December 24, 2003 -- CityPass has been a godsend to thousands of travelers to eight US metropolitan areas in the past few years, affording visitors two great opportunities: (1) discounted admission to the major attractions, and (2) not having to stand endlessly in waiting lines at the venues covered by the pass. Now comes even better news: Though tickets typically must be used within nine days of first use of the booklet (figuring that's the maximum time most travelers spend anywhere), the booklets for three cities will be valid for an extended period this winter, in support of those cities' regional visitor promotions.
Any booklets purchased after Decemeber 1, 2003, will remain valid through March 31, 2004 in New York, Boston and Seattle. You can purchase easily online or at any of the attractions, saving time at the main entrance ticket lines by going to the Advance sales or special CityPass sales window. If the attraction admissions were purchased separately, the spots covered in the Boston book would cost $66, but the CityPass is only $34. For children aged 3 to 17, the price is $19.50 ($38 if purchased separately). The booklet contains tickets for the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, Skywalk Observatory in the Prudential Center, the Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum.
The New York CityPass includes the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (temporarily in Queens during reconstruction), the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum (with its very own Concorde on a barge alongside the carrier, scheduled to open in January 2004 if all goes well), the Circle Line Harbor Cruises and the Empire State Building Observatory & Sky Ride. Adults $45 (if paid for separately, you're cost would be $91), children $39 ($77.50 separately).
The Seattle CityPass, also valid all winter, began to be sold already on November 15, 2003, with attractions including the Space Needle, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Pacific Science Center and Seattle Aquarium, the Argosy Cruise Seattle Harbor Tour, and the Museum of Flight (also with a newly-acquired Concorde, the only one on the US West Coast). Cost $42 (regularly $90.20), children $29 ($55).
These are actual tickets, not vouchers, and they include printed information on hours of operation, which public transport lines stop outside or nearby, tips on the best time to visit to avoid school tours and popular days, and more.
To purchase online for these cities or for Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Hollywood and Southern California, go to www.citypass.com. For recorded information, phone 707/256-0490.