Should I buy Go City’s Philadelphia pass or get individual tickets?

Planning to see more than just the Rocky statue and Liberty Bell? Then the pass is almost certainly your best bet. Read on to find out why!

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: January 22, 2026
Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Cheesesteaks, Founding Fathers and – yep – a bronze statue of Rocky Balboa; it’s fair to say Philadelphia is a bit of a knockout when it comes to attractions. But which packs more punch: individually bought tickets or a Go City Philadelphia pass? We’ve got the lowdown on the benefits and drawbacks of each, complete with a bit of number-crunching which (spoiler alert!) weighs heavily in favor of the pass. Seconds out, round one…

Firstly, what is a sightseeing pass?

In a nutshell, it’s a VIP digital ticket that gives you access to a bundle of top tours, activities and attractions all for one upfront price – think the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute. All you need to do is flash the Go City Philadelphia pass on your phone and you’re in.

Philadelphia attractions

Get access to more than 30 top Philadelphia attractions

The pros of using a pass

Clear, upfront budgeting

Life’s too short to spend your hard-won vacation nervously tugging at the purse-strings or trying desperately to contain all those moths you like to keep in your wallet. There’s no need to worry about overspending with the Go City Philadelphia pass: you pay a single fixed price up front and you’re done. The result: a plethora of Philly attractions unlocked, including several of the aforementioned bucket-listers, plus as a few hidden gems. 

Real savings on big hitters

Got a couple of Philly bucket-listers in mind? If so, the math will soon stack in your favor versus paying for your tickets on the go. Add an extra museum or two and you’ll be well into the black.

Discover the hidden gems

Go City’s Philly selection box includes several under-the-radar gems that many visitors overlook. And, once you’ve ticked off a couple of bucket-listers, you may well feel inspired to seek a few out. Our recs? Otherworld Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation and this South Philly Italian markets tour for the win.

One app does everything

Your pass, attraction list, map and reservation links live together in perfect harmony right there in the palm of your hand. The Go City app means fewer tabs, fewer printouts and far fewer headaches.

Flexibility to change your plans

Because you don’t have to choose which attractions to visit in advance, you can wake up, consult the weather oracle and make plans from there. Too nice a day to be stuck inside a museum? Then pivot to a street art walking tour or a trip to the zoo.

Perks, perks, perks

Some attractions on the Go City Philadelphia offer little extras that you might not get when buying tickets direct. Just fire up the app to find out what’s included at each stop.

The Franklin Institute

Does the Franklin Institute feature in your Philly sightseeing itinerary?

The pros of individual tickets 

Not everyone will benefit from bundling attractions on a fixed-price pass. If your vibe is more urban exploration than museum afternoons, you may be better off buying your entry tickets as and when.

Pay only for what you do

If your plan is one paid museum and lots of free ogling of Old City architecture and the Liberty Bell, single tickets will likely work out cheaper than going all in on a pass.

Keep it spontaneous

Feel like ditching museums for Reading Terminal Market and breezy river walks? No problem at all when you’re not committed to anything upfront.

Let's compare...
 

Feature 

Go City Philadelphia passes

Individual tickets 

Upfront cost 

✔ Paid in advance, easier to budget 

✖ Pay per attraction, adds up fast 

Total savings 

✔ The more you see, the more you save 

✖ No guaranteed savings 

Convenience 

✔ One app, one QR code, done 

✖ Booking and managing multiple tickets separately 

Extra perks 

✔ Skip-the-line access, shop discounts, food offers, free guides 

✖ None – you get what you pay for 

Food & drink deals 

✔ Includes some options and offers 

✖ Not included 

Hidden gems 

✔ Curated line-up by local experts 

✔They’re out there, you’ll just need to do some more research 

Flexibility 

✔ Visit what you want, when you want 

✔ Freedom to pick day-by-day 

Risk of overspending 

✔ No nasty surprises 

✖ Hard to track daily spend 

How much are you actually saving? 

Here’s an example of what a standard 2-day Philadelphia itinerary might cost with individual tickets: 

Day 1

  • Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour: $39
  • The Franklin Institute: $29
  • Food and cheesesteak tour: $35

Day 2

  • Philadelphia Art Museum: $30
  • Otherworld Philadelphia: $39
  • Dark Philly night tour: $48

That’s a total cost of €220. Now compare that to a 2‑day Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass, priced at $89. In this example, you’d save €131 or around 60%*, and you might still have room to squeeze in another attraction or two along the way, potentially boosting your savings even further.

Don’t forget – the pass also includes the handy app, extra perks and peace of mind that you won’t need to buy expensive tickets on the fly. 

*prices accurate as of January 2026

The Liberty Bell is a Philadelphia must-see.

Final verdict: should you go for the pass?

In short, yes. For a classic Philadelphia itinerary – think the Franklin Institute, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Art Museum, National Constitution Center and a hop-on hop-off lap – the Go City Philadelphia pass will pretty much always win on savings, time and sanity. Best of all: it leaves you free to focus on the good stuff: which cheesesteak to try first, and how many pretzels count as research.

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!

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Assisted by AI
Freelance travel writer
Assisted by AI

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.This article was authored with the support of AI technology. The Go City team has reviewed this piece to ensure it meets our high standards for quality, accuracy and relevance.

Continue reading

free things to do in philadelphia see the liberty bell
Blog

Free Things to do in Philadelphia

Hello! How are you? Well, we hope. Why don't you sit down and take a load off, so we can talk about free stuff. Nothing is quite as sweet as paying nothing to do fun stuff, is it? That's why you're here, isn't it? So if you're visiting the fine city of Philadelphia, you'll be wanting the low down on all the best free things to do in the city, right? Right this way, please. We've curated this brilliant list just for you. So, without further ado, here are the very best free things to do in Philadelphia! Including: The Liberty Bell Independence National Historical Park Independence Visitor Center The 'Rocky' Steps Science History Museum and more! Ring the Bell Let's start with one of Philadelphia's most famous artifacts. This here's a revolutionary town, thanks to the city's role in the War of Independence. In the past, The Liberty Bell stood for America's secession from the United Kingdom. Basically, Brexit before it was cool. It was one of many bells that rang out on the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Today, its cracked facade stands as a reminder of America's triumph. And, thankfully, for those of you working to a budget, you can go and see the metal ringer free of charge! Alongside said bell, you can also see documents and images that explore the bell's history and its role in the formation of America. However, given its popularity, you may have to line up to see it up close. But what's a little waiting when a special selfie is prime for the taking? Deck the halls with Independence Running with the Independence theme, let's talk about one of Philadelphia's best green spaces. Not only is it free, but it stands for freedom too. Does it get much more American than that? We think not. We're talking about Independence National Historical Park, where, among the greenery, you'll find the famous Independence Hall. For the uncultured among you, that's where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed! But getting into the Hall will cost money, so let's instead focus on the free goodies you'll find around the park! For starters, it's a park, so expect plenty of trees, wildlife, and green spaces to stretch out for a relaxing picnic or just to read a book. It's also where you'll find the Liberty Bell, so it ticks a box off your historical itinerary. And even though Independence Hall does require a small fee to get to the touristy stuff, you're free to explore Old City Hall and Congress Hall, which you'll find in the Independence Hall's complex. A free summary Visiting Philadelphia from out of town and want to get the lay of the land? Of course you do, traveler. How else will you know where to buy your convoluted coffee orders? Well, look no further than the Independence Visitor Center. Right in Independence National Historical Park, you'll find this grandly inviting building. Inside, you'll get a free comprehensive orientation to the local culture, the city's history, the best shopping areas, and where to eat. All of that courtesy of the fantastic staff you'll find manning the trenches. So, if you want a head start on your trip, go check it out. And you'll be pleased to know that the whole thing is 100% freebies. Adrian! Boxing fans and cinema fans rejoice! Philadelphia is known for many historical things, but it's also the playground for celluloid's most famous haymaker. That's right, Philly was the setting and stomping ground of one Rocky Balboa, and it was also the scene of one of the most famous training montages of all time. That's right, cinephile, you too can ascend the steps that Rocky so famously ascended, turn back to look upon your victory, and raise your arms in glory. Just as he did. For bonus points, hire a photographer to capture your moment of utter dominance, or simply drag a friend or partner along to begrudgingly snap a pic. Then, head right back down and snap another pic with a statue of the man himself. No, not Stallone, but a statue of Rocky stands tall at the foot of the stairs. Commissioned for the third Rocky move, the bronze Adonis now keeps watch over the area like a shiny golem. And best of all, it's totally free. Take that, money! Science but free Yes, even scientific discoveries can be discovered for free in sweet Philly. That's all thanks to the Science History Museum, an interactive collection of hundreds of years of scientific progress, successes, and failures. Inside, you'll find nearly half a millennia of artifacts, information, and exhibits about breakthroughs in the scientific community and how they benefited both the people of Earth and the planet itself. Of course, not all discoveries are intentional, which is why you'll find some of the biggest surprises are the discoveries made entirely on accident. Alongside a slew of permanent exhibits, you'll also have the chance to see seasonal content about different parts of scientific history. Definitely one of the best free things to do in Philadelphia. Fund-free fire fun Speaking of free museums, if you want to know more about the history of firefighting in the US, go check out the Fireman's Hall Museum. There, you'll find plenty of old firefighting gear, from old-timey fire wagons (yes, they're actual wagons), to hundred-year-old hats, hoses, and ladders. Kids can even try on some of the gear, if firetrucks are still the most exciting thing they've ever seen. On a more somber note, you can check out the museum's tribute to first responders during 9/11, as well as displays about the heroes. It's well worth a visit if you have a passing interest in history, firefighting, or both. And here ends our list of the best free things to do in Philadelphia! Looking for money-sapping entertainment to tackle between the free stuff? See all of Philly's best bits with Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see the city at your own pace.
Dom Bewley
chinatown's new year's lanterns
Blog

Things to do in Chinatown Philadelphia

Delve into the history of Philadelphia's Chinatown, experience the sights and smells of its markets and create some unforgettable memories using our guide for inspo!
Dom Bewley
Fairmount Park in Philadelphia
Blog

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.

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.