Trade stiff itineraries for a phone-sized key to Philadelphia’s best museums, tours and waterfront highlights. The Explorer Pass bundles timed-entry attractions, hop-on hop-off narration, and flexible sightseeing—here’s how to use it efficiently.
Trade stiff itineraries for a phone-sized key to Philadelphia’s best museums, tours and waterfront highlights. The Explorer Pass bundles timed-entry attractions, hop-on hop-off narration, and flexible sightseeing—here’s how to use it efficiently.
Step off a cobblestone street into a pocket of American history and the city breathes around you. Brass plaques and sandstone facades point to meetings and arguments that reshaped a continent; the Delaware River glints nearby and dares you to trade the colonial map for one of modern neighborhoods. The Philadelphia Explorer Pass is a small plastic-free key on your phone that opens galleries, aquarium tanks, trolley narratives and a hop-on hop-off loop that stitches the city’s neighborhoods together.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Go City · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Step off a cobblestone street into a pocket of American history and the city breathes around you. Brass plaques and sandstone facades point to meetings and arguments that reshaped a continent; the Delaware River glints nearby and dares you to trade the colonial map for one of modern neighborhoods. The Philadelphia Explorer Pass is a small plastic-free key on your phone that opens galleries, aquarium tanks, trolley narratives and a hop-on hop-off loop that stitches the city’s neighborhoods together.
Philadelphia isn’t a single scene so much as a set of overlapping stories: the Founding-era politics around Independence Hall, the industrial waterfront that powered a rising nation, and the immigrant markets and murals that built today’s neighborhoods. Geologically the city sits on the Atlantic coastal plain and the Fall Line—where higher ground gives way to tidal river—so the walk is mostly flat, easy to cover on foot or by short transit rides between attractions.
Use the pass to balance things that need reservations—Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Longwood Gardens are prime examples—with walk-up stops like the Betsy Ross House or the National Constitution Center. The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus route included with many passes is a practical first day: sit upper-deck for orientation, learn the layout from a local narrator, and hop off where you want to dig deeper.
Culture here is tactile: cheesesteak counters argue with century-old museums, science centers let kids touch giant heart models, and the aquarium offers a rare close-up with hammerhead sharks and hippos. Local food markets like Reading Terminal and the Italian Market provide quick, satisfying fuel between gallery visits; public transit and bike share move you from neighborhood to neighborhood without wasting attraction time.
Practical planning matters. The pass activates on first use and is good for 30 days—plan heavy museum days early to take advantage of timed-entry reservations. Some sites require booking windows through the Go City app; others accept direct QR-code entry. If you’ll cover three attractions in a long weekend, pick one transit-heavy day (trolley or riverfront) and one museum-packed day to avoid backtracking.
Footwear, charged phone, and a flexible schedule are the simplest pieces of advice. Start early at popular stops to beat crowds, and don’t be afraid to let a rainy afternoon push you indoors to the Franklin Institute or the Academy of Natural Sciences.
In short: the Explorer Pass is a practical toolbox for Philadelphia—use it to structure your days, prioritize timed entries, and leave time for the accidental discoveries that make the city feel less like a checklist and more like a place you can walk into and explore.
easy.
1–30 days.
Suitable for all fitness levels; expect several hours of walking on museum days and short transit legs between neighborhoods.
The pass activates the first time you use an included attraction and then remains valid for 30 calendar days.
Each attraction included with the pass can typically be visited once—check the Go City app for exceptions and reserve accordingly.
Some attractions require reservations or timed entry; the Go City app lists which ones and lets you book directly.
Sales are final—Go City’s policy for this product states no refunds after purchase.
Child passes are available for ages 3–12; infants under 3 may still require separate fees at certain attractions—check each site’s policy.
Show the QR code from your Go City pass on your phone at entry; for some venues you’ll also need a reservation confirmation.
Philadelphia was the political heart of the American Revolution and an early industrial hub; many sites on the pass trace civic, scientific, and maritime chapters of that story.
Museums and gardens on the pass participate in local conservation and education programs—follow venue rules, use provided waste bins, and favor public transit to reduce your footprint.
Go City operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




Step off a cobblestone street into a pocket of American history and the city breathes around you. Brass plaques and sandstone facades point to meetings and arguments that reshaped a continent; the Delaware River glints nearby and dares you to trade the colonial map for one of modern neighborhoods. The Philadelphia Explorer Pass is a small plastic-free key on your phone that opens galleries, aquarium tanks, trolley narratives and a hop-on hop-off loop that stitches the city’s neighborhoods together.
Step off a cobblestone street into a pocket of American history and the city breathes around you. Brass plaques and sandstone facades point to meetings and arguments that reshaped a continent; the Delaware River glints nearby and dares you to trade the colonial map for one of modern neighborhoods. The Philadelphia Explorer Pass is a small plastic-free key on your phone that opens galleries, aquarium tanks, trolley narratives and a hop-on hop-off loop that stitches the city’s neighborhoods together.
Philadelphia isn’t a single scene so much as a set of overlapping stories: the Founding-era politics around Independence Hall, the industrial waterfront that powered a rising nation, and the immigrant markets and murals that built today’s neighborhoods. Geologically the city sits on the Atlantic coastal plain and the Fall Line—where higher ground gives way to tidal river—so the walk is mostly flat, easy to cover on foot or by short transit rides between attractions.
Use the pass to balance things that need reservations—Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Longwood Gardens are prime examples—with walk-up stops like the Betsy Ross House or the National Constitution Center. The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus route included with many passes is a practical first day: sit upper-deck for orientation, learn the layout from a local narrator, and hop off where you want to dig deeper.
Culture here is tactile: cheesesteak counters argue with century-old museums, science centers let kids touch giant heart models, and the aquarium offers a rare close-up with hammerhead sharks and hippos. Local food markets like Reading Terminal and the Italian Market provide quick, satisfying fuel between gallery visits; public transit and bike share move you from neighborhood to neighborhood without wasting attraction time.
Practical planning matters. The pass activates on first use and is good for 30 days—plan heavy museum days early to take advantage of timed-entry reservations. Some sites require booking windows through the Go City app; others accept direct QR-code entry. If you’ll cover three attractions in a long weekend, pick one transit-heavy day (trolley or riverfront) and one museum-packed day to avoid backtracking.
Footwear, charged phone, and a flexible schedule are the simplest pieces of advice. Start early at popular stops to beat crowds, and don’t be afraid to let a rainy afternoon push you indoors to the Franklin Institute or the Academy of Natural Sciences.
In short: the Explorer Pass is a practical toolbox for Philadelphia—use it to structure your days, prioritize timed entries, and leave time for the accidental discoveries that make the city feel less like a checklist and more like a place you can walk into and explore.