Attraction Passes are a great way to save money seeing the sights and attractions in a growing number of cities and destinations around the world. This article is designed to help you understand what an Attraction Pass is, how it works, and which one should you choose.
What is an Attraction Pass?
Attraction Passes are multi-attraction tickets. For one pre-paid price, an Attraction Pass serves as your entrance ticket to multiple museums, tours, sights, parks, etc. Most Attraction Passes are priced to save you money compared to buying individual tickets at the included attractions.
Attractions Passes come in multiple forms, but three types are the most common:
· Pre-Set Bundle – Includes a specific set of attractions and works as a ticket to any and all of the included attractions (e.g., the Paris Musee Pass, the New Orleans Audubon Experience Ticket)
· Prix Fixe – Customer selects a fixed number of admissions, then chooses how to spend those admissions from a list of included attractions (e.g., the Explorer Pass in multiple U.S. destinations)
· “All-You-Can-Eat” – Purchased for your chosen number of days, they act as a ticket to as many of the included attractions as you want for the duration of the pass. Examples include Go City Cards across North America, the London Pass, and the Sydney Pass.
In addition to their primary benefit as a money saving way to get into multiple attractions, some come with secondary benefits like line skipping privileges, shopping discounts, and restaurant deals.
How Do Attraction Passes Work?
The attraction pass works as any other ticket, except for the fact it is valid for entry at more than one location. You simply hand your pass over at the relevant attraction, they validate it, and in you go. In some specifics cases it can be slightly more complicated (e.g., where an advance reservation is required), but in general using an attraction pass is as easy or easier than using a standard ticket.
Which Attraction Pass Should I Choose?
It all depends on what kind of traveler you are. Going back to the three most common types:
· Pre-Set Bundle – If you know what you want to see is covered by this type of Pass, then this can be a great option. The primary drawback of a pre-set bundle is that in many cases it fails to cover the travelers full itinerary, thereby limiting the savings. Also, these passes often exclude the more expensive tours and attractions, thereby limiting their saving benefits.
· Prix Fixe – As with the pre-set bundle, check if what you want to see is included in the attraction choices offered. One advantage these passes have over pre-set bundles is choice and flexibility. In addition to having more attraction options, you don’t have to decide in advance which ones you are actually going to visit. Also these Passes usually get you into one or more of the more expensive “must-see’s” in a given destinations.
· “All-You-Can-Eat” – By far the most comprehensive and flexible, these passes are optimal for many travelers. As with the Prix Fixe type passes, you do not have to decide anything in advance. They also tend to include the full breadth of a destination’s museums, tours, and attractions, including expensive options like trolley tours, cruises, and the like. One word of caution: if you only plan to see 1 or 2 things a day, it may be tough to get savings from the Pass.
No matter which type of Pass you need, Smart Destinations has you covered in the City of Chicago. We offer and all-you-can-eat Go Chicago Card, a Prix Fixe Chicago Explorer Pass. And if you want a pre-set bundle, we’ll let you build your own – try our Custom Explorer Pass to build a ticket with just what you want and at a savings vs. buying individual tickets. This custom option lets you avoid the most common shortcoming of pre-builts, since you are the one deciding what is included.
Have a wonderful time doing all the great things to do visiting the City of Chicago!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
The site for Go Chicago Card has a completely new look. The old site has been replaced with a new site that offers a number of improvements for customers.
The site has been folded in under a new top navigation bar that allows customers see all of the Go Cards and Explorer Passes offered by Smart Destinations. Previously, each Card had its own unique site which meant customers were not aware they could get Cards in other destinations. The new site now includes the Chicago Explorer Pass– a sister product that was previously on a its own site — as well as links to Cards covering destinations from Maui to Boston.
The site also places more information at customers’ fingertips. They can learn how the card works, where it is accepted, read reviews by other customers, and see all the included restaurant and shopping deals on the same page.
Images and descriptions have been upgraded, navigation streamlined and improved, and other changes have also been made to the site to help customers plan their trip and get the perfect Card for their needs.
Smart Destinations reports that demand for the company’s attraction passes has not only been strong, but is actually accelerating in 2009 as more and more people are looking to travel smarter. The fact that Go Cards and Explorer Passes let people into the top museums, tours, and attractions for a single money saving price makes sense in any economy. The expectation is the new site will further contribute to strong growth.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
If you’re visiting Chicago for the first time, then you should be sure to pack a good map so you can find your way around the city. We’ve put together a map that includes all of the attractions that are part of the Go Chicago Card so you can get the most out of your vacation. Download our Chicago map and start planning your trip to the Windy City!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
After a full day of hopping around town with your Go Chicago Card, check out these free audio tours from the Chicago Office of Tourism!
Start by downloading the tours and adding them to your mp3 player. These tours make it convenient to either walk, drive, or get a peek at Chicago from your own home. There’s a tour of The History of Chicago Blues, narrated by none other than Buddy Guy. Learn the story of the music that started in the South and bloomed into popularity in the Windy City.
There’s also a tour of Millenium Park, narrated by its creators, architect Frank Ghery and artists Anish Kapoor and Jaume Plensa. You can learn all about the art, music, architecture, and landscape design that went into creating the park and making it one of America’s best public spaces.
The tours are even available in five different languages, making it even more convenient for tourists visiting Chicago. Happy travels around the city!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
As seen from this enchanting video, artist Michael Hayden created the 800-foot-long art installation entitled Sky’s the Limit that brightened up the United Air terminal at Chicago’s O’Hare airport.
While in transit, I love be able to experience art along the way. It makes trudging our way through busy airports a little easier when there’s music and light shows to calm our eyes and ears. One of my favorite installations lies in the McNamara tunnel in the Detroit airport, featuring art glass by Fox Fire Glass and music by Mills/James Productions.
Do you have a favorite art installation in an airport? Let us know in a comment and you might have us booking our connecting flights through the cities in your suggestions!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
Air travel with kids can be a pain, especially when you are traveling to another country. After reading “Surviving Flights and Airports with Kids” from Condé Nast Traveler, you no longer have to worry about keeping children happy in the airport or on the plane.
The article provides helpful tips on preventing situations that may force your kids into a cranky state, such as protecting your children’s ears from aching during the take-off and landing.
It is also important to keep the kids entertained at the airports, especially during long layovers. Sometimes, there are not enough crossword puzzles or hand held games to prevent boredom. However, the children can indulge in kid-friendly activities at a number of airports. O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, for instance, has a children’s area called Kids on the Fly, offering fun exhibits and displays, including an interactive plane and a control tower to explore.
With these helpful tips, flying with your kids should be a breeze!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
Do you ever worry about your home being burglarized while you’re on vacation? You don’t have to! Fly Away Café’s “10 Tips to Stop Vacation Burglars” provides helpful tips on how to protect your home when you are out of town.
Some tips include having your neighbors keep a lookout or setting lights to automatic timers using a random schedule. After looking at this list, you will be surprised by some of the great ideas you did not consider in the past.
By following these tips, your house should remain burglar free. Now you can truly enjoy your vacation!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
If you’re a frugal traveler who’s not so keen on the idea of spending a ton of money simply on maps, you’re in luck!
Budget Travel just alerted us to the concept of Schmaps, which are free travel guides to places all over the world with local, zoom-able maps, and marked attractions.
These guides are great for planning out itineraries based on your personal interests as well, providing all sorts of suggestions based on your preferences.
We’d love to hear what you think should be included for those traveling to Chicago! What are your favorite attractions? Let us know in a comment!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
‘The Three Graces’ at the Garfield Park Conservatory Photo uploaded by puroticorico
Here’s a recent reader question we received:
I am visiting Chicago between April 17-20th. 2008. What local eateries and/or shopping do you recommend? I am also looking for second hand stores…what should I wear? What do I need to see and what is a tourist trap?
Thanks, Jenn
Since we love those who read and comment on our blog, here’s a bunch of places that are sure to make your trip memorable, Jenn!
For the best in second-hand, check out Brown Elephant Resale in Wicker Park. It’s well-organized and has everything from racks of delightful clothing to knick-knacks and housewares of an era long gone. They’re open to bargaining, so get your game face on! There’s also Lenny and Me, right on the same street as Brown Elephant Resale! Known for their friendly staff and an “edited mix of truly wearable pieces,” you should certainly check it out.
Last, but definitely not least, is A Secret Closet in Ravenswood. They’ve got a crazy selection of funky accessories and scores of brands like Banana Republic, Lux (a la Urban Outfitters), and Diane von Furstenburg. Other thrifting options include Buffalo Exchange and Silver Moon for edgier fashion and works from avant-garde designers.
After all that shopping, you’re bound to be hungry, so check out Superdawg, a true Chicago institution. Since 1948, it’s been serving up the best ‘Chicago-style dawgs’ you’ll ever find. Roeser’s Bakery is another favorite, creating delicious desserts since 1911. You can even check out their appearance on the Food Network!
For unconventional stops on your trip, locals love escaping to the Garfield Park Conservatory to step into a majestic rainforest full of botanical wonders. End your evening with some great laughs at Second City, where stars like Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and Mike Myers got their start.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
Fountain at the Art Institute of Chicago Photo uploaded by one2c900d
We’ve already blogged about Free Days at Shedd Aquarium. Well, more good news for budget travelers headed to Chicago, because the Art Institute of Chicago has instituted free admission on Thursday evenings thanks to a donation by Target. Free admission starts at 5 pm and runs until 8 pm, but it will undoubtedly be crowded, so you’ll want to arrive on the early end to avoid lines. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
