New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Tickets and Tours

Exploring St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City will allow you to get into the majesty of its neo-Gothic architecture and learn about its relevant role in the history of the city. Are you in?
New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Tickets and Tours

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More about: New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Tickets and Tours

Can you imagine exploring a cathedral that looks like something out of a movie? New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral will transport you to another time with its magnificent architecture and rich history. This place of worship is a fixture on every top list of things to do in New York.

Located in the heart of Manhattan, it is much more than just a religious building. You will be in front of a landmark of the city, and in this article I share with you everything you need to know to visit it, schedules, unmissable spaces, ticket prices, what to do around it and more. If you are planning a trip to New York, don't miss the opportunity to visit this magnificent temple, a little piece of Ireland in New York.

The most complete option

New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Guided Tour

Guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Explore the history, architecture, secrets and curiosities of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Admire its impressive architecture, from the stained glass windows to the intricate details, while listening to fascinating stories about its past with an expert guide - an unforgettable experience for lovers of history, art and spirituality!

The guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York will take you to explore one of the most emblematic neo-Gothic temples in the United States. During this 75-minute experience, an expert guide will accompany you through its corridors, revealing fascinating details of its construction, which took place between 1858 and 1879 under the direction of architect James Renwick Jr.

You will admire the gigantic organ with 7,855 pipes, a true musical masterpiece, and the imposing stained glass windows, which collect pieces of art brought from all over the world. You will also see the historic crypts, as well as the monumental sculpture of the Pieta. With a maximum group size of 15 people, you will have an intimate and enriching experience, culminating in the revelation of some of the Cathedral's most intriguing secrets, such as the unknown whereabouts of its first cornerstone.

Recommended if... You want to explore a symbol of the Catholic faith in New York, have a passion for hidden history and architectural enigmas, or simply want to enjoy the beauty and religious art in an iconic setting.

Are there skip-the-line tickets to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City? What types of tickets are available?

Inside the Cathedral| ©jpellgen (@1105_jp)
Inside the Cathedral| ©jpellgen (@1105_jp)

Admission to St. Patrick's Cathedral is free. This means that you can visit without buying a formal ticket. However, if you want a more enriching experience, you can purchase a ticket to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York with audio guide

This option will allow you to learn about the history and architectural details of the cathedral at your own pace for about 60 minutes, following the voice of Cardinal Timothy Dolan in several languages, including Spanish.

Carla's Tip

Although there are no "skip the line" tickets as such, arriving early in the morning or at less crowded times will help you avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter visit.

Buy audio-guided tickets to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Are tickets to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York included in any of the city's sightseeing passes?

Visiting| ©Corey Seeman
Visiting| ©Corey Seeman

The entrances to this cathedral are free, but the tours can be done with guided tours or with an audio guide. And these types of experiences can be accessed with New York's main tourist passes.

These passes give you access to more than 150 attractions throughout the city that never sleeps, all at a reduced price. Some of the options are

All in all, a sightseeing pass can be an excellent option to save money and time in lines and to do a complete exploration.

Buy your New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass

Are the guided tours of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City worth it?

Cathedral Details| ©Corey Seeman
Cathedral Details| ©Corey Seeman

Definitely yes. This will allow you to discover hidden corners of the cathedral and learn details that you might not notice on your own. In addition, the guides often share stories and anecdotes that enrich the experience.

I encourage you to book your guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York and take the tour in a group of no more than 20 people. A professional guide will share relevant information for 90 minutes. This option is ideal to get the most out of your visit.

Book your guided tour to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Are there discounted tickets to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City?

Visiting the church| ©Chris&Steve
Visiting the church| ©Chris&Steve

Although admission to St. Patrick's Cathedral is free, there are a few ways to get discounts on options such as audio tours or guided tours.

  • Tourist passes: as we saw above, NY tourist cards are worthwhile, especially the New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass or the New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass, which usually offer discounts on these types of tours.
  • Groups: if you are traveling in a group, you may be able to get special discounts on guided tours or souvenirs.
  • Students and seniors: in some cases, discounts are offered on your tours for students and seniors. It is advisable to check this information directly on the ticketing websites.

Are there special tickets for children?

Church door| ©Jeremy Gibson
Church door| ©Jeremy Gibson

There are no special tickets for children at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Children can enter free of charge, just like adults. However, there are special audio guides for children. With them they can accompany you on your guided tour while listening to more age-appropriate songs, so you can make this experience one of the things to do in New York City with kids.

Carla's Tip

Remember that St. Patrick's Cathedral is a place of worship and children are expected to behave respectfully.

Buy your ticket to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York with audio guide.

Why is it worth booking guided tours online instead of at the box office?

Detail of the door| ©David
Detail of the door| ©David

Booking the experience in advance first and foremost ensures you have room in the experience, especially since this is one of the best private tours in New York, so demand is high. It also offers several advantages:

  • Avoid lines: By scheduling your guided tour in advance, you can avoid long lines at the box office, especially in high season or if you are visiting New York in March, specifically March 17, when St. Patrick's Day is celebrated and special events are the order of the day.
  • Greater flexibility: You can select the date and time of your visit in advance, ensuring that you have access to the cathedral when it is most convenient for you.
  • Offers and discounts: By purchasing online, you can find special offers and discounts that are not available at the box office.
  • Convenience: You can book your tour from the comfort of your home, without having to travel.

Book your guided tour to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

St. Patrick's Cathedral opening hours in New York City

Clock| ©Cats Coming
Clock| ©Cats Coming

St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York is open daily from 6:30 am to 8:45 pm. During these hours, several daily Masses are held, as well as times dedicated to confession.

The cathedral remains accessible both for those wishing to attend religious services and for those seeking to explore its rich history and architecture. In addition, it is important to check for possible changes to the schedule during special events or holidays on social media or in the press.

Carla's Tip

St. Patrick's Cathedral often hosts special events such as concerts, exhibitions or weddings, at which time some areas may be restricted. I invite you to check their calendar of events in advance.

How much time do you need to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City?

Cathedral at night| ©Javier Gallego
Cathedral at night| ©Javier Gallego

The time you will need to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral will depend mainly on your interest in architecture, history and religion, as well as how many people are there at the time.

  • Quick visit: if you just want to take a quick tour and admire the exterior and interior architecture, one hour may be enough.
  • Complete visit: if you want to explore every corner of the cathedral, read the informative plaques and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, I recommend spending at least two hours.
  • Guided tour: if you have booked a guided tour, the time of the visit is 90 minutes.

Best time to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Illuminated church| ©incognito7nyc
Illuminated church| ©incognito7nyc

Just like when people ask when is the best time to go to New York, the best time to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral will depend on your tastes and what you want to experience during your visit. If you feel like it:

  • Avoid crowds. I recommend visiting the cathedral early, midday or late afternoon. Weekends and holidays tend to be more crowded.
  • Enjoy the lighting. To fully appreciate the exquisite details such as the rose window and Tiffany stained glass windows of this cathedral at its best, the best time is between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, when natural light shrouds the place.
  • Live a spiritual experience. If you are looking for a more spiritual experience, you can attend a mass. Check the schedule on the cathedral's official website.

Buy tickets with audioguide for St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

How to get to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

New York Subway| ©Alejandro Mallea
New York Subway| ©Alejandro Mallea

St. Patrick's Cathedral is located in the heart of Manhattan, on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets, 150 meters from Rockefeller Center, so it is often included when purchasing a guided tour of Rockefeller Center in New York However, it is very easy to get there using New York's public transportation.

  • Subway: the nearest subway stations are the Fifth Avenue/53rd Street station (E and M lines) and the Fifth Avenue/59th Street station (N, Q, R and 4, 5, 6 lines). To plan a specific route, I invite you to visit the New York Subway guide.
  • Bus: several bus lines have stops near the cathedral. You can use the MTA Bus Time app to find the most convenient bus line for your route. You can also purchase a ticket for the New York Sightseeing Bus which stops at the Cathedral, as well as the Night Sightseeing Bus.
  • On foot: if you are in midtown Manhattan, you can walk to the cathedral. It is a pleasant walk, especially if you are staying in a nearby hotel.
  • By cab: if you prefer to use a private transportation service, you can request an Uber or Lyft to get to the cathedral. You can choose the classic yellow one or one of the popular apps like Uber or Lyft.
  • Bike: New York has a bike sharing system called Citi Bike. You can rent a bike and get to the cathedral quickly and efficiently.

Buy ticket to the New York City sightseeing bus

What you can't miss in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Inside the church| ©Al
Inside the church| ©Al
  • The great rose window: this impressive rose window, located above the main entrance, is one of the most outstanding features of the cathedral.
  • The corner of the Virgin of Guadalupe: honestly every altar has its charm, however, the space of veneration to the Virgin of Guadalupe received special attention, don't miss it.
  • The replica of 'La Piedad': this sculpture, made by Michelangelo, is one of the most important works of art in the cathedral, best of all is that in this cathedral you will see a sculpture three times bigger than the original.
  • The crypts: house the tombs of several archbishops of New York, as well as prominent personalities including Cardinal O'Connor and philanthropist Pierre Toussaint.
  • The stained glass windows are a true work of art, with intricate designs and vibrant colors.
  • Movie sets: when shopping for tours of iconic movie locations in Manhattan you'll notice that among their stops is usually this cathedral. The reason? Suffice it to mention that it appears in at least two of the films in The Godfather saga.

Buy tickets with audio guide for St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Tips for visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Comfortable shoes| ©Alexandra Tran
Comfortable shoes| ©Alexandra Tran
  • Proper attire: it is recommended to dress respectfully when visiting a place of worship.
  • Quiet: respect the silence and tranquility of the place.
  • Guided tours: if you wish to delve deeper into the history and architecture of the cathedral, I recommend you book your guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
  • Special events: check the cathedral's calendar of events to see if there are any special activities during your visit.

Book your guided tour for St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 872 Reviews
  • P
    P. L.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    easy to order and good prices
  • M
    M. B.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The procedure to get the QR code of the pass is slightly complicated
  • A
    A. L.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Very good experience of use. It was all very easy and everything is very well explained in the instructions you receive in your email.
  • H
    H. T.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I went with my sister and we loved the cruise near the Statue of Liberty. The audio guide at St. Patrick's Cathedral is a great plus.
  • M
    M. N.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I really enjoyed the cruise and the audio guide was super helpful, plus St. Patrick's Cathedral is impressive.