Four attractions, one smart ticket.

Boston CityPASS® is a simple way to see the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science without doing daily ticket math. I like the instant mobile tickets concept for smooth entry, and I also like that New England Aquarium admission is built in from the start.

The only real catch: you’ll want to check reservation needs and timing on my.citypass.com before you lock in your days. Some attractions may require reservations, and because this is one-time admission, the order you use your ticket can matter.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

• Instant mobile tickets you present to be scanned at each attraction
• 9 days from first use, with tickets started within one year of purchase
• 2 included picks are fixed: New England Aquarium and Museum of Science
• You choose 2 extras, including a 60-minute Harbor City Cruise or entry to View Boston
• One-time admission to each selected attraction, so plan the order you’ll visit

Boston CityPASS® in plain English: how this pass works

Boston CityPASS® is basically a set of pre-paid admissions that removes the most annoying part of sightseeing planning: deciding which tickets to buy, and when. You pay once, then you get entry to 4 attractions over a window of 9 days after you use the ticket the first time.

Two attractions are included no matter what:

• New England Aquarium (Aquarium Admission)
• Museum of Science (General exhibit halls admission)

Then you pick 2 more from a menu of well-known options:

• Boston Harbor City Cruises (Historic Sightseeing Cruise of Boston Harbor, 60 minutes)
• View Boston Observation Deck (General Admission)
• Franklin Park Zoo (Daytime General Admission)
• Harvard Museum of Natural History (General admission to permanent and special exhibits and special programs, plus admission to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology)

That structure is what makes the pass feel good for planning. You don’t have to guess whether the “must-dos” are worth it, because the first two are already chosen.

Price and savings: when $79 is actually good value

The price is listed at $79 per person, with savings claimed of up to 46% compared to buying individual tickets. What matters here is not the headline percent. It’s whether the attractions you’d choose anyway match what the pass includes.

Here’s the math mindset I use:

• If you know you’ll go to both the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science, that covers half the “core” immediately.
• Then add the type of day you want most for the other two slots: water views, animals, city skyline, or a science-adjacent museum experience with archaeology included.

If you’re the kind of person who hates last-minute ticket purchasing (or standing in line to sort out entry), a pass is often worth it even when you can get discounts elsewhere. It’s not just savings. It’s fewer decisions.

Also, note what’s not included. Your pass covers admission only to the attractions. Transportation and food are not included, so budget for those separately.

Mobile ticket entry: scan-in convenience without the hassle

Your “meeting point” is really each attraction’s entry gate. Present your CityPASS mobile ticket and have it scanned for entry.

That matters because it keeps your trip logistics lighter:

• No paper tickets to keep track of
• Less time spent figuring out where to pick up anything
• A straightforward entry routine you repeat four times

One more planning note: reservations may be required at some attractions. The pass tells you to check my.citypass.com for up-to-date entry instructions, hours of operation, and reservation rules. Before you choose your exact days, I’d take five minutes to skim those requirements so you don’t get stuck with an unexpected “reservation needed” moment.

New England Aquarium: included admission that fits many trip styles

New England Aquarium is included as one-time admission. Even without a packed schedule, it works because an aquarium is one of those sights that’s friendly to different ages and moods. If you’re traveling as a family, it tends to be an easy win. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it gives you a structured, indoor block that can break up your day.

What I like about having it included:

• It’s one of the clearest “yes” attractions for a first Boston trip.
• It’s ready to go with your pass. No additional ticket decisions needed.
• It pairs naturally with other included options, since you’re not forced to spend half your time planning.

A practical tip: since the pass is one-time entry, don’t schedule your first-use day for the Aquarium unless you’re confident you can actually use it that day. You’ll lose that admission if you don’t show up.

Museum of Science: your “all-weather” pick for hands-on curiosity

The pass includes Museum of Science general exhibit halls admission. This is the kind of attraction that works well when you want to spend time rather than just pose for photos. You can move at your own pace through the exhibit halls as your interests guide you.

Why it’s valuable that this is locked in:

• You don’t have to decide whether the museum is “worth the time.” Your ticket already covers it.
• It gives you an indoor anchor so your schedule survives weather changes.
• It complements the aquarium nicely: both are built around learning and observation, just in different formats.

Just remember: this is general admission, not a special add-on. That’s good value if you like exploring at your own speed, but it also means you should plan to see what’s open during your visit rather than expecting any specific event.

Choosing your 2 extra attractions: pick the mood you want

This is where CityPASS lets you customize your trip. You get two selections from four options, and each one changes the feel of your itinerary.

Boston Harbor City Cruises (60-minute Historic Sightseeing Cruise)

If you want a set-duration experience, the Harbor Cruise is a strong pick. Your admission includes a 60-minute historic sightseeing cruise.

I like this option when:

• You want a clear time block that you can build the rest of the day around
• You want water views without having to plan a more complicated outing

This also pairs well with a museum-heavy day, because you get a different setting.

View Boston Observation Deck (General Admission)

The observation deck is ideal if your main priority is skyline views. The pass includes general admission.

Choose this if:

• You like looking down over the city
• You want something that’s straightforward: show up, go up, take in views, head out

Since it’s general admission, your experience depends more on timing and conditions than on ticket-type add-ons.

Franklin Park Zoo (Daytime General Admission)

The zoo is included as daytime general admission. Importantly, the pass notes that separately ticketed after-hours events are not included.

I’d pick this option if:

• You want an outdoor day option
• You like animal-focused attractions that tend to be enjoyable across ages

And because it’s daytime general admission, don’t treat it like a nighttime attraction. Plan your schedule accordingly so your zoo visit matches the ticket you actually have.

Harvard Museum of Natural History (includes the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology)

This is the “museum with extra museum” choice. Your admission includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History plus access to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

Pick this if:

• You want a museum day that feels more like learning-through-discovery
• You’re interested in the connection between natural history and archaeology

This option is especially attractive when you want to spend time with exhibits rather than just sampling a sight quickly.

Planning your 9 days: the order you use matters

Your CityPASS is valid for 9 days from the first use. You also have one year from the purchase date to start using the ticket. Once you begin, the countdown starts.

Here’s how I’d plan it so the pass stays useful:

1. Pick a first-use day that you’re confident you can commit to. One-time admission means you don’t want to “save it for later” and then lose the chance.
2. Stack your fixed inclusions first. Aquarium plus Museum of Science are your reliable base tickets.
3. Choose your two extras based on the kind of day you actually want:

• Water views: Harbor Cruise
• City skyline: View Boston
• Animals: Franklin Park Zoo (daytime)
• Museum-and-education: Harvard Natural History + Peabody Museum

1. Check my.citypass.com for any attraction-specific reservation requirements before you settle your exact dates.

If you’re traveling with kids, I’d also plan in simple rhythm: one indoor learning stop, then an outdoor or view-based option. It makes the day feel less like a checklist.

What not to expect: limitations that help you avoid surprises

CityPASS is straightforward, but it has boundaries. Knowing them upfront saves stress.

• Admissions are one-time for the listed attractions, so you can’t use the pass to hop back in later the same day (or on another day) for the same attraction.
• The pass is admission-only. Transportation and food and drink are not included, so build those costs into your budget.
• Inclusions can change. The pass notes that ticket inclusions are subject to change, so it’s worth checking what’s current on my.citypass.com.

One verified booking I saw (Christine Poulain from France) simply said things were going well partway through her trip. That’s the kind of feedback I like to see because it hints the pass is working as intended, not turning into a puzzle mid-visit.

Who should buy Boston CityPASS®

This pass is a good fit if you:

• Want to visit four major attractions without shopping for individual tickets
• Prefer mobile-ticket entry and a clear scanning routine
• Like the idea of choosing two extras based on your interests rather than committing to everything in advance
• Are planning a Boston trip that spans multiple days, since you have 9 days once you start

It’s also a nice choice for mixed groups. Two attractions are fixed (Aquarium and Science Museum), and then you get two “interest dials” you can turn: cruise, observation deck, zoo, or Harvard museum.

FAQ

FAQ

What attractions are included in Boston CityPASS®?

The pass includes New England Aquarium admission and Museum of Science general exhibit halls admission, plus you choose 2 additional attractions from Boston Harbor City Cruises, View Boston Observation Deck, Franklin Park Zoo, or Harvard Museum of Natural History (including admission to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology).

Is admission included for all 4 attractions one time?

Yes. CityPASS tickets are for one-time entry to the included attractions, unless otherwise noted.

What are the options for the 2 additional experiences?

You can choose any 2 of these: Boston Harbor City Cruises (60-minute Historic Sightseeing Cruise), View Boston Observation Deck (general admission), Franklin Park Zoo (daytime general admission), or Harvard Museum of Natural History (general admission plus Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology).

Do I need reservations?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. You should check my.citypass.com for the most up-to-date reservation and entry instructions.

How long is the pass valid?

Boston CityPASS is valid for 9 days from the first use. You have one year from the purchase date to start using your ticket.

How do I enter the attractions?

Present your CityPASS mobile ticket at each attraction for a scanned entry.

What’s not included in the price?

Transportation and food and drink are not included.

Should you book Boston CityPASS®?

If you plan to see the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science—and you’re open to choosing two more from a solid list—this pass is usually a clean value play. The mobile ticket scanning and the 9-day window reduce trip-day stress, which is a real benefit when you’re juggling multiple stops.

I’d skip it only if you’re confident you won’t visit enough of the included attractions, or if your schedule is so tight that you’re unlikely to use each one-time admission. For most people building a first-rate Boston mix of science, city views, animals, and museums, CityPASS keeps your planning simple and your savings on track.