CityPASS (Official Tourist Card) offers an economical fun way to enjoy a city's attractions

Put yourself in the center of the action with CityPASS, a great money-saving concept available in many U.S. cities and Toronto. Here, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy a CityPASS view of New York from the "Top of the Rock" at Rockefeller Center.

SAVE MONEY, TIME, WHILE SEEING THE BEST ATTRACTIONS A CITY OFFERS with CityPass

 WITH A HOTEL RECOMMENDATION: THE WELL LOCATED QUIN

Keller and Cookie in the magnificent Ellis Island Entry Hall.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

New York's One World Trade Center towers high and proud.

LOOKING FOR a way to save time and money and see more when you visit a major American city?

Step right up and get yourself a CityPASS.

It's a perfect way to enjoy a city in a few days, maximize your time and save bucks.  We've enjoyed the user-friendly booklets of CityPASS in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle -- always with ease and satisfaction.  We use it as a couple, and we've met families, singles and small groups  saving money with CityPASS, too.

SO WHAT exactly is CityPASS?

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy CityPASS on a New York ferry trip.

Simply, it's a sight-seeing booklet with passes to get you into major places at greatly reduced admissions. Another plus is that you don't have to wait for lines or tickets. Once you have the booklet, you can choose your time and date, book on line and go right into your attraction.

With a savings more than 40 per cent off regular adult admission prices, you'll save a bundle.

Each city's offerings are different, and you may not use every attraction -- typically five or six admissions -- but you'll save money. If you use only three admissions, the pass has paid for itself. And having paid for the booklet, you'll want to get your money's worth, so the purchase is also an incentive to get out and tour!

The imaginative glass art of world renowned artist Dale Chihuly is part of a Seattle CityPASS ticket.

INSTEAD OF rushing about, spending money on taxis and buses, you'll go straight to where you want. In this last trip to New York, we visited One World Trade Center, admiring the  Memorial and Museum, zipped to the top of the Empire State Building and took a ferry to the remarkable Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

• We also went to the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center.

• We planned our time, set our own pace and divided our day into morning and afternoon jaunts, to save the evenings for theater.

WE BASED this time at The Quin, an elegant, centrally located hotel with a gracious feel. 

It's near Central Park at 101 W. 57th St and Sixth Avenue -- very convenient for CityPASS

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller pose in front of the Statue of Liberty. Easy subway connections to the ferry, from the Quin.

Users who can walk easily to several of the book's offerings. You're in one of the world's most amazing cities, a stone's throw from the Russian Tea Room and Carnegie Hall. 

It's a fabulous walking city, so stroll, rather than taking taxis everywhere. If you're going to The Village, financial district or taking a ferry or tour, you'll find New York's subways efficient and user friendly. 

ONCE YOU HAVE your book of admission tickets,  you don't have to rush because you have a year to use the booklet. Plus it's good for nine consecutive days from the day of your first use. CityPASS uses experienced travelers and consultants who have lived in the cities for years, allowing them to pick the best attractions presented in an easy access ticket booklet.

It's well worth the money. Tally the individual admissions and you'll see.

For example, in New York, on one visit, we used it for the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Circle Line cruise and a visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. On another visit, we used it for the Top of the Rock, Ellis Island and a return to both the Guggenheim and American Museum of Natural History. Three admissions alone are more than the booklet costs.  

IN SEATTLE, the pass offers entree to the marvelous, magical art of Dale Chihuly Garden and Glass.  In Chicago we enjoyed the magnificent Field Museum of Natural History with CityPASS. 

The Quin is an ideal hotel for using CityPASS in New York. Its many enticements include friendly helpful staff with excellent tips for touring and theater, an interactive artist salons and a video wall.

In our home base of San Diego, CityPASS covers sights and attractions in both our town and Los Angeles, with world famous venues included, from Disneyland to LEGOLAND and Sea World. It's a unique "SoCal" pass, including major attractions in both cities.

• CityPASS delights in Seattle

As part of its excellent customer service, the company provides an invaluable "help"   phone number, a real boon. When fog and rain made for zero visibility at our Top of the Rock visit, we contacted CityPASS. They thoughtfully rebooked us so we could see the view on the next sunny day.

• Can't wait to use CityPASS in upcoming San Antonio, Houston, Orlando, Toronto and Boston visits.

• citypass.com for tickets and more

• information. thequinnewyork.reservationscenter.com/NewYork

NEXT UP: Savoring Savannah. This gracious southern city is known for delicious food served with  enthusiasm.  From grits and shrimp in a creamy sauce to dozens of tasty honeys, to a delectable spicy chicken sandwich, to double-fried pork chops you eat with your fingers and tacos with peach salsa and a southern twang, it's on tap in Savannah.  Top it off with what many believe is the world's best ice cream: Leopold's. It's all on tap with Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh approach to travel, food, performance, nature, family and more.

A taste treat of many unique honeys is on tap at Honey and Bee Savannah, where a sweet time is guaranteed.