Planning a trip to Boston? Brick lanes, waterfront breezes and centuries of stories set the tone here—plus Red Sox baseball, world‑class museums, leafy campuses and clam chowder you’ll talk about for years. With two flexible passes and access to dozens of top attractions and tours, Go City Boston helps you do more while keeping plans (and costs) under control; use it for fast-moving weekenders, family breaks, history-hunting strolls and more.
The basics: what is the Go City Boston pass?
Think of it as your passport to easy Boston sightseeing. One purchase unlocks entry to a big lineup of attractions and experiences, with two ways to explore: the All-Inclusive Pass or the Explorer Pass.
All-Inclusive Pass
- Choose a 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7-day pass.
- Best when you want to see a lot—mix tours, museums and cruises without micro‑planning every ticket.
- Visit as many included attractions as you like each day that your pass is active (one visit per attraction).
- Great for first‑timers and families who want Boston’s greatest hits—Freedom Trail walks, harbor cruises, science and sea life.
Explorer Pass
- Choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 attractions.
- Best for relaxed itineraries—sprinkle sightseeing between meals and strolls.
- You’ll have 30 days to use your choices from first activation.
- Ideal if you’ve got a short list (say, the Freedom Trail, a harbor cruise and a museum or two) or you’re on a return visit to Boston and you’re chasing the highlights.
Both options are fully digital, live in the Go City app and typically save a chunk compared with buying separate tickets.
Buying and activating your pass
- Buy online: Head to the Go City website or app for the best price and live support.
- Download the Go City app: Your attraction details, maps, opening hours and booking links all live here. Log in with the email you used at checkout and your pass appears automatically.
- Activate when you’re ready: The All-Inclusive Pass activates at your first scan and runs for your chosen number of consecutive calendar days. The Explorer Pass activates at first scan and stays valid for 30 days, so you can pace yourself.
Using your pass
Using your pass
Show your attraction QR code in the app at the entrance or check‑in desk and you’re set—no separate tickets to juggle. Each attraction allows one visit with your pass. Hours, directions, reservation notes and any age or height requirements sit right in the app, so you can decide on the fly or plan day‑by‑day. We like to start early on All‑Inclusive days, stack a guided tour with an indoor museum during midday heat (or winter winds), then time a harbor cruise for late afternoon light. Keep your phone charged; screenshots help when cell service dips.
What’s included?
With over 45 attractions, tours and experiences to choose from, there’s something for every sun-chaser, thrill-seeker and history buff.
History and heritage
- Follow the red‑brick line with a Freedom Trail Foundation walking tour. Guides pack in punchy stories at Boston Common, the Old State House and the Granary Burying Ground, bringing Revolutionary Boston to life block by block.
- Step inside revolutionary spaces at the Old State House and Old South Meeting House. Exhibits connect the dots between everyday Bostonians and the sparks that lit the American Revolution.
- Get hands‑on at the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown. Build a mini‑ship, test your sea legs and learn how ‘Old Ironsides’ earned its nickname—then stroll the Navy Yard to see the ship herself.
Boats and harbor views
- See the skyline from the water on a Boston Harbor sightseeing cruise with live narration. You’ll glide past the Harbor Islands, Long Wharf and the waterfront’s working side, with plenty of photo ops along the way.
- Or see the city skyline lit up from the water on a sunset sailing.
- Want flexibility between far‑flung sights? A hop‑on hop‑off trolley day ticket is a breezy way to connect the Seaport, North End, Downtown and Back Bay while getting your bearings.
Museums and campus culture
- Make time for the Museum of Science. Lightning shows, hands‑on exhibits and kid‑approved experiments turn a couple of hours into a fun science sprint—great for mixed‑age groups.
- At the Harvard Museum of Natural History, glass flowers, gemstones and a walk‑through of New England’s wildlife pack serious wow into a compact space—ideal to pair with a Harvard Yard stroll.
- Head to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem for a day trip. From maritime treasures to contemporary installations and a stunning historic Chinese house, it’s a rewarding add‑on to coastal north‑shore exploring.
Family fun and easy days
- Budding builders love LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston in Somerville. Rides, build zones and a mini Boston skyline keep little hands busy for hours.
- Animal lovers can roam Franklin Park Zoo. Giraffes, gorillas and a big playground make it an easy win when you want open air and wiggle room.
Plan ahead
Plan ahead
A little planning goes a long way in Boston, especially during summer weekends and school holidays. We like to cluster by neighborhood to cut down on crisscrossing. Do Freedom Trail stops, the Old State House and the North End together. Pair the aquarium with a harbor cruise and a stroll through the Seaport. Tackle the Museum of Science and a river cruise the same day, then swing through Beacon Hill or Back Bay. Save Cambridge for a half‑day—Harvard Yard, museums and coffee on Massachusetts Ave make a tidy loop. If Salem is on your list, hop the commuter rail from North Station and make a day of it with the Peabody Essex Museum and harbor wanderings.
Set must-do experiences first—guided Freedom Trail walks, harbor cruises and kid‑favorite spots can fill up fast. Check availability and reservation notes in the app, then build the rest of your day around those times. Keep an eye on opening days; some museums close early or shut one day per week. Boston weather swings fast, so layer up, stash a compact umbrella and pivot indoors if winds pick up on the waterfront. Most spots open earlier than you’d think; starting at opening time helps you fit more in, especially with an All‑Inclusive Pass. Lastly, factor in food—North End cannoli, Quincy Market bites or a quick lobster roll make great refuel stops between attractions.
Reservations
Some experiences require or recommend advance booking—think guided Freedom Trail walks, certain cruises and popular family attractions. The app lists what require a reservation, and includes links to book, plus any special instructions. Use the same name and email tied to your pass so venues can verify quickly. Check each provider’s cancellation window in the app, arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in, and bring photo ID if requested.
What’s the main advantage of Go City Boston passes?
- Real savings when you visit multiple Boston attractions and tours.
- Flexibility: choose your number of days with the All-Inclusive Pass or number of attractions with the Explorer Pass
- One app for entry, maps, hours and reservations—scan and go.
- Freedom to try new experiences you might skip if buying individually.
- Simple budgeting: pay once, then focus on all-important chowder vs cannoli decisions.
Is buying a pass worth it?
Is buying a pass worth it?
If you’re planning a few big‑ticket experiences—say a harbor cruise, a Freedom Trail tour, the Museum of Science and the View Boston Observation Deck—you’ll typically come out ahead, with less admin and more spontaneity. Prices for top attractions can run upwards of $30–$50 individually, so it doesn’t take long for the pass to pay for itself.
Let’s say you get a 3-day All-Inclusive Pass and visit:
Day 1
- Freedom Trail Tour ($17)
- Old State House Museum & Old South Meeting House ($15)
- Paul Revere House ($6)
Day 2
- View Boston Observation Deck ($34)
- Sightseeing harbor cruise ($49)
*Plus, hop on and off the CityView Trolley for both days ($92)
Day 3:
- Museum of Science ($33)
- Plimoth Patuxet and Mayflower II Combination Ticket ($44)
That’s $280 worth of tickets on a $134 pass. That’s some serious savings of $144 or around 52%!*
*prices accurate as of 13th October 2025
Looking for more Boston inspiration? Check out our guide to things to do in Beantown after dark and make plans for a classic Boston New Year’s Eve.
Step up your sightseeing with Go City®
We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.
See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® - just choose a pass to get started!
