7 Ways to Use Your New York City Explorer Pass

Heading off on an exciting New York City break soon? There’s no doubt about it, the Big Apple is a place like no other; dazzling skyscrapers frame the city, the picture-perfect Central Park impresses no matter what the season, there are more world-renowned art museums than you can shake a stick at, and then there’s the shopping. Oh the shopping… Need we say more?!

There’s so much to see and do in New York City, it can sometimes feel overwhelming – especially when you think of the queues. For many of the big attractions, you could spend up to a couple of hours waiting to get in, wasting precious time standing around when you could be exploring the best of this beautiful city...

But that’s where the handy New York City Explorer Pass comes in. This pass gives you access to three, four, five or seven attractions over the course of your stay and only has to be collected once, so you can forget queuing and crack on with sightseeing! Let your friendly Flight Centre Concierge know what you’re most interested in seeing or doing, and they can help you make the most of it.

To get you started, here are my top seven suggestions for great ways you can use your NYC Explorer Pass during your visit:

Big sports fan? Nowhere in the world does sport bigger than the US, particularly when it comes to baseball. Why not use your Explorer Pass to tour the Yankees Stadium? Or perhaps do an all-access tour of the famous Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League, and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association.

If you’re a foodie you’ll love the Food on Foot Tour, where you can choose from a variety of food excursions from the East Village to Midtown and beyond, sampling delicious local cuisine along the way. Alternatively, if you’re keen for a tipple, you could even check out a city winery tour.

Love history and art? The Explorer Pass is sure to open up many doors for you, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the poignant yet unmissable 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History.

If you want to see the city by foot or by bike, the Explorer Pass covers both walking and cycling tours. You could try a scenic Brooklyn Bridge bike tour, or a full-day rental, while Harlem Bike Tours and Hudson River bikes also offer rentals. It’s the ideal way to see the city during the warm spring and summer months.

For something a little bit different, why not try the Graffiti & Street Art Tour in Brooklyn where you’ll witness some of the city’s most inspiring and vibrant murals adorning old brick walls? Perfect for adding some colour to your Instagram feed. If you’re a fan of Batman, Spiderman, Wolverine et al, the Marvel and DC Superhero Tours are good fun, meanwhile, history buffs won’t want to miss the Catacombs by Candlelight Tour.

If you’re keen to get out on the water, the Statue by Night cruise makes for a romantic trip, showcasing spectacular views of the city by boat, as well as the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty. If you want to witness the big city during the day, book the Best of NYC Tour.

First-time visitor to the Big Apple and want to explore the must-see sights? No problem. The NYC Explorer Pass allows you to visit Top of The Rock (the panoramic viewing platform at the top of the Rockefeller Center), the Empire State Building, take the Ellis Island Ferry trip, as well as do a Rockefeller Center tour or Lincoln Center tour.

With plenty of options for things to see and do, no matter what your interests, the New York City Explorer Pass will make for the perfect addition to your tailor-made holiday.