Planning a vacation can be fun yet time consuming—I know firsthand from visiting dozens of the most popular cities in the U.S. and across the world. Costs can add up quickly when you consider flight prices, hotels, car rentals, and attractions. One thing I’ve learned from all my travelling is that there are many deals out there if you’re willing to look hard enough. Plenty of sites focus on ways to save on flights and hotels, but what about the things to do once you get to the city?
I decided it was time for a site to compare the different ways to purchase attraction passes within a city. You can buy admission to attractions on an attraction’s website, but there are usually cheaper alternatives. I set out to compare the pros and cons of buying attraction admission from official sites as well as other sites like Go Select, Viator, and Expedia. In doing so, I tried to take into consideration a number of factors including value of savings, website usability, attraction selection, returns policy and more. Take a look at some of the top cities that I’ve already visited and compared!
New York City
Perhaps no other city in America offers the breadth of attractions that New York City does. From world class museums to stunning views atop famous skyscrapers to national monuments like the Statue of Liberty, New York offers something for everyone. The Museum of Modern Art, the Empire State Building Observatory, and the American Museum of Natural History are among some of New York’s most popular and can’t-miss attractions.
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in New York
San Diego
San Diego is one of the top tourist destinations in the country for a reason. The sunny city offers something for everyone, from museums to theme parks to outdoor activities on the water. Just a few of the most visited sights include The San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, and the Birch Aquarium. If you’re an adventurer try snorkeling or kayaking while you’re there, too.
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in San Diego
Oahu
Hawaii’s most popular vacation destination leaves nothing to desire. Whether you want to tour a volcanic crater, snorkel in crystal-clear water, behold one of the nation’s most revered historic attractions at Pearl Harbor, or just sunbathe on a pristine beach, there’s something for you in Oahu. Check out Germaine’s Luau, the USS Arizona Memorial, or the Diamond Head Hike.
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in Oahu
Chicago
Chicago has so much to offer as a city rich in culture and boasting some of the country’s most renowned architecture and museums. There’s so much to do and, you’ll probably want to visit more than once just to get it all in! Some of the top attractions are the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, and of course the famous Skydeck atop the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower).
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in Chicago
Boston
Boston is one of America’s most historic cities. There are also tons of attractions that you can explore while enjoying Boston’s small town New England atmosphere. Take a duck tour through the city, visit the Museum of Science, check out the New England Aquarium, and relive history at the Paul Revere House.
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in Boston
San Francisco
San Francisco has consistently been ranked one of the top destinations for U.S. vacations. Because it’s a small geographical location bursting with top-rated attractions, you’ll be able to do a lot in one visit. Experience the variety San Francisco offers with a cruise on the Bay, a trip to the Academy of Sciences, or a wine tasting in Napa.
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in San Francisco
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the most thriving entertainment hub in the nation. From sandy Santa Monica beaches to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, LA has something for everyone. There are lots of family-friendly attractions, too, like Universal Studios Hollywood, Aquarium on the Pacific, Pacific Park, and Legoland California…just to name a few.
Find the Best Ways to Save on Attractions in Los Angeles
Orlando
In the exciting and vibrant city of Orlando, you’ll never run out of things to do. Of course, you’ll find some of the nation’s top amusement parks like Disney World and Busch Gardens. Some of the other top attractions include Universal Studios, The Orlando Museum of Art, Gatorland, and a variety of tours and water sports.
