Denver CityPASS

Denver CityPASS turns a long list of Denver sights into a choice: pick three, four, or five attractions, then spread them across seven consecutive days. I like that you can shape the pass around your interests, and I like that the options range from dinosaur fossils and aircraft to gardens and fine art.

The main catch is that the pass does not include transport, and some attractions require advance reservations. You also need to choose carefully: each attraction can be visited only once, and the seven-day clock starts with your first visit.

• Choose your own mix: Select from eight attractions, including the aquarium, zoo, gardens, and several museums.
• Use it over seven days: Your first visit activates the pass, which then runs for seven consecutive days.
• Get mobile entry: Show your ticket on your phone at each attraction.
• Plan for reservations: The Denver Art Museum requires one, and other venues may also need advance booking.
• Check child admission first: Some attractions are free for children, including the Denver Art Museum and History Colorado Center for ages 0 to 18.
• Compare the price with your plans: The pass starts at $59.40, but savings depend on which attractions you choose and what you would otherwise pay.

Choose three, four, or five Denver stops

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The CityPASS is not a guided tour with a set route or a bus carrying you between sights. It is an admission pass: choose three, four, or five attractions from a list of eight, then make your own schedule. The 3-attraction pass is the option described here, with 4-attraction and 5-attraction versions also available.

The menu gives you a good cross-section of the city. You can choose the Denver Downtown Aquarium, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.

That range is the pass’s real strength. If you are traveling with children, the aquarium, zoo, and hands-on science exhibits may be natural picks. If you prefer art and local history, you can build a different trio. You do not have to spend your days following one narrow theme.

The pass works best when you have a rough idea of what you want to see. Three stops may sound modest, but the Museum of Nature & Science alone can occupy a substantial part of a day. A pass is not a race card; leave room to enjoy the places you choose.

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What seven consecutive days really buys you

Your voucher is valid for 365 days from booking, but that is not the same as having a year to use the attractions. Once you visit your first stop, the pass activates and stays valid for seven consecutive days, including that first day.

This window gives you more breathing room than a single-day sightseeing ticket. You can spread out visits, take a quieter day, or let a museum visit run long without trying to squeeze every stop into one afternoon. The tradeoff is that the clock does not pause between visits, so it pays to start when you are ready to use the pass.

Each attraction can be entered once. You cannot pop out and return later for another look, so plan around meals, fatigue, and the venue’s opening hours. Check current hours for each attraction before setting your schedule; they vary by venue and can change.

Pick attractions that earn their place

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a strong choice if natural history and science appeal to you. One passholder found the museum so large that it was hard to see everything in a single visit, and noted its interactive exhibits as a plus for children. Dinosaur fossils were another highlight. Go in with a short list of priorities rather than expecting to cover every gallery.

The Denver Downtown Aquarium offers a different kind of outing, especially if your group wants exhibits with a lively, family-friendly feel. A reported use of the pass included an exhibit and a 4D movie with aquarium admission, described as worth more than $30 for an adult. Inclusions and prices can change, so check what general admission covers on your visit date before using that figure to calculate your savings.

At the Denver Botanic Gardens, your pass covers general admission to the York Street gardens. This is the choice for a slower visit outdoors, rather than another indoor museum. It can also help balance a schedule heavy on exhibits and galleries. Check the garden’s hours before you go.

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is geared toward younger visitors, with general admission included. It can be a sensible pick for families whose children would rather take part than spend hours looking at display cases. Children under one enter free, so consider that when deciding whether to use one of your pass selections here.

At Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, admission includes general access and traveling exhibits at the museum in the historic Lowry neighborhood. It offers a focused aviation and space option, and can make a useful contrast with the natural history museums. One reported pass benefit was a 10% discount in the gift shop, though you should confirm any current offer at the venue.

The Denver Art Museum is a good fit if you want art in your mix, but it comes with an important planning note: reservations are required for entry. General admission is free for children ages 0 to 18, which may make this a poor use of a paid pass selection for families with children in that age range.

The History Colorado Center offers a local history stop, also with general admission. Admission is free for children ages 0 to 18, so families should compare that free option against using a pass selection. The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is another daytime choice, with admission included and free entry for children ages 0 to 2.

Make the numbers work for your group

The pass starts at $59.40, and the advertised savings reach up to 42% in the detailed offer information. Another summary gives a different maximum, up to 44%, so treat the percentage as a headline, not a guarantee. Your actual value depends on the pass size, the attractions you choose, and the current price of admission at each one.

A practical approach is to list your intended stops and compare the pass price with their individual admission prices. The pass is most compelling when the attractions you want are among the more expensive options and you are confident you will visit all the selections. If you choose a free-admission venue for a child, or skip an attraction after activating the pass, the math changes.

A 3-attraction pass can be a good fit if you have a short Denver stay or want to avoid overloading your schedule. A 4- or 5-attraction version may suit a longer visit, but only if you have enough time and genuine interest in those extra stops. Buying more admissions than you can comfortably use is not a bargain.

Age rules deserve special attention. Children ages 12 and older are charged the same rate as adults for the pass. Some attractions offer free admission to younger children, and the eligible ages differ by venue. For example, the art museum and History Colorado Center are free for children through age 18, while the aquarium, Museum of Nature & Science, gardens, and zoo are free for children ages 0 to 2. The Children’s Museum is free for children under one, and Wings Over the Rockies is free for ages 0 to 3.

At some venues, a child may still need to join the main ticket line to get a free or discounted ticket. Check the rules for each stop rather than assuming a child can simply enter with an adult’s pass.

Build a schedule without wasting the seven-day window

The attractions are spread across different Denver addresses, and transport is not included. The aquarium is at 700 Water St; the Museum of Nature & Science is at 2001 Colorado Blvd; the Botanic Gardens are at 1007 York St; and the Children’s Museum is at 2121 Children’s Museum Dr. Wings Over the Rockies is at 7711 E Academy Blvd, the Art Museum at 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, History Colorado at 1200 Broadway, and the zoo at 2300 Steele St.

Those addresses are a reminder to plan the geography as well as the admissions. Group nearby stops where it makes sense, and allow time to get between them. The pass does not provide a shuttle or other transport, so you will need to arrange your own way around the city.

Before you go, use the My CityPASS website or app to see attraction details and make reservations where required. Advance booking is wise because capacity may be limited. The Art Museum reservation is specifically required, and other venues may also ask you to reserve.

On arrival, present the mobile voucher and activate the pass by visiting your first attraction. Your ticket is scanned at each venue. Keep the phone charged, and remember that leaving an attraction does not allow re-entry.

Who will get the most from CityPASS?

I’d consider this pass for a visitor who already wants to see several of the included attractions and values flexibility more than a fixed sightseeing route. It also suits families who can choose stops around different ages and interests, provided they check which children qualify for free entry.

It is less useful if you want only one or two attractions, are unsure you will have time to visit your selections, or would choose venues where your children already get free admission. It is also not a transport pass, so it will not solve the practical matter of getting from one side of Denver to another.

The early feedback on the pass has been very positive, with three ratings at five out of five. The strongest practical points are the savings compared with buying admissions separately, the ease of scanning a QR code, and the chance to choose a mix of attractions. Still, three ratings are a small sample, and your own value depends on your itinerary.

Should you book the Denver CityPASS?

Book it if you can name three or more attractions you genuinely want to visit, have seven days available after your first stop, and have checked the current admission prices. The pass can simplify entry and reduce costs, especially when you make full use of the admissions you buy.

Hold off if you are still unsure what you want to see, or if several people in your group qualify for free admission at their preferred venues. Make a short list, check hours and reservation requirements, and compare the total before paying. That small bit of planning is what turns a convenient ticket into a worthwhile one.

FAQ

How many attractions can I visit with the pass?

You can choose a 3-attraction, 4-attraction, or 5-attraction pass. Each attraction can be visited once.

When does the seven-day validity period start?

It starts when you visit your first attraction. The pass is then valid for seven consecutive days, including the first day of use.

Do I need to reserve attractions in advance?

Advance reservations are required at some attractions, and capacity may be limited. A reservation is required for entry to the Denver Art Museum.

What attractions can I choose from?

The choices are Denver Downtown Aquarium, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.

Is transportation included?

No. The pass includes attraction admission, but transport and personal expenses are not included.

Do children need their own pass?

It depends on the child’s age and the attraction. Children ages 12 and older are charged the adult rate for the pass, while several venues offer free admission at younger ages. The Denver Art Museum and History Colorado Center are free for children ages 0 to 18.