Seattle CityPASS Review: Should You Buy? (2024)

CityPASS can be a great way to see the city’s most important attractions at reduced costs. We are bringing you a thorough Seattle CityPASS Review to help you decide whether to buy the pass.

Have you always wanted to know what CityPASS is, how to use it, and whether it saves money? If so, you are in the right place. Keep reading our Seattle CityPASS review and get answers to all of your questions.

Learn how to save money while visiting one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest. Create your own Seattle itinerary and have a full-time cultural experience. Spend less and experience more. Explore all the possibilities Seattle CityPASS offers.

How the CityPASS works

The Seattle CityPASS is a popular sightseeing card that provides entry to the city’s top tourist highlights. It also allows you to save a significant 49% on regular ticket prices for selected tourist attractions in Seattle. This way, you will save money and time, as you will skip waiting in ticket lines and paying admission at the door.

After buying the Seattle CityPASS, you will gain access to five of the seven most interesting attractions in the city. Three main attractions are included in every pass. Of the remaining four, you can select the two you would like to see.

As a result, you can create an individual Seattle itinerary based on attractions of your choice. Moreover, it allows you to visit attractions in any order you wish. Remember that the pass is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day of visiting the first attraction.

Finally, the best part about this CityPASS for Seattle is its practicality. Despite its name, the CityPASS is not a pass or card. It is a ticket booklet with convenient mobile or printable options.

In other words, you can choose the booklet to be mailed to you or opt for a mobile voucher, which can later be exchanged for a physical booklet.

No matter which option you choose, every ticket has a useful purpose. Flip it over and find all the important information about Seattle attractions, such as opening hours, addresses, and how to get there using public transportation.

Furthermore, you will find information about the best time to visit each attraction, as well as extra tips and tricks on dining, gifts, etc. Even though you can find this info online, having it by your side is cool without researching when and where to go.

What attractions are included in the CityPASS?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this Seattle CityPASS review, CityPASS allows you to enter five of the top seven attractions. The three main attractions are:

Space Needle
Seattle Aquarium
Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Of the remaining four, you can combine:

Museum of Pop Culture OR Woodland Park Zoo
Chihuly Garden and Glass OR Pacific Science Center

Below is a list of all the attractions included in the Seattle CityPASS. To make the most of your sightseeing, for each attraction, we will highlight the following information:

Overview of the attraction
Cost of admission
Who should visit the attraction

Let’s discover more about each attraction included in the Seattle CityPASS.

Space Needle

It is a Seattle’s must-visit attraction that is included in every pass. After a multimillion-dollar renovation, Space Needle has become a combination of an amazing restaurant and an observation deck.

A 41-second elevator will ride you up to the observation deck, with tilting glass walls and open-air decks floating over the city. Experience never-seen-before views of Seattle by stepping out on The Loupe, the world’s first revolving glass floor.

Sit back on one of the inclined glass benches while enjoying the thrilling views. Have the whole city at your feet. Can’t decide if you would rather see sunset or sunrise from the top of the Space Needle?

No worries, the Seattle CityPASS includes both day and night admission within 24 hours. Reserve your daytime entry and return the same night during the last 3 hours of operations. Reservations are not required for the second visit, but keep your ticket from the daytime visit.

Moreover, the attraction is open 365 days a year.

Extra tip: Don’t forget to bring your camera and prepare for the wind, as you will be at 520 ft (160m).
Regular day/night admission: $59

Seattle Aquarium

Why not use Seattle CityPASS and enjoy quality family time? Seattle Aquarium is another interesting attraction provided by the CityPASS for Seattle, and it is a treat for the whole family.

Discover an amazing underwater dome with a 360-degree view into the tank filled with hundreds of Puget Sound fish. Immerse yourself into the fascinating sea life and learn more about seals, octopuses, luminous moon jellies, and more.

Be part of daily dive shows or touch live sea creatures in tide pools. Take a virtual trip to the tropics and gather information about the Aquarium’s most important mission: Inspiring Conservation of the Marine Environment.

With Seattle CityPASS, you will get general admission to all major exhibits, as well as interpretive shows.

Extra tip: Use your CityPASS to skip waiting in lines. Instead, head to the prepaid/member ticket line.
Regular admission: $32.95

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Argosy Cruises are another attraction included in Seattle CityPASS

Seattle CityPASS brings you a unique opportunity to learn more about Seattle. Embark on a one-hour, live-narrated cruise while admiring views of the Elliot Bay waterfront and the Seattle skyline. Learn interesting facts about historic neighborhoods, waterfront piers, and the city’s maritime history.

Catch a glimpse of the Washington State ferry fleet, the largest in the U.S. Observe spectacular views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. A breathtaking natural beauty will sweep you off your feet.

Reservations must be made in person, so present your tickets at the Argosy Reservation Center and select a departure time to get a boarding pass.

On the other hand, you can visit Pier 55 anytime within the 9-day validity period and get your boarding pass in advance. For various offers and upgrades, check the official CityPASS website for details.

Extra tip: Arrive at least one hour before departure time.
Regular admission: $34.13

Taking a tour may even lead you on a day trip. If you have extra time while you explore this iconic Northwest city, check out these other best day trips from Seattle.

One option is a road trip to Vancouver Island to see the great Pacific Northwest.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

With Seattle CityPASS, you can explore some of the most important moments in popular culture, rock music, and science fiction. Dive into hands-on experiences and award-winning exhibitions.

Discover iconic artifacts or view original manuscripts from popular shows such as Game of Thrones. If you are coming with your family, head to the Indie Game Revolution and play one of the featured single and multiplayer games. Admire 55 vintage, world-famous guitars from the 1770s to the present.

Finally, when you want to show off your skills, visit Sound Lab, where you can play instruments or record your song. Jam out and give a vent because Sound Lab has soundproof rooms.

The Museum of Pop Culture has options to suit various interests who cherishes music, TV shows, video games, and movies.

Extra tip: Give yourself at least 90 minutes to experience the best of MoPOP.
Regular admission: $28

Woodland Park Zoo

Another family-friendly attraction included in the Seattle CityPASS is the Woodland Park Zoo. Visit this cool Park Zoo and connect with nature while discovering the world of giraffes, lions, gorillas, birds, reptiles, and more. See the world’s first sustainable penguin exhibit that uses geothermal technology to heat and cool the water.

Moreover, learn more about naturalistic habitats from South America and Africa, from Alaska’s tundra to Australia and New Zealand. Finally, there is an indoor nature play space dedicated to kids, as well as a seasonal garden with free-flying butterflies.

Extra tip: You can feed animals such as giraffes, rhinos, and penguins at extra cost ($5 – $10).
Regular admission: $15.50 (off-peak season from October 1 until March 31), $22.95 (from April 1 until September 30)

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Explore the world of creativity, curiosity, and colors in Chihuly Garden and Glass. Dale Chihuly’s passion and innovation inspired this amazing, ever-changing Garden full of trees, flowers, and plants.

If you think you’ve seen it all, enter the 40-foot tall glass and steel Glasshouse, the fascinating centerpiece of this attraction. It is home to a 100-foot-long sculpture in a bold color palette of reds, yellows, oranges, and amber. It is a beautiful blend of botanicals and art.

Moreover, you can find Chihuly’s impressive collection of work in the eight galleries and three Drawing Walls within the Garden and Glass.

Extra tip: The Seattle CityPASS includes general admission and a complimentary audio tour (smartphone required!)
Regular admission: $32 ($22 after 4 pm)

See Related: Best Museums in the United States

Pacific Science Center

For all those fans of science and nature in general, the Seattle CityPASS provided an entrance to the amazing Pacific Science Center. If you are interested in health and wellness, visit a 7,000-square-foot permanent exhibit that presents health as a life-long process.

On the other hand, if you are more of an astronomy fan, take an individual tour of the universe in a planetarium. Animal lovers will enjoy seeing live creatures, from domestic to exotic. Likewise, history buffs can travel back to the Mesozoic Era and meet seven dinosaurs in a lifelike environment.

A great place with a mix of different exhibits will definitely enchant every member of your travel group.

Extra tip: The general admission includes a Live, immersive presentation in Pacific Science Center’s Planetarium.
Regular admission: $25.95

Seattle CityPASS: How much does the CityPASS cost?

With the regular admissions listed above, you will likely spend more money than you planned if you want to visit the top five most expensive attractions.

Consequently, any money savings come in handy. How, then, can Seattle CityPASS help you save money?

	Adult (ages 13+)	Children (ages 5-12)	Savings
Price	$119	$89	47%

*Children under 5 can get free or discounted tickets for some sites. Visit the official Seattle CityPASS website for more information.

As a result, the CityPASS can save you up to 49%! Use Seattle CityPASS and spend less but experience more.

How to buy the CityPASS

Buying the pass is simple and easy. All you have to do is visit the website and buy it online. Alternatively, you can buy the CityPASS ticket booklets at the first attractions you plan to visit. After an online purchase, you get to choose the option that suits you best:

Get a mobile voucher that you can later exchange for a booklet
Print a paper voucher that you can later exchange for a booklet
Have a booklet mailed directly to your home address

All options are convenient; deciding which is better is up to you. If you opt for vouchers, you can exchange them for a booklet at any attraction.

On the other hand, shipping booklets directly to your home saves you a step of printing/exchanging, but there is a risk of losing the booklet in the post or accidentally ripping out some of the tickets. No matter which option you select, there are a few things to know before buying the pass.

The booklets expire in one year. Moreover, if you buy a voucher, you have six months to replace it with a booklet. Therefore, plan your Seattle itinerary on time and don’t buy the pass too early.

Who should (not) buy the Seattle CityPASS?

Even though the Seattle CityPASS is a great sightseeing card, it is unsuitable for everyone. First-time visitors who want to see all the main attractions may find it useful. The same thing goes for tourists who want to enjoy panoramic views from the Space Needle together with at least two other attractions.

In this case, using the Seattle CityPASS will save you a lot of money if you are sightseeing with your family.

On the other hand, if you have already visited Seattle and most of its attractions, CityPASS is not an option for you. The same goes for tourists not interested in sightseeing or those who would like to see only one or, eventually, two attractions.

Overall, the Seattle CityPASS has its advantages and disadvantages. To decide if this is a good option, consider the attractions you’d like to visit and your travel preferences.

Tips for using Seattle CityPASS

If you’ve already decided the pass is a good option, here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Seattle sightseeing.

Use the maximum number of passes and visit all five attractions. It is the best value for money.
Visit Space Needle before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. to avoid the crowd.
The average time spent in Chihuly Garden and Glass is 1-2 hours. Moreover, an adult should accompany those under the age of 14.
While visiting Seattle Aquarium, get your hand stamped to leave and re-enter the aquarium all day. Furthermore, mammal feeding time also includes informative training demonstrations.
For the best views during the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, go to the top and choose a seat on the city side (your right when facing the front of the boat).
MoPOP can be planned with Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, or Chihuly Garden and Glass, as it is located alongside these attractions.
Woodland Park Zoo offers a free app for both iPhone and Android devices to enhance your experience.

Seattle CityPASS Review: Is It Worth the Price?

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Seattle CityPASS can be a great way to see the most important attractions on reduced costs. With our review learn how to spend less but experience more.

Product Brand: Seattle CityPASS

Editor's Rating:
4.6

Pros

Saves Time
Access to Seattle's Top Attractions Cost Effective
Available Online
Booklets Have an Expiry Date of One Year

Cons

Limited Tourist Attractions
Rush Tour in Between Attractions Suitable to Travelers With Specific Itinerary

The Seattle CityPASS is a must-have card for those planning to make the most of sightseeing at the city’s attractions. It provides significant savings of up to 49% and saves your precious vacation time.

As you have nine days to use your pass, you can spend less time rushing and more time experiencing. Choose the attractions you like the most, and a Seattle adventure can begin.

However, like any other CityPASS, this one also has disadvantages. The most important thing is to know how you would like to spend your time and whether buying the pass is a suitable option. Overall, Seattle CityPASS is worth the look.

Seattle CityPASS Review: Should You Buy?

Written by Irma Sopic