St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 32 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour worth booking?
St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour is a 2-hour experience in New York, United States, from $129 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 32 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (32)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $129 per person
Step beyond the velvet ropes for an intimate, small-group VIP experience at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Led by an expert docent, explore rarely seen spaces above and below the sanctuary that reveal hidden stories and treasu
What you get
About this experience
Step beyond the velvet ropes for an intimate, small-group VIP experience at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Led by an expert docent, explore rarely seen spaces above and below the sanctuary that reveal hidden stories and treasures few visitors encounter. Begin at a private entrance, passing through the sacristy and descending beneath the altar into the hallowed crypt, final resting place of past archbishops. Hear fascinating insights into the cathedral’s history, artistry, and spiritual legacy. Ascend the grand marble staircase to stand at the main altar, enjoying privileged access and unique vantage points for memorable photographs and quiet moments of reflection, offered only to this select group of guests. Admire the soaring stained-glass windows, the colossal Pieta, and the immense bronze doors operable by one hand. Learn of the 21 altars, 19 bells, and notable figures—from Babe Ruth to Andy Warhol—whose memorials form part of this landmark’s enduring story.
What's included
Included
- Entry to sacristy
- Live Tour Guide (Cathedral Historian)
- 60-Minute VIP Guided Behind the Scenes Tour
- Entry to crypt (subject to availability)
- VIP Front Row Reserved Seats for Mass
What you'll see and do
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Ever dream of visiting the behind the scenes quarters of St Patrick's Cathedral? See the archbishop quarters, where the Pope changed his outfit on his visit and more on this VIP guided tour with a Cathedral Historian. Hear personal stories about what makes St. Patrick’s one of the world's most famous Cathedrals. See areas of the Cathedral never before seen by the general public. Your tour will conclude with reserved front row seats for Mass.
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
Meet your tour guide at the Parish House entrance at 14 E 51st St
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your tour guide at the Parish House entrance at 14 E 51st St
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Attractions4us LLC
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All visitors to St Patrick's Cathedral must pass through airport-style security
- Participants are asked to dress and act appropriately since you'll be inside a church
- Strollers are OK – but there are steps
- Not suitable for pets or wheelchairs.
- No luggage or large bags or outside food and drinks allowed
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 31 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
31 verified traveler reviews for St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good
Great tour, tour guide very knowledgeable. She had a great manner and knew her stuff. However, very expensive for only one hour! I thought Mass was supposed to come after, but no Mass?
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and found your guide knowledgeable and engaging. St. Patrick’s Cathedral has such an incredible history, and we’re glad the experience reflected that. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the tour length and pricing. The Behind-the-Scenes VIP experience is designed as a specialized one-hour guided access tour focused on exclusive areas of the cathedral. Regarding Mass, while guests are welcome to attend public services at the cathedral independently, Mass is not officially included as part of the guided tour experience. We apologize for any misunderstanding and appreciate you sharing your comments.
via Viator
Behind the Scenes Tour of St. Patrick’s
While the tour does cover the history of St Patrick’s in a manner that would probably interest Catholics and non-Catholics alike, a lot of the tour focused on minutia of Catholicism that might leave non-Catholics a little confused.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed learning about the history of St. Patrick's Cathedral. As one of New York City's most iconic landmarks, the cathedral has a rich history that we strive to bring to life for visitors of all backgrounds. We appreciate your observation regarding the detailed discussions of Catholic traditions and practices. The Behind-the-Scenes VIP Tour is designed to provide an in-depth look at both the cathedral's history and its religious significance, and we understand that some aspects may be more familiar to those with a Catholic background than others. Your feedback is valuable and helps us continue improving the experience for all guests. We hope you enjoyed the unique access and insights offered during the tour, and we thank you for visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral with us. The Attractions4us Team
via Viator
Our tour guide (Mr. Tamontana) was amazing . His words, knowledge and faith were all so inspiring.
To be able to walk through the cathedral to places where most have never been, was amazing. To see the cornerstone of where our New York City faith is based out of, this amazing church, was an amazing experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt experience! We’re truly delighted to hear how meaningful your visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral was. Mr. Tamontana will be deeply touched by your kind words about his knowledge, inspiring message, and faith-filled guidance. The Behind the Scenes VIP Tour offers a rare opportunity to experience parts of the cathedral few ever get to see, and we’re so happy it left such a lasting impression on you. Thank you again for joining us and for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another unforgettable experience in New York City.
via Tripadvisor
Tour of St Patrick's Cathedral
Our tour guide was actively involved with st patricks church working on her credentials. Very knowledgeable about the church history and current day activities. Included info about the vision, the architects, and the builders from past to present. No discussion about religion was included.
via Viator
A little disappointed
The tour guide was not the usual guide per her information. The 2hr tour started 20 min late and lasted 70 min. I think there were more stories to be shared about the Cathedral but we did not receive them. Disappointed.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $129 to $139
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 32 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does St Patrick's Cathedral Official Behind the Scenes VIP Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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