Smart travelers who crave both savings and convenience will love CityPASS, a booklet with a collection must-see attractions in six destinations east of the Mississippi which offers deep attraction admissions in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia and Toronto.
In addition to saving money, CityPASS travelers save time, skipping most main-entrance ticket lines. So, while attending this summer's music events and festivals, build in time to visit the host destination's hottest attractions, too.
Looking forward to a staycation this year? Why not? Atlanta's many attractions nurtures dreamers, artists and visionaries. It was here that Margaret Mitchell penned one of the world's greatest best-selling novels, Gone with the Wind; where Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was born; and where Ted Turner launched his groundbreaking 24-hour news network.
One of the best ways for summer travelers to soak up a little inspiration is by attending the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's annual outdoor concert series at Chastain Park Amphitheater. These three months of shows feature both today's hits and yesterday's favorites, all performed under the stars. During the day, see Atlanta's top sights with the help of Atlanta CityPASS, which saves travelers 51 percent off the combined cost of the included attractions. The pass, which costs $69 for adults and $49 for children (3-12), includes:
- Georgia Aquarium (expedited entry, Deepo's 4-D Theater, and a Quick Dip Tour)
- Zoo Atlanta (includes express entry and an All-Rides Wristband) OR Atlanta History Center (includes admission to the Tullie Smith Farm, the Swan House, the Centennial Olympic Games Museum, and six gardens and trails)
- World of Coca-Cola (plus 4-D theater show and commemorative bottle)
- Inside CNN Studio Tour
- High Museum of Art (includes next-available timed entry to special exhibitions) -- OR Fernbank Museum of Natural History (includes special exhibitions and one IMAX film)
"America's Walking City," Boston, invites visitors to stroll through its historic streets, neighborhoods, and leafy university campuses. In addition to being one of the best ways to get acquainted with this celebrated seaport, walking is a healthy, inexpensive mode of transportation. Budget-conscious visitors will also love the Boston Landmarks Orchestra's free summer concerts along the Charles River, as well as the major attraction discounts that come with Boston CityPASS. The Boston CityPASS, which saves travelers 48 percent off the combined cost of the included attractions, costs $46 for adults and $29 for children (3-11). It includes admission to:
- New England Aquarium
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (includes special exhibitions)
- Museum of Science
- Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center (includes Acoustiguide audio tour, multimedia theater, and Dreams of Freedom Immigration Museum)
- Harvard Museum of Natural History OR John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
2011's big news is the addition of the Art Institute of Chicago to the Chicago CityPASS program. That makes this summer the perfect time to check out the Art Institute's Modern Wing, a 264,000-square-foot (24,526 square meters) expanse that opened in May 2009. Housing new galleries for the museum's renowned collection of European paintings and sculpture, as well as its collection of contemporary art, the wing also incorporates a number of visitor amenities: an interior garden, an open-air sculpture terrace, and a pedestrian bridge — with not-to-be-missed views — that links to Millennium Park.
In addition to the Art Institute, Chicago CityPASS — which saves visitors half off attraction prices — contains prepaid admission tickets to several other top attractions (listed below). Chicago CityPASS costs $76 for adults and $59 for children (3-11).
- Shedd Aquarium (includes VIP express entry and 4-D theater show)
- The Field Museum and Underground Adventure (includes VIP express entry)
- Skydeck Chicago (includes Fast Pass entry and The Ledge glass balcony)
- Adler Planetarium (includes VIP entry, one 3-D theater show, all exhibitions, and a scavenger hunt) OR Art Institute of Chicago (includes audio tour)
- John Hancock Observatory (includes Fast Pass entry, multimedia SKY Tour and a free cup of coffee) OR Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (VIP express entry, one Omnimax Theater show, and a motion simulator ride)
From blockbuster Broadway musicals to tiny neighborhood clubs, New York City is a mecca for music lovers. And, since 1986, SummerStage has been a sure bet for live music, as well as theater and dance, in a picturesque al fresco setting. Best of all, much of the entertainment is free. The acts gracing the Central Park Mainstage span all genres; past performers include Taj Mahal, Dinosaur Jr., Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip.
Visitors can complement those free music vibes with terrific savings on attractions. New York CityPASS, which saves travelers 46 percent off the combined cost of the included attractions, costs $79 for adults and $59 for youth (6-17). It includes admission to:
- Empire State Building Observatory (includes 86th-Floor Observatory and audio tour)
- American Museum of Natural History (includes one Hayden Planetarium Space Show)
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (includes audio tour)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (includes all special exhibitions and same-day admission to The Cloisters museum and gardens)
- The Guggenheim Museum (includes audio tour) OR Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Philadelphia heats up during the summer with outdoor concerts and festivals, plus Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies. And, thanks to Philadelphia CityPASS, a vacation in the City of Brotherly Love won't throw a curve ball at your budget. A Philadelphia CityPASS, which saves travelers 47 percent off the combined cost of the included attractions, costs $59 for adults and $39 for children (2-12). It includes admission to:
- The Franklin Institute (includes one Fels Planetarium show)
- Adventure Aquarium
- Phila Trolley Works Tour & The Big Bus Company (includes unlimited trolley and double-decker bus tour privileges for a 24-hour period)
- Philadelphia Zoo
- National Constitution Center OR The Academy of Natural Sciences
- Eastern State Penitentiary OR Please Touch Museum
All CityPASS products are available at CityPASS.com or can be purchased at any of the participating attractions. Passes are valid for nine consecutive days (14 days for Southern California), beginning with the first day of use.
CityPASS is also available in Toronto, Ontario; Hollywood, San Francisco and Southern California; Houston, Texas and Seattle.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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