Boston CityPASS®: Save up to 46% at 4 Top Attractions

Boston CityPASS is a self-guided way to see four Boston attractions without packing them into one hectic day. You get the New England Aquarium and Museum of Science, then choose two more stops to suit your interests, from a harbor cruise to Harvard’s museums.

I like the choice of add-ons: a city view, a boat ride, a zoo, and two museums give you distinct ways to shape the pass. I also like the nine-day window, which leaves room to spread visits around meals, weather, and the rest of your plans.

The main consideration is the arithmetic. At $79, the pass is worth it only if the attractions you choose would cost more separately, and reservations may be needed. Check the current details before you buy, then compare the pass with your actual plans.

At a glance: what the pass gets you

• Two attractions are fixed: New England Aquarium admission and general exhibit halls admission at the Museum of Science.
• You choose two more: Pick Boston Harbor City Cruises, View Boston, Franklin Park Zoo, or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
• The cruise is 60 minutes: It is a historic sightseeing cruise of Boston Harbor.
• Your ticket lasts nine days: The clock begins with your first use, not your purchase.
• Entry is generally one-time: Each included attraction allows one admission unless its terms say otherwise.
• Plan through my.citypass.com: Find ticket details, entry instructions, hours, and any reservation requirements.

Two fixed stops, two choices

Think of the pass as a small itinerary framework, not a guided tour. You buy one mobile ticket package, use it at four attractions, and decide the order yourself. There is no listed guide or set route to follow, so you control the pace and the mix of indoor and outdoor visits.

Two admissions come with every pass. The New England Aquarium is a natural pick if you want a dedicated look at aquatic life, while the Museum of Science provides entry to its general exhibit halls. The details here do not identify individual exhibits, so check the museum’s current information if there is something specific you hope to see.

Your other two admissions are where the pass becomes personal. Choose the harbor cruise for a change of scene, View Boston for an observation-deck visit, Franklin Park Zoo for a daytime zoo outing, or Harvard’s natural history museum for permanent and special exhibits, plus access to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

Those options are not interchangeable. A cruise and an observation deck both give you a view of the city, but one takes place on the water and the other is a visit to a viewing deck. The zoo and Harvard museums offer a different kind of outing altogether. Before you commit, choose the two that suit your interests rather than simply picking the most familiar names.

New England Aquarium: your first included admission

The aquarium is one of the two fixed stops, so you do not need to spend one of your choices on it. Admission is included once, which makes this an easy anchor for your plan if marine life is high on your list.

The pass information does not name particular exhibits or set a visit length. That makes it sensible to check the aquarium’s current details before you go, especially if you are planning around a tight schedule. You will need to decide how much time to leave based on your own interests and the day’s hours.

The aquarium can also help balance a schedule built around varied stops. Pair it with another indoor attraction if you want a museum-focused day, or leave your second attraction for another day. With nine days from first use, you do not need to squeeze all four admissions into a single outing.

Museum of Science: general exhibit halls

The Museum of Science is the other required admission, and the pass covers its general exhibit halls. This is a useful distinction: the inclusion is specifically general exhibit hall admission, not an unspecified promise of access to every possible program or event.

If you are choosing the two optional attractions with children or with a strong interest in museums, compare the science museum with Harvard’s museum offering. The latter includes permanent and special exhibits and special programs, as well as admission to the Peabody Museum. The CityPASS information does not give the science museum’s exhibit list, so check current details if a particular subject matters to you.

One practical advantage of having both the aquarium and science museum built into the pass is that you can spend your two choices on experiences that add variety. For example, you might pair the two fixed indoor admissions with the harbor cruise and View Boston, or choose the zoo and Harvard museums instead.

Boston Harbor City Cruises: an hour on the water

The cruise option is a 60-minute historic sightseeing trip around Boston Harbor. Its short, defined duration makes it the easiest add-on to place between other plans, though you should check current departure information and any reservation requirements before building your day around it.

A harbor cruise can give you a different angle on the city than a museum visit or a deck view. It is also a practical choice if you want an outdoor experience without committing to a full-day excursion. The pass covers the stated sightseeing cruise, not transportation to the departure point, and food and drinks are not included.

This is a good option for anyone who would rather see Boston from the water than add another indoor attraction. If you are considering both the cruise and View Boston, remember that your pass includes only two optional choices. You will need to decide whether you want two different types of city view or would rather use one spot for a zoo or museum visit.

View Boston: an observation-deck choice

View Boston is the pass’s observation-deck option, with general admission included if you select it as one of your two extras. The information provided does not specify how long to allow or what the admission covers beyond general entry, so consult the current attraction details before you go.

Choose View Boston if a high-level city view appeals more than an hour on the harbor. If you are weighing it against the cruise, consider what fits your plans: one is a visit to an observation deck, while the other is a timed sightseeing trip on the water. You may also want to check the weather and operating information before setting your day.

The two view-based options make the pass flexible, but they also create a useful decision point. If you are especially keen on seeing Boston from different perspectives, choosing both may suit you. If you prefer a broader mix, swap one for the zoo or Harvard museums.

Franklin Park Zoo: daytime admission

Franklin Park Zoo is included as a daytime admission option. Separately ticketed after-hours events are not part of the pass, so plan around a daytime visit and check the zoo’s current hours before setting out.

The zoo gives you a different kind of day from the aquarium and museums. It may be the right choice if you want an outdoor stop or are planning around an interest in animals. The supplied details do not list specific animals, exhibits, or visit duration, so check the zoo’s current information for the experience you have in mind.

As with every optional attraction, the question is not simply whether the zoo is appealing. It is whether you would rather spend one of your two choices here than on the cruise, View Boston, or the Harvard museums. If daytime zoo admission is already part of your plan, include it in your price comparison.

Harvard’s museums: natural history and archaeology

The Harvard Museum of Natural History option includes general admission to permanent and special exhibits and special programs. It also includes admission to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, giving this choice a broader museum scope than the name alone might suggest.

This can be a strong pick if you prefer museum visits and want more than one collection included in a single optional admission. The pass information does not describe the exhibits or how much time to allow, so check the current program and opening details before visiting. Special programs are included as stated, but confirm current availability rather than assuming a particular event will be running.

Harvard’s museums are also a useful alternative to choosing two view-based experiences. If you want a quieter, more subject-focused day, this option may fit better than the cruise or observation deck. Your choice depends on whether you want a range of experiences or would rather spend time with museum collections.

Is $79 a good value?

The pass costs $79 per person and advertises savings of up to 46 percent. That maximum is not a guarantee that every visitor will save that much. Your actual value depends on which two optional attractions you choose and what those admissions would cost separately when you visit.

I would make a short list before buying. Start with the two required attractions, then choose the two extras you genuinely expect to use. Compare the individual admission prices for those four visits with $79. If you would skip one of the choices, or would not otherwise pay to visit one of the fixed attractions, the headline savings may not mean much to you.

The pass is more attractive if all four stops already fit your plans. It can also reduce the friction of buying separate admissions, since one mobile ticket package covers the included visits. But it does not cover transportation, food, or drinks, so keep those costs in your overall Boston budget.

Because prices and inclusions can change, confirm the current attraction information before making the comparison. The pass terms also say that inclusions are subject to change. Treat the advertised percentage as a possible maximum, then use your own itinerary to judge the real saving.

Make nine days work for you

Your nine-day validity period starts with the first use. You have up to one year from purchase to begin using the ticket, which gives you some flexibility if you are planning ahead. Once activated, though, count nine days from that first visit and schedule all four admissions within that window.

There is no required order among the attractions in the details provided. That lets you arrange the visits around your schedule, but it also means you need to keep an eye on each attraction’s hours and reservation rules. Some attractions may require reservations. Visit my.citypass.com for current requirements, ticket access, entry instructions, hours, and planning tips.

Use the nine-day period to avoid turning the pass into a checklist. You can spread visits out rather than racing from one stop to another. If you have other Boston plans, place the aquarium and science museum where they make sense, then fit the two selected extras around them.

The mobile ticket is presented at each attraction for scanning. Keep it accessible on your phone and check the entry instructions before each visit. Transportation is not included, so plan how you will get to each stop separately.

Practical details before you book

The pass is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since accessibility needs can differ by attraction, check the individual venue information before your visit if you need specific details.

Food, drinks, and transportation are not included. Each attraction generally allows one-time entry, and the ticket inclusions may change. Check the live information rather than relying on old hours or assumptions about reservations.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. These terms offer some flexibility, but check the booking details that apply to your purchase before finalizing.

Who should choose Boston CityPASS?

This pass makes the most sense if you want to visit the aquarium, the science museum, and two of the listed optional attractions within the same nine-day period. It is especially useful when you already know which four admissions you want and the combined individual prices exceed the pass price.

It is less compelling if you are uncertain about using all four admissions, prefer to keep your schedule open, or are interested in attractions outside the included list. The pass does not bundle transit or meals, and its best advertised saving depends on your choices.

My advice is simple: pick your two extras first, check reservation requirements and current prices, then decide. If the four stops form a trip you would happily take anyway, the pass offers a convenient way to organize those admissions. If you are choosing attractions just to use the ticket, buy only what suits your plans.

FAQ

What does Boston CityPASS include?

It includes one-time admission to the New England Aquarium and general exhibit halls admission at the Museum of Science, plus your choice of two listed attractions.

Which two attractions can I choose?

You can choose Boston Harbor City Cruises, View Boston Observation Deck, Franklin Park Zoo, or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

How long is the Boston Harbor cruise?

The included Boston Harbor City Cruises experience is a 60-minute historic sightseeing cruise.

How long is the pass valid?

It is valid for nine days from the first use.

How long do I have to start using the pass after purchase?

You have one year from the date of purchase to start using it.

Do I need to make reservations?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. Check my.citypass.com for current reservation requirements and entry instructions.

How do I enter the attractions?

Present your CityPASS mobile ticket at each attraction for scanning.

Does the pass include transportation, food, or drinks?

No. Transportation, food, and drinks are not included.

Is Franklin Park Zoo admission valid for after-hours events?

No. The included zoo admission is for daytime general admission. Separately ticketed after-hours events are not included.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.