New York City Pass?
Jul 22nd, 2007, 03:44 PM
#1
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New York City Pass?
My kids (ages 9 and 14), my mom (67) and I (nevermind!) will be visitng NYC July 29-August 2. I was hoping to purchase tickets to some of the attractions before arriving to avoid the lines I've heard about. I was looking into one of the passes that combines admission to several attractions. Is anyone familiar with these, and what are your experience with using them? Also, what of the tour buses and allow you to hop on/off throughout the city? I'm a little nervous about resorting to the subway since with 3 generations in tow.
Thanks for any information anyone can provide!
Thanks for any information anyone can provide!
Jul 22nd, 2007, 04:33 PM
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Unless you're going to do an AWFUL lot of things the passes aren;t worth it - you just don;t get your money's worth.
The hop off/on buses work only as tours - not for transportation - they don;t come often enough for that - you can be waiting an hour for one to appear that has room for you. If you don;t like taking kids on the subway use the regular city buses for transportation - they come every few minutes.
The hop off/on also aren't good as a tour since you need to sit outside (awful heat) to see anything. If you sit inside - all you'll see is the sidewalks - and there's no point.
The hop off/on buses work only as tours - not for transportation - they don;t come often enough for that - you can be waiting an hour for one to appear that has room for you. If you don;t like taking kids on the subway use the regular city buses for transportation - they come every few minutes.
The hop off/on also aren't good as a tour since you need to sit outside (awful heat) to see anything. If you sit inside - all you'll see is the sidewalks - and there's no point.
Jul 22nd, 2007, 04:33 PM
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The hop-on-hop-off buses are not a good choice for basic transportation; they run irregularly, are expensive, and sometimes are full when they arrive at your stop. With 4 people, you'd be better-off taking taxis.
Whether the City Pass is a good value for you depends on your individual itinerary and choices; advance tickets ar available online for most of the attractions.
Whether the City Pass is a good value for you depends on your individual itinerary and choices; advance tickets ar available online for most of the attractions.
Jul 22nd, 2007, 04:35 PM
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The City Pass is a great idea IF you want to go to most of the places to which it admits you.
I use to live in NYC and, when I visited there recently, I was astonished at the great number of tourists who have bought into the idea of using buses that travel the tourist circuit.
It is so much more fun to take the subway and buses. Don't worry--people of all ages and socio-economic status use public transportation in NYC. Check out discounts on passes.
I use to live in NYC and, when I visited there recently, I was astonished at the great number of tourists who have bought into the idea of using buses that travel the tourist circuit.
It is so much more fun to take the subway and buses. Don't worry--people of all ages and socio-economic status use public transportation in NYC. Check out discounts on passes.
Jul 22nd, 2007, 06:30 PM
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We were first timers to NYC a few years back and bought the New York Passes which are different than the City Pass. Go to www.newyorkpass.com.
Anyway, because it was our first trip I found the passes to be very beneficial. We just went to Philadelphia this summer and bought theirs too!
Just check the website and see if there are enough places you are planning to visit to make it worth your time. I remember we did the Empire State building which included the IMAX show, Radio City Music Hall tour, NBC Studios tour, Rockefeller Center tour, Central Park Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Circle Line Lights tour, and a couple of the museums at the least, and this was over a 5 day pass I believe.
One thing I liked about it was that if we went into a museum or activity that we decided we really didn't want to spend that much time at we could leave and not feel guilty that we spent the regular fee to enter. For example, Madame Tussauds was $25 a person. I never would have gone without the pass, but we did enjoy it and yet we could leave in about an hour without feeling like we got ripped off.
At the time we went, the pass included subway and bus transit for the length of the pass, they don't do that anymore -- that made it even a better value.
Anyway, because it was our first trip I found the passes to be very beneficial. We just went to Philadelphia this summer and bought theirs too!
Just check the website and see if there are enough places you are planning to visit to make it worth your time. I remember we did the Empire State building which included the IMAX show, Radio City Music Hall tour, NBC Studios tour, Rockefeller Center tour, Central Park Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Circle Line Lights tour, and a couple of the museums at the least, and this was over a 5 day pass I believe.
One thing I liked about it was that if we went into a museum or activity that we decided we really didn't want to spend that much time at we could leave and not feel guilty that we spent the regular fee to enter. For example, Madame Tussauds was $25 a person. I never would have gone without the pass, but we did enjoy it and yet we could leave in about an hour without feeling like we got ripped off.
At the time we went, the pass included subway and bus transit for the length of the pass, they don't do that anymore -- that made it even a better value.
Jul 22nd, 2007, 06:40 PM
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Agree with what's been written so far. Oddly most tourists do like the passes and the hop on/off buses and usually feel they got their money's worth. The biggest problem I see is the passes are only good for a certain number of days (you have to pay more for more days) so people wind up running around like crazy to "get it all in" while the passes are in effect. You really have to do the math and see which of the things included you would do anyway and whether you want to condense it in the 2 or so days the pass is in effect. Strongly agree you can't use these buses as transportation though.
It's been delightfully cool the last 2 days, but even so, I wouldn't have wanted to sit upstairs in the open. There are some other tour options that are in smaller air conditioned buses as an option. They stay with you so not as flexible but usually better guides.
kingofnyc.com
nypartyshuttle.com
Hopstop.com is a great website that can help you figure out how to get around town by subway, bus or a combination. It even gives you estimates of taxi costs, something you should consider with 4 people and shorter trips.
It's been delightfully cool the last 2 days, but even so, I wouldn't have wanted to sit upstairs in the open. There are some other tour options that are in smaller air conditioned buses as an option. They stay with you so not as flexible but usually better guides.
kingofnyc.com
nypartyshuttle.com
Hopstop.com is a great website that can help you figure out how to get around town by subway, bus or a combination. It even gives you estimates of taxi costs, something you should consider with 4 people and shorter trips.
Jul 23rd, 2007, 04:17 AM
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Thanks so much for all the great info. I'm trying to come up with a list of sites we want to visit by what area of the city they are in. That way we won't miss anything while we're in that area. By doing this I think I can get by with taxis if it's too far to walk or maybe I'll be brave and jump on a subway to get the real NYC experience!
Any suggestions on what to do in the evenings? I've been checking the times and it seems everything closes up around 6 or so (we won't be there Friday or Saturday). Thanks again!
Any suggestions on what to do in the evenings? I've been checking the times and it seems everything closes up around 6 or so (we won't be there Friday or Saturday). Thanks again!
Jul 23rd, 2007, 04:38 AM
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>On or off Broadway shows! You can check on broadwaybox.com to see what's available on discount. Buy in advance or print discounts and take them with you OR use one of the 2 TKTS booths. Info on booths at tdf.org/tkts Some of the shows that would be good for your family include on Broadway--Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Lion King (no discounts for this), Mary Poppins perhaps Spamalot...
Off Broadway Altar Boyz, Monday Night Magic, Blue Man Group, Stomp
Pilobolus is playing at the Joyce theater (fun, funky dance)
http://joyce.org/calendar_detail.php?event=81&theater=1
>Cafe Wha is a comedy/music club popular with families.
>The Empire State is open late.
Gocitykids.com is a good website for kid friendly activities. The nycvisit.com website has a calendar of events that could give you some other ideas. Also check there for discounts. They have an Explorer pass on sale. Not sure how it compares to the NY City Pass. Btw, there's also something called the citypass.com you can check.
Off Broadway Altar Boyz, Monday Night Magic, Blue Man Group, Stomp
Pilobolus is playing at the Joyce theater (fun, funky dance)
http://joyce.org/calendar_detail.php?event=81&theater=1
>Cafe Wha is a comedy/music club popular with families.
>The Empire State is open late.
Gocitykids.com is a good website for kid friendly activities. The nycvisit.com website has a calendar of events that could give you some other ideas. Also check there for discounts. They have an Explorer pass on sale. Not sure how it compares to the NY City Pass. Btw, there's also something called the citypass.com you can check.
Jul 23rd, 2007, 09:39 AM
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New Yor is definitely a 24/7 city - and many things are open in the evening. Although most museums close at 5 or 6- they are mostly open late on some night - check the ones you're intrested in.
Also open are"
Empire State Building
Top of the Rock
Centtral Park
Staten Island Ferry
Many shops are open until late at night
Harbor cruise at night
Broadway and off-braodway shows
Comedy clubs
Jazz and other music (as opposed to dance clubs)
And exploring a residential area (having a casuale dinner, strolling the area, having a drink or dessert at one of the thousand outdoor cafes and shopping at some of the places open late
Also open are"
Empire State Building
Top of the Rock
Centtral Park
Staten Island Ferry
Many shops are open until late at night
Harbor cruise at night
Broadway and off-braodway shows
Comedy clubs
Jazz and other music (as opposed to dance clubs)
And exploring a residential area (having a casuale dinner, strolling the area, having a drink or dessert at one of the thousand outdoor cafes and shopping at some of the places open late
