The Explorer Pass in 10 Questions

1/ What is the Explorer Pass?

• The Explorer Pass New York gives you access to over 100 of New York’s top attractions and museums for one flat price—much cheaper than buying individual tickets.
• Unlike the City Pass New York, which includes 5 fixed attractions, the Explorer Pass lets you choose between 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 visits from a list of more than 105 attractions.

2/ What’s included in the Explorer Pass?

You pick your own attractions from a list of more than 105 options. Here are some highlights:

• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• Empire State Building observatory, with audio guide.
• One World Observatory.
• Top of the Rock.
• The Edge observatory.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
• Guggenheim Museum.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
• American Museum of Natural History.
• Various harbor cruises in New York Bay.
• Madison Square Garden behind-the-scenes tour. See the full list of 80 attractions on the Explorer Pass page.

Pick what interests you most. Once you’ve decided how many visits you want, simply buy the corresponding pass—2 to 10 visits.

3/ How does it work?

• After purchasing your pass on the Explorer Pass booking page, you’ll receive an email right away with your pass as a QR code to display on your phone. Save the attachment so you can show it without needing an internet connection.
• If you prefer a printed version, just print your confirmation and show it at each attraction—for example, at the Empire State Building entrance. The staff will scan the QR code on your printout, and you’re in.

4/ What does an Explorer Pass look like?

• The Explorer Pass is a QR code. At each attraction, instead of paying admission, you simply show your phone or printed confirmation with the QR code. That’s it. One visit is deducted from your total.
• Example: You arrive at One World Observatory with a 7-visit pass. The staff scans your QR code, gives you an admission ticket, and one visit is deducted. You now have 6 visits left.

5/ Does the Explorer Pass include skip-the-line access?

• Beyond saving money, the Explorer Pass saves time at certain attractions. Top of the Rock offers skip-the-line entry for pass holders. The same goes for the American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, MoMA, and Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Having a pass will get you in faster.
• At some places like the Empire State Building, you’ll need to book a time slot in advance. This ensures you can enter at your scheduled time. We’ll explain all the details when you receive your pass.

6/ Do you need one pass per person?

• Like all New York passes, the Explorer Pass is personal. Each person must present their own pass to get the discount.
• Tip: Each person can use their pass however they want. If you want to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum but your friends prefer somewhere else, that’s fine. You don’t all have to visit the same attractions.

7/ Do children need their own pass?

• Adult pricing applies from age 13. Children ages 3 to 12 need a child pass.
• You can book children’s passes on the Explorer Pass booking page.

8/ How long is an Explorer Pass valid?

• Explorer Passes are valid for 1 year from the date of purchase, as long as you haven’t activated it by making your first visit.
• Once you use your pass for the first time, you have 30 days to complete all your visits. That gives you plenty of time to see everything.

9/ Do you have to visit attractions in a specific order?

• The Explorer Pass gives you complete freedom. Choose what you want to see and when. You can change your mind at the last minute and visit a different attraction. The only limit is the total number of visits you selected when you bought the pass.
• If you’re spending a week in New York, I’d suggest getting a 7 or 10-visit pass—there’s so much to see and do.

10/ What if you lose your Explorer Pass?

• Accidentally deleted the file with your QR codes? Don’t worry. We keep a backup of every pass we issue. Just contact us and we’ll send you a replacement.
• You won’t lose any visits—your count picks up where you left off, with no penalty or reissue fee. This safety feature has helped many travelers. 😉

Questions? Get in touch!

• Have a question? Leave a comment below or contact us using our form.