Houston CityPASS®

Make the most of your visit to Houston with the fantastic Houston CityPASS® sightseeing pass. Here's everything you need to know.
Houston CityPASS®

Other popular activities in Houston

More about: Houston CityPASS®

If you're thinking about exploring the city of space travel, the Houston CityPASS® is ideal for you. There is so much to see and do in Houston, from museums and parks to the amazing Space Centre and Downtown Aquarium, so this tourist pass will become your best ally when it comes to enjoying the city.

Located in the state of Texas, Houston is one of the most charming cities in the United States, offering endless options for a great time. With the Houston CityPASS® card , you'll save over 50% on admission prices and avoid queuing at each attraction. The Houston CityPASS® tourist pass is undoubtedly the best way to get around Houston.

The best option

Houston CityPASS® Tourist Card

Houston at its best, save on tickets and skip the queues

The Houston CityPASS® tourist pass offers discounted admission to the city's five top attractions, from the Space Centre to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) and the Children's Museum. The ideal way to visit the best of Houston.

Houston CityPASS®: the best way to discover Houston

Houston Museum of Fine Arts| ©a rancid amoeba
Houston Museum of Fine Arts| ©a rancid amoeba

Tourist passes are a great idea if you're planning to explore a city. In Houston's case, there's so much to do and see that it's also very practical. With the Houston CityPASS® card, you can access the city's main attractions while paying much less for your admission.

You'll discover places like the impressive Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH), one of the largest in the country; the Children's Museum, the Downtown Aquarium, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Zoo, and of course, the most popular of all: the NASA Space Centre.

Houston is perfect for visiting with children, as there are many museums and attractions specially designed for them. Let yourself be carried away by the Houston CityPASS® tourist card and skip all the queues. You'll get direct access to everything and make the most of your days in this amazing Texan city.

"Recommended if..." you're visiting for more than 3 days. The Houston CityPASS® tourist card is valid for 9 days, during which you can choose from a range of options and discover the city's main museums and attractions. It's also ideal if you're travelling with children, as you'll save on the price of your tickets and avoid queues. What's more, places like the Museum of Natural Science, the Space Centre and the Children's Museum will fascinate the little ones.

Get your Houston CityPASS® tourist pass here

How much does the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass cost?

Money in euros| ©Ibrahim Boran
Money in euros| ©Ibrahim Boran

The price of the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass is around £53 per person, saving you over 50% on the cost of admission to any of the main attractions. You can pay for it from the comfort of your mobile phone or computer and choose the attractions you prefer when you visit them.

The vast majority of the city's museums are located in the area known as the Houston Museum District. This area brings together no less than 19 of the best cultural venues in Houston, which is really handy when planning your visit.

Get your Houston CityPASS® tourist pass here

How the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass works

Afternoon in Houston| ©araza123
Afternoon in Houston| ©araza123

Using the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass is really easy. Once you've purchased it, just show the pass on your smartphone when you enter any of the many included attractions. The pass is valid for 9 days from the moment you use it for the first time. Please note that some attractions may require advance booking, so I recommend checking before planning your itinerary for the day.

As it is virtual, you don't have to worry about a thing, just bring your mobile phone with you. At the entrance to each attraction, the staff will scan a QR code generated by the Houston CityPASS® card, and that's it, you're ready to enjoy! This way, you'll avoid queuing at each attraction and gain direct entry.

Get your Houston CityPASS® tourist pass here

What does the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass include?

Inside the facilities| ©Dug Song
Inside the facilities| ©Dug Song

The Houston CityPASS® tourist pass has it all. You can choose between tickets to some of Houston's best museums, such as the Children's Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH), the Museum of Natural Science, the Downtown Aquarium and much more. Make the most of your stay in Houston by saving on admission fees and skipping the queues.

You can visit the NASA Space Center, a fascinating place where you can learn about the universe and space travel. This is considered one of the 10 best things to do in Houston with children. You can see real rockets, objects collected from space missions, a collection of astronaut suits that were used in space, the training facility and even the Apollo 11 mission control centre.

For adrenaline lovers, the Houston CityPASS® sightseeing pass also includes admission to Kemah Boardwalk, an amusement park located on Galveston Bay. Here you'll find all the fun, with rides, restaurants, bars and the best views of the bay. Ideal for a day of pure excitement or enjoying Houston's nightlife, as it is one of the best night-time activities in Houston.

Get your Houston CityPASS® sightseeing pass here

When to buy the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass

Downtown Aquarium| ©hannah sl0an
Downtown Aquarium| ©hannah sl0an
  • The Houston CityPASS® tourist pass is always a good idea if you plan to visit the city for more than 3 or 4 days, as with the number of museums and attractions it includes, you won't have enough time if you're only here for 1 or 2 days.
  • Houston is a wonderful city that invites you to enjoy it both day and night. If you are someone who likes to explore and discover, the Houston CityPASS® card is ideal, as you will save time and money.
  • If you are travelling with a large family, it is also a good option, as you will save more than 50% on admission fees.

Get your Houston CityPASS® tourist pass here

When is it not a good idea to buy the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass?

Helicopter Tour in Houston| ©Michael-Ann Belin
Helicopter Tour in Houston| ©Michael-Ann Belin

The Houston CityPASS® tourist pass is really practical, but it may not be right for you. Here are some cases where it is not recommended:

  • If you already know the city well and don't plan on visiting any attractions.
  • If you are interested in some of the museums and attractions that are not included in the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass.
  • If you are only visiting the city for 1 or 2 days. In this case, although you will save on admission fees, you will not have enough time to enjoy all the options on offer.

As you can see, these are the few exceptions where it is not worth purchasing this tourist pass. However, if you fall into one of these categories and decide not to purchase the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass, but still want to enjoy some of its many attractions, you can book a guided tour. Of all the options Houston has to offer, a guided tour of the NASA Space Centre is undoubtedly one of the highlights of your visit to the city.

Guided tour of the NASA Space Centre and the city of Houston

Tips for getting the most out of your Houston CityPASS® tourist pass

Comfortable shoes| ©Alexandra Tran
Comfortable shoes| ©Alexandra Tran
  • Plan your day: knowing which attractions you want to visit will help you organise yourself better and make the most of your time.
  • Visit by area: another way to make the most of your time in Houston. You can group museums and attractions according to their proximity.
  • Don't spend a whole day on children's attractions: if you're travelling to Houston with children, I recommend not spending a whole day on attractions for kids. It's better to spread these activities and museums out over the days you're in the city. That way, every day will have something fun for them, otherwise you might not get to enjoy a museum that isn't specifically for children.
  • Always keep your mobile phone charged: as this is an entirely virtual pass, you must ensure that your mobile phone is always charged, otherwise you will not be able to access the various attractions included in the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass.
  • Keep an eye on the opening hours: before you decide to activate your tourist pass, check the opening hours of the attractions and museums you plan to visit. Keep in mind that some may be closed on public holidays such as Christmas, New Year's Eve and Thanksgiving. If you plan to travel on any of these dates, it is best not to activate your card for that day or take advantage of other activities not included in the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass, such as the Houston Health Museum or the amazing Menil Collection.

Get your Houston CityPASS® tourist pass here

Other tourist passes for the city of Houston

Houston tourist bus| ©omoo
Houston tourist bus| ©omoo

There are currently no other tourist passes available in Houston. Fortunately, the Houston CityPASS® tourist pass has everything you need, so you don't have to worry about finding better options to save money and explore Houston.

Another excellent way to get in touch with the city is by hopping on a tourist bus. Here you can enjoy a guided tour of Houston's main attractions. It is an open-top bus, allowing you to visit the city and not miss a thing, thanks to its 360-degree views.

Plus, with the Hop On Hop Off option , you can get off as many times as you like and hop back on at any of the many stops along the route without missing a thing. It's a great way to get an idea of everything Houston has to offer if you're only staying in the city for a few days.

Book your place on the Houston tourist bus

If you're interested in the Houston CityPASS®, you may also be interested in

Lone Star Flight Museum| ©Bill Word
Lone Star Flight Museum| ©Bill Word

Below, I'll tell you about some of the attractions that are not included in the Houston CityPASS® sightseeing pass, but that you may want to include in your plans.

Take a pedal boat ride on Galveston Bay

Another excellent way to see all the charm of the city, this time from the waters of the bay. Enjoy a few drinks aboard a pedal boat. Ideal for groups of friends or couples, as you can enjoy the view while sipping a refreshing drink. A tip: book for the last tours of the day so you can watch the sunset.

Marvel at the Cockrell Butterfly Centre

Visit the Cockrell Butterfly Centre. A fascinating place with hundreds of thousands of rare butterfly species in an environment artificially created to emulate a tropical rainforest (waterfall included!). It is a three-storey glass structure where you can see all the colours of exotic butterflies. An adventure for the senses, ideal for families.

Join an incredible food tour

Take a food tour of Houston's best restaurants and bars. On this guided tour, you'll enjoy the traditional flavours of local cuisine and explore some of the amazing underground tunnels that run through the city. A unique experience for food lovers.

Take a guided tour of Houston's best murals

Not all art is displayed in museums. Houston has a good collection of outdoor art, namely its amazing murals. Take a guided tour of the best ones in the city and take a selfie in front of your favourites.

Visit the Lone Star Flight Museum

This museum is entirely dedicated to aviation. It's ideal for visiting with children, as they can climb into a flight simulator and explore some of the aircraft on display from the inside. The Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston has around 40 aircraft of great historical value.

The main attraction of this museum, which has its own runway, is that all the aircraft are operational. In fact, you can even take a ride in some of them.

Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 942 Reviews
  • M
    M.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The best option is to plan your visit to the experiences to get the most out of them.
  • L
    L.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I came to Houston with my husband and 4 children, we were a bit tight but with the citypass option we were able to see the most important places of this beautiful city.
  • K
    K.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    It is important to optimise your visits, especially if you are going to visit the Space Centre and the Zoo because they tend to take longer.
  • X
    X.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    We were able to quantify the savings we made using the app and I would recommend it. Good initiative.
  • M
    M.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The City Pass I chose, which allows you to choose from 5 experiences, is totally worth it if you work out how much it would cost you if you chose separate accounts.