New York Attraction Tickets: Where to Buy & What We Recommend

What You Need to Know About Tickets for NYC Attractions

New York is packed with iconic things to see. You can find all Top 25 highlights and attractions in New York in our overview. But the most well-known spots fill up fast, and tickets go quickly.

While you can buy many tickets on the spot, you should expect long lines at the popular places — especially during peak season.

A much more relaxed approach: book your tickets online in advance. This is especially important if you only have a few days in New York.

Top spots like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or One World Observatory are frequently sold out during busy travel periods. If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, booking early is absolutely worth it — it saves you time and a whole lot of stress.

To help your city trip to New York go smoothly, we’ve put together a handy overview of the best NYC attraction tickets. This way you can quickly find the best providers and prices and book everything conveniently online.

Tickets for New York Observation Decks

New York’s observation decks are among the absolute highlights of the city. Here you’ll find the best tickets for the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and more.

The Edge New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

The Edge is one of the most popular observation decks in New York — and visitor numbers reflect that.

To avoid long wait times, booking online is the way to go — online tickets are usually available even on short notice. You can purchase them through the official website or via GetYourGuide.

Depending on the time of day and visitor group (adults, children, seniors), various ticket options are available at different price points.

The Edge New York Tickets from the Official Provider

The Edge New York Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our The Edge New York Ticket Recommendation

For your visit to the Edge observation deck, we recommend the Standard Ticket (General Admission).

It’s the most affordable and most popular option, and it delivers a seriously impressive experience. We booked this ticket ourselves and were completely satisfied.

Also read:

Empire State Building Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous attractions in the world — and it gets correspondingly crowded.

To skip the wait and lock in your preferred time slot, book your ticket online at least three days in advance.

Tickets are available through the official website as well as providers like GetYourGuide or Tiqets — often with flexible scheduling and free cancellation.

Beyond the standard tickets for the 86th and 102nd floors, you can also book special tickets for sunrise and sunset visits, express entry, or guided tours. Sunset slots are particularly popular and go fast.

Empire State Building Tickets from the Official Provider

Empire State Building Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Empire State Building Ticket Recommendation

For the Empire State Building, we recommend the General Admission ticket for the 86th floor.

It’s the most affordable option and still delivers a great experience — including a 360-degree panoramic view and access to the exhibition galleries.

Honestly, you can skip the pricier 102nd floor option. Instead, we’d suggest combining the 86th floor at the Empire State Building with the even higher Edge observation deck. Two incredible views, less money spent.

Also read:

Top of the Rock New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center offers a 360-degree panorama of New York, including an unobstructed view of the Empire State Building.

The best tickets are available on the official website or through GetYourGuide — usually with flexible cancellation too.

Options include standard tickets for the observation deck, combo tickets with the popular “The Beam” photo experience, and VIP tickets with fast lane access, a photo pass, and a souvenir discount. Prices depend on the ticket type, and children under 6 get in free.

We recommend booking your Top of the Rock ticket at least two to three days in advance to get a time slot that works for you.

Top of the Rock New York Tickets from the Official Provider

Top of the Rock New York Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Top of the Rock New York Ticket Recommendation

For your visit to Top of the Rock, we recommend the Top of the Rock Standard Ticket — the most affordable option that still delivers an unforgettable experience high above the New York skyline.

It includes access to all three levels of the observation deck, including the open-air outdoor areas, plus a full 360-degree view of the city. And it’s available from all providers.

We chose this ticket ourselves and were really happy with it.

Add-ons like Skylift or The Beam can be booked spontaneously on-site if you decide you want them.

Also read:

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt New York Tickets

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is the newest observation deck in New York. Beyond the stunning city views, it features impressive art installations and a glass exterior elevator.

Tickets are available on the official website or through GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

There are different ticket types — from basic admission to a combo with the “Ascent” elevator that takes you even higher up the outside of the building. Prices vary depending on the time of day and the ticket you choose.

Same deal here: sunset time slots are highly sought after and sell out fast. Book your SUMMIT ticket ideally four to five days in advance.

SUMMIT New York Tickets from the Official Provider

SUMMIT New York Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our SUMMIT New York Ticket Recommendation

For your visit to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, we recommend the SUMMIT Experience Standard Ticket. It’s the most affordable option, available from all three providers, and gives you full access to all levels, installations, and photo spots.

We booked this ticket ourselves and can recommend it from personal experience.

Also read:

New York One World Trade Center Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

One World Observatory at One World Trade Center is not only the highest observation deck in New York, but also a place of profound significance.

You can book tickets on the official website or through providers like GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

Ticket options range from the standard ticket to an all-inclusive ticket with priority entry, a digital skyline guide, and a $15 voucher for the souvenir shop or café.

If you want to catch the sunset from up here, book your ticket two to three days in advance. For spontaneous visits, last-minute online tickets are often still available — but you may run into wait times.

One World Trade Center Tickets from the Official Provider

The official provider adds a booking fee of $3.50 on top.

One World Trade Center Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our One World Trade Center Ticket Recommendation

We recommend the One World Observatory All-Inclusive Ticket — it offers the best overall package.

The ticket includes flexible admission, priority access through security and the elevator, a top-notch panoramic vista, a digital skyline guide, and $15 off food, drinks, and souvenirs.

Also read:

Statue of Liberty New York Tickets

The Statue of Liberty is one of those attractions where buying tickets is a bit more complicated — but we’ll walk you through it.

Important: Only through the official Statue of Liberty website can you get tickets that actually let you go INSIDE the statue — meaning up to the pedestal or all the way to the crown. Third-party providers only sell trips to the island, without access to the statue itself.
There are three ticket types: the Reserve ticket (island only), the Pedestal ticket (access to the pedestal), and the rare Crown ticket, which takes you all the way up to the crown — but it’s extremely limited and often sells out weeks in advance.

If you really want to go inside the statue, book early directly through the official site. Don’t let other providers confuse you — they sell tours to the island, but no actual access to the statue itself.

Statue of Liberty Tickets from the Official Provider

Statue of Liberty Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Statue of Liberty Ticket Recommendation

For the Statue of Liberty, we recommend a straightforward excursion package with ferry, access to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and both museums.

Honestly, you can skip the climb up to the crown or pedestal. The view from up there is rather unspectacular, and New York has far more impressive vantage points like The Edge or Top of the Rock.

The visit is still totally worth it: seeing the statue up close, taking photos, and exploring the museum on Ellis Island are genuine highlights.

Also read:

One Times Square Tickets

The One Times Square Deck is New York’s newest observation deck, so tickets are naturally in high demand. Right now, tickets are also only available through the official One Times Square website.

There you can find standard tickets for the deck and special tickets for access during the famous NYE Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve.

Whether tickets will eventually become available through third-party providers like GetYourGuide, or be included in a New York Pass, remains to be seen.

One Times Square Tickets from the Official Provider

Tickets for New York Museums

New York is a paradise for art and culture lovers — from world-famous museums to contemporary exhibitions. Here’s how to get tickets for MoMA, the 9/11 Museum, and more:

MoMA New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

The MoMA is one of the world’s most important museums for modern and contemporary art. A visit is absolutely worth your time — whether you’re a serious art enthusiast or simply curious.

Tickets are available on the official website and through GetYourGuide. And GetYourGuide gives you much more flexibility: same prices, instant delivery to your phone, free cancellation, and no waiting in line at the ticket counter.

You can choose between standard tickets and combo tickets with guided tours or other attractions. Children under 16 get in free.

Book your MoMA ticket two to three days in advance to secure your preferred date.

MoMA New York Tickets from the Official Provider

MoMA New York Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our MoMA New York Ticket Recommendation

We recommend booking the MoMA Standard Ticket through one of the two third-party providers.

The price and gallery access are identical, but with GetYourGuide and Tiqets you also get the option of free cancellation.

9/11 Museum New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

A visit to the 9/11 Museum isn’t something you just “squeeze in.” It’s a quiet, powerful place that really gets under your skin — and that’s exactly why it’s worth planning your visit carefully.

The easiest way to do that is with an online ticket through GetYourGuide. You skip the line at the ticket counter, get your ticket straight to your phone, and have flexible cancellation if plans change.

There are various options: standard tickets, combo tickets with One World Observatory, and guided tours.

It gets especially busy in the afternoons and on weekends. Book your time slot one to two days in advance to get in without a long wait.

9/11 Museum Tickets from the Official Provider

9/11 Museum Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our 9/11 Museum Ticket Recommendation

We recommend the 9/11 Museum Standard Ticket. It lets you take in the exhibition entirely at your own pace.

Also worth knowing: access to the Memorial is free. So you can check that out before or after on your own.

Guggenheim Museum New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

The Guggenheim Museum is a showstopper even just for its building. Inside, you’ll find world-class modern art.

To avoid wait times and keep your visit flexible, it’s a good idea to book tickets online in advance.

Through GetYourGuide, you can get tickets with full access to all exhibitions plus a downloadable audio guide. Compared to the official website, these tickets also come with free cancellation.

For a relaxed visit, book your ticket one to two days ahead — especially if you’re planning a weekend visit or going during peak hours. This secures your preferred time window and helps you avoid long queues.

Our tip: A visit to the Guggenheim Museum pairs perfectly with a stroll through nearby Central Park.

Guggenheim Museum Tickets from the Official Provider

Guggenheim Museum Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Guggenheim Museum Ticket Recommendation

We recommend the Guggenheim Museum Standard Ticket. It gives you access to all exhibitions.

The collection changes regularly, so a visit is worth it even if you’ve been before.

Museum of Natural History New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

The Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular museums in New York — and it’s not just for kids.

Tickets are available online through the official website, as well as from GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

All three providers offer standard tickets with full access to the entire exhibition.

Prices are the same everywhere, but booking through a third-party provider like GetYourGuide is often easier: flexible cancellation, ticket delivered straight to your phone, and no waiting in line.

We recommend booking one to two days in advance. The museum gets really crowded on weekends, and the on-site ticket line can be endless.

Museum of Natural History Tickets from the Official Provider

Museum of Natural History Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Museum of Natural History Ticket Recommendation

While there’s only one ticket category for the Museum of Natural History, we do recommend booking your Museum of Natural History ticket through one of the third-party providers.

That way you can cancel flexibly and for free, even at the last minute.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

Buying tickets for the Met is also straightforward, and doing it online is simply more convenient.

You can get tickets through the official website or at GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

On the official site, there’s a standard ticket with access to all Met locations (Fifth Avenue and the Met Cloisters).

The Met Fifth Avenue is the museum’s main building with collections from around the world, while the Met Cloisters is an off-site location in Fort Tryon Park specializing in medieval European art and architecture.

At GetYourGuide and Tiqets, you can get tickets that include guided tours only.

Met Tickets from the Official Provider

Met Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Met Ticket Recommendation

We recommend booking the Met ticket for the main building on Fifth Avenue through the official website.

The entry fee is very reasonable and you can explore exactly the exhibitions that genuinely interest you.

Also read:

Tickets for New York City Tours & Sightseeing Cruises

By bus or by boat — city tours are a great way to get to know New York. Here you’ll find the most popular tours and cruises, including tickets, at a glance.

New York Boat Tour Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

A boat tour through New York is one of the best ways to experience the skyline.

You can get tickets directly from the operator Circle Line, as well as through GetYourGuide and Tiqets. You can buy on-site at the pier too, but during peak times the lines can be long. Booking online is the smarter move.

Online, you lock in your time slot, avoid wait times of up to two hours, and get your ticket straight to your phone.

If great weather is forecast, book one to two days ahead. That said, tickets are often available spontaneously online too.

New York Boat Tour Tickets from the Official Provider

New York Boat Tour Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our New York Boat Tour Ticket Recommendation

From personal experience, we recommend the Harbor Lights cruise in New York. It gives you a completely different perspective on the city.

Booking through GetYourGuide has the added advantage that you can cancel super easily if plans change.

Also read:

New York Hop-on/Hop-off Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!
Big Bus is our top pick for hop-on/hop-off in New York — and that’s exactly what we recommend.

Tickets are cheapest online directly on the official Big Bus website, but also available at GetYourGuide and Tiqets — with all the familiar benefits like flexible cancellation and combo deals, for example with a boat tour or the Empire State Building.

You can buy tickets on-site too, but they actually cost a few dollars more and you may face long wait times.

Our tip: Do the hop-on/hop-off tour on your first day in New York. It’s a great way to get a solid first overview of the city.

New York Hop-on/Hop-off Tickets from the Official Provider

New York Hop-on/Hop-off Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our New York Hop-on/Hop-off Ticket Recommendation

We recommend the 24-hour ticket for the Big Bus New York — it lets you see a lot of the city without spending too much time in one spot.

Given the currently steep price markup at GetYourGuide, try to book through the official website first.

Also read:

Tickets for New York Musicals & Shows

New York offers world-class entertainment for every taste. Here you’ll find tickets for Broadway musicals and popular TV shows like The Tonight Show.

Broadway New York Tickets

For Broadway musicals in New York, booking online in advance is the way to go — especially for popular shows like The Lion King, Hamilton, or Wicked, which are often sold out weeks ahead.

Check both the official show websites and the offerings at GetYourGuide and Tiqets. Depending on the provider, there are different ticket allotments and sometimes even better seating options.

Another great option is TodayTix, a well-known platform for Broadway tickets with daily deals and lotteries.

For last-minute tickets, try the TKTS booth at Times Square. On the day of the show, they often have deeply discounted remaining tickets. Some shows also offer lottery or day-of tickets directly through their website or apps. It’s affordable, but not guaranteed.

Here are 3 ticket recommendations from us:
Hamilton New York Tickets at GetYourGuide

Wicked New York Tickets at GetYourGuide

Aladdin New York Tickets at GetYourGuide

TV Show New York Tickets

TV show tickets in New York are a seriously cool way to have an unforgettable evening. And there are quite a few shows in the city where you can be part of the live audience.

Many of the big shows, like the Tonight Show or Saturday Night Live, offer free tickets — but you need to act fast because they go really quickly.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is one of the most popular TV productions in New York. Tickets are free, but they’re in very high demand. The best way to get in is through the Tonight Show ticket website 1iota, where you can sign up to enter a ticket lottery.

At the end of each month, ticket requests for the following month open up. Check daily for the best chance. If you’re lucky, you’ll be added to the waitlist and get a notification when a ticket becomes available.

Alternatively, on the day of the show you can ask at the NBC Store at Rockefeller Center about standby tickets — but that takes a lot of luck too, since those tickets don’t guarantee entry.

Also read:

New York Sports Tickets

Sports fans are in their element in New York. Here you can experience world-class teams live — whether it’s NBA with the Knicks, baseball with the Yankees, or football with the Jets.

NBA New York Tickets

NBA tickets for the New York Knicks are available directly on the official Knicks NBA website, as well as through Tiqets.

The Knicks play their home games at Madison Square Garden, one of the most famous arenas in the world.

Tickets are available for every individual game, with various options to choose from — from single tickets to multi-game packages.

The NBA season runs from October to April, and demand is high, so we recommend booking as early as possible — especially for popular matchups against top teams.

If you’re feeling spontaneous, you can try buying tickets at Madison Square Garden on the day, but for big games or during peak times, last-minute availability is limited.

NBA New York Knicks Tickets on the Official Website

NBA New York Knicks Tickets at Tiqets

Baseball New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

The best way to get tickets for the New York Yankees is through the official Yankees MLB website or through providers like Tiqets or Ticketmaster US.

Games are played at the legendary Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The season runs from April to October, with games taking place almost every day.

That means great chances of catching a live game — often even fairly last-minute. Still, buying online in advance is worth it for better seats and to compare prices.

For especially popular games or weekend dates, book at least a few weeks ahead — demand is high, particularly for games against big rivals like the Boston Red Sox.

New York Yankees Tickets on the Official Website

New York Yankees Tickets at Tiqets

New York Yankees Tickets at Ticketmaster US

Football New York Tickets

Tickets for the New York Jets are available directly through the official website or through providers like Ticketmaster US or SeatGeek.

Home games are played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — super easy to reach from Manhattan.

The NFL season runs from September to January, with only a handful of home games per team. Demand is high, especially for weekend games or matchups against strong opponents. Booking early is a must — ideally as soon as the schedule drops.

Third-party providers often have more seating options, offer convenient mobile ticket access, and sometimes also provide combo deals including stadium tours or transfers.

For spontaneous fans, there are sometimes remaining tickets available on-site, but buying online in advance is safer — and often cheaper.

New York Jets Tickets on the Official Website

New York Jets Tickets at Ticketmaster US

New York Jets Tickets at SeatGeek

More New York Tickets for Families

To wrap things up, we have two more family highlights in store: the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Madame Tussauds. Exciting, entertaining, and totally family-friendly.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

Buying tickets for the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is straightforward, and for families especially, booking online is worth it.

Tickets are available through the official website as well as at GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

On the official site, you’ll find the standard ticket with access to the aircraft carrier, submarine, and Space Shuttle pavilion. Children under 4 get in free, and there are discounted tickets for older kids.

At GetYourGuide and Tiqets, you get the same tickets with the added benefit of free cancellation.

Intrepid Museum Tickets from the Official Provider

Children ages 5 to 12 pay around $10 less for admission! Children ages 0 to 5 get in free!

Intrepid Museum Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Intrepid Museum Ticket Recommendation

We recommend buying your Intrepid Museum New York ticket through Tiqets. The price there is unbeatable!

Madame Tussauds New York Tickets

Included in the New York Pass!

A visit to Madame Tussauds New York is a real highlight for families. Book your tickets online to save time — and often money too.

They’re available through the official website as well as at GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

The standard ticket on the official site gets you access to all the wax figures — including celebrities, athletes, and superheroes. There are also additional options such as fast-track entry or add-on experiences like the Photo Pass.

GetYourGuide and Tiqets offer the same tickets, but with flexible cancellation.

You can often get last-minute online tickets for your desired day as well.

Madame Tussauds Tickets from the Official Provider

Madame Tussauds Tickets from Third-Party Providers

Our Madame Tussauds Ticket Recommendation

Here too, Tiqets has the best deals and prices for Madame Tussauds New York. So we recommend booking the Madame Tussauds Standard Ticket at Tiqets.

Also read:

New York Tourist Pass or Individual Tickets?

A Tourist Pass is totally worth it in New York! Especially if you have multiple highlights on your list.

Our favorite is the New York Pass for 4 days. It gives you access to over 100 attractions, including the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Top of the Rock, the MoMA, a hop-on/hop-off bus tour, and even boat tours to the Statue of Liberty.

The pass costs around $300. That sounds like a lot at first — but if you pack in a solid amount over four days, you can save over $200 compared to buying individual tickets.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about individual bookings and can plan your sightseeing days flexibly.

So our strong recommendation: if you want to see a lot in a short amount of time, the New York Pass is a great choice.

You can buy the New York Pass here!
And here you’ll find all the additional info:

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Tickets