Washington DC City Pass

Does Washington DC have a CityPass?

A classic and trendy tourist destination, Washington DC operates in a different way compared to other cities like Los Angeles and New York.

Although Washington DC does not have an official CityPass, it does have other kinds of passes that include Washington DC Explorer Pass and other tailor-made passes.

Many of the attractions are free and inexpensive including historic landmarks and museums. The fun in Washington DC goes beyond the Smithsonian and National Mall, travelers can immerse themselves in complete enjoyment and adventure as they explore emerging food scenes, parks, vibrant public art, and outdoor activities. If you want to visit the top attractions and see it all while you save money, then the Washington DC Explorer Pass may be of great help. You will skip lines in most of the busy and popular attractions and save time that you can utilize to visit more places.

Washington DC Explorer Pass

The Washington DC Explorer Pass allows you to choose 3,4, or 5 attractions to visit. There are about 20 attractions and activities included in the Explorer Pass.

The Washington DC Explorer Pass is also known as the Go Washington DC Card. The Pass can be purchased at different prices depending on the number of attractions you choose and the age of the Pass holder. Children Passes attract lower prices than adult Passes.

There are three types of Passes that you can choose from:

A 3 attraction Washington DC Explorer Pass goes at $59 for adults and $39 for children
A 4 attraction Explorer Pass is priced at $74 for adults and $49 for children
A 5 attraction Explorer Pass goes for $89 for adults and $59 for children.

The children Pass has a age limit of 7 to 12, but there are some attractions that offer free admission to young children. So, you want to find out if young kids can gain entry for free before you visit the attractions.

Washington DC City Pass – Top Attractions and Sights

With your Washington DC Explorer Pass, you have over 20 attractions as well as activities you can select. The top signs and attractions include:

Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Washingtion DC– This 1-day hop-on hop off bus tour is offered by Classic Patriot Tour. It is a great tour for visitors that want to explore various attractions along the route. Onboard the bus, visitors are given narrations that are not only informative but also fun. The double decker bus makes it even more fun as visitors at the top deck can have a greater view of the buildings, architecture, bridges, and green space in the city. Among the tour highlights you will get when boarding the big bus are: the National Cathedral, The WhiteHouse, and the Smithsonian Institution Museums. This tour costs visitors $39.

National Geographic Museum– This family-friendly attraction offers a unique experience and is great for visitors that love history and photography. Travelers visiting the National Geographic Museum learn more about the historic events of the city including the most famous magazines. There is a collection of various historical subjects and artifacts spanning 127 years or so. A visit to the museum will cost $15.

Madame Tussauds DC- Explore the wax made political figures and other important persons like celebrities and singers at the Madame Tussauds DC. This attraction is a bit different from the others you get in other cities. You will get up close with some of the renown persons. The President’s Gallery here hosts wax models of all United States 44 presidents. It will cost visitors $23.27 to visit the attraction.

Newseum – In this attraction, you will find out how news media influences the world in the modern era. The news museum comprises 7 different levels having 15 different galleries. It contains different artifacts, historical documents, award-winning photographs, and newspaper clippings. The interactive exhibits along with a 4D theater make the experience at the museum very amazing. It should take you close to 2 hours or more to explore the museum. A visitor will pay $26.38 to gain entry to the attraction.

Other attractions and activities included in the Washington DC Explorer Pass are:

International Spy Museum
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Washington Monuments Cruise by Potomac Riverboat Company
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Washington Nationals Ballpark Tour
The Capital Wheel
Washington Walks Walking Tours
Bike and Roll DC Bike Rentals
Museum of American History Through Music Tour
Smithsonian American Art Adventure Tour
National Building Museum
$15 Toward Meal at Buca di Beppo
Round Trip Mount Vernon Cruise
Washington National Cathedral

Is Washington DC Explorer Pass Worth it?

To know if the Explorer Pass gives you value for money, you want to examine the attractions. You can select 3,4, or 5 attractions from a pool of more than 20 attractions. The Pass allows you to skip the lines at the gates.

In order to see if the Washington DC Explorer Pass makes financial sense, we will look at one itinerary for adults. The 5 attraction choice will consist of:

Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Washington DC: 1-Day Patriot Tour that goes for $39
Newseum visit going for $26.38
Potomac Riverboat Company Cruise Combo priced at $52.50
George Washington’s Mount Vernon at $20
National Geographic Museum priced at $15

It will cost an adult about $152.88 to visit all these five attractions at regular prices. If you are using the Washington DC Explorer Pass, you will be paying only $89. So you are saving about $63.88 to visit those five attractions. This is a great deal.

You have 30 days to use the Washington DC Card from the date you activate it. That’s plenty of time. The Pass is activated at your first attraction. Because you have 30 days to use the Pass upon activation, it means you can still wait once you have visited the first attraction, there is plenty of time. During that time, you can visit other attractions or indulge in other activities not included in the Pass.

That being said, you cannot visit same attraction more than once.