Museums
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Book 1-2 Days Ahead
Museum
Tickets can be purchased in advance; these tickets are valid for entry at any time during the day of the ticket.
Same-day tickets can be purchased at the on-site ticket office, but queues may be long and entry is not guaranteed especially during peak visiting times.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met)
Book 1-2 Days Ahead
Museum
Tickets can be purchased in advance; these tickets are valid for entry at any time during the day of the ticket.
Same-day tickets can be purchased at the on-site ticket office, but queues may be long and entry is not guaranteed especially during peak visiting times.
The Guggenheim Museum
No Booking Needed
Museum
Tickets can be purchased in advance; these tickets are valid for entry at any time during the day of the ticket.
Same-day tickets can be purchased at the on-site ticket office, but queues may be long during peak visiting times.
American Museum of Natural History
No Booking Needed
Museum
Timed entry tickets are not required at the American Museum of Natural History.
Visitors may book an online ticket to allow them to skip the queue, or purchase a ticket at the on-site ticket office.
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Book 1 Week Ahead
Museum
It is required to pre-book a timed-entry ticket to the 9/11 Museum. Note that visiting the outdoor memorial does not require a booking and is free of charge.
It is recommended to book about a 1 week in advance for wide timeslot availability, especially during peak season.
The Frick Collection
Book 1 Week Ahead
Museum
It is required to pre-book a timed-entry ticket to the Frick Collection.
It is recommended to book about a 1 week in advance for wide timeslot availability, especially during peak season.
Museum of the City of New York
No Booking Needed
Museum
Timed-entry tickets are not required at the Museum of the City of New York.
Visitors may book an online ticket to allow them to skip the queue, or purchase a ticket at the on-site ticket office.
The Met Cloisters
No Booking Needed
Museum
Timed-entry tickets are not required at the Met Cloisters.
Visitors may book an online ticket to allow them to skip the queue, or purchase a ticket at the on-site ticket office.
The Whitney Museum of American Art
Book 1 Week Ahead
Museum
It is recommended to pre-book a timed-entry ticket in advance to guarantee entry.
Same-day tickets can be purchased at the on-site ticket office, but queues may be long during peak visiting times.
The Tenement Museum
Book 1 Month Ahead
Museum
The Tenement Museum is only accessible via guided tours which must be pre-booked in advance.
Tours are small and it is recommended to book at least 1 month ahead if traveling during peak season. Visitors may find availability up until a few days ahead during the off-season.
Landmarks
Empire State Building Observation Deck
Book 1-2 Days Ahead
Landmark
It is required to have a timed-entry ticket to both of the Empire State Building Observation Decks. Timed-entry tickets can be booked either online in advance, or same-day at the ticket office.
Most time-slots are available up until the day of the visit.
Statue of Liberty Pedestal
Book 2-3 Weeks Ahead
Landmark
Timed-entry reservations are required for a visit to the Statue of Liberty Pedestal. Tickets include the ferry service from either Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
It is recommended to book at least a couple weeks in advance during peak seasons.
Same-day pedestal reservations occasionally are available at the ticket office located in Battery Park, as space allows.
Statue of Liberty Crown
Book 2-3 Months Ahead
Landmark
Timed-entry reservations are required for a visit up to the Statue of Liberty Crown. Tickets include the ferry service from either Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
It is recommended to book at least 2 months in advance, especially during peak seasons. Only about 150 tickets are made available to the public each hour.
Tickets are released about 6 months in advance.
Top of the Rock General Admission
Book 2-3 Days Ahead
Landmark
Pre-booking a timed-entry ticket is recommended to avoid long queues. Same-day tickets can also be purchased on site, especially during off-peak hours.
If aiming for a sunset timeslot, it's recommended to book at least 1 week ahead, as these times sell out first.
An "Express Pass" ticket can be purchased for $115 which allows flexible and priority access at any time during the selected day.
Ellis Island and Liberty Island
Book 2-3 Days Ahead
Landmark
Ferry tickets should be pre-booked in advance, especially during Spring and Summer months when ticketing queues can reach 2+ hours long.
Ferry service for Ellis and Liberty Islands should be booked in advance. Ferries leave from both Liberty State Park in New Jersey, and Battery Park in New York / Manhattan, and all ferries visit both Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
The National Park Service (NPS) does not charge an admission cost, however, ferry service must be booked through Statue City Cruises at a cost of $25.50.
Radio City Music Hall Tour
Book 2-3 Days Ahead
Landmark
60-minute long tours are usually given several times each day, depending on other activity at the venue.
It is recommended to book a tour a few days in advance; tours usually do not sell out more than a few days ahead.
The Vessel
Book 1-2 Days Ahead
Landmark
It is recommended to book a timed-entry ticket 1-2 days ahead to guarantee entry, especially during the busiest times such as weekends and sunset hour.
Same day tickets are often available at the on-site ticket kiosks, especially during less-busy times.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt General Admission
Book 3-4 Weeks Ahead
Landmark
It is recommended to book a timed-entry ticket at least a week in advance.
Time slots begin selling out 3-4 weeks in advance, especially for mid-afternoon and sunset slots. Tickets are released about 1 month ahead.
Walk-up tickets are also sometimes available at the on-site ticket desk, however, certain timeslots may sell out due to high demand.
Edge NYC Observation Deck General Admission
Book 2-3 Days Ahead
Landmark
Pre-booking a timed-entry ticket is recommended to avoid long queues. Same-day tickets can also be purchased on site as availability allows, especially during off-peak hours.
If aiming for a sunset timeslot, it's recommended to book at least 1 week ahead, as these times sell out first.
A "Flex Admission" ticket can be purchased for $74 which allows flexible and priority access at any time during the selected day.
Excursions
Storm King Art Center
Reopens April 2026
New Windsor, New York
The Storm King Art Center is open from April through mid-November.
