New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Tickets and Tours

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

Located in the heart of Manhattan, it is much more than just a religious building. You'll be standing in front of one of the city's landmarks, and in this article, I'll share everything you need to know to visit it, including opening hours, must-see areas, ticket prices, things to do nearby, and more. If you're 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 comprehensive option

New York St. Patrick's Cathedral Guided Tour

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

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!

From $110 at Hellotickets

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

You'll admire the gigantic organ with 7,855 pipes, a true musical masterpiece, and the imposing stained glass windows, which feature pieces of art brought from all over the world. You will also see the historic crypts and the monumental sculpture of La Piedad. 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, you are passionate about hidden history and architectural enigmas, or you simply want to enjoy beauty and religious art in an iconic setting.

Admission to St. Patrick's Cathedral is free. This means you can visit without purchasing 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 an 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.

Although there are no "skip-the-line" tickets as such, arriving early in the morning or during less busy hours will help you avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful visit.

Admission to this cathedral is free, but tours are available with a guide or audio guide. You can access these types of experiences with the main tourist cards in New York.

These passes allow you to access more than 150 attractions throughout the city that never sleeps, all at a reduced price. For example, with the New York City Explorer Pass, you have up to 60 days to enjoy its benefits from the moment you activate it.

In short, a tourist pass can be an excellent option to save money and time in queues and to explore the city thoroughly.

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

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 for getting the most out of your visit.

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

• Tourist passes: As mentioned above, NY tourist cards are well worth considering, especially the New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass or the New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass, which often offer discounts on this type of tour.
• 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 tours for students and seniors. It is advisable to check this information directly on the ticket sales websites.

There are no special tickets for children at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Children can enter for free, just like adults. However, there are special audio guides for children. With these, they can accompany you on your guided tour while listening to topics more suited to their age, so you can add this experience to your list of things to do in New York with children.

Carla's Tip

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

Booking the experience in advance guarantees you a spot, especially since this is one of the best private tours in New York, so demand is high. It also offers several advantages:

• Avoid the lines: By booking your guided tour in advance, you can avoid long lines at the ticket office, especially during peak season or if you are visiting New York in March, specifically on March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day 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 suits you best.
• Deals and discounts: When you buy online, you may find special offers and discounts that are not available at the ticket office.
• Convenience: You can book your tour from the comfort of your own home, without having to travel anywhere.

St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. During these hours, several daily masses are held, in addition to times set aside for confession.

The cathedral remains accessible to both those who wish to attend religious services and those seeking to explore its rich history and architecture. It is also important to check social media or the press for possible schedule changes during special events or holidays.

Carla's Tip

St. Patrick's Cathedral often hosts special events such as concerts, exhibitions, or weddings, during which some areas may have restricted access. I invite you to check their event calendar in advance.

The time you'll need to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral will depend mainly on your interest in architecture, history, and religion, as well as how crowded it is at the time.

• Quick visit: if you just want to make a quick visit and admire the exterior and interior architecture, an hour may be enough.
• Full visit: if you want to explore every corner of the cathedral, read the information plaques, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, I recommend spending at least two hours.
• Guided tour: If you have booked a guided tour, the tour lasts 90 minutes.

Just like when people ask what the best time is 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 in the morning, at midday, or in the late afternoon. Weekends and holidays tend to be busier.
• Enjoy the lighting. To fully appreciate the exquisite details such as the rose window and Tiffany stained glass windows of this cathedral in all their glory, the best time is between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when natural light envelops the place.
• Have 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.

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 public transportation.

• Subway: The closest subway stations are Fifth Avenue/53rd Street (lines E and M) and Fifth Avenue/59th Street (lines N, Q, R, and 4, 5, 6). To plan a specific route, please visit the New York City Subway guide.
• Bus: Several bus lines stop 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 City Bus Tour, which stops at the cathedral, as does the Night Bus Tour.
• On foot: If you are in downtown Manhattan, you can walk to the cathedral. It is a pleasant walk, especially if you are staying at a nearby hotel.
• By taxi: 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 cab or one of the popular apps such as Uber or Lyft.
• Bicycle: New York has a bike-sharing system called Citi Bike. You can rent a bike and get to the cathedral quickly and efficiently.

• The large rose window: this impressive rose window, located above the main entrance, is one of the cathedral's most striking features.
• The corner of the Virgin of Guadalupe: honestly, every altar has its charm, but the space dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe received special attention, so don't miss it.
• The replica of 'La Pietà': this sculpture, created by Michelangelo, is one of the cathedral's most important works of art. Best of all, in this cathedral you will see a sculpture three times larger than the original.
• The crypts: these house the tombs of several archbishops of New York, as well as prominent figures including Cardinal O'Connor and philanthropist Pierre Toussaint.
• The stained glass windows: these are true works of art, with intricate designs and vibrant colors.
• Movie scenes: when you buy tours of iconic movie locations in Manhattan, you'll notice that this cathedral is usually one of the stops. The reason? Suffice it to say that it appears in at least two of the Godfather movies.

• Appropriate attire: respectful dress is recommended when visiting a place of worship.
• Silence: respect the silence and tranquility of the place.
• Guided tours: if you would like to learn more about the history and architecture of the cathedral, I recommend booking a guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
• Special events: check the cathedral's events calendar to see if there are any special activities during your visit.