We are going to NYC in midNovember and will have 5 3/4 days (8pm flight out of JFK). We have been there a lot, will be staying on the Upper West Side (Hotel Beacon) and I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to get a City Pass, which I've never done in all the many years I've been going to New York. We know we will:

--go to the Met museum
--911 memorial (DH has not seen yet; I have)
--probably but not for sure MOMA
--probably but not for sure the Whitney
--good part of a day in Brooklyn

The last time we were in NYC together was over a Christmas and we bought nonlocal memberships for both MOMA and the MET. That worked well, but is now more serious money and MOMA doesn't let you get in an hour early with this plan anymore.

Ideas?

Thanks

It's practically impossible to make the pass pay for itself - esp considering the days/times that some museums have for free and the pay what you wish at all times at other museums.

Thanks nytraveler--that was my instinct although we have found both Paris pass and Florencepass to be worth the time and money. What I'll do to avoid lines (which should be low midNovember) is buy tickets in advance and maybe splurge on MOMA membership to get early admission.

It depends on whether you are the type of person who wants to do 3 different activities every day. If you are, then the pass is worthwhile. It also depends on whether you can get the pass for a discount, which sometimes happens. The pass is much more valuable for a longer period than it is for a shorter one. I'd NEVER recommend the pass for 1 or 2 days. Then it never pays for itself. However, it might for 5 days if you plan to do the high-cost activities. (It does not really save you any time, however, unlike in other cities where such passes are both a money- and time-saver.)

It does cost $249 for 5 days, and that's a lot of money.

The Metropolitan Museum is pay as you wish, so you could pay the "student" fee or only $1. Same for the Museum of Natural History (but you always have to pay for the planetarium or films or special exhibits). The 9/11 Memorial is free (the museum is expensive, but that's a different thing, though it is included in the pass). MOMA is free on Friday afternoons, but the lines are outrageously long. You can get discount coupons for Madame Tussauds and some other touristy attractions.

For myself, I can usually do one museum a day. I don't like the hop-on/hop-off tours in NYC because they are a waste of time and money (it's a better experience to walk and significantly faster to take public transit if you are looking to move from one place to another). The boat tours are a great thing to do exactly once, and then you never have to do it again.

The Statue of Liberty is actually a really bad deal. Yes, the cost is included, but you have to stand in line. You can only skip most lines if you book your timed visit far in advance. NYC Pass doesn't give you a pre-planned timed ticket, so it's as if you didn't book anything in advance.

Thanks. We, too, are 1 museum a day people, 2 max and time saved matters as much to us as money. We really liked the Paris pass, where you can go back as many times as you want within the time your pass is active.

We love the Statue of Liberty, but the one time we got off on the island found it both crowded and boring. Ellis Island, on the other hand, was incredible.

So yours is one more voice against the Pass--we have now definitely decided not to do it.

For Modern Art (Moma) the global membership is $70, and it allows you to purchase a $5.00 guest passes . Its also good for PS 1 in Queens. So, you could purchase one membership, and one guest pass for $75, and go again if you want for another $5 guest pass. and its good for a year in case you will be back

otherwise regular adult admission is $25 per person. But even at $50, the City Pass is not worthwhile, as its pay what you wish at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.. don't let those signs intimidate you when you pay

The Whitney is also $25 per adult you can buy tickets online up to midnight the day before you visit and save $3 per ticket. its pay what you wish Fridays from 7-10pm

this site lists museum with admission free or pay wish days
http://freemuseumday.org/nyc.html

Thank you. If I get a MOMA membership, it will not be the global, because I have really enjoyed the early admission permitted in the past. I wish they had not changed their policy, but I can certainly see how it may have been a compelling marketing device.

regular membership at Moma also has guest passes for $5. you can call and ask whether the guest gets early admission as well.

Thanks, I will.

I was recently at Moma with a friend who joined with a global membership and I got the $5 guest pass.. the receipt/pass permitted you to join as a regular member at a discount within a few days of getting the guest pass...so if that works for you, you may want to get a second membership at a discount too.