve it or not, even New York City’s top attractions tend to be somewhat uncrowded in the morning, so getting an early start is essential. If you can leave your hotel by around 9am you’ll have time for two popular attractions before lunch, and then time for two or three more before dinner. You’ll still have the whole evening open for dinner and other fun, or you can visit the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock observation decks for amazing views. But if you don’t get out until almost noon, you’ll feel rushed and behind schedule all day because every place you go will be crowded.
2. Plan your route ahead of time
Many of NYC’s top attractions are clustered together, so if you plan ahead you can see a few things in a short time on foot. The New York Pass comes with a free and handy smart phone app (you can download it before you even buy a NY Pass), and it has all the included attractions on one map, with the hours and description for each just one click away. If you plan your route before you leave in the morning you can see a lot, but if you only plan one thing at a time you’ll quickly get frustrated.
About the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus that is included
NakedCowboyEven though they are officially “hop-on, hop-off” buses, it’s really not advisable to try to use them as transportation between attractions. While they do come about every 15 minutes in Manhattan, they can get crowded and there are many stops where almost no one ever gets off. This means that you might wait 15 or 20 minutes for the next bus and then find that you’ll have to stand on the bottom floor (instead of the open deck on top), and you might have to squeeze in.
My advice is to take New York Attraction Passes Reviews each bus tour all the way around starting from one of the most popular stops, and then maybe ride it a bit more later if it looks to be convenient. That way you get the whole tour at once and if you use it again later it will just be a bonus. If you only need to go one or two stops to see your next attraction, it will be faster to walk. And if you need to go a longer distance you’ll find that the subway system is much faster and also very efficient. You’ll get more out of your New York Pass by moving quickly between attractions rather than waiting around for a tourist bus.
The bottom line – New York Attraction Passes Reviews
For the New York Pass, it’s actually a really good deal for many people. Honestly, the sights included are almost all very worth visiting, which isn’t true of the expensive sights in some other cities.
On the other hand, New York Attraction Passes Reviews is a destination that many people will return to over and over, so you might consider pacing yourself on the major sights, only taking in a few on each trip.
It might also be worth considering getting only the 1-day or 2-day New York Pass, even if you are in town for much longer, and just planning on fitting as many things as possible into those days. It would be a mistake to try to see 4 major sights every day you are in NYC, so be sure to schedule some time to just wander around and take the city itself in.
Cheap Attraction Tickets for New York City. NYC is a large city that is filled to the brim with exciting things to see and do. Most people that visit like to see as much as possible, but paying individual admission at NYC most iconic attractions can really start to add up! For this reason, several companies have created New York City passes that include admission to several attractions for one price. Additionally, there are discounts to other attractions and tours. Depending on what you have planned for your trip and how long you’ll be visiting, these New York City passes can really save you a lot of money. However, it can be difficult to know what will be best for your particular trip when it comes to purchasing passes.
To Buy or Not To Buy Tourism Passes?
There is a pretty wide assortment of passes available for visitors to NYC. Depending on your travel plans, interests, tourism stamina and budget they can be a really good way to see some of the best that New York has to offer. Most of them offer cheaper passes for children, so they can be a good option for people traveling with a family. In general, having an idea in advance of what you would like to see/have time to see will help you choose the pass that is right for you.
Save on admissions to some of most iconic attractions with New York CityPASS, New York Explorer Pass, New York Pass and Build Your Own Pass by Smart Destinations. Each offers a different experience, but all give you substantial savings.
Cheap Attraction Tickets for New York City
New York Explorer Pass
The Explorer Pass is perfect for those who want to see NYC at their own pace. Choose three, four, five, seven or 10 attractions from over 60 top sites and tours, and visit them any time you want in 30 days—including the Hop-on/Hop-off double-decker bus. Skip ticket lines and feel like a VIP. Each purchase includes a 52-page, multi-language guidebook. Get the New York Explorer Pass today! Price: Starting from $77 for adults and $60 for children ages 3–12 You save: 50% or more off admission prices. Great for: Visitors looking to enjoy NYC’s top attractions, museums & tours at their own pace with the flexibility to choose on the fly. Buy Tickets
The New York Pass
The New York Pass allows full admission to over 80 top NYC attractions for one low price. Choose the duration that best fits your visit, then put your wallet away and enjoy entry to as many attractions as you wish to visit. Passes are available for one, two, three, five, seven or ten days. Every Pass comes with either a 24 hour (one-day) or 48 hour (multi-day) complimentary Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus ticket and our 230-page full-color guidebook available in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, German, French and Dutch. Price: Starting from $109 for adults and $89 for kids ages 4–12 You save: Savings varies according to number of attractions visited; potential savings of over $400 Great for: The fast mover who wants to do it all. There is no limit to the number of attractions you can visit with the New York Pass. Buy Tickets
New York CityPASS
New York CityPASS includes admission to NYC’s top six Cheap Attraction Tickets for New York City. Skip ticket lines and save 40% or more. Includes: Empire State Building Experience, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock® Observation Deck OR Guggenheim Museum, and Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island OR Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, 9/11 Memorial & Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Valid for nine days from first day of use. Watch a video to learn more about CityPASS. Price: $122 ($98 for children ages 6–17) You save: 40% or more off admission prices Great for: Anyone who wants to hit all the biggies and skip ticket lines. Buy Tickets
New York C3 from CityPASS – Cheap Attraction Tickets for New York City
Visit any three of 10 iconic New York City attractions over a nine-day period. Skip most ticket lines and save up to 25%. No matter which attractions you choose, you can’t go wrong. C3 passes will be delivered instantly to your smartphone or you may print them and use within a year of purchase. Price: Adult $74, child $54 You save: Up to 25% off admission prices Great for: Visitors with time for only three, who want instant delivery and the flexibility to choose you go. Buy Tickets
Build Your Own NYC Explorer Pass
Buy any 2 or more attractions and save up to 25%! Choose from over 70 top museums, tours, activities & more. Passes delivered instantly and valid for 30 days from first use. Passes may be printed or displayed via smartphone. Price: From $39. Price varies based on which and how many attractions added to pass for Cheap Attraction Tickets for New York City. You save: Guaranteed savings up to 25% vs. paying at gate Great for: Visitors who already know which attractions they plan to visit and want their pass instantly. Buy Tickets
New York Attraction Passes Reviews is a place everyone should visit at least once in their life, and while it has a reputation for being expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Unfortunately, the best and most famous attractions in the city are, on average, the most expensive in the world. Walking through Central Park will cost you nothing, but all the wonderful museums and tours are pricey. The New York Pass can be a great money and time-saving tool for many travelers, but definitely not for everyone.
New York Attraction Passes Reviews is good for one year so you can buy now and validate it anytime in the next 12 months. The price of the New York Pass usually goes up in late January, so if you buy before then you’ll still be able to use your Pass anytime in the following year.
Most of the other included attractions are at least a bit cheaper than those listed above, but these are the most popular (and expensive) ones that nearly everyone wants to visit. Interestingly, the New York Pass includes every one of the best attractions in the city. Most passes in other big cities don’t include at least one or two of the most popular sights, but this one is complete unless you want to do the Ground Zero Museum Workshop, which isn’t all that great anyway.
Hop-on, hop-off bus ($62)
New York Attraction Passes Reviews includes a free smart phone app that is very helpful
The downside of the New York Pass
Important advice: Start early and plan ahead
About the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus that is included
The Explorer Pass is perfect for those who want to see NYC at their own pace. Choose three, four, five, seven or 10 attractions from over 60 top sites and tours, and visit them any time you want in 30 days—including the Hop-on/Hop-off double-decker bus. Skip ticket lines and feel like a VIP. Each purchase includes a 52-page, multi-language guidebook. Get the New York Explorer Pass today!
The New York Pass allows full admission to over 80 top NYC attractions for one low price. Choose the duration that best fits your visit, then put your wallet away and enjoy entry to as many attractions as you wish to visit. Passes are available for one, two, three, five, seven or ten days. Every Pass comes with either a 24 hour (one-day) or 48 hour (multi-day) complimentary Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus ticket and our 230-page full-color guidebook available in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, German, French and Dutch.
New York CityPASS includes admission to NYC’s top six Cheap Attraction Tickets for New York City. Skip ticket lines and save 40% or more. Includes: Empire State Building Experience, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock® Observation Deck OR Guggenheim Museum, and Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island OR Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, 9/11 Memorial & Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Valid for nine days from first day of use. Watch a video to learn more about CityPASS.
Visit any three of 10 iconic New York City attractions over a nine-day period. Skip most ticket lines and save up to 25%. No matter which attractions you choose, you can’t go wrong. C3 passes will be delivered instantly to your smartphone or you may print them and use within a year of purchase.
Buy any 2 or more attractions and save up to 25%! Choose from over 70 top museums, tours, activities & more. Passes delivered instantly and valid for 30 days from first use. Passes may be printed or displayed via smartphone.