What to Book in Advance in New York City

A per-attraction verdict for New York City: what must be booked in advance and how far ahead, when tickets are released, the quietest time to visit and what it costs. Sorted by how early you need to act.

Verdicts checked 2026-09-29 · 30 verified verdicts

Book these in advance

Statue of Liberty
Book 2 months ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Crown access and ferry tickets regularly sell out, so book well ahead in high season.
How far ahead:
Ferry and pedestal/crown tickets sell out weeks ahead in summer
Ticket release:
Tickets released on Statue Cruises up to 6 months ahead
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
First ferry of the morning
Typical price:
USD 24.5-32
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Tenement Museum
Book 2 weeks ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Entry is by guided tour only and tours regularly sell out, so book ahead.
How far ahead:
1-2 weeks ahead in busy periods
Ticket release:
Timed tour tickets sold on the official site ahead of time
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
USD 36
Official site
Empire State Building
Book 2 weeks ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Advance timed tickets avoid long queues though same-day tickets are usually available.
How far ahead:
A few days to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
USD 44
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
One World Trade Center
Book 2 weeks ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
One World Observatory sells timed tickets and advance booking avoids long waits.
How far ahead:
A few days to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
USD 40-44
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Book 7 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Timed entry tickets are advised to skip queues at this extremely popular museum.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week ahead in summer
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday late afternoons
Typical price:
USD 30
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Book 7 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Timed entry recommended to avoid queues at this highly visited memorial museum.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead in summer
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday late afternoons
Typical price:
USD 33
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
The Morgan Library
Book 7 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
A popular mid-size museum where advance timed entry avoids lines on busy days.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week in peak season
Ticket release:
Tickets available on the official site in advance
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
USD 27
Official site
American Museum of Natural History
Book 5 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
A major museum where timed entry tickets avoid long lines on busy days.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week in advance
Ticket release:
Timed tickets sold on the official site ahead of visit
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday late afternoons
Typical price:
USD 28
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Top of the Rock
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
A major observation deck with timed entry where advance tickets avoid long queues.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, especially for sunset slots
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Early morning just after opening
Typical price:
USD 40
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
The Edge
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Timed entry observation deck that can sell out on peak days, book ahead to avoid.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, especially weekends and sunset slots
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
USD 39-49
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Rockefeller Center
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Top of the Rock and observation deck tickets are timed and often sell out on busy days, so book ahead.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week ahead, especially for Top of the Rock
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Early morning or late evening, weekday
Typical price:
USD 40-50
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Ferry tickets to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are timed and sell out in summer.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, especially in summer
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Late afternoon, weekday
Typical price:
USD 21-25
Skip-the-line tickets Official site

Walk in, no need to pre-book

St Patrick's Cathedral
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
Church is free to enter though queues form on busy days.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Early weekday mornings
Official site
Time Out Market
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
It is a food market where you pay per vendor, no admission ticket required.
Quietest time:
Late morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays
Typical price:
USD 15-30
Official site
Roof at 66 Park
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
It is a rooftop bar with drink minimums, no admission ticket required to enter.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Early evening on weekdays
Typical price:
USD 15-25
Official site

Free, no ticket needed

Central Park
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Central Park is a free public park open daily with no admission ticket required.
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Times Square
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Times Square is a public plaza with no admission charge, you simply walk in.
Quietest time:
Early morning
Typical price:
Free
Brooklyn Bridge
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is free with no ticket required.
Quietest time:
Early morning
Typical price:
Free
High Line
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a free public park with no admission charge, just walk in.
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Pebble Beach Brooklyn
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an open public beach and park with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Grand Central Terminal
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A public train station with free access; no ticket needed just to visit.
Quietest time:
Late morning on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Dumbo
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an open public neighborhood and scenic spot with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Early weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Free public part of Central Park, no admission ticket required.
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Chelsea Market
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Open public market with no admission charge, just walk in.
Quietest time:
Mid-afternoon on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Trinity Church
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Church open to the public at no charge, walk in freely.
Quietest time:
Late afternoon on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Washington Square Park
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Public park open to all with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Early mornings on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Pier 57 Roof Top Park
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Free public rooftop park with no admission ticket required.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Brooklyn Heights
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public neighborhood and promenade with no admission charge, just walk in.
Quietest time:
Early mornings on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Stone Street
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public street in the Financial District, free to walk along.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
5th Avenue
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public street, free to walk, though individual stores and landmarks may charge.
Quietest time:
Early morning, weekday
Typical price:
Free
The New York Public Library
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
The main branch is free to enter with no ticket required, just walk in.
Quietest time:
Late morning or early afternoon on weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Union Square Greenmarket
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an open-air farmers market with no admission charge; you simply walk in.
Quietest time:
Late afternoon close to closing
Typical price:
Free

Booking questions about New York City

What should I book in advance in New York City?

Book these first: Statue of Liberty (Ferry and pedestal/crown tickets sell out weeks ahead in summer), Tenement Museum (1-2 weeks ahead in busy periods), Empire State Building (A few days to 2 weeks ahead in summer), One World Trade Center (A few days to 2 weeks ahead in summer), Metropolitan Museum of Art (A few days to a week ahead in summer). Everything else can be bought on the day or is free.

Do I need to book Statue of Liberty in advance?

Yes. Crown access and ferry tickets regularly sell out, so book well ahead in high season. How far ahead: Ferry and pedestal/crown tickets sell out weeks ahead in summer.

Do I need to book Tenement Museum in advance?

Yes. Entry is by guided tour only and tours regularly sell out, so book ahead. How far ahead: 1-2 weeks ahead in busy periods.

Do I need to book Empire State Building in advance?

It is recommended. Advance timed tickets avoid long queues though same-day tickets are usually available. How far ahead: A few days to 2 weeks ahead in summer.

Do I need to book One World Trade Center in advance?

It is recommended. One World Observatory sells timed tickets and advance booking avoids long waits. How far ahead: A few days to 2 weeks ahead in summer.

Do I need to book Metropolitan Museum of Art in advance?

It is recommended. Timed entry tickets are advised to skip queues at this extremely popular museum. How far ahead: A few days to a week ahead in summer.

Do I need to book 9/11 Memorial & Museum in advance?

It is recommended. Timed entry recommended to avoid queues at this highly visited memorial museum. How far ahead: A few days ahead in summer.

Do I need to book The Morgan Library in advance?

It is recommended. A popular mid-size museum where advance timed entry avoids lines on busy days. How far ahead: A few days to a week in peak season.

Do I need to book American Museum of Natural History in advance?

It is recommended. A major museum where timed entry tickets avoid long lines on busy days. How far ahead: A few days to a week in advance.

Verdicts are compiled from official ticketing policies and visitor demand and are checked periodically. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.

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