Philadelphia: Go City Explorer Pass with 3 to 7 Attractions

A pass that turns Philadelphia into pick-your-own days. The Philadelphia Explorer Pass by Go City gives you admission to 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions of your choice, and that flexibility is the real win. I also like that you get a digital guide with attraction info and opening hours, so you can plan without building a rigid day-by-day schedule.

Here’s how the timing works: your pass is activated when you use it at your first included attraction, then you get 30 days to finish the remaining visits you paid for. The main drawback to keep in mind is that the most popular activities can require reservations, and the included lineup and hours can change—so you’ll want to check the Go City app before you lock in your plan.

If you’re visiting Philly for a few key sights (and especially if you want to mix big-name attractions with a couple of local-feeling stops), this pass can be a smart way to pay one set price and move at your own pace. The pass covers everything from major museums and aquariums to historic landmarks and even a Ghost Tour of Philly.

Key Things to Know Before You Buy

• Pick your count up front (3, 4, 5, or 7): You choose how many attractions you want included, then you select from the pass options.
• Your 30-day clock starts at your first attraction: Don’t schedule your first visit too late unless you’re ready to move quickly afterward.
• Show your digital pass at the gate: The pass is delivered digitally and you’ll show it for admission at participating places.
• A digital guide helps you plan fast: You get a PDF guide or the Go City app with descriptions and opening hours.
• Some top picks may need reservations: If something is in high demand, reserve early using the instructions in your guide.
• Lineup and hours can change: Always rely on the Go City app for the most up-to-date info.

How the Philadelphia Explorer Pass Actually Works

This is a multi-attraction admission pass. After you purchase, you’re buying access to a set number of attractions—3, 4, 5, or 7—from a list of included options. The clever part is that you don’t have to decide every stop before you arrive. Instead, you can choose as you go, based on what fits your energy level, your schedule, and what’s open.

Activation is straightforward: you activate the pass at any of the included attractions or tours. Once your first attraction visit happens, the pass becomes active for 30 days. During that window, you can use it for the remaining number of attractions you purchased.

One thing I find reassuring: you don’t have to guess what you’ll be doing each day ahead of time. Your digital pass and guide give you a menu, and you build the itinerary from there.

Just make sure you sync your pass in the Go City app (or save it to your phone/tablet or print it). This matters because at some attractions you’ll be showing the pass at the point of entry, not waving a screenshot from a different device.

Price and Value: When $64 Makes Sense

The listed price in your details is $64 per person, and the pass is designed to save money versus buying tickets individually. Go City advertises savings of up to 50%, but that depends on which attractions you end up using.

So here’s my practical value test: ask yourself how many paid-ticket attractions you would realistically visit anyway during your Philadelphia stay. If you’re the type who likes hitting 3 major sights plus a couple of extras, the “3 attractions” option can still feel efficient. If you want museums, landmarks, and one or two larger ticket experiences (like aquarium or zoo-style attractions), “5” or “7” is usually where the economics start to look healthiest.

Also consider time value. Even if you end up not using every attraction option you originally planned, the pass still has a built-in buffer: you get a full 30 days after your first use. That flexibility can turn a “maybe I can fit it in” trip into a “yes, I did it” trip.

Planning With the Free Digital Guide (and Not Getting Stuck)

This pass includes a digital guide with attraction descriptions and opening hours. That’s more than a nice extra. In real life, Philly hours can change around holidays, and not every attraction runs on the same schedule.

Use the guide to:

• confirm opening hours for each attraction you’re considering
• read the instructions for accessing each attraction with your pass
• check whether a reservation is required for the activities you want most

You’ll also see that attractions and tours are subject to change. That’s not unique to this pass, but it’s especially important here because the Go City app is where the current lineup and access instructions live. If you plan your trip based on outdated info, you can lose time at the gate—or worse, plan your “must-do” for a day it isn’t operating.

One more real-world tip from the booking experience side: some people discover after purchase that they expected instant access but needed to use the app process (or wait for pass delivery timing). If you’re buying very close to your travel dates, double-check that you can access and display your pass right away before you head out.

Picking Your Attractions: Mix Museums, History, and One Big Ticket

The pass options include major museum names, classic Philadelphia history stops, and family-friendly attractions, plus a couple of experiences that can add variety to your days.

What you can choose from includes:

• Adventure Aquarium
• The Franklin Institute
• Big Bus Philadelphia – Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Philadelphia Art Museum
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Longwood Gardens
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia
• Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial
• Museum of the American Revolution
• Academy of Natural Sciences
• Barnes Foundation
• National Constitution Center
• Ghost Tour of Philly
• Betsy Ross House

There’s also enough variety here that you can build a trip with a clear theme if you want—science day, history day, art day, or a family day—without feeling locked into a single route.

My suggestion: pick one “anchor” attraction for each day you’ll use the pass, then let the second and third choices be flexible. That way, if something’s busier than expected or you hit a line, you still have a Plan B already in your pocket.

Stop-by-Stop: How to Think About Each Included Attraction

Below is a practical way to choose among the included options, based on what each type of attraction gives you. I’ll keep this grounded in what the pass actually covers: the specific names and what kind of experience they represent.

Adventure Aquarium

If you want a straightforward, high-attendance option with broad appeal, the Adventure Aquarium is a strong candidate. It’s the kind of stop that tends to work well as a main day activity, especially if your group includes kids, or if you want something that doesn’t rely on booking multiple separate experiences.

Potential consideration: aquarium-type attractions can be popular, so if your guide indicates reservation needs, plan for that.

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute is a top science-and-learning style pick. I like using it when I want a “hands-on” stop that doesn’t require a huge time commitment beyond the ticket itself.

Potential consideration: it’s a big name, so check your guide for the most current entry instructions.

Big Bus Philadelphia – Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

If you’re trying to save time figuring out transit and want an easy way to get city context, the Big Bus Philadelphia option can be a smart add-on. Think of it as a flexible transportation and sightseeing combo.

Potential consideration: this is one of the few options that functions more like a moving service than a single fixed attraction time. You’ll want to match it to your arrival and sightseeing hours rather than treating it like a quick in-and-out museum.

Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo is another big-ticket choice that can anchor a full day. It fits well if you’re visiting when outdoor time is appealing and you want something that keeps people engaged.

Potential consideration: if you’re trying to stack multiple attractions in one day, remember that zoo time can grow fast once you’re inside.

Philadelphia Art Museum and Barnes Foundation

Both Philadelphia Art Museum and Barnes Foundation are art-focused options, which is great if you want a calmer, more museum-going pace. I like pairing one art museum with either a history stop (like Betsy Ross House) or a science stop (like Academy of Natural Sciences), because it breaks the monotony of one theme.

Potential consideration: art museums can be easiest when you go with a simple goal like seeing a few major galleries well, rather than trying to cover everything in one rushed pass.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Betsy Ross House, Museum of the American Revolution, National Constitution Center

These options are your history backbone:

• Eastern State Penitentiary (more dramatic, landmark-style history)
• Betsy Ross House (early American story stop)
• Museum of the American Revolution (revolution-era focus)
• National Constitution Center (U.S. constitutional story)

I like grouping history stops together only if you’re ready for a “civic learning” day. If you’d rather keep your trip lighter, balance one history attraction with one family-friendly or science attraction.

Potential consideration: history sites can also be in demand, so reserve or plan ahead if your guide suggests it.

Ghost Tour of Philly

If you want an evening change of pace, the Ghost Tour of Philly adds something different from daytime museums. It’s also a natural way to handle a day when you don’t want to cram in another indoor exhibit.

Potential consideration: tours can be timed and popular, so the reservation note in the guide is worth taking seriously.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is included as a destination-style attraction. If your group likes big attractions that feel like a “day out,” this is the kind of stop that can be worth saving for when your schedule has room to breathe.

Potential consideration: check opening hours in the digital guide, especially around holidays.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia is the kind of attraction that tends to work well for families or anyone who enjoys hands-on play. It’s a great way to add a playful slot to a trip that otherwise might feel museum-heavy.

Potential consideration: plan your timing so it doesn’t swallow your whole day if you’re also trying to fit other pass attractions.

Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences is another science-forward choice. I like it because it adds variety beyond the other science name on the list.

Potential consideration: as with other major attractions, check entry instructions and timing in the guide.

Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial

The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial is a history-and-museum type stop with a strong “one specific thing” focus. If you like military and maritime history, it can serve as a memorable anchor.

Potential consideration: it’s an easy choice to overbook against other commitments, so give it enough time.

Avoiding the Biggest Friction Points

This pass is simple, but there are a few ways trips can go sideways:

1. Starting too late: Your pass activates at your first attraction visit, then you only have 30 days. If your first stop happens near the end of your trip, you might run out of time before using all included attractions.
2. Missing reservations for high-demand items: The information you get in the guide matters. If an activity requires reservations, treat that as part of your planning, not an optional extra.
3. Assuming the lineup is fixed: Attractions and tours are subject to change. Use the Go City app for the latest opening times and the current list.
4. Paper vs app access: Syncing the pass with the app can help, but also follow the instructions to save to your device or print a copy so you’re not stuck at the entry point.

On the good side, the flexibility is exactly what this pass is built for. One person described the experience as a very good trip with a grandson, and another highlighted the selection as a strong reason to use the pass. That matches the overall design: you choose what fits, and you don’t have to commit to a full itinerary on day one.

Who This Pass Is Best For

This Explorer Pass is a good match if you:

• want to avoid buying multiple separate tickets
• like having options and adjusting based on your pace
• plan to use at least a handful of attractions during your time in Philadelphia
• appreciate having a digital guide with descriptions and opening hours

It’s also a strong choice for families, because the included lineup includes big-name kid-friendly options like LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia and Adventure Aquarium.

If you’re the type who wants every plan locked weeks in advance and hates last-minute switching, this can still work—but you’ll want to use the guide early so you’re not reacting to schedule changes on the fly.

Should You Book the Go City Philadelphia Explorer Pass?

I’d book it if your plan includes several of the listed attractions—especially if you’re aiming for 4 or 5+ stops and you want the freedom to choose as you go. The value comes from stacking admissions into one paid pass, plus the included digital guide that helps you manage opening hours and access.

I’d pause before booking if you:

• need guaranteed same-day entry at the last minute
• have only a short trip window and can’t comfortably use the 30 days after activation
• expect to rely on a single attraction with no backup plan if access changes

For most people planning a serious Philly sightseeing run with a flexible schedule, this pass is a practical, good-value way to see more without doing ticket math all day.

FAQ

How many attractions does the Philadelphia Explorer Pass include?

Your pass includes admission to 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions, depending on which option you purchase.

When does my pass become active?

Your pass only becomes activated when you use it at your first attraction visit.

How long do I have to use the pass after activation?

After activation, you have 30 days to visit the remaining attractions you purchased.

Do I need to choose attractions before I arrive?

No. You can select included attractions as you go from the options in the digital guide and Go City app.

Is there a guide included with the pass?

Yes. You receive a digital guide with attraction information and opening hours (available as a PDF guide and in the Go City app).

Do I need reservations for included attractions?

Some of the most popular activities require reservations, so you should reserve well in advance and follow the guide’s instructions.

Can I cancel my booking?

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