Budget Travel - Any experience with CityPass NYC?

I'm taking time out in March to do NYC for just under a week and have been dutifully web searching for sights, museums, etc. and came upon two products that look similiar in concept, though perhaps different in price inclusions and validity.

One is a short, 3-day City Pass (http://citypass.com/) and while it's a relatively good value it appears for a short stay at USD $53, I'm obviously staying longer and it wouldn't be ideal. The other product, called the New York Pass (http://www.newyorkpass.com/?AID=9760748&PID=1767846), allows a longer 7 day validity option, but is USD $139.00.

So my question is does anyone here have experience with either of these products, how they are accepted, billing, etc. In past NYC trips I haven't bought one but I am kinda attracted by the convenience factor and not having to carry lots of cash to pay for entrance fees.

BTW, wasn't sure if this fit into the Budget Travel theme, but thought the subject most applicable here so that's why it's where it is. If Mod.'s feel it more appropriate elsewhere, that's kosher.

My experience with these is that they are a decent value if you really plan to do ALL (or very nearly all) of the things on the list. Otherwise you can do just as well on your own. My friend bought one and I didn't, last time around, for that reason.
On the other hand, the convenience is certainly nice. Basically you'll buy the pass and then show the pass for a ticket/pay reduced price/whatever (if I recall, there are some discounts and 2-for-1 deals as well as free admissions, but I could be remembering incorrectly)

I agree with MKE-MR. You should probably figure out which attractions you plan to hit and see how they add up. If you plan to do all the things on the list, these passes can be a very good deal. But otherwise, going a la carte can make a lot more sense.

As for carrying cash, the vast majority of tourist sites in NYC take credit cards these days. So you don't have to carry all that much cash regardless.

i used this and its excellent. you get to beat the line at many places which is a huge advantage for me. the only thing that i didnt like is with the city pass you dont get confirmed on the ferry to statue of liberty. i was told to be on the first boat out. and im glad i was. i reserved through the statue of liberty website and paid for it even though its included in the city pass. i just wanted to make sure i was on the first one. my mom and i went out there in april of this year we got the city passes along with the double decker tour bus two day pass. well worth it. it brings you everywhere you want to go. take the nite time tour bus. awesome!!

Thanks for the feedback. I just wished the one product, the New York Pass, offered something between 3 and 7 days.

I will sit down and try and map out what sights, museums and attractions I plan to visit and run the numbers.

:)

In keeping with the "budget" theme of this forum:

An alternative to the expensive-and-crowded Statue of Liberty ferries is the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island and back. It's free, generally not too crowded (stay away from rush hour), and gives you a darn good view of Lady Liberty. Of course it doesn't actually take you to the statute, but you can see her just fine and get good photos. Go in the morning to get the best lighting. In the afternoon the sun sets behind the statue, making it harder to see and photograph.

An alternative to the ESB is the newly re-opened Top of the Rock observatory on the GE building. I haven't been up there yet, but it sounds better than the ESB to me, since it's a little cheaper, you can reserve a specific time (thus avoiding long lines), and it offers panoramic views that include the ESB (which you can't see from the ESB itself) and Central Park (which is mostly blocked by the GE building when viewed from the ESB). The ESB, OTOH, while not truly panoramic (you have to walk to different sides to see different directions) offers a view of the Statue of Liberty (which is blocked by the ESB from the Top of the Rock).

The City Pass is not a bad option, and the biggest advantage I found when I visited before moving here several years ago was the ability to skip the ticket line at the Empire State Building. (Keep in mind the ticket line is just the first line. There will be another line to get to the first elevator, a second line for the second elevator, a third line to come back down to the first elevator and a final line to get to the 1st floor. In summary - Go EARLY!)

HOWEVER - I agree with the previous poster - The Staten Island Ferry is the mode I use nearly everytime I show guests around the city. The boat goes within a few 100 yards of the Statue. As long as you don't mind not going in, you'll save literaly hours and money. The Ferry is free and you can relax, purchase a beer or other beverage and watch the Statue go by. Then when you get to Staten Island, you get off and go quickly to the entrance to the boat and go back. (You used to be able to ride it all day long without departing but Post-9/11 they make everyone leave and reboard.). Total trip is 25 minutes each way. You can literally be done in an 1:15.

Also, some of the museums I would recommend, last I checked, are not covered by the City Pass. The MOMa is great, but the Met is the premiere museum if you ask me. The Gugg is just ok, more of an attraction for its architecture. The Natural History is okay - the planetarium being the highlight, but I find the Historical Society and the Native American museum to be much better.

The Circle Line tours are ok for most tourists, though they're not usually my thing. This is New York, and the best way to see New York is on foot. Lots and lots of walking. There are dozens of books you can use to follow around the city on different neighborhood walks and stopping for lunch at little cafes or pizza joints or for live jazz at an old joint in the West Village - those are the New York experiences you'll treasure.

[QUOTE=tcook052]I'm taking time out in March to do NYC for just under a week and have been dutifully web searching for sights, museums, etc. /QUOTE]
Or, if you stocked up on lots of soup at Safeway last month, the AirMiles program has a NY CityPass discount voucher offer that you can get by redeeming 450 miles.

Check it here. (https://www.airmiles.ca/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Airmiles/Rewards/ProductDetail&pid=1066188284561&cid=1030894727275)

I don't know if it offers as much as the others, though.

Or, if you stocked up on lots of soup at Safeway last month, the AirMiles program has a NY CityPass discount voucher offer that you can get by redeeming 450 miles.

Check it here. (https://www.airmiles.ca/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Airmiles/Rewards/ProductDetail&pid=1066188284561&cid=1030894727275)

I don't know if it offers as much as the others, though.

Thanks for the info, Abby. Worth the 450 AM's? Still trying to decide as that's halfway to a YVR tkt. ;)

I found on the City Pass site that to avoid S&H you can send it to the hotel you're staying at or simply purchase it at one of the attractions, so will likely do one or the other. The other, longer pass option was much more money and didn't include MOMA, a must-do on this trip having missed it last time in '99, I think it was I was there last.

Thanks again for the input. :)