New York City in 72 Hours

By Go City Expert

This post originally appeared in Chaus Adventure a blog by a couple from London, travelling the world.
Top of the Rock | New York Pass View from Top of the Rock
New York is one of the most popular cities in the US and it is easy to see why. Known as the City that Never Sleeps, is it possible do to New York in a weekend? The answer is yes and we will show you how! We spent a total of 96 hours in New York, of which 24 hours was spent at a wedding and with friends. So in reality, we only had 72 hours to explore! We travelled with the New York Pass and this is one of the main reasons why we were able to do so much in so little time! The New York Pass has over 90 attractions to choose from and it allows you to fast track some of the busiest attractions.
Passport covers by Always Rooney
What I loved most about the pass is their free app. This app allows you to plan your trip in advance, setting your own budgets and has all the details you need about each attractions. We planned our itinerary on the app before we travelled. The New York Pass cost: 1 Day Pass- $109 2 Day Pass- $189 3 Day Pass- $199 5 Day Pass- $249 7 Day Pass- $279 Overview of our itinerary and cost without the New York Pass Day 1 (10 hours)
  • Grand Central Terminal
  • New York Public Library
  • Flatiron Building
  • Madison Square Park
  • The High Line
Day 2 (full day)
  • Big Bus Tour ($60)
  • New York Water Taxi Tour ($31)
  • Brooklyn Bridge cycle ($45)
  • Brooklyn
  • 9-11 Memorial
  • Oculus Shopping Mall
  • Empire State Building ($32)
Day 3 (full day)
  • MOMA ($25)
  • Central Park cycle ($49)
  • NY Natural History Museum ($22)
  • Top of the Rock ($32)
  • The Ride ($74)
Day 4 (14 hours)
  • Madame Tussauds ($37)
  • 9-11 Museum ($24)
Top of the Rock
We were able to squeeze most of New York City into 72 hours as you can see! We absolutely loved the New York Pass. Without the New York Pass, we would have had to spend $433 per person on attractions alone on this trip...!! Even if you consider the cost of the pass ($199- 3 day pass) we saved a massive $234 each, $468 in total! We have reviewed many city passes before and hands down, the New York Pass is the best one so far. The card itself resembles a chip and pin card and all you have to do is hand this card over at each ticket counter and you can get your tickets for free. A lot of other city passes do not give you free access to the most popular attractions or they only offer tickets at a reduced price. The New York Pass included everything we wanted to see in New York (and more) and when they say FREE, they mean free! Some of the queues (or ‘lines’ as they say in America) were horrendously long... We were so glad have fast track tickets because it literally saved us hours of waiting. If you are planning to visit New York, seriously consider this pass. Unless you have no interest in saving money or time... Stay tuned for more on our trip to NYC. On our next post, we will show you more photos and tell you more about each attraction we visited! You can get yourself a New York Pass HERE, there is a sale on right now!

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Shopping Spree In New York

New York Pass Holiday Shopping Spree The holidays are all about giving and spreading that magical seasons' spirit. With that being said, the New York Pass is giving back to pass holders in a big way this year and allowing them to enjoy their trip to New York City even more. As we get closer to the Holidays, many people are worried about how they will be able to buy gifts for their family or even personal presents for themselves. Especially if you've already spent money on your vacation to New York. Thus, we're giving New York Pass customers the chance to win a special $500 shopping spree. Winning the grand prize means you take home a $500 Century 21 gift card. Selected winners will be able to use the gift card inside of the Century 21 department store. There will also be a number of runner-ups selected to take home a $100 or $50 Century 21 gift card. How To Enter Getting your hands on this shopping spree will probably be the easiest money that you have ever earned. In fact, all you actually need in order to enter is an Instagram account. Pass holders can enter the contest by simply following the New York Pass on Instagram, posting pictures during their trip to NYC, and using the hashtag #NYPHolidaySweep. Piece of cake right? Contestants may post as many pictures from their trip as they like. Just remember to continually tag New York Pass for your chance to win. This is your opportunity to bring out your inner-photographer and show off the sights of the city. Winner All winners for the Holiday Sweepstakes will be selected on December 8th based on the engagement of their posts. Therefore, the more traffic that you drive to your post, the greater chance you have of winning the shopping spree. Make sure that you are sharing your posts and spreading the word to your friends to like and comment on your pictures so that you're more likely to show up as one of the top posts on Instagram in the #NYPHolidaySweep search. Now you're ready to go out and win that shopping spree! Good luck.
Go City Expert
rain nyc
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Things to do in New York When it Rains

Rain; the burden of humanity. For millennia we've built roofs to keep it out, and created devices to keep it from touching our delicate skin. While you may be tempted to stay in when the heavens open, why let an entire weekend go to waste? Get out there and see what things there are to do in New York when it rains. Don't worry about the research; we did all that for you. Simply scroll down and learn all about the best things to do in New York when it rains! Including: American Museum of Natural History Madame Tussauds New York & MARVEL Universe 4D New York's amazing art museums Escape Virtuality Area 53 and more! Image courtesy of Mykolastock/Shutterstock Get historical, naturally What better way to dodge mother nature's shower than dipping into a museum? New York's full of the beauties, but we'd recommend the American Museum of Natural History. Why? Well, because it has freaking dinosaurs. What else do you need? The site of the famous Night at the Museum movies, inside you'll find one of the biggest collections of dinosaur bones on the planet. But of course, there's much more than just that. How does a 94-foot whale model sound? Equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying? Absolutely. How about a giant, 2000-year-old sequoia tree? Brilliant. Why not top things off with a 563-carat sapphire named the 'Star of India'? Yes. All that and much more awaits you in one of the world's premier museums. So why wait? Easily one of the best things to do in New York when it rains. Image courtesy of Alina Zamogilnykh/Shutterstock Rub waxy shoulders with the stars Hollywood has become somewhat synonymous with plastic surgery. The ever-evolving need to reach perfection has resulted in generations of body augmentation. But if you think Hollywood is plastic, wait till you get a glimpse of the static stars at Madame Tussauds! Everyone's favorite fame celebration is here, letting you snap photos with all the stars. And best of all, there won't be a streak of blur in sight! Throw gang signs with Donald Trump, hop on E.T.'s bike without his permission, and mingle with other people who do acting! And, for you superhero fans out there, you can also attend Marvel Universe 4D, an immersive cinema experience that brings your favorite spandex-wearing heroes to life. And best of all, it's all inside! If it wasn't, would the famous people melt? Who knows? Get some much needed culture in you Speaking of ducking the rain, why not fill your mind while doing it? We're talking art, ladies and gentlemen, and New York's got more art museums than you can shake a brush at. Let's start with the Museum of Modern Art — or 'MoMA', because you've got to love an acronym in this day and age. It's one of the most influential modern art museums in the world, with a fantastic collection of contemporary pieces housed within its delightful walls. See the likes of van Gogh's 'Starry Night', and Warhol's 'Soup Cans' up close. And take photos aplenty, of course. Or, go check out the famous Guggenheim, another brilliant collection of works from artists around the world. With big hitters like Picasso, Manet, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Renoir on show, you're bound to find something inspirational within its beautifully-designed walls. Or, for more modern art from more alive artists, go hide in the Whitney Museum of American Art. Focusing on active artists from the US, it helps ensure the American art scene survives and thrives throughout the years. And who knows, maybe you'll discover the next big thing there, or find your new favorite artist? Whichever you decide to go to, having your mind blown at one of New York's art museums is definitely one of the best things to do when it rains in the city. Reality, but virtually better What better way to avoid the reality of a rainy day in New York than to escape our reality completely? Discover new, exciting realities via a funky headset at Escape Virtuality - NYC's biggest and best virtual reality fun house! Challenge a friend, or a stranger, to a myriad of sports, activities, and other immersive experiences. Glide down a mountain on skis, or run from monsters in a haunted house. Climb a sheer cliff, jump out of a plane, or hop behind the wheel of a souped-up racecar. Let your imagination come to life, thanks to the movement replication of Escape Virtuality's ergonomic setup. Feel every hill, every fall, and every turn. It really has to be seen to be believed, so go and get your mind blown on the next rainy day! Area 51-adjacent Sometimes, the thrill of outdoor adventure is too good to pass up. We all have to get extreme sometimes, right? But if you're averse to a little downpour, you needn't throw cold water over the idea. Instead, head to Area 53 - New York's funner, safer alternative to Nevada's secret UFO base. Whether you're with friends, family, or planning a date, Area 53 has a wealth of fun activities on offer. Take your chances on the ninja course, try and escape the laser maze, bomb it down slides, or go head-to-head in the Battle Beam arena (think laser tag meets foam party). All that and much more awaits you at Area 53. Oh, and if you're looking for some kid-free fun, they also host over 21s nights with no rascals and sight, and a packed bar to boot. Secret drinks Let's round off our list of the best things to do in New York when it rains with a more refreshing downpour. We're talking bars, but not just any bars. Nope, today let's talk about secret speakeasies. Like many big cities these days, New York has seen the recent craze of faux-speakeasy slash cocktail bars hit its shores. So why not duck out of the rain and dive into a drink or three? La Noxe is one such place, and you'll find it tucked inside the 28th street subway station. Along with its rather diverse and affordable cocktail menu, you'll find a delightfully low-key ambiance, tapas bites, and smooth tunes in the background. Or, head to The Little Shop in Lower Manhattan. On first glance, it looks like your average convenience store, with snacks, household items, and other necessities on offer. However, head to the back, and you'll make your way into a secret speakeasy with a brilliant drinks menu. Your discovery will be the talk of the water cooler come Monday. And finally, pop into Attaboy, snuggled secretly into an often-overlooked part of Eldridge Street. This little speakeasy even has merch if you want to represent, and a patio - when the weather clears up. And that's our list of the best things to do in New York when it rains!
Dom Bewley
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5 Days In New York City - Andrea Serrano

As a former New Yorker, this city will always represent the most profound part of my life. It was a time where my focus was my career in the fashion industry and knowing where the hottest party was every night of the week. The one thing I didn’t take advantage of was the diverse tourist attractions. As a local, going to all of the sites isn’t usually a top priority unless you have family or friends in town. 13 years and 2 kids later, coming back to New York for 5 days as a tourist was actually the most important thing on my list. These sites are a reminder of how New York is the epicenter of culture and continues to influence the world. The New York Pass is your ticket to all of the sites in the city and beyond. If you are planning to visit New York City and want to pack in more than a few attractions then The New York Pass is the way to go. There are several packages you can buy - 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 10 days. Purchasing this pass guarantees lower rates for each site and faster entry at given locations. The other great addition is the guidebook that is divided up by area. The book provides a description of each site, and the nearest buses and trains to take. Starting at $119 for a one day pass to $399 for a 10 day pass the value is undeniable. [caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Day 1: You can’t go to New York without going to Central Park. This big slice of greenery in the middle of a concrete jungle is your only escape into nature in the city. The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is the perfect place to capture a moment with your family. [caption id="attachment_1375" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Central Park - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 2: This day was jam packed with adventure! We started out at The American Museum of Natural History and if you have kids, this is a must. We took in the underwater re-creations of oceans all over the world, the evolution of man, and ancient dinosaur bones. This massive museum could also take days to walk through, but with more stops along the way we had to keep it moving. The next stop was the Top of the Rock to view the city. The breathtaking views from the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center are breathtaking and the waiting time to see it wasn’t that bad. We ended the day at The Statue of Liberty. If there are only a few places you have time to see in New York, this should be on the top of your list. This was the 1st passageway for so many immigrants who made America what it is today. Taking the ferry over to the island, you wonder what these people were feeling as they set their sites on their new home. You must do the audio tour which is included in the package. The history and the stories are palpable as you listen to recordings of real immigrants on their journey to the land of the free. [caption id="attachment_1377" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Statue of Liberty - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 3: With so much to see in the city it could be overwhelming. We opted for a break in the hustle and bustle to check out Coney Island. I’ve been there more than a few times, but in the past few years they have made some great updates including new rides and the vibrant Coney Art Walls. With the New York Pass you can get 4 hours of rides at Luna Park plus access to Deno's Wonder Wheel which is great because you can really cover a lot of ground in those few hours. Other new additions were some great new gift shops with quality Coney Island merchandise and restaurants with some healthy food options that were non-existent just a few years ago. [caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Deno's Wonder Wheel - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 4: Our weekend continued in Brooklyn as we visited the New York Transit Museum. Located in a defunct subway station in downtown Brooklyn, this is one of the sleeper hits when it comes to taking in history of New York. Housing historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, commuter rail, and bridge and tunnel systems it’s impressive for both children and adults. I love going into all of the old subway cars and seeing all of the beautiful details like padded wicker seats and old advertisements on display. [caption id="attachment_1385" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] New York Transit Museum - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 5: We ended our trip with the 9/11 Memorial Museum. I remember living in New York when this happened and how it forever changed so many people’s lives. I’m so glad I did, especially to pay respect to everyone who lost their lives and the first responders who risked everything. The museum did a a great job of documenting that day and displaying all of the artifacts. It was incredible to see people from all of the world there and realize how many people this event affected. Sharing all of these sites with my family over the 5 days of our trip was such a bonding experience and I can’t wait to come back and explore more. There are so many attractions to see and many that I wouldn't mind visiting over and over again. The New York Pass made my vacation easy and hassle-free. I would totally recommend it to anyone who is looking to conquer as many attractions as they can in New York.
Go City Expert

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