Top Seattle Tickets & Passes: Experience the Emerald City

Top Seattle Tickets & Passes: Experience the Emerald City

Seattle Skyline

Thinking of a trip to Seattle? That beautiful city, often referred to as the “Emerald City,” has quite a lot to offer! From the iconic Space Needle to the very bustling Pike Place Market, there’s just something for everyone. Yet, figuring out how to see it all in a manner that’s cost-effective and convenient could be a little tricky. We’ll take a closer look at quite a few of the very best ticket and pass options to help you plan your visit without pulling out all your hair.

1. Seattle CityPASS: Your All-Access Ticket

Seattle CityPASS

Want to see the best of Seattle but prefer to avoid a big, fat bill? Then, the Seattle CityPASS could just be your new best friend. It’s actually a ticket booklet (or a digital pass on your phone, if that’s a little more you) that grants you entry to quite a few of the top attractions at a reduced price. It’s a bit of a popular option, mainly for tourists aiming to hit the highlights.

Attractions Included:

  • Space Needle: Because, really, can you even visit Seattle and pass up the chance to see it?
  • Seattle Aquarium: Come face-to-face with marine life. It is like, always worth the visit!
  • Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour: Get out on the water and get those stunning views of the city skyline, too!
  • Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) or Woodland Park Zoo: It gives you the option. Are you wanting pop culture or adorable animals? Your call!
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass or Museum of Natural History and Culture: What’s it gonna be—stunning art or super interesting history?

Why it is worth it: The CityPASS truly is, potentially, great if you intend on hitting many of the main attractions. You’ll save a few bucks compared to buying tickets individually, and that savings means more for lattes. Read our full review: Seattle CityPASS Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (CityPASS)

2. Seattle C3: A Customizable Choice

Seattle C3 Pass

Thinking that the CityPASS includes a bit too much for your taste? Maybe the Seattle C3 pass is that you need! Basically, with this, you pay for three attractions of your choosing. Basically, it’s ideal if you’ve already got some definite “must-sees” and a bit of flexibility.

How It Works: You choose any three of the available attractions. It’s truly simple. Show your pass at each spot. That’s basically it!

Benefits: You only pay for what you use. No pressure to cram every single tourist trap into your stay. Read our full review: Seattle C3 Pass Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (C3 Pass)

3. Go Seattle Card: The Flexible Explorer

Go Seattle Card

This pass, like, gives you tons of options and pretty cool flexibility. In general, it is good for either a set number of days or a specific amount of attractions, depending on which one you purchase.

Two Main Types:

  • All-Inclusive Pass: You can hit as many attractions as you could really want for the number of days purchased. It’s really only great for the energetic traveler!
  • Explorer Pass: You select a certain number of attractions, and you could take your sweet time.

Included Activities: Everything from the Space Needle and the Great Wheel to boat tours, museum visits, and a Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Pike Place Market (it gives you all those local tips!)!

Considerations: That pass truly only pays off if you plan on cramming a lot into each day. That being said, for a lot of tourists, that might not sound like a relaxing stay. Read our full review: Go Seattle Card Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Go Card)

4. Space Needle + Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket

Space Needle Chihuly Garden and Glass

Think you only have enough time for only two things? Those Seattle landmarks tend to be on almost every visitor’s “must-do” list. So, it may make quite a bit of sense to buy them together to save just a few dollars. If that’s the case, this combination ticket basically offers just a small discount, but every single bit adds up, huh?

What You’ll See: First up, there’s the breathtaking, panoramic views from the very top of the Space Needle, then the unbelievable beauty of the Chihuly Garden’s blown glass sculptures.

Ideal For: People short on time but wishing to see what’s the most essential. And, definitely for anyone wanting truly fantastic photo ops. Read our full review: Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Combo Ticket)

5. Pike Place Market Tour

Pike Place Market Tour

That landmark tends to be way more than just a spot to snag a coffee. With a tour, it can be, like, really fun! With local guides, you are more than likely to learn something quite fascinating and visit little nooks that you definitely will not find on your own!

What To Expect: You’ll, like, try delicious samples, meet the local makers and farmers, and get the scoop on this spot’s background.

Why Take It?: If you fancy food, photography, and local culture, the tour will likely be one of your vacation highlights. This spot really tends to be buzzing, and a tour takes some of the stress of you, too. Read our full review: Pike Place Market Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Market Tour)

Seattle Tickets and Passes, The Key Takeaways:

  • CityPASS is tops for savings if you want to check all of the boxes!
  • Go Seattle Card offers huge flexibility but do all the math first, okay?
  • A Pike Place tour is more for, like, insiders experiences.
  • The Seattle C3 is for people who know exactly what that they want, in advance.
  • Space Needle + Chihuly really are some great photo-ops for influencers, or just photo-hounds.