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 permanent fixture on every top list of things to do in New York.

Located in the heart of Manhattan, it's much more than just a religious building. You'll be in front of a landmark of the city, and in this article I'll share with you everything you need to know to visit it, opening hours, must-see 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!

From £80 at Hellotickets

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 take 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 house 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.

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 buy a ticket to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York with an audio guide

This option allows 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 English.

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.

Entrance to this cathedral is free, but tours can be guided or audio-guided. 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

• You can buy the New York Sightseeing Day Pass if you're doing a quick tour of the city and plan to see several of the 150 attractions on the pass, including the cathedral in one day, plus you get access to an E-Sim card and tour bus ticket.
• Instead, I recommend buying the New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass for more flexibility. This pass allows you to enjoy the same things as the previous pass, but at a relaxed pace. You can choose between 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... Up to 10 days to tour New York with all the benefits of the previous pass!
• Finally, you can also buy the New York City Explorer Pass, with which you have up to 60 days to enjoy its benefits from the moment you activate it.

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

Yes, they are. It allows you to discover hidden corners of the cathedral and learn about details 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.

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

• Sightseeing passes: as we saw earlier, NY sightseeing 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 travelling 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 with the ticketing websites.

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. They can accompany you on your guided tour while they listen to more age-appropriate music, so you can make this experience one of the 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 in a respectful manner.

Booking the experience in advance first and foremost guarantees you a place on the experience, especially as it is one of the best private tours in New York, so demand is high. It also offers several advantages:

• Avoid queues: By scheduling your guided tour in advance, you can avoid long lines at the ticket office, especially in high season or if you are visiting New York in March, specifically on March 17th, 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 you have access to the cathedral when it suits you best.
• Offers and discounts: By purchasing online, you can 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.

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 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 encourage you to check their calendar of events in advance.

The amount of time you will need to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral will depend mainly on your interest in architecture, history and religion, as well as the number of people present at the time.

• Quick tour: if you just want to have a quick tour and admire the exterior and interior architecture, one hour may be enough.
• Full tour: 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 about the best time to visit New York, the best time to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral depends 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 public 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 at its best, the best time is between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, when natural light is flooding 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 metres from Rockefeller Center, which is why it is often included when purchasing a guided tour of Rockefeller Center in New York However, it is very easy to reach using New York's public transport.

• Underground: the nearest underground 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 City 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 buy 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 taxi: if you prefer to use a private transport service, you can order an Uber or Lyft to get to the cathedral. You can choose the classic yellow cab 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.

• The great rose window: this impressive rose window, located above the main entrance, is one of the cathedral's most prominent features.
• The corner of the Virgin of Guadalupe: honestly every altar has its charm, however, the space for the veneration of 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, the 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 colours.
• Movie sets: when shopping for tours of iconic film locations in Manhattan, you'll notice that this cathedral is often among the stops. The reason? Suffice it to say that it appears in at least two of the Godfather movies.

• Dress appropriately: it is recommended to dress respectfully when visiting a place of worship.
• Quiet: respect the silence and tranquillity 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.