Everything you need to know about Go City’s Philadelphia passes

Founding stories, spooky cells and cheesesteaks between stops—see Philly’s best for less with a sightseeing pass that suits your style.

Published: October 28, 2025
Fairmount Park in Philadelphia

Planning a trip to Philadelphia? Expect founding-era landmarks, cobblestone streets, world-class museums and an unbeatable food scene. This city rewards curiosity—peek into history in Old City, hop between galleries on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, then cross the river for battleship views. To stitch it all together without juggling a pile of tickets, we use Go City Philadelphia. With two smart pass types and access to a stacked lineup of attractions, tours and experiences, you’ll see more of the city and still have time for a pretzel break or two. Whether you’re a bucket-list box-ticker, a dreamy wanderer, a family crew or a weekend warrior, there’s an option that fits.

The basics: what is the Go City Philadelphia pass?

 

In short, the Go City Philadelphia pass is a simple, money-saving way to visit multiple attractions for one price. Just choose the pass type that suits your style—All-Inclusive or Explorer—and you’re good to go.

All-Inclusive Pass

  • Choose a 1, 2, 3 or 5-day pass.
  • Best if you plan to sightsee hard: visit as many included attractions as you can each day.
  • Days run on consecutive calendar days from first use, so start early each day to squeeze in as much as you can.
  • Ideal for first-timers who want to tick off the big hitters, plus space for spontaneous stops.

Explorer Pass

  • Choose 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions.
  • You’ll have 30 days to use your choices from first activation—perfect for a relaxed pace or a longer stay.
  • Great if you know your absolute must-sees and want to weave them around meals, markets and neighborhood strolls.
  • Simple value: the more premium your picks, the bigger the savings.

All passes are 100% digital, sit in the Go City app and deliver solid savings versus buying tickets individually at the gate.

Buying and activating your pass

 

  1. Buy online: Purchase through the Go City website or app for the best prices. Your confirmation email includes a link to add your pass to the app.
  2. Download the Go City app: Your pass, QR entry codes, attraction details, opening hours, maps and booking links are all in one place. Toggle between list and map view to plan by neighborhood.
  3. Activate when you’re ready: All-Inclusive Pass activates the moment it’s scanned at your first attraction and then runs for the number of consecutive calendar days you chose. Explorer Pass activates on first scan and gives you 30 days to visit all your choices.

Using your pass

What’s included?

Franklin Institute

With dozens of top spots—history, museums, tours and riverfront favorites—you’ll never run short of things to do in Philadelphia. A few standouts…

Founding freedom and revolutionary stories

 

Take a walk through U.S. history at the Museum of the American Revolution, with immersive galleries and General Washington’s War Tent anchoring the experience. The National Constitution Center turns civics into something you can touch, with interactive exhibits and its stirring Signers’ Hall lined with life-size statues. Stop by the Betsy Ross House to peek into 18th-century rooms and learn how the flag came to be. Then pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin rests—tossing a penny onto his grave is a local tradition.

Science, culture and the Parkway

 

The Franklin Institute remains a family favorite: crawl through the Giant Heart, catch a live science demo and explore hands-on galleries that make physics fun. The Academy of Natural Science lets dinosaur fans stare down T. rex and watch scientists at work in the fossil prep lab. Head to the Penn Museum for ancient treasures, where artifacts including an Egyptian sphinx span thousands of years. It’s an easy trio to stack on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Cells, ships and the waterfront

 

Eastern State Penitentiary is atmospheric in the best way—explore crumbling cellblocks and hear stories via the excellent audio tour. Down on the Delaware River, the Independence Seaport Museum covers Philly’s maritime history and includes access to historic ships. Cross the bridge (or hop the ferry in season) to tour Battleship New Jersey, a floating museum with decks, turrets and tight corridors that put naval life in perspective. It’s a fun blend of engineering, history and big views.

Tours, easy transport and nighttime fun

 

Use the Big Bus Philadelphia hop-on hop-off tour for a one-day overview, with stops near Old City, the Parkway, the waterfront and South Street—great for saving steps and time. Join the Ghost Tour of Philadelphia for lantern-lit tales through narrow streets and hidden courtyards in America’s most historic square mile. 

Plan ahead

 

Philly is walkable, but neighborhoods cluster attractions, so group your days to cut travel time. Old City can fill a full day: Museum of the American Revolution, the National Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, Christ Church Burial Ground and a ghost tour after dinner. Another day, focus on the Parkway: The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Penn Museum are a short ride apart—add a quick stop for photo ops on the famous steps nearby. If ships and prisons call your name, pair Eastern State Penitentiary with the waterfront museums, then cross to the battleship when afternoon crowds thin.

Check opening hours and last admission times in the app—some museums close earlier on certain weekdays, and seasonal attractions adjust schedules. Start early if you’re using the All-Inclusive Pass to maximize value, and save longer visits (like big museums) for mornings when energy is high. For the Explorer Pass, stagger your picks around meals—Reading Terminal Market makes a perfect refuel stop between sights, and South Street or Old City are easy for dinners before evening tours. SEPTA day passes help you hop between far-apart neighborhoods; rideshares fill gaps late at night. Most importantly, build a little buffer for coffee, murals and surprise finds—Philadelphia is a city that rewards detours.

Reservations

Go City Philadelphia app

Some attractions and tours require timed reservations, especially on weekends, holidays and school breaks. You’ll find clear booking instructions and live links in the Go City app—reserve early for popular time slots, and always have the QR code ready in your app to be scanned on arrival. If plans change, follow the attraction’s cancellation policy in your confirmation. For guided tours, arrive 10–15 minutes before departure to check in; hop-on hop-off tours typically don’t require reservations, but the app will confirm.

What’s the main advantage of Go City Philadelphia passes?

 

  • Real savings compared with individual tickets, especially when you pack your days or pick higher-value attractions.
  • Flexibility to travel your way: all-you-can-explore days or a curated list spread over 30 days.
  • Instant mobile entry—no paper, no lines for ticket windows, just scan and go.
  • A single app with maps, timings and reservation links, so planning takes minutes, not hours.
  • Motivation to try new experiences—add a tour or museum you might have skipped if paying separately.

Is buying a pass worth it?

Ghost tour

We think so. If Philly is on your list for its founding-era landmarks, blockbuster museums, storied prison tours and easy city exploring, a Go City Philadelphia pass keeps things simple and affordable. Pick the All-Inclusive Pass to power through a greatest-hits itinerary over a few packed days, or choose the Explorer Pass for a slower, snack-filled wander with targeted must-sees. Either way, you’ll spend less than buying individual tickets, see more without the hassle, and give yourself the freedom to pivot when a mural, market or hidden alley grabs your attention. That’s the sweet spot for a stress-free Philadelphia getaway.

Let’s say you get a 2-day All-Inclusive Pass and choose: 

Day 1

  • Big Bus hop-on-hop-off tour ($39)
  • The Franklin Institute ($29)
  • Penn Museum ($18)
  • Food and cheesesteak tour ($35)

Day 2

  • Museum of the American Revolution ($25)
  • Christ Church Burial Ground ($5)
  • National Constitution Center ($19)
  • Ghost tour ($27)

That’s $197 worth of tickets on an $89 pass. In other words, solid savings of over $100 and around 55% on a whole load of Philly history!* 

*prices accurate as of October 2025

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!

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This article was generated with the help of AI to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Go City team has reviewed and curated the content to ensure it meets our quality standards for accuracy and relevance.

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