Philadelphia: Go City All-Inclusive Pass w/ 30+ Attractions

Philadelphia can feel like a maze of tickets. This Go City All-Inclusive Pass turns it into a choose-your-own-adventure day, with admission to 30+ attractions plus a free digital guide that keeps opening times and access rules in one place. I like the clear payoff: you can plan for a flexible number of days (1, 2, 3, or 5) and then use the pass at included stops without re-checking prices every time you change your mind. I also like that it pushes you toward variety, from big institutions like the Franklin Institute to classic Philly landmarks like the Eastern State Penitentiary.

One thing to consider: the pass is only as good as your planning. The most popular activities can require reservations, and because your days are consecutive (not rolling 24 hours), you’ll want to start early and set a sensible route so you don’t waste time hopping across town.

Key things that make this pass work in Philly

• Big choices, one payment: admission to 30+ tours and attractions for a single pass price.
• Digital guide that stays current: check opening times and how to access each included site right in the app.
• Consecutive-day validity: use your pass on calendar days after activation, so timing matters.
• Hop-on hop-off and ferry options: Big Bus Philadelphia and RiverLink Ferry help you reduce transit stress.
• Family-friendly mix: Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium sit alongside history museums and art institutions.
• Small food boost built in: a $20 dining credit at The Cauldron Co. can offset one meal.

How the Go City All-Inclusive Pass Works in Philly (1, 2, 3 or 5 Days)

This is an all-in-one sightseeing ticket for Philadelphia. You buy the Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days, and then you can enter as many included attractions as you want during that stretch. You don’t pay at the gate for the items in the pass lineup—you just show your pass and walk in.

What makes it different from buying a couple single tickets is the freedom. If you wake up and decide you want more museums, you can. If weather or energy changes your plan, you can swap the next stop without recalculating costs.

The other key detail is activation. Your pass is valid for 1 year from purchase, but it doesn’t start working until your first included attraction. After you activate, your pass runs for the number of consecutive days you purchased—not 24-hour windows. In plain terms: pick a day to start, then treat those days like your “Philadelphias days.”

Starting smart: activation, routes, and that start-early advice

You activate your Philadelphia pass at any included attraction or tour. So the best move is to choose an early-day first stop that’s easy to reach and fits what you actually want to do first. Once you’ve activated, you should try to start in the morning. That advice isn’t just marketing. With a 1-day option especially, the pass shines only if you pack in multiple visits with minimal time wasted.

I like to think about it like this: the pass is your budget, but your itinerary is still your job. If you plan loosely, you can still have a great time. If you plan nothing, you can end up spending travel time figuring out what to do next instead of enjoying the included sites.

Also, get your pass set up the right way before you go. The best experience comes from syncing the pass with the Go City app, and you can also save it to your phone/tablet or print a copy. That way you aren’t stuck troubleshooting at the ticket desk.

Your value equation: why $59 can feel like a win

The listed price starts around $59 per person for a 1-day pass. The bigger story is value. Go City advertises savings up to 50% versus buying separate tickets, based on their pricing comparisons.

That’s plausible in a city where popular museums and attractions can stack quickly. The pass makes sense when you plan to do more than one or two major stops per day. If you only visit one attraction total, you won’t feel the advantage. If you string together a museum, a second attraction, plus at least one “extra” (like a ferry or a hop-on hop-off tour), that’s when the pass tends to start paying for itself.

The reviews you’ll see reflect this practical benefit. One reviewer in Germany summed it up as seeing many great things without having to worry about entry prices. Another review called out the money saved. Those two points align with what this pass is designed to do: reduce the constant calculation and make it easier to say yes to the next stop.

A Philly day built from included stops (what each one gives you)

Because this pass includes 30+ attractions and tours, you’re not locked into a single route. Still, it helps to understand the vibe each major included option brings, so you can mix history, culture, and fun without repeating yourself.

Big Bus Philadelphia: use it as your “move around” tool

If you want flexibility without overplanning, Big Bus Philadelphia – Hop-On Hop-Off Tours is a strong anchor. It’s built for people who want to see more in less time and then step out when something looks worth a closer look. Even if you don’t do every stop on the route, it helps you build a rough map of the city while you’re checking off attractions.

A possible drawback: hop-on hop-off tours can be time-sensitive and crowded at peak hours. If you’re sensitive to waiting or you want a slow, quiet pace, schedule it at a less busy time.

Franklin Institute: a major indoor stop when the day needs a pause

The Franklin Institute is included, and it’s a good candidate for an afternoon block. Big museum-type attractions are ideal when you want air conditioning or a break from street-level walking. It’s also the kind of stop that pairs well with a second nearby attraction on the same day.

If you prefer moving quickly, consider it a “go in, see the main highlights, and leave” kind of museum. If you like to linger, give it more time and avoid cramming it between long travel gaps.

Eastern State Penitentiary: history that feels like a real place

The Eastern State Penitentiary is another marquee inclusion. Historic sites like this often make a strong first or last stop in a day because they give your trip emotional texture beyond pure sightseeing.

The main consideration is pace. Places like this can take more time than you expect, especially if you want to read and absorb rather than rush.

Museum of the American Revolution + National Constitution Center: two history stops that complement each other

You also get admission to both the Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center. Together, they’re a logical pairing for people who care about how the story of the United States shaped Philadelphia.

A practical tip: these kinds of institutions can overlap in themes, so don’t stack them back-to-back with zero breaks unless you’re truly history-focused. Build in some “reset time” so you don’t feel like you’re just reading nonstop.

Betsy Ross House: a smaller, story-driven historic stop

The Betsy Ross House is included too. If you’re doing a “greatest hits” day, this can work as a lighter stop that balances the bigger museums. It also makes your day feel more local and specific, rather than only museum-bigness.

Philadelphia Art Museum + Barnes Foundation: art stops for different tastes

Art lovers have options with the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Barnes Foundation. If you want to separate art vibes, you can plan one art museum for a midday block and keep the other for a later time when you can slow down.

The drawback to watch for is time management. Art museums can be deceptively long. If you only have 1 day, you might have to choose which art experience gets the deeper attention.

Adventure Aquarium + Philadelphia Zoo: the “animals and fun” half of the trip

For a different mood entirely, you can do both the Adventure Aquarium and the Philadelphia Zoo. This is a great combo when you want your Philadelphia days to feel lighter and more playful, especially for families or anyone who likes animals.

The main consideration is physical stamina. Zoos in particular often mean lots of walking. If you’re doing them with other heavy museums on the same day, keep it realistic about how much time you can spend on your feet.

Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial + Independence Seaport Museum: maritime flavor

You’ll also find seafaring options on the list, including the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial and the Independence Seaport Museum. These are good choices if you want Philly to feel connected to the water, not just streets and stone buildings.

A useful strategy is pairing one maritime site with a museum block on a different day, rather than stacking two “water-related” attractions back-to-back if you want variety.

Academy of Natural Sciences: a science-minded pause

The Academy of Natural Sciences is included. Natural sciences museums can be a smart change of pace in a lineup full of history and art. If your group includes kids, this can also add a hands-on feel to the day (even if you don’t know exactly what to expect inside).

RiverLink Ferry: a break that also moves you

You can also use the RiverLink Ferry as part of your included lineup. This is one of the best “I’m saving transit time” ideas on the list, because a ferry can turn travel into a view.

The consideration is timing. Ferries run on schedules, so keep your next attraction window in mind, especially if you’re stacking multiple stops.

Philadelphia dining credit: a small built-in cushion

There’s a $20 dining credit at The Cauldron Co. That’s not meant to replace full meal plans, but it can cover one nice bite so you don’t feel like every meal is a separate cost calculation while you’re sightseeing.

Timing, reservations, and the digital guide you should trust

The pass comes with a free digital guide. This matters because attractions and tours are subject to change. The app is the place to check the most up-to-date lineup, opening times, and how to access each included stop with your pass.

Also, reservations are the one thing that can slow you down. The pass notes that the most popular activities require reservations, and the smart move is to reserve well in advance. Don’t wait until the day-of if you have a specific favorite on your list.

Here’s how I’d use this approach in real life: before you start your pass days, skim the guide and identify which stops are likely to need reservations. Then build your day around the reservation items, with flexible museum stops as the easy backups.

If you’re unsure, start with the attractions that are hardest to plan around (those that require reservations or have limited hours), and let the rest fill in around them.

Transportation reality check

Transportation isn’t included. That means your time and budget still depend on how you move between sites. The good news is that the included lineup has a couple “movement helpers,” like Big Bus Philadelphia and the RiverLink Ferry, which can cut down on stress when you’re crossing different parts of the city.

Still, if you’re planning long hops between far-flung attractions, leave breathing room. The pass makes attractions easier to access, but it doesn’t magically remove the need to get from one place to another.

Who this Philadelphia pass suits best (and who might not love it)

This pass is a strong fit if you want:

• a flexible sightseeing plan over 1 to 5 consecutive days
• the freedom to jump between history, museums, art, animal attractions, and tours
• a simple way to control costs and stop thinking about ticket prices all day

It might be less ideal if:

• you only want one or two attractions total
• you prefer a tight schedule with only a handful of carefully chosen sites
• your group hates advance reservation steps (since some popular stops can require them)

Should you book it?

Yes, I think you should book the Philadelphia Go City All-Inclusive Pass if you’re the type who can handle multiple stops in a day and you want your trip to feel financially predictable. The best reason to choose it is value: one pass can cover a lot of major Philly experiences, and the money-saved feeling shows up in the reviews.

Book it with a simple plan: pick your first activation stop, check the digital guide for reservation needs, and build your days around easy wins (hop-on sightseeing like the Big Bus, plus a mix of museum and one “big personality” attraction like the zoo or aquarium). If you do that, you’ll get the main benefit people rave about—seeing plenty without constantly stopping to calculate entry fees.

FAQ

How long is the Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass valid?

It’s valid for the number of consecutive days you choose (1, 2, 3, or 5). It also remains valid for 1 year from purchase, but it only becomes activated when you visit your first included attraction.

Do I have to pay at the gate for included attractions?

No. At included attractions and tours, you show your pass for admission and pay nothing at the gate.

Where do I start using the pass?

Activate it at any included attraction or tour. Your first visit starts the countdown for the consecutive days you purchased.

Does the pass include a digital guide?

Yes. You get a digital guide with attraction information and reservation instructions, plus it helps you confirm opening times and how to access each attraction with the pass.

Are reservations required?

The pass notes that the most popular activities require reservations. You should reserve well in advance for the items you most want to do.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included.