Paris isn’t exactly short on things to do. Between world-famous landmarks, museums you could happily get lost in for days, and enough pastries to justify a second suitcase (purely practical, of course), planning your itinerary can quickly start to feel like a full-time job.
That’s where a sightseeing pass can be a game-changer and make things a whole lot more relaxed.
Queue Joe Magnuson from Kansas, a father of two, who recently visited Paris with his wife and daughters (aged 11 and 9), each ready with a Go City All-Inclusive Pass Plus. We caught up with him after their trip to hear how using a pass shaped their vacation – from simplifying planning to helping them discover unexpected family favourites.
We’ll cover:
- Why Joe chose the Go City Paris passes
- How it helped plan their itinerary
- The attractions they visited
- Their favourite experiences
- Joe’s top tips for first timers in Paris
“It basically planned our trip for us”
Joe didn’t go into this trip blindly – he’s a seasoned traveler who’s explored cities across Europe. But Paris was new territory, and traveling as a family means there’s a whole new crowd to please.
“Paris is one of the biggest cities in the world, there’s just so much to see. We figured a pass would be a good idea to help us organise things and not feel like we were constantly figuring it out on the go.”
Rather than just looking at cost savings, Joe saw the pass as a way to keep the whole trip running smoothly.
“It kind of helps give you an itinerary… like, okay, we’re in this area – what can we do nearby that’s on the pass? It takes away a lot of that ‘what next?’ feeling, which is actually a big deal when you’re travelling with kids.”
With the Go City app, you can filter by nearby attractions and build your days around where you already are.
Instead of zigzagging across the city (and testing everyone’s patience somewhere around the third metro change), the family grouped activities by neighborhood – something Paris’ walkable streets and very convenient bakery stops make extra enjoyable, even for smaller feet.
Simple to use – even with kids in tow
Traveling with children often adds a layer of logistical complexity. Tickets, timings, queues… and the (more than) occasional “I’m hungry” five minutes after eating.
But Joe found the pass refreshingly straightforward:
“From a simplicity standpoint, we didn’t have any issues – it was all really smooth, which honestly makes a big difference when you’ve got kids with you and you’re trying to keep things easy.”
Even at restaurants and attractions, everything ran without a hitch:
“They’re used to it… you just show the pass and that’s it. It was very easy, very straightforward – no awkward moments or confusion.”
The only real challenge?
“There’s almost too much to do, you kind of realise pretty quickly that you’re not going to fit it all in – but that’s okay.”
Not the worst problem to have in Paris.
What they actually did (and loved)
With their passes in hand, Joe’s family packed a lot into a few days – balancing big sights with fun, family-friendly stops:
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Eiffel Tower (including the slightly nerve-wracking glass walkway – worth it, apparently, even if you don’t look down)
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Louvre Museum (a whistle-stop tour – because let’s be honest, you’d need a week… and very patient kids)
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Seine river cruise at night (city of lights perfection and a good way to rest the legs while sightseeing)
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Notre Dame (including climbing to the top – everyone’s legs were tested)
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Palace of Versailles (with a bonus bike ride, which helped burn off some pastry energy)
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Chocolate Museum (yes please)
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Paradox Museum (a major hit with the kids)
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Multiple food stops (non-negotiable)
Top favourites? Easy.
“Going to the very top of Notre Dame was fantastic… probably my favourite part of the trip. It’s a bit of a climb, but once you’re up there, it’s just incredible – and the kids actually loved that part too, which was a win.”
“The river cruise at night – that was really cool. Seeing everything lit up, just kind of drifting along… it felt like a really nice way to slow things down after a busy day.”
Seeing Paris sparkle from the Seine? Hard to beat – even for kids who’ve been on their feet all day.
Unexpected finds (thanks to the pass)
One of the underrated perks of a pass is how it nudges you toward experiences you might not normally prioritise – especially handy when traveling as a family with mixed interests.
For Joe, that meant:
“The Chocolate Museum and the Paradox Museum… we had time to fill, they were nearby, and we thought, why not?”
Would they have gone otherwise?
“Probably not, but those ended up being really fun – especially for the kids. It’s nice to mix in things that feel a bit more interactive and less like, ‘okay, another museum.’”
And that’s often where the best memories come from: the slightly unplanned, low-pressure hidden gems that keep everyone happy.
Let’s talk value: was it worth it?
In a word: yes.
“We paid around $620–660… and probably saved about $150 to $200 per person. So from a numbers standpoint, it definitely made sense.”
But the financial savings were only part of the story.
The real value came from:
- Having a ready-made list of things to do
- Reducing decision fatigue (“what should we do next?” – a question every parent knows well)
- Encouraging them to explore more areas of the city
- Making the most of limited time without overthinking everything
“It just made things easier. You’re not constantly checking prices or debating whether something’s worth it – you just go and enjoy it.”
Joe's tips for your Paris city break
Make the most of the food stops
They made full use of the food options on the pass – because sightseeing on an empty stomach is simply not Parisian behaviour (and definitely not family-friendly).
A standout moment? A macaron stop in Montmartre:
“It got us up into an area we hadn’t been yet. And yeah, the kids were very motivated by the promise of macarons.” (Who wouldn’t be?!)
(Also: early morning hills + kids = excellent for building character… for everyone involved.)
Don’t be scared of public transport
Joe’s advice is simple:
“Take advantage of the wonderful public transportation that Paris has. It’s easy to use, it’s efficient, and it really helps you cover a lot of ground without getting worn out.”
Especially if you’re coming from somewhere without it – it’s a bit of a novelty in the best way.
Book ahead where needed
“A lot of the Paris big hitters need a reservation, so just make sure you check that out beforehand. Another pro of the pass, all the info about that was in the app.”
Give yourself enough time
“We only had about three full days in Paris. Looking back, I’d probably budget closer to a full week – there was a lot more we would have loved to do.”
More than just a money-saver
“The pass was well worth it… and yeah, I’d definitely use one again. It just takes a lot of the stress out of it, especially with a family. You can focus more on enjoying the time together.”
For his family, having passes wasn’t just about ticking off landmarks. It helped them explore smarter, discover new places, and spend less time planning – and more time actually enjoying Paris (with regular snack breaks, naturally).
And really, isn’t that the goal?
Daydreaming of Paris already? We don’t blame you.
Take your trip to the next level with our top 10 family-friendly things to do in Paris or check out how to see the city in only 48 hours – crammed full of visitor hacks and money-saving tips.
With Go City® you can skip the stress and save big on Paris attraction tickets – choose from must-see attractions, hidden gems, tours and experiences, all with one easy-to-use pass. Just pick a pass to get started.
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