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Save 48% on admission to Seattle's top 5 attractions, including a 1-hour Harbor Cruise, with CityPASS®

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Admission includes:

• Space Needle
• Seattle Aquarium
• Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Pacific Science Center

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Seeing Seattle with CityPASS

Emily Adams

Visiting Seattle is an adventure any day of the year. Getting to see some of Seattle’s greatest attractions is something your family will never forget! Recently, our family used Seattle CityPASS to see seven of the most sought after stops in the city. MANY of these can be done in the same day. Bring a sack lunch or swing by a local food truck to make sure you and your family are fueled for a full day(s) of fun!

What is a CityPASS?

CityPASS is a handheld booklet filled with coupons and tickets to seven hot attractions in the city. Each attraction was specifically picked for the program to enhance your experience at an unmatched value. In nine consecutive days, you have access to a handful of local attractions in your CityPASS booklet. Starting on your day of purchase, you can visit each attraction in any order that you choose. (We will share what we found to be easiest to see multiple locations in one day!)

Spend less and experience more with CityPASS

Why opt for a CityPASS instead of seeing Seattle on your own watch and dime? The truth is, the CityPASS’s goal was to give everyone the opportunity to spend less and experience more. To spend less time researching and digging through brochures, and quit worrying about what will work for kids in different phases. Instead, to feel confident in their plan without second guessing, and gain more time connecting instead of directing a group in the city. With all the hype that CityPASS gets, you’d expect their sticker price to be astronomical. Luckily, this isn’t the case. Each Seattle CityPASS ticket saves travelers 46% or more on combined admission to Seattle’s top attractions. You’ll see your CityPASS pay off in the first three to four visits.

Explore the City with a Plan

We opted to drive up and explore the city in three different “time blocks.” Many of the attractions are in walking distance of each other and make it easy to hit multiple stops in one day! We will give you the scoop on what worked for our family and hopefully that will simplify your trip to Seattle with (or without!) the kids.

Seattle Space Needle

First things first, one of the things we learned at the gate while using our CityPASSes at the Space Needle was that you get TWO visits included to ride up to the top! (One during the day and one at night.) Our recommendation would be to start your day early at the Needle. Get there when they open and soak in the morning views.  It might sound scary to let your toddler “toddle” around the Needle, but it actually is one of the best places to let your kids roam! Every floor of the Space Needle is completely safe, so instead of worrying about their safety, you’ll just have to work on keeping a brave face (if you’re afraid of heights!)

You have to leave your stroller at the bottom, so pack a backpack full of snacks and treats to enjoy and encourage the kids to sit still (for a second!) so you can enjoy the view! If you’re bringing an infant with you, bring along your favorite baby carrier so you can be hands free. The Space Needle has snacks and food available for purchase at the top, and CityPASS has a coupon for the gift shop inside. A recent addition to the Space Needle experience is their virtual reality bungee jumping down in the gift shop. Its free, but I definitely recommend doing it AFTER you’ve taken the elevator down from the top!

Chihuly Garden and Glass OR Pacific Science Center

Seattle’s CityPASS gives you the option to choose between the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit OR the Pacific Science Center. We opted to visit both to share our experience, but in all honesty we will share what works best for different age groups! If you’re visiting the city and don’t want to miss an attraction, inside your CityPASS are coupons to make your visit more affordable. (Both are at the base of the Space Needle so you can save time and money on your day in the city too!)

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Right next to the Space Needle,  Chihuly’s Garden and Glass  exhibit is a beautiful spot in the middle of downtown. You feel like you’re in a whole other world because the indoor and outdoor glass sculptures, flowers, plants and treasures created by Dale Chihuly feel whimsical and enchanting.

The exhibit has done a great job of keeping the glass directly out of arms reach (which was a relief with a busy three year old!) In our honest opinion, it is the perfect place for a date with your loved one, to enjoy with your older kids while reading Dale Chihuly’s history and inspiration, or to enjoy solo while your baby sleeps soundly in a carrier or being pushed in the stroller along the way.

The Pacific Science Center

The Pacific Science Center is a complete 180 experience from the Chihuly exhibit. Depending on which day of the week that you visit, the Pacific Science Center is a hot spot for school field trips and fun family days. It is the place you go to let the kids be KIDS! From prehistoric dinosaur exhibits, to virtual reality and outer space, the Pacific Science Center’s ideal audience is kids of all ages or adults ready to play like kids!

The Science Center has a total of 20 exhibits to keep your family engaged and entertained. They even have a TOTS exhibit if you’re worried your crawler/toddler won’t have anything to do! Truthfully, you could spend an entire day just at this stop alone, so start early if you want to hit a few stops in one day. Bring lunch and camp out, or buy tickets to an IMAX movie to break up the day and kick up your feet and enjoy some R&R. The Pacific Science Center’s IMAX movie theater shows different movies throughout the day.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) OR Woodland Park Zoo

Museum of pop culture (mopop).

If you’re wanting to continue with your epic downtown Seattle Center day, hit the  Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)  last! Just like Chihuly and the Science Center, Seattle’s CityPASS gives you the option to choose between the MoPOP or the Woodland Park Zoo. We’d never visited the MoPOP before so this was a completely new experience for us- but WOW it was worth the wait! Head to the MoPOP and explore “some of the most significant moments in rock music, science fiction and pop culture with hands-on experiences, iconic artifacts and award-winning exhibits featuring music, literature, television, and video games.”

The Fantasy and Music exhibits were my kid’s favorite stops. When you enter into the Fantasy exhibit you are welcomed with iconic pieces from the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, Zorro and Narnia. It was exiting and shocking for all of my boys to see pieces from the actual movies right in front of them. The music exhibit was fun because it stirred up their creative instincts and encouraged all of my kids to work together. In part of the music exhibit you can learn to play guitar, drums, and keyboard in different sound proof booths. The best part was, you can connect them all to make your own band. In our case, our very own boy band! I definitely recommend checking out the MoPOP if you haven’t before. There is a lot to see and explore for families and kids of all ages, and if you’re like us, to try a new place maybe you wouldn’t have thought of without your CityPASS.

Woodland Park Zoo

The Woodland Park Zoo is a Seattle staple. Their mission is to save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives. What a cool lesson for kids to learn, right? We have been visiting the Woodland Park Zoo since my nine-year-old was a tiny baby! After almost a decade of visiting and enjoying Seattle’s home zoo, there is still always something new being dreamt up to keep interests high. The zoo welcomes visitors to join in and enjoy feeding and volunteer experiences to connect with the wildlife. One of our favorite things to do at the Woodland Park Zoo is feed the giraffes! Its always a hightlight – but its seasonal. (Check which feeding experiences are available when you arrive.)

We save the indoor Zoomazium as a final reward for our kids at the end of a long day. Inside you can kick back and watch the kids climb inside a three-story tree house, build puzzles and craft, or let your toddlers and crawlers hop inside the TOT-friendly area separate from the big kids. The Woodland Park Zoo is so big that is it nearly impossible to add the zoo to another stop on your bucket list on the same day. In our opinion, carve out a day just for the zoo and let your kids lead the way!

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Carve out a day at the waterfront and start with Argosy Cruises and the Harbor Tour! This was the highlight of our week! Our family has visited the Seattle waterfront many times, but NEVER have we been out on the water. Seattle’s CityPASS helped us financially make it work to take a family of six. Surprisingly when we got to the ticketing booth we actually found out that most of Arogsy Cruises sales are based off of sales directly through CityPASS!

The Harbor Cruise was unlike any other experience on the list of CityPASS attractions. As you walk aboard the boat, you are greeted by their friendly staff who are ready to help load your stroller and direct you where to experience the tour depending on your needs and the group you are traveling with. You can hang down below and watch the views go by through large bay windows, find a table on the middle deck and head outside to enjoy the breeze, or climb up top and find a seat in the sunshine and enjoy 360 degree views of the water and Seattle sightseeing as your tour guide shares history and facts about our favorite city.

The Harbor Cruise is only an hour long and its packed with amazing views and sightseeing. If you’re from the Seattle area or are traveling in from out of town, I would definitely recommend adding Argosy Cruises to your bucket list and splurging for a CityPASS to get the best bang for your buck!

Seattle Aquarium

The Seattle Aquarium is one of our favorite stops on the waterfront. Down past Argosy Cruises and the Great Wheel (also a must do!) the Seattle Aquarium welcomes families and friends any day of the week. We wrapped up our CityPASS visits at the aquarium with our Argosy Cruises stop as an epic day on the waterfront. It’s great to be downtown in the city but it’s even better to smell the fresh sea breeze! The Seattle indoor and outdoor aquarium gives you those great sightseeing views of Seattle and also welcomes you to spend time with some beautiful wildlife beneath the sea!

The aquarium really has thought of everything. They have a huge glass wall aquarium right as you enter that sets the stage for the tone of your visit. Around every corner is an opportunity for learning or play! They have a full room of touch and feel tide pools, kiddy activities for toddlers, a prek (or older) dress up area, and different exhibits full of wildlife!

My kids loved the underground aquarium that hosts many large species of fish! They do a feeding every day at 1 PM that is fun to come watch! You can listen to their guided tours and talks or roam around the aquarium and soak it all in at your own pace. I’ve been by myself with girlfriends and our babies, and I’ve also been with our big kids as a large family affair. I can honestly say the Seattle Aquarium welcomes all different types of groups and serves everyone equally! They really hit the nail on the head by getting looped in with the CityPASS deal.

Summer is for Seattle CityPASS

Summer is officially here and families are busy in the city! As school wraps up and schedules open wide, I can’t express enough how valuable a CityPASS can be for your family! If you’re from Seattle or planning a trip to the city, make CityPASS part of your summer plans!

This post was produced in partnership with Teeter Totter Mom . Read the original article here

About the Author

Emily (a.k.a. Teeter Totter Mom ) is a busy mama of four boys, and a wife to her very playful and loving husband. Their busy life is based just south of Seattle, Washington in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She is a dedicated coffee drinker, puppy wrangler, design enthusiast, adventure junkie, amateur photographer, and passionate mom.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

My 6 Favorite Attractions To Visit With The Seattle CityPASS

• Destinations
• United States

The “Emerald City,” so nicknamed for the lush evergreen trees in the area, Seattle, Washington, prides herself on innovating for the future. Incorporated in 1869, Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle’s Best Coffee, and grunge music, home to the 1962 World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition), Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, and so much more.

When in Seattle for business or pleasure, you’re well advised to purchase the Seattle CityPASS for the most economical and quickest way to enter the top tourist attractions. Or, as they say, “Spend Less… Experience More. ” The CityPASS allows you to save 46 percent on the price at the five top venues while offering express entry at these busy locations. And, potentially, hours in line. I like the time savings almost as much as the cost reduction.

If you know before you leave home that you’ll go to these attractions, you can order your tickets online or you can purchase them directly at any of the attractions.

The Seattle CityPASS includes admission to the Space Needle and the Aquarium with the choice of three of the four other attractions: Argosy Cruise, Chihuly Glass, MoPop, and the Woodland Park Zoo. Great news for you, too. You don’t have to choose which three you’ll attend until you go. If your party includes small children, 4 and under, check the site to see if they require tickets.

Pro Tip: Do not purchase your Seattle CityPASS at the Space Needle. It’s the busiest of all the attractions and you’ll waste a lot of time in line.

1. Seattle Space Needle

“If you see one thing in Seattle, see everything.”

When the Space Needle opened for the Seattle World ’s Fair in 1962, the architect’s vision wasn’t quite realized due to the technology available at the time. There weren’t glass panels large enough to withstand the elements at their height. And no way to get them there. With the recent $100 million renovation, the architect’s vision for this beacon of the future will finally be achieved. 

Now updated, with three floors of observation decks, your ticket price includes a virtual reality encounter in the lobby: a bungee jump from the top. It’s a stomach-dropping experience.

The top deck reaches 518 feet (158 meters), but the antenna soars to 604 feet (184 meters).

The revolving platform allows you to stay firmly planted in one spot for an entire revolution. Or you can move about to watch the cityscape beneath you.

Pro Tip: Maximize the use of your ticket. Return at night to see the city lights.

2. Seattle Aquarium

There are so many things to see and do at the Seattle Aquarium , you’ll be glad you saved the time with your express entry.

At the entrance, check on the times for the daily diver shows and any other presentations. You won’t want to miss them.

Many of the exhibits on the first floor illustrate the aquarium’s success and future goals. A combination of real-life and technologically-enhanced displays allows and inspires you to understand how to best conserve Pacific Northwest wildlife. 

And then something, like the luminous moon jellies, jumps into view and you’re awestruck.

Continue along the well-marked paths to explore exhibits, then walk through a small tunnel and find yourself in the Underwater Dome. It’s a 360-degree tank filled with hundreds of fish you find in the Puget Sound area. The silver-backed open-water salmon is my favorite, and you can spot lingcod, sturgeon, sharks, and rockfish if you look closely through the kelp forest.

Go outside and around to the otter pools. When I was there, feeding time was around 12:30 p.m. You can call in advance and ask.

At the aquarium, you can rush through in an hour or spend a wonderful day. It all depends on your schedule.

Pro Tip: My favorite time to go is when the sea otters are fed. They are so playful and friendly.

3. Argosy Cruise Of Elliott Bay

Argosy Cruises has been one of my favorites since we had our company picnic aboard. The 1-hour Harbor Cruise is included in the CityPASS. While cruising Elliott Bay and the Seattle Harbor, a live narrator entertains you with tales of the waterfront, shipyards, shipping containers, and, of course, “The Mountain.” While the majestic Olympic mountain range to the west and Cascade mountain range to the east are impressive, Mt. Rainier, on a sunny day, steals the show.

Michelle, our tour leader, was well versed in legend and history and struck many of us with the giggles. Keep an eye out for wildlife. Most days you can spot the not-so-studly seals by one of the debris barges, slumbering or not so elegantly frolicking — inadvertently funny, so not likely to get the girl seal.

The best seats are on the north side (left when facing the wheelhouse) so that you get great sound and city views for photographs once the ship has turned around. 

The sound is deeper than 650 feet in spots, more than the height of the Space Needle … so the Needle could be put upside down in the Sound.

Pro Tip: If you plan to do the other four attractions, this is the easy one in CityPASS to “skip” and independently purchase the Locks Cruise. Ask about the weekend special event cruises.

4. MoPop: Museum Of POP Culture

Founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, MoPop is a multimedia mecca at its finest. Its mission, to “make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities” can be felt throughout the compound.

From the reflective orangish wave of the exterior to the flow and sensory challenges inside that explore some of the most significant moments in pop culture, you can spend hours or days being inspired by the hands-on access to pop culture on display and the people that helped change history.

From the largest guitar sculpture, iconic artifacts, and huge media screens to revolving exhibits, like Marvel Comics, The History of Sci-fi and Fantasy , and Horror , School of Rock, Heroes and Villains: the Art of the Disney Costume . Be inspired. Go out and make your own art, be it music or any of the multimedia explored here.

Taking advantage of the sound booths available so you can try your hand at instruments and vocals can keep you busy the entire day if you like — without hurting your family’s hearing.

5. Chihuly Garden And Glass

If you love blown glass or just explosions of glass, Chihuly Garden And Glass will be an exciting attraction for you. If you have no idea why anyone could get excited about a museum of glass, then prepare to be blown away.

Located an easy walk from the Space Needle, the blown glass flowers among the natural flora of Seattle draw you in. This is the place where color and curiosity allow your creativity to bloom.

The artist who inspired this all? Dale Chihuly.

Born in Tacoma in 1941 (if you have time, go visit the Tacoma Museum of Glass ), Chihuly revolutionized the way glass, neon, ice, acrylic paint, charcoal, and other materials are used in sculpture. The works of art he creates truly transform the way we see light, color, and form.

The live glassblowing demonstration should not be missed.

Flowers, fish, avant-garde works, all blown from glass, live and thrive here.

Fortunately, an audio tour is included with your ticket. Chihuly’s innovation and passion are on display through the audio tour, garden tour, and gallery talks. 

Walk beneath a wall of larger-than-life flowers. Explore an entire seascape the size of a large ballroom. Or see the most intricate vase standing about 16 feet high and perhaps that wide.

There are opportunities for you to get your photo taken and pick it up on your way out (or have it emailed directly to you).

6. Woodland Park Zoo

If you love zoos, Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo is the place for you. With over a thousand animals representing more than 300 species, this top award-winning zoo allows you to connect with nature while encountering one of the largest land mammals, the rhino.

Or, if smaller animals are your cup of tea, check out the schedule for the outdoor theater programs. Here you can meet the “clever ambassador animals” including porcupine, hornbill, and, sometimes, a parrot.

For your little ones, explore the Zoomazium, an indoor nature play space designed especially for your children to safely explore and be inspired to save wildlife.

Back outside, you can discover lions, tigers, and grizzly bears (oh my!) as well as little sloth bears.

Pro Tip: Don’t let your fear of rain or overcast skies keep you from getting out in Seattle. It’s a great town.

More Seattle attractions to explore include:

• How To Do A Unique Food Crawl In Pike Place Market, Seattle
• My 4 Favorite Pieces At Chihuly Garden And Glass
• The Best Cheap Things To Do In Seattle

Gail Clifford, MD, a physician for 30 years, has traveled to five continents and has visited all 50 United States. An avid traveler, she happily goes on new adventures, especially for birthdays. Multi-generational travel remains a treasured pastime. She currently divides her time between Ireland and the U.S. You can experience more from Gail on her site ABLE Travel & Photo .

Seattle Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour with CityPASS

Posted on Published: March 30, 2017  - Last updated: April 1, 2018

My recent Spring Break trip to Seattle last week included visits to top attractions in the city thanks to CityPASS .  CityPASS offers discounted admissions to popular attractions packaged into one convenient booklet.  One of the attractions included in Seattle CityPASS is a harbor tour run by Argosy Cruises.  Here are some highlights:

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour — Ship

Disclosure:   I am a CityPASS media partner and received complimentary CityPASS.  The links below are  affiliate  links, which means I receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase.  While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up.  Thanks for the support!

About CityPASS

CityPASS is a great way to experience a city and to save money on admissions.  For Seattle, you save 45% off admission to 5 top Seattle attractions.  The pass is valid for 9 consecutive days and the booklets can be shipped, received via instant email delivery or purchased at a partner attraction.  With CityPASS , you get to save time from standing in line and paying for admission at the attraction.  All you need to do is walk up to the entrance, present your booklet, and then you’re in!  One tip is that the CityPASS booklet is treated like cash so you must keep in safe.  Unfortunately, if you lose the booklet, it cannot be replaced.

Seattle CityPASS Ticket Booklets

Check out an overview of the attractions included in Seattle CityPASS in this official video:

Getting onboard the cruise was very easy.  Once we decided which of the tours we wanted to go on, we arrived 30 minutes ahead of departure time and presented the CityPASS booklet at the Argosy visitor center at Pier 56.  Tour times are noted inside the CityPASS booklet.

Aboard the one-hour narrated Argosy Harbor cruise, we took in amazing views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay waterfront, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, shipping terminals, and historic neighborhoods.

TIP:  For the best views, coming and going, it is recommended to head to the top of the boat and sit on the city side (your right, when facing the front of the boat).

I particularly enjoyed getting up close with the shipping terminals and seeing US Coastguard ships.

On the tour, you also get a harbor view of the Seattle Space Needle .  It was nice to see it from a different angle as we had gone up to the Observation Deck the day before.

Overall Impression

The Argosy Harbor Cruise is a terrific way to see the waterfront area of Seattle.  The narrated tour was educational and, at times, hilariously entertaining.  For more information on CityPASS , visit  www.citypass.com

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Seattle CityPASS + C3 Pass Review: Is This City Pass Worth It?

By: Author Mark and Kristen Morgan

Posted on Published: December 5, 2022  - Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Travel Planning Blog

The Seattle CityPASS is the major attraction pass in Washington’s famous city. This comprehensive review will explain everything you need to know about both the Seattle CityPASS and C3 Pass.

Why can you trust us when it comes to the Seattle CityPASS?

Because not only have we lived in Seattle, but we have personally used the Seattle CityPASS ourselves.

We also have used CityPASS in many other cities around the United States . So you can consider us experts when it comes to using this attraction based pass.

Our only goal is to help you decide if you should considering purchasing a CityPASS for your visit to Seattle.

In this review, we will show you:

• Why you should buy a Seattle CityPASS?
• How the Seattle CityPASS works
• Top attractions included with the pass
• How to make required reservations
• Is the Seattle CityPASS worth it?

Let’s see if the Seattle CityPASS is worth it for your visit to the Emerald city!

Disclaimer : We received Seattle CityPASS tickets in order to share our opinion about this product but this is not a sponsored post.

Why Buy A Seattle CityPASS?

Buying a Seattle CityPASS will instantly give you access to the top attractions in the city including museums, cruises and observation decks.

These passes are a very simple concept in that the more attractions you visit, the more money you will save. Personally, we always use attraction passes if available in every city we visit around the world.

An attraction pass is great for both first time visitors and anyone else in the city who has yet to experience the ‘touristy’ things.

How Does The Seattle CityPASS Work?

The Seattle CityPASS is an attraction based pass.

This means your pass is preloaded with attractions you can visit during your time in the city. We like the CityPASS because you have the ability to choose between the very best of Seattle’s attractions.

There are two pass options available:

• Seattle CityPASS
• Seattle C3 Pass

The main difference between these two CityPASS options are the amount of attractions included on the pass itself.

A Seattle CityPASS gives you entry into 5 attractions from a list of 6 attractions , but two of these attractions are non-negotiable.

Whereas the Seattle C3 Pass gives you entry into  3 attractions  from a list of  5 attractions .

A Seattle CityPASS or C3 Pass are both valid for 9 consecutive days starting from the first day you visit your first attraction and tickets are valid for one year from the date of original purchase.

Let’s take a closer look at the attractions on each Seattle pass.

Want A Seattle CityPASS?

Head over to the official CityPASS website to grab your pass now.

Seattle CityPASS Attractions

Here are the attractions you must visit with the CityPASS in Seattle:

• Seattle Aquarium
• Space Needle

And then you can choose 3 more attractions from the following list:

• Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
• Woodland Park Zoo

Travel Tip : The Seattle CityPASS is perfect for first time visitors because this pass gives you entry to the most popular attractions in the city.

Seattle C3 Pass Attractions

The Seattle C3 Pass will grant you entry to any 3 attractions:

• The Museum of Flight
• S ky View Observatory

Travel Tip : The Seattle C3 Pass is good for those who don’t want to visit the Space Needle or who are extremely short on time.

How Much Does The Seattle CityPASS Cost?

The Seattle, Washington CityPASS is cost effective because this pass grants you entry to the best attractions at the most competitive price point .

However, the attractions on these passes are limited. So the CityPASS in Seattle is a great deal if you are interested in the attractions listed on the pass.

We would also recommend you purchase your Seattle CityPASS in advance online prior to your visit. Some of the attractions on the pass may require advanced reservations which we will discuss later in the guide.

Buy The Seattle CityPASS

The Seattle CityPASS is currently priced at $ 115 for adults and $87 for children (5-12).

With a small calculation, we will show you just how much you can save with the Seattle CityPASS.

This example uses the same day box office general admission price for adults as well as processing fees for each ticket transaction on the official websites.

Here are the prices you would pay if visiting each attraction individually:

• Seattle Aquarium – $30.95 (prices vary by day)
• Space Needle – $39.38 (afternoon visit + tax)
• Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour – $58.12 (taxes and fees)
• Chihuly Garden and Glass – $33.60
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) – $27.50
• Woodland Park Zoo – $18.25

Taking the Seattle Aquarium ($30.95) + Space Needle ($76.13)* + Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour ($58.12) + Chihuly Garden and Glass ($33.60) + Museum of Pop Culture ($27.50) = $226.30

*The calculation above includes two visits to the Space Needle which is included in the Seattle CityPASS (morning visit costs $36.75).

• Attraction Price = $226.30 without Seattle CityPASS
• CityPASS Price = $115.00
• Savings = $113.30

You can save up to 50% on the top 5 attractions with the CityPASS in Seattle !

>> Buy an official Seattle CityPASS here . <<

Buy The Seattle C3 Pass

The Seattle CityPASS is currently priced at $ 73 for adults  and  $53 for children  (4-12).

While the C3 Pass doesn’t save as much money compared to the CityPASS, you can still save about 30% during your visit to Seattle.

The C3 Pass is good for those who don’t want to visit the Space Needle, but want to visit the Museum of Flight and Sky View Observatory.

>> Buy an official Seattle C3 Pass here . <<

Seattle CityPASS Attractions Explained In Depth

Now you know how the Seattle CityPASS works and how much money you can save, so let’s briefly take a look at each individual attraction included on the pass.

In each section we will also tell you if reservations are recommended or required for each attraction.

1. Seattle Aquarium

Address : 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59, Seattle, WA 98101

Seattle Aquarium Google Maps Location .

CityPASS and C3 Reservations : Required

The Seattle Aquarium focuses on marine life found throughout the Puget Sound. With the Seattle CityPASS, you wil have access to all major exhibits.

Currently, the Seattle Aquarium features six unique exhibits including:

• Window on Washington Waters (replicates the seascape around Neah Bay)
• Life on the Edge (sea life of Puget Sound tide pools)
• Pacific Coral Reef (experience the vibrant life of coral reef in the Pacific)
• Life of a Drifter (Marine life of the Puget Sound)
• Birds & Shores (open air exhibit showcasing birds from the coastal Northwest)
• Underwater Dome (your chance to be surrounded by Puget Sound’s sea life)
• Marine Mammals (meet otters and harbor seals)

Be sure to check out the  giant Pacific octopus named Kraken . He was quite active when we visited (you can find him in the ‘Life of a Drifter’ exhibit).

2. Space Needle

Address : 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109

Space Needle Google Maps Location .

CityPASS Reservations : Recommended

The Space Needle dominates the stunning Seattle skyline in addition to the active stratovolcano, Mount Rainier. Since opening in 1962, this iconic needle represents the innovative and forward thinking spirit of Seattle.

Standing at 605 feet tall, the Seattle Space Needle is one of the most recognizable and photographed buildings in the world.

Travel Tip : An advantage to the CityPASS is this pass will grant you both a day and night admission including two visits to the top of the Space Needle within 24 hours.

3. Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour

Address : 1101 Alaskan Way Pier 55, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98101

Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour Google Maps Location .

Argosy Cruises offers a 1 hour experience on Seattle’s original harbor cruise. During the cruise you will learn about Seattle’s history as well as interesting facts about the area.

We loved this cruise for the views of the Seattle skyline, the gorgeous Olympic Mountains and the busy shipping port. On board, you will have access to a full service bar serving cocktails, wine, beer and snacks.

4. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Address : 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Chihuly Garden and Glass Google Maps Location .

If you are looking for a unique attraction, the Chihuly Garden and Glass  museum is certainly it. This museum is located in Seattle Center and showcases the studio glass of Dale Chihuly.

CityPASS will give grant you general admission, plus a complimentary audio tour via smartphone. We would recommend you spend about 2-3 hours touring the eight galleries, Glasshouse and beautiful outside garden.

Be sure to also check out the glass blowing demonstrations in the community hot shop. See the demonstration times here .

Photography Tip : For those who love photography, you can capture a reflection of the Space Needle in several of the glass sculptures of the garden.

5. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Address : 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Museum of Pop Culture Google Maps Location .

CityPASS Reservations : Not required, CityPASS guests receive next available time slot.

The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle showcases one of the worlds most immersive pop culture experiences including iconic moments in TV, important moments in rock n roll and science fiction.

Current exhibits include popular hits like The Lord of the Rings, Marvel superheroes and Star Trek. We like the interactive exhibits featuring the Sound Lab and Indie Game Revolution.

Don’t miss the exhibits featuring Seattle icons such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix. To view the list of current and temporary exhibits, visit the official MoPOP website . CityPASS will grant you general admission.

6. Woodland Park Zoo

Address : 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Woodland Park Zoo Google Maps Location .

CityPASS and C3 Reservations : Recommended

The Woodland Park Zoo spans a whopping 92 acres and includes more than 900 animals across 250 species. This zoo is home to several critically endangered animals from around the world.

At the zoo, you will find its divided into biclimatic zones such as humid tropical rainforests, coastal deserts and temperate rainforests like those of the Pacific Northwest.

A Seattle CityPASS will grant you general admission.

How To Make A Timed Reservation With Seattle CityPASS

For many CityPASS locations throughout the United States, you are required to make a timed reservation for various attractions on each pass.

These reservations work on a timed entry system which means you won’t have to wait in line at each attraction. All you will need to do is show your CityPASS for Seattle as well as the reservation confirmation.

For Seattle, the Space Needle and the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour will require reservations. We love using CityPASS for its easy to use reservation system.

All you have to do is head over to the reservation page on the official CityPASS website, find the attraction, hit the dark blue button that says ‘Reserve Time’ and select the time you would like to visit.

A confirmation email with your reservation information will be send to the same email you used to originally purchase the CityPASS tickets.

You will need this reservation confirmation along with your Seattle CityPASS to visit attractions with required reservations.

Please keep in mind reservation requirements may change so always double check what is required for each individual attraction to make sure you have what you need for your visit.

Is Seattle CityPASS Worth It?

Yes, the Seattle CityPASS is well worth buying if you want to save money on your visit to Seattle.

If this is your first time to Seattle , we would recommend the CityPASS because the top attractions are included on this pass at a very competitive price point.

Additionally, this pass will save money for families since most of the attractions on the pass are kid friendly.

We also like the ability to use the pass over 9 consecutive days which gives you ample time to visit each attraction without rushing.

Since we used the CityPASS when we lived in Seattle, we really took our time at each attraction to get the most out of each attraction.

This pass can also be great option for locals who haven’t see any of the touristy parts of the city.

Who Is The Seattle CityPASS Not Good For?

There are a few groups the CityPASS might not be the best option for including:

• Visitors not interested in the Space Needle
• Return visitors who have seen a lot of the top sights
• Travelers who don’t want to experience much sightseeing

How To Buy Your Seattle CityPASS

Buying your Seattle CityPASS is easy:

• Follow this link to the official website for Seattle CityPASS
• Select amount of adult and / or child passes you want to purchase
• Hit the big red button to add the passes to your cart
• Enjoy your fun filled trip to Seattle

And that’s everything you need to know about the Seattle CityPASS! We hope this review has been helpful for your visit to Seattle.

Seattle CityPASS FAQ’s

Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about the CityPASS in Seattle, Washington.

The Seattle CityPASS lasts 9 consecutive days starting from the day you visit the first attraction.

Yes, you can buy a Seattle CityPASS in person at any of the attractions listed on the pass. However, we would recommend you purchase your Seattle CityPASS online prior to visiting so you can make your required reservations and plan your Seattle itinerary before getting to the city.

The Space Needle is the top attraction in Seattle, Washington. If you have ever seen a picture of the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle is certainly the focal point.

More CityPASS Reviews By State

• California –  San Francisco CityPASS and C3 Pass Review
• New York –  New York CityPASS and C3 Pass Review
• Colorado – Denver CityPASS Review

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Want more Washington content?  Head to our  Washington Travel Guides  to explore National Parks, popular day hikes and best things to do around Seattle.

We hope this Seattle CityPASS and C3 Pass Review helps you save money during your visit to Seattle!

Please let us know if you have any questions about the Seattle CityPASS or the C3 Pass in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy This Seattle CityPASS Review? Pin It For Later!

Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

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Is the Seattle City Pass a Good Value – An Honest Review

There are plenty of attractions to see and experience in Seattle, and the best way to visit the best of them is with the Seattle City Pass.

Table of Contents

All About the Seattle City Pass

The Seattle City Pass is the best way to see up to seven of Seattle’s top attractions for nearly half what it would cost to see them separately. The pass includes five attractions, two of which are standard and then you can choose three more from the remaining 5.

At the time of this writing, the Pacific Science Center is closed, so there are only six attractions available. The price of the City Pass has temporarily dropped to reflect this.

The full price for five attractions is between about $130 and $200, depending on which attractions you pick and what slots you book. You can purchase the Seattle City Pass for $111 (including the processing fee), which is a savings of up to $89. The website for the City Pass advertises a savings of $109, which is how much you would save based on the most expensive tickets at the five most expensive attractions. Either way, it’s a great deal.

The City Pass is valid for 9 days after you activate it at your first attraction. That’s more than enough time to visit them all. In fact, you could visit all six in three days if you plan accordingly. Spend one day at the zoo, one day at all the Seattle Center attractions (Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens, and MoPOP), and one day at the harbor (Argosy Cruise and Seattle Aquarium). Just make sure you book all the attractions in advance, as they do hit max capacity, especially in the summer.

What Attractions Are Included

As mentioned, there are seven attractions to choose from with the Seattle City Pass , although one of them is temporarily closed. The first two attractions – the Space Needle and the Seattle Aquarium – come standard with the pass. After that, you can choose three of the remaining four attractions.

If you want to see all six attractions, you can pay an additional $3-5 for the last attraction. The exception is the cruise, which you only get a 20% discount on, so don’t choose that one as your last.

Space Needle

In all the years I lived in Seattle, I never once made it to the top of the Space Needle. In 2015, I sat on the grass below the Space Needle with my dad watching the fireworks for New Year , but as spectacular as that was, it’s not quite the same as going up to the top.

The Space Needle opened in 1962 for the World Fair. Construction was completed in a mere 8 months, along with the rest of the Seattle Center, the monorail, and many other projects around town. The building is 605 feet high and gives a wonderful view of Seattle, although it isn’t the tallest structure in the city.

There are two levels at the top from which to view. The highest level is a circular concourse around the outside of the needle with glass barriers with a full panoramic view of the city. There are benches to sit against the glass for that perfect selfie, and even a few cameras where you can scan your ticket to get photos taken and then collect them later online.

One floor down is the rotating deck where you can grab a cocktail at The Loupe Lounge, the only glass-floored, revolving lounge in the world. The SkyCity restaurant was there since 1963, but that was closed when they installed the glass floor in 2017 and opened the lounge. You don’t need to grab a drink to visit this floor, but the view through the glass under your feet isn’t as impressive as the floor above.

With the Seattle City Pass, you get the day and night ticket which includes two visits to the top of the Space Needle. Visit in the morning before it gets busy, and then returning in the evening after 5 p.m. for some more photos of Seattle at sunset. Plan to spend about an hour each visit at the Needle.

Seattle Aquarium

When I last visited the Seattle Aquarium in 1995, it was one small concrete building on pier 59 with a handful of attractions and, if I remember correctly, only cost a couple dollars.

In 2007, the aquarium more than doubled in size, with a large new building and many new exhibits. Now, the aquarium is working on another massive expansion called the Ocean Pavilion which will completely reimagine the waterfront and expand the aquarium with several new attractions including a 325,000-gallon tank to house small sharks, manta rays, and other sea creatures.

Until that expansion opens in 2023, there’s still quite a bit to see at the aquarium. There are exhibits for most of the fish and other creatures native to the Pacific Northwest, including two very playful sea otters. The aquarium opened in 1977 primarily for educational purposes and has maintained that function ever since. The first attraction is a hands-on exhibit where you can touch the sea urchins, starfish, and other creatures (but don’t pick them up!).

Vanesa and I spent nearly an hour and a half going through all the exhibits, but I’m known to move fast through museums and attractions. If you prefer to take your time, or perhaps are traveling with children, plan to spend at least a couple of hours there.

Argosy Harbor Cruise

When it comes to sailing on Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound, there are quite a few options to choose from. You can go whale watching, cruise on an 85-foot schooner, or take a general tour of the harbor. The third option is what’s included with the Seattle City Pass.

Argosy Cruises has two different tours – a one-hour harbor cruise and a two-hour, one-way locks cruise to Union Lake on the other side of Downtown. The City Pass includes the one-hour harbor cruise. Perhaps it’s not as nice as whale-watching or a sunset cruise on a schooner, but I still found it quite informative about Elliott Bay, the history of the waterfront, and the role of Seattle’s port.

The cruise leaves every hour and a half or so from Pier 54. You can sit out on the deck (recommended) or in the cabin (better if it’s raining). There’s a bar on board, but drinks are a bit expensive and it’s better to just grab something on the pier before or after the cruise. Other than your camera, there’s not a lot you need for this tour.

Seattle Zoo

The next attraction is one I loved to visit when I was a kid living in Seattle. In fact, my family had an annual pass and I would often ride my bike to spend the afternoon there.

The Seattle Zoo is one of those special zoos which is more of a conservation program and breeding center than simply a visitor attraction. Nearly all of their animals are native to the Pacific Northwest, and many are on the endangered species lists. The zoo is extremely informative about its animals with many talks and demonstrations throughout the day, and the natural woodland habitats of the animals look large and comfortable.

I know there are people out there who just don’t like zoos, and you’re one of them, you can skip this attraction. But if you do like zoos, I think you’ll really like this one. It took us several hours to see all the animals and we had some wonderful surprises, including a baby kangaroo falling out of his mother’s pouch, and a meeting of most of the safari animals in one photo (giraffes, hippos, ostriches and zebras).

Chihuly Gardens and Glass

This next one is an attraction truly unique to Seattle. Dale Chihuly is one of the world’s greatest glass artists, and many of his works are displayed at the Chihuly Gardens and Glass exhibit in the Seattle Center. As the gardens opened in 2012, I was unfamiliar with them from my time living in Seattle.

I was originally misled by the name of the attraction. I thought I was going to see gardens. Well, technically there are gardens, but the flowers are all made of glass!  Each display is more spectacular than the last, and that’s saying something considering the first exhibit is incredible.

It takes about an hour to marvel at all the different glassworks in the three different parts of the attraction – the indoor exhibit, the glasshouse and the gardens. There’s also a nice cafe with a brick stone oven for handcrafted pizzas. This is an attraction to do when you visit the Space Needle and MoPOP, as all three are part of the Seattle Center.

MoPOP (Museum of Popular Culture)

This is the one attraction we opted not to do, partially because I’ve already been to dozens of popular culture museums around the world, and partially because our schedule was already so packed, there just wasn’t a lot of time to fit it in.

MoPop, which opened in 2000, is Seattle’s Museum of Popular Culture, featuring many permanent and touring exhibitions all focused on contemporary art, music, film, video games, etc. In fact, after doing a little bit of research on the different exhibits there, I’m a little bummed I missed them. I would have particularly liked to see the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

If you’ve already seen the other exhibits and want to add on this one, you can pay just $3 more with your Seattle City Pass for admission tickets.

Pacific Science Center

This last attraction is currently removed from the Seattle City Pass as it’s temporarily closed, possibly due to Covid restrictions. Hopefully, the Pacific Science Center will be open again when you get to Seattle and the option to visit will be added back to the City Pass.

It’s a shame the Science Center is closed. I have such fond memories of visiting there as a kid and playing with all the interactive, hands-on exhibits. There’s also an amazing laser dome and two IMAX theaters.

While the Science Center is closed, the rest of the Seattle Center remains open, including the Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens and Glass, the Armory (where you’ll find places to eat), the Monorail, and many other attractions.

Is the Seattle City Pass Worth It

First of all, if you’ve become used to the price of attractions in Europe or Asia, as I have, you might consider the cost of attractions in Seattle to be quite high. Then again, they’re not that bad by American standards.

If you’re going to be in Seattle for a couple days and want to see as many attractions as you can, I would definitely recommend the Seattle City Pass. The only time it wouldn’t be worth the value is when you’re planning to see only a couple of attractions on this list.

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Further reading.

Although I spent years of my life growing up in the Pacific Northwest, that was long before I started my blog. So far, I only have a handful of stories about Oregon and Washington.

• 7 Places to Find Good Food in Portland
• My Amazing Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
• Why Orcas Island the Most Beautiful Place in the USA

Here’s some extra reading to save hundreds on your next vacation or stage of your journey.

• 5 Steps to Book Cheap Flights
• Hostels: To Book or Not to Book
• Is Workaway Worth it for the Traveler?
• Click here to claim your $25 credit with AirB&B

Hi, I'm Skye. Writer, photographer, adventurer, foodie, teacher, masseur, friend, dreamer, etc. I think "normal" sucks. Let's aim for extraordinary. SkyeTravels seeks to find the good around the world, focusing on adventures, food and wellness. Be inspired. Be yourself.

Surviving My Last-Minute Trip to Scotland Before My Dad Died

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Worth the City Pass upgrade to the... - Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront

• United States    
• Washington (WA)    
• Seattle    
• Seattle - Things to Do    
• Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront

Worth the City Pass upgrade to the Locks Tour, but know your ticket options!

We had the City Pass which included the 1 hour Harbor Tour. We decided to upgrade ($21 per person) to the Locks Cruise. It was an absolutely amazing cruise and well worth the time/price. It was very odd towards the end though because it was never mentioned that it was a 1 way cruise with a bus ride back to Pier 55. Apparently there is an option to only purchase the "Stay and Play" ticket which is $4 cheaper per person and doesn't include the bus ride back. It would have been very nice to have been told that when we upgraded our ticket since we ended up walking around that area of downtown and didn't take the bus back.

Thank you for leaving your review and reaching out to us. Our Guest Services department has reached out to you and responded to your previous inquiry. Thank you again for your feedback and we look forward to having you cruise with us again!

GREAT cruise! We took the Ballard locks 2.5 hour cruise and the boat captain and staff were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The tour guide was always adding even more tidbits of information on top of the usual tour. I highly recommend Argosy. I was pleasantly surprised to find a stocked bar on board with hot coffee and hot chocolate. It was a brisk 38 degrees on our cruise.

It's so great to hear that you enjoyed the Locks Cruise! Thank you so much for leaving your review!

A great way to see the Seattle City View by boat! They narrate as you go through Elliott Bay giving you lots of information about Seattle along the Waterfront!

Thank you fso much for leaving youyr review and rating! We're thrilled dthat you enjoyed your cruise with us!

Husband & I took this cruise in the afternoon. It was an enjoyable little 1 hour cruise & I would do it again.. I was a little worried that I would need something for seasickness but I was just fine. The sun was shining so Rainer was in view. I can't give this a better review that so many others have, so I will just suggest you take the cruise & have fun! We used the Seattle City Pass. NOTE: a teenage girl was playing with her phone while waiting to board & dropped the phone between the boards on the dock! Be smart with your phones! :)

Thank you for leaving your review! We're so glad you enjoyed your cruise with us and that the weather added to your experience. We hope to see you again out on the water soon!

The Harbour Cruise was fantastic. A great way to get a different view of Seattle. The staff onboard were fantastic and the commentary was informative and funny. If you have a particular departure you would prefer to be on, I would recommend being at the ticket office at least 40-45 minutes before departure time. If you are using your City Pass voucher like we were, you still need to go to the ticket office and exchange your voucher for a ticket, you can’t just join the queue waiting to board. We arrived about 20 mins before a departure, and it was already full, so we got our tickets for the next one. We were happy to wait until the next one anyway as we just wandered around the shops etc. at the waterfront. It was a reasonably clear day when we went, so we had a good view of Mt Ranier.

Thak you so much for your review and rating! Our goal is to provide the very best experience for our guests and its great to see that we have succeeded! If there is any other information that you would like to provide, feel free to contact us here in the office or update your review!

Had a good time on the boat. Drinks were 10$ each and then the bus to bring us back never showed up. Thanks to uber for being there. Overall good time when in Seattle.

Thank you fro taking the time to leave your feedback. We're glad that you enjoyed your cruise with us and are sorry that there was an issue with transportation back from it. Please feel free to contact us here in the office if there are any other concerns that you may have.

Seattle City Pass

May 22, 2017 by darik