What Is The Best Way To See New York City

Nyc Sightseeing Flex Pass

The NYC Sightseeing FLEX Pass can be used as a pass to visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or 12 attractions from a list of over 100. It is a great option for visitors to NYC who are looking to spend non-consecutive days sightseeing in NYC. The NYC Sightseeing Pass is a great option if you are interested in visiting Edge or taking the Hop-On Hop-Off buses.

The NYC Sightseeing Pass also gives you a large amount of flexibility due to the fact that you do not need to decide on which attractions to visit beforehand. Just show your Sightseeing Pass at the first included attraction you want to visit.

• Valid for 30 days after first use
• Pick from over 100 NYC attractions
• Visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 Attractions
• 72-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket counts as only 1 attraction

Is the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass worth it?

How to use the NYC Sightseeing FLEX Pass?

The NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass is super simple to use. Once you have purchased the pass you will receive an email with a QR code , which you can then scan at attractions to gain free entry.

Does the NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass include the NY Sightseeing Bus Tours?

Yes! The NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass includes the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours which count as just one choice and are valid for 72 hours.

Best Overall: Hop On Hop Off New York Harbor Cruise

For a fun way to get around the city on your own schedule while learning about its history, the Hop On, Hop Off New York Harbor Cruise is a great overall choice. The water taxi departs at Pier 79 in Midtown Manhattan and takes passengers on a 90-minute narrated cruise along the Hudson River for a chance to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, New Jersey skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge so you can count on there being excellent photo opportunities. There are four designated stops, so passengers can hop off to further explore Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, the Empire State Building and many other attractions. Boats depart every 45 minutes until 6 p.m. allowing for plenty of flexibility.

What To Do In Nyc: Day 2

See City HallNew Yorks City Hall is a great piece of historic architecture and has a beautiful little park thats filled with office workers during lunch . To learn about the buildings history, art, and architecture, take one of the tours. This way, youll be able to see the landmarked rotunda, city council chamber, Governors Room, and the City Hall Portrait Collection.

City Hall Park. Pre-reserved tours are typically offered for groups on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:30am and for individuals on Thursdays at 10am. There are also first-come, first-served tours on Wednesdays at 12pm.

Walk the Brooklyn BridgeRight near City Hall , the Brooklyn Bridge offers an easy 25-minute walk into Brooklyn and the waterfront park on the other side. Stopping to take photos and meandering along the way will make the walk about 40 minutes. You get a lot of wonderful views of downtown as you make your way across . I enjoy doing this walk at night when downtown Manhattan is all lit up. Otherwise, come early to beat the crowds.

Relax in Prospect ParkOnce you get out of Manhattan, you can explore Brooklyns version of Central Park, which spans almost 600 acres. While youre here, dont miss the nearby Brooklyn Museum. Spend the afternoon discovering its vast collection of both historical and contemporary art and artifacts . It has art exhibitions highlighting ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, colonial USA, and more. Tickets to the museum are $16 USD.

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More Things To Do On A Day Trip To New York City

If you want to spend more time with the Statue of Liberty and visit Ellis Island, you might like this optionthatincludes a guided pre-ferry tour of Battery Park.

Or pay a visit to the top of One World Observatory with this skip-the-line ticket.

If youre staying the night in New York, consider this sunset cruise in New York Harbor.

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Other Tours + Itineraries

Here for multiple days? Check out our 3 days in NYC post.

Here are a few of our favorite paid tours offered by partners:

• Availability: Daily at 9:30 AM

This tour is very well-reviewed and includes:

• Everything from their 6-hour tour
• Plus admission to One World Observatory

• Ticket Prices: $59 for Adults | $49 for Children
• Duration: 2 Hours guided 3-5 hours self-guided
• Availability: Daily at 9 am.

This tour is also well-reviewed and includes:

• Statue of Liberty Ferry Ride
• Entrance to Liberty Island Museum
• 9/11 Memorial

USA Guided Bus Tour

This 5 1/2-hour bus package includes a ride around the city where professional tour guides will provide commentary about each stop.

The tour is very well-reviewed and tickets are reasonable considering it includes all of this:

• Ticket Prices: $89 for Adults | $79 for Children
• Duration: 5 ½ hours

• to get your tickets

Tourist Passes

If you are considering purchasing a tourist discount pass, which allows you to bundle tickets for attractions and tours into one discounted price, you may be interested in taking a look at their itineraries.

We have the definitive post on tourist passes. We analyze each one and compare them for you.

Each of these tourist pass companies offers sample itineraries to help you plan to get the most savings possible.

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Dont Obsess About The Main Tourist Attractions In Nyc You Cant See Everything In One Trip

Dont feel like you need to do everything. A lot of my friends come to NYC feeling overwhelmed and like they need to see/do all the major attractions. As someone who grew up in New York, I can tell you: you will NEVER see everything. Ive tried, but New York City never stays the same That said, the major attractions remain there for your next trip.

Nothing remains stationary, so even if you live in New York, youll constantly be discovering new neighborhoods, museum exhibits, and eateries! I love to pick up Time Out New York or check their website to find out about upcoming parties, events, and museum exhibitions. A new edition comes out each week.

I think that one of the most important things to know when traveling to New York is that you can try and rush about to see AS MUCH AS possible, but at some point, consider what you actually want to see rather than ticking off every box off some list you found on the internet.

Stroll Down Fifth Avenue And Check Out Iconic Spots

New Yorks Fifth Avenue is among the most famous streets on the planet, and its packed with some of the most famous storefronts and tourist sights in the world!

Here are just a few things not to miss during your walk down Fifth Avenue.

The Plaza Hotel

Located right next to the southern end of Central Park, youll recognize this iconic luxury hotel from plenty of movies and shows over the years!

Rockefeller Center

Even if youre not headed to the Top of the Rock, the area immediately surrounding Rockefeller Center is definitely worth swerving slightly off 5th for.

Be sure to check out the Atlas statue as well as the exterior of Radio City Music Hall around the cornerand if youre looking for an over-the-top Manhattan take on a beloved childrens brand, Nintendo and Lego also have storefronts here.

St. Patricks Cathedral

Arguably the most impressive religious structure in New York, the impressive Neo-Gothic St. Patricks Cathedral looks almost out of place on modern, consumer-focused Fifth Avenue, but the building is stunning.

New York Public Library

The main branch of the New York Public Library, with its imposing lion statues guarding the front steps, is a city icon in its own right.

Be sure to step inside to admire the Rose Reading Room!

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Eat All The Delicious Food In Nyc Dont Eat At Chain Restaurants And Dont Feel Like You Only Need To Go To Only Cool Hotspots

There are about a million cool eateries and the best places to eat in NYC list is ever-changing, however, there is something to be said for the foods that make me miss New York.

That list is fairly constant and includes bagels, pizza, and Chinese food. Just take out some cash as many cheaper New York restaurants that mostly cater to locals are cash only. Youll easily find ATMs all over Manhattan, so dont worry about finding one.

Food lovers, consider this a competition of how many you can try while in New York: bagels ), New York Style PIZZA , great Dim Sum , Chicken & Rice , Bialy , Black & White Cookies, Cheesecake from Juniors, Babka , steak, pastrami sandwiches, knishes, hamburgers , and delicious Ramen.

Note that rainbow bagels are not on this list as they taste like play-doh. There are so many better foods to eat AND Instagram while youre in New York. Prioritize taste over appearance. Its also great not having to wait in line for one treat. For bagels, I think that its harder to find a place with a bad bagel At least I havent found one yet!

New York City Itinerary: Day 4

Brooklyn

Walking distance: 4 miles

Brooklyn is becoming one of New York Citys hot spots to visit. With historic neighborhoods, a fabulous food scene, and some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, this is a great place to add to your New York City itinerary.

Since Brooklyn is so large, its impossible to visit all of it in just one day. With just one day you can visit the neighborhood of Williamsburg and the areas along the East River. Think of today as a mini food tour combined with some of the best views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Dumbo

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

The day starts in Williamsburg, a wonderful neighborhood with boutique shops, a variety of restaurants, and the Brooklyn Brewery. Then, take a ferry on the East River to Dumbo and the Brooklyn Bridge. From here, enjoy one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, dine on the best pizza in the city, and end with a walk over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Get the full details in our article: One Perfect Day in Brooklyn

PRO TRAVEL TIP: This Brooklyn day trip works best on a Saturday or Sunday. Both Brooklyn Bowl and the Brooklyn Brewery open midday on the weekend, versus 6 pm during the weekdays. Plus, midtown Manhattan and the popular touristy sites in New York can be very crowded on the weekends, so Brooklyn makes a nice escape from the crowds.

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Stop #: Top Of The Rock Observatory

For comparative purposes, you’ll want to conclude your afternoon with the amazing aerial views of New York available from the Top of the Rock Observatory. Its one of the most popular things to do in all of New York, and its truly a unique perspective on the city. The Top of the Rock has three floors of indoor and outdoor observation decks, plus 360-degree views of the city below.

Some of the landmarks youll be able to spot from this vantage point include the Chrysler Building, the Freedom Tower, Central Park, and more. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction, although visiting this late in the day will mean longish wait times. If you’re only choosing one observation deck on your NYC itinerary, make sure to visit early in the day.

For more information, read all of our Tips for Visiting the Top of The Rock before you go. It will help you to make the most of your visit.

Getting In: Top of the Rock Observatory tickets are available as an option on the Go New York pass.

Best Homestay In New York Bed

This comfortable private room has its own entrance and two huge windows that let in plenty of light! This warm and characterful homestay is packed with vintage decor, giving an intimate feel. You can choose between preparing a meal in the kitchen or making food with the microwave and mini-fridge in your room. Look out for the cats in the communal areas!

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Best Views Of New York City

For our multiple trips to New York, weve used a New York Pass to make the most of our time and save money. Many of these New York Views are accessible with the New York Pass. Check it out to see if it works for you.

Note: Openings and closures are changing regularly as New York City opens up after COVID. Some activities, bars, restaurants, and attractions may be closed or limited. Check this website for updates, resources and restrictions in New York.

Other Hotels With Views At Times Square Are:

• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar New Yorks largest outdoor Rooftop Garden with fantastic city views.
• Bar 54 A rooftop bar located at the Hyatt Centric on the 54 Floor.
• St. Cloud Rooftop Bar at the Knickerbocker Hotel
• Supernova Restaurant and Bar has such great views it even offers viewfinders to have a closer look at the skyscrapers

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See Shows On The Cheap

If you’re flexible with which shows you see and when, you can save as much as 50% off on same-day tickets both for on and off broadway shows. Simply show up at the official Last Minute Ticket booths to see what is playing that night. We’ve done this on two visits, the first time we saw Avenue Q and the classic Chicago.

The TKTS booth in Times Square which sells discounted show tickets daily. Simply pop by and see what’s marked down!

Nyc On Budget: Subway And Shoes

Our suggested itinerary for New York covers some ground ! In order to keep up, you will need two things: comfortable travel shoes and a MetroCard for the New York City Subway. An unlimited weekly MetroCard costs $33 USD, plus $1 for the card. More info about using the subways and the MetroCard are included at the end of the post.

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Spend A Morning At The Statue Of Liberty

If you ask anyone you know they are going to say that one of the top things to see in New York is the Statue of Liberty. We would agree but you do have to be committed and have the time. It takes several hours of your day.

If you are visiting New York during high season, you can stand in line for hours waiting to catch the ferry. Even when we went during the offseason, we had to wait for 45 minutes just for the ferry to fill up. It is then a 15-minute ride from Battery Park out to Liberty Island.

Do you have limited time? Make sure to read our post on How to Make the Most out of your visit to the Statue of Liberty

When you get to the Statue of Liberty you can book a time to go up to the top of the statue of Liberty Head and you can walk around lady liberty admiring the views of Manhattan.

Theres an excellent museum to visit with the original flame on display. If this is your first trip to New York you will want to make time to see this as it is really impressive and worth the cost.

• Cost: Free with New York Pass but there are no skip the line or VIP entrance. You must go inside the castle to get a hard copy ticket for the line.
• Google Maps:Castle Clinton National Monument located in Lower Manhattan.

The Subway May Be The Fastest Form Of Transportation

NYC can have terrible traffic at any time of the day or night. Thats why the subway can be your fastest way to get from point A to point B. I know the subway can be intimidating especially for those that are not used to taking public transportation, but its not that bad! Trust me you will save time and money. You will need a MetroCard, which you can buy at any subway station, to pay the fare.

Here are a few NYC subway tips:

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