Dallas CityPASS Review 2024: Is It Worth the Money?
This article may contain references to some of our advertising partners. Should you click on these links, we may be compensated. For more about our advertising policies, read our full disclosure statement here.
In this Dallas CityPASS review, I’ll explain how it works, how much you’ll save, and ultimately help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Are you looking for ways to save money in Dallas?
The best travel rewards credit cards can help you rack up enough rewards to cover your flight, but you’ll still need watch your wallet once you get there. Sightseeing, transportation, and wining and dining can get expensive!
While I can’t help you with the wining and dining part of your trip, here’s something that can cut your sightseeing costs by up to 47%: It’s called the Dallas CityPASS, and it can help you save big money in the “Big D.” Let’s explore how it works!
Dallas CityPASS: How It Works
The Dallas CityPASS is a sightseeing pass that includes single entry to four of the best attractions in Dallas.
Every pass includes two standard attractions and offers a choice between three others to fill the two other slots. Essentially, you’ll get five tickets in total – although you only use four. Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide which sites you’ll visit in advance, though.
After purchasing the Dallas CityPASS online, you’ll get an email containing the ticket for each of the five attractions. You can print them off, or simply show your tickets on your smartphone at each attraction. You have a year to activate your pass, which is done by using your first ticket.
So, how do the tickets work?
It’s easy. Just head to your first attraction, and present your ticket to the staff for scanning. Voila – your Dallas CityPASS is officially activated and you’ll be admitted. You have nine days, including that day, to use your other three tickets. Once you do, the remaining ticket (for the attraction you didn’t choose) becomes void.
Pretty easy, right?
You might be wondering, though, what’s the whole point? What’s in it for you?
Mainly, up to 47% in savings. That’s right; compared to regular admission prices, the Dallas CityPASS saves you up to 47%!
Ready to hear more?
Top Attractions Included on the Dallas CityPASS
So, you know the Dallas CityPASS can save you significant money. Of course, that only matters if you’re interested in visiting what’s included on the pass. Check it out:
Standard Attractions
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science ($33.00)
- Reunion Tower GeO-Deck ($20.57)
Choose Two Attractions
- Dallas Zoo ($22.00)
- George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum ($26.00)
- Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum ($19.00)
*Pricing current as of July 07, 2023
Remember, the standard attractions are included with every pass. Then, you get to choose two of the remaining three attractions to fill out your pass.
Dallas CityPASS Pricing
How much does the Dallas CityPASS cost? Details are in the table below.
Adult (ages 13+) | Child (ages 3-12) |
---|---|
$54 | $36 |
*Current as of July 07, 2023 |
Some quick math shows that if you choose the Dallas Zoo and the George W. Bush Library, the total cost of regular adult admission would be $101.57. The Dallas CityPASS only costs $54. By visiting all four attractions, you’d save $47.57 per adult. That’s a 47% savings – I’ll take it!
Save Up to 47% in Dallas – See Dallas for less! Visit 4 of the city’s best attractions and save up to 47% off the price of regular admission with the Dallas CityPASS! Learn more here.
Dallas CityPASS Attractions Guide
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Eleven exhibit halls spanning five floors (plus a 3D theater) open your eyes to the wonders of nature and science.
This isn’t a stuffy old museum with nothing but fossils in display cases (although you will see some rad dinosaur fossils). Interactive technology like virtual reality lets you explore space, human biology, and natural disasters.
And get this: In the Engineering and Innovation Hall, you can try designing (and playing with) a robot. Needless to say, Perot is fun for the whole family.
Reunion Tower GeO-Deck
You haven’t seen Dallas until you’ve seen it from the Reunion Tower’s observation deck – 470 feet in the sky.
While the city skyline is breathtaking on its own, the GeO-Deck has tech to take your experience to the next level. You’ll find high-def zoom cameras and telescopes to help you get up close and personal with Dallas sites.
Kids (and the young at heart) will enjoy creating light shows with interactive touch screens and getting a PIX photo with fun props and back drops.
Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is 106 acres of interactive fun.
The Giants of the Savanna exhibit features a safari experience that introduces you to the wildlife of the Savanna. That includes elephants, giraffes, kudus, zebras, lions, cheetahs, and more. The Wilds of Africa includes a 20-minute monorail ride that takes you through the 6 major habitats of Africa.
While both of those exhibits are fun for adults and children alike, the zoo has something special for its smallest visitors: the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo. Kids will go wild for the hands-on fun. They’ll get to splash through a stream (bring a towel and swim wear!), ride a pony, and feed birds. Adults will have a blast taking it all in.
Note that the Dallas CityPASS includes general admission, but some of the extras that enhance the experience (like the monorail and pony rides) carry a small fee.
George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, grew up in Texas and served as its 46th governor. His presidential library and museum opened in 2013 and tells the story of his presidency.
Highlights include the Decision Points Theatre, which takes you inside GWB’s decision-making process during key crises, a true-to-size oval office replica, and steel from the World Trade Center.
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum aims to combat hatred and prejiduce through teaching the history of the Holocaust. The museum includes four exhibition wings, helping visitors learn about the horrors of the Holocaust and understand how the world has applied the lessons taken from the event still today.
Through the wonders of holographic and voice recognition technology, visitors can even ask questions and have a “conversation” with Holocaust survivors in the Dimensions Testimony Theater. It is a sobering yet inspiring experience that isn’t to be missed.
Note that the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is an optional attraction, with the Dallas Zoo and the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum being the alternate choices. History and political buffs may prefer the museums, while animal lovers and most kids will probably like the zoo better.
Other Benefits of the Dallas CityPASS
Save Up to 47% on Admission – The main reason to use a good sightseeing pass – like the Chicago CityPASS and Seattle CityPASS – is to save money relative on admission prices. Thankfully, the Dallas CityPASS delivers. You save up to 47% with the card, which is more money in your pocket that you can use to enjoy Dallas.
Valid for Nine Days – The Dallas CityPASS is valid for nine consecutive days, which means you have lots of time to fit the attractions in among your other activities.
Digital Tickets – The Dallas CityPASS offers digital tickets that can be stored on your smartphone and presented at each attraction. This is miles more convenient than having to carry around a physical ticket booklet. It means fewer things to carry and less chance of losing them.
Save Money in Dallas – Get up to 47% off the cost of regular admission to 4 of the top 5 attractions in Dallas! Get your Dallas CityPASS here.
Where the Pass Falls Short
The Dallas CityPASS can save you up to 47% on sightseeing, but it’s not perfect.
For one thing, it’s pretty basic. The five attractions (you visit four) are only a snapshot of what Dallas has to offer. Of course, no pass is truly comprehensive, but the Dallas CityPASS doesn’t even come close.
Three of the five attractions are museums, which means there isn’t much variety on the pass. Some travelers might find that a little lackluster.
Additionally, if you are a history buff or a JFK fan, you’ll be disappointed that the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is not included. This historic landmark and museum explores the life and death of President John F. Kennedy.
The Sixth Floor Museum is located in what was once the Texas School Book Depository. This is was where the sniper who murdered Kennedy took the fatal shot. Although this sight used to be included on the Dallas CityPASS, it has been removed – which we think is a massive mistake. We’d love to see it added back to the pass in the future.
Who Should Consider the Dallas CityPASS?
First Time Visitors – If it’s your first time in Dallas, you’ll want to check out the main tourist draws. The Dallas CityPASS can help you do it for less, so why not?
Museum Buffs – If you love a good museum, the Dallas CityPASS will be right up your alley. It includes one museum by default, and if that’s not enough, you can choose the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum and/or the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.
Sightseers Who Like to Take Their Time – I love that the Dallas CityPASS is valid for nine days. Even if you’re only in town for five days or a week, you don’t need to worry about trying to schedule multiple attractions each day. You can relax and take your time.
Families – When you’re traveling as a group, the cost of visiting attractions adds up quickly. The Dallas CityPASS offers family-friendly options for a fraction of the regular price.
Who Should Skip the Pass?
People Who Don’t Like Museums – Three of the five attractions are museums, so if you’re not a fan, the Dallas CityPASS probably isn’t for you.
Repeat Visitors – If you’ve been to Dallas a bunch of times, you’ve likely seen all the included attractions, maybe more than once. If that’s the case, you might not be jonesing to visit them again during your next trip.
Travelers on a Very Tight Budget – The Dallas CityPASS can save you up to 49%, but if you’re on a super-strict budget, the cost of the pass might be too high.
Tips for Using the Dallas CityPASS
- Visit All Four Attractions – If you want to get the best possible value from your Dallas CityPASS, make sure you visit all four attractions. Visiting three will save you a few bucks, but nothing to get super-excited over.
- Good for 9 Days – Don’t forget, your pass must be activated within a year of purchase. You have nine days to use your pass once it is activated.
How to Buy the Dallas CityPASS
Purchasing a pass is easy. Buy the Dallas CityPASS online here!
Once your purchase is complete, you’ll get an email with five mobile tickets. Keep them on your smartphone for the ultimate convenience, or print them out and take them with you.
Dallas CityPASS Review: Is It a Good Value?
So, is the Dallas CityPASS worth it?
If you’re likely to visit three attractions, the pass is a decent buy. While your savings will be more modest than if you visit all four, the Dallas CityPASS will still save you some money.
With that said, you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck if you visit all four of the included attractions. In fact, the Dallas CityPASS saves you up to 47% off the cost of regular admission prices. So, for travelers interested in visiting all four attractions, the pass is clearly a good investment.
Thanks so much for reading and enjoy your trip to Dallas!
Save up to 47% in Dallas – Grab the Dallas CityPASS and save up to 47% on admission at some of the city’s most popular sites! Get your Dallas CityPASS here.
Dallas CityPASS Review
-
Attractions
-
Pass Options & Lengths
-
Price
-
Overall Value
Overall
Dallas CityPASS Review
The Dallas CityPASS is a relatively good buy even if you only visit three of the attractions. While your savings will be more modest than if you visit all four, the Dallas CityPASS will still save you some money and get you fast-track entry.
For travelers interested in visiting all four attractions, the pass is a good investment, especially since it’s valid for nine days.
Disclaimer: Comments, responses, and other user-generated content is not provided or commissioned by this site or our advertisers. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by this website or our advertisers. It is not the responsibility of our advertisers or this website to ensure that all comments and/or questions are answered. Club Thrifty has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Club Thrifty and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.