Ah, Seattle! The infamous city filled with some pretty famous attractions. We’ve all heard of the Space Needle and Pike Place, but is there more to see than that? Is Seattle worth the time and money? With the Seattle City Pass, a trip to Seattle is worth the go.
Now might be a good time to mention the amazing deal I took part in to see each of my stops for a great DEAL! At the entrance of MoPoP, Seattle City Passes are available for purchase. With this pass, you are able to visit all of the cities top attractions (Space Needle, MoPoP, the Seattle Aquarium, etc) for one flat rate. If purchased, you will receive a booklet with admission tickets to all of the hottest attractions (there are even some food discount codes in there too). I paid $99 for this pass, but factoring in that each attraction costs around $30 each, this was a killer deal.
If you use the code FUN5, you can receive $5 off of your pass (online only).
Let’s get started!
Modern Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP)
The first stop on this trip was to the Modern Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP). If you’re into museums, this is a must-see in Seattle. This museum is filled with fantastic exhibits like Scared to Death, an exhibit filled with famous horror movie characters and props. Of course, my favorite exhibit was the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, which if you’re into science fiction movies and TV shows, is a great exhibit to stop by. However, if you're not into TV or movies, MoPoP offers other experiences too. From an interactive video game room and music sound lab to the wonderful exhibitions of famous musicians, MoPoP will have something to cater to your interests.
Entrance fee: $28 (without the pass)
The Space Needle
After spending hours at MoPoP, I couldn’t wait any longer to see the the infamous Space Needle. (Note: entrances to the Space Needle are timed. This means you will have to go over and register yourself for a specific timed entrance). Because I did not realize that the entrance was timed, I had to take a short intermission.
Intermission pit-stop: Behind the MoPoP is a playground like you’ve never seen before. The Artist at Play Playground is a creator’s (and kids) wildest dream. There are mazes, giant swings, and let's not forget the ginormous rope climb in the center of the park. Though this park is filled with children, the creative aspects of it are worth the see if you have time. Hell, you might even be tempted to climb the rope mountain!
Okay, back to the Space Needle. I have to admit, I am afraid of heights. Therefore, the Space Needles very many fear-inducing details were not fun. Once you make it to the top, there’s a nice bar to drink the fear away, though. Attached to the clear glass outside, are benches that tilt backward, so you really get the full effect of being up high (605 ft to be exact). Other than it’s height. The needle offers a wonderful, all encompassed view of the city. To leave the needle, you must enter the room with the revolving floor. That’s right! There’s a room where the floor is glass, and it’s spinning! Despite my pounding heart, it was a fun view.
Entrance fee: $32.50
*if you have the City Pass, don’t miss out on getting to go back to the Space Needle at night, for a beautiful city line view.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
With the City Pass, you’re able to receive entrance to either the Chihuly Garden and Glass or the Pacific Science Center. I chose to visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. As someone who has never heard of this attraction, I was not expecting anything good or bad. However, when I entered this museum, my mind was beyond blown. For those who don’t know, Dale Chihuly is a glassblower whose work has been featured around the world in various exhibits. His work is big, colorful, and exquisite. The museum is filled with bright, beautiful glass pieces. Some pieces are small and fragile, while others are as tall as trees. The entire exhibit leaves anyone who visits amazed.
Entrance fee: $32
Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
The Argosy Harbor Tour is an hour-long tour that takes riders to the shipping port past the city. Along the tour, Seattle’s impressive skyline and a perfect view of the Space Needle is seen. Drinks and snacks are offered, and you can choose to sit inside or sit on the top deck. I chose to stay inside because of the heat, but when the perfect view of the city line was coming up, I made sure to head outside to grab a glimpse. I will be 100% honest, this was not the most amusing activity, but this cruise was calming and a great break from walking around the city all day.
Entrance fee: $31
Seattle Aquarium
Using the City Pass at the Seattle Aquarium allows you to skip the general line and head right in. Though there is a lot to see at this aquarium, the key highlights are the underwater dome and otter feature. Walking through this aquarium is fun and, not to mention so cute (yeah, I’m talking about you otters). There are interactive exhibits and touching area. Overall, this aquarium is a blast.
Entrance fee: $34.95
Is the CityPass worth it?
Yes! As you can see the total amount to visit each of these attractions is well over the $99 you spend to obtain the pass.
Plus the pass includes:
Discounts to attraction gift shops
Discount codes for popular local restaurants
Discount on transportation methods (i.e.skytrain)
Overall, if you’re just interested in the Space Needle and moving on to other attractions, then this pass would not be a great fit for you. Definitely skip this pass if not having souvenirs or seeing the other attractions isn’t appealing to you. There are better options if you’re just interested in seeing only two of the attractions, instead of all 5.