CityPass Can Save You Money in 11 Cities

Visiting attractions and museums can put a serious bite out of your vacation funds, and smart travelers are constantly on the lookout for way to reduce these numbers.  It’s a big dilemma – you want to see as much as you can, but every dollar you spend is one less dollar spent doing something else.

CityPass offers ticket booklets that slash admission prices to major attractions by nearly 50%.  The booklets contain the actual admission ticket (not a coupon or voucher), and if you plan on seeing a number of attractions around town, the savings starts adding up fast.  For the price of one or two attractions, you may be able to see the whole city full!  And you’ll save time (and frustration) by avoiding ticket purchase lines.  Spending vacation time waiting in line is never fun!

Most passes are valid for 9 days from the day of first use, and have no black-out dates.  Some attractions also offer special complimentary upgrades (onsite) to CityPass users.

Here’s what CityPass if offering (valid April 1st, 2009 through March 31st, 2010):

• Atlanta:  Admission to Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Inside CNN Atlanta Studio Tour, a choice between the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Atlanta Botanical Garden, and a choice between the High Museum of Art of the Atlanta History Center.  Adults $69, children $49, representing a savings of at least $39.61.
• Boston:  Admission to Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Skywalk Observatory, and a choice between the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.  Adults $44, children $28, representing a savings of at least $20.45.
• Chicago:  Admission to Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, and a choice between The Sears Tower Skydeck or Hancock Observatory.  Adults $69, Children $59, representing a savings of at least $51.50.
• Hollywood:  Admission to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Walk of Fame with Red Line Tours, Starline Tours of Hollywood movie star’ homes tour, a choice between the Hollywood Museum (in the historic Max Factor Building) or a guided tour of the Kodak Theater, and a choice between the Hollywood Wax Museum or Madame Tussauds Hollywood (opens in August).  Adults $50, children $40, representing a savings of at least $36.95.
• Houston:  Admission to NASA’s Space Center Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Downtown Aquarium and the Houston Zoo, a choice between Texas living history at George Ranch or the Health Museum, and a choice between the Museum of Fine Arts or the Children’s Museum of Houston.  Adults $39, children $29, representing a savings of at least $21.72.
• New York City:  Admission to Empire State Building Observatory, American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), a choice between a 2-hour day or cocktail cruise aboard Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise or a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum.  Adults $79, children $61, representing a savings of at least $42.
• Philadelphia:  Admission to National Constitution Center, The Franklin, Philadelphia Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, and a choice between the Academy of Natural Sciences or the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Adults $58, children $39, representing a savings of at least $32.57.
• San Francisco:  Admission to the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, and a choice between the deYoung Museum (which includes the California Legion of Honor, if visited on the same day) or the Exploratorium science museum.  Also included is a 7-day MUNI public transportation pass that includes cable cars, light rail, and the entire city bus system.  Adults $59, children $39, representing a savings of at least $32.95.
• Seattle:  Admission to Space Needle (day/night ticket), Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, a bay cruise aboard Argosy Cruises, and a choice of either the Museum or Flight or a combo admission to the Experience Music Project (EMP) and the Science Fiction Museum.  Adults $54, children $39, representing a savings of at least $29.38.
• Southern California:  Includes six days of park admission, and is valid for 14 days from time of first use, including Disneyland (3-Day Park Hopper Bonus ticket for Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park), Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld (in nearby San Diego), and a choice between the San Diego Zoo or the Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.  Adults $259, children $219, representing a savings of at least $87.
• Toronto:  Admission to CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, and Casa Loma.  Adults $59, children $39, representing a savings of at least $32.38.  (Prices listed for Toronto are in CAD).

You can purchase a CityPass and any of the covered attractions, or directly from CityPass online (where you can also take a more in depth look at each attraction offered). You can have ticket books sent to your home, office, local hotel, or go with an e-ticket voucher option and save on shipping.  Along with the CityPass booklet, you’ll get a map, public transportation routes, and some insider tips.

Image credit:  CityPass