Houston CityPASS Guide: Is It Worth It?

At a glance

• Where to buy: citypass.com or the My CityPASS app; same price either way
• Cost: Typically $82 for adults (12+), $72 for children (3–11); verify at citypass.com before you buy
• How it works: Choose 5 from 7 Houston attractions; one-time entry per attraction, in any order
• Valid for: 9 consecutive days from first use; purchase up to 1 year before you plan to visit
• What's included: Choose 5 from: Space Center Houston, Houston Zoo, HMNS, Kemah Boardwalk, Downtown Aquarium, Children's Museum Houston, MFAH

Houston CityPASS gives you one bundled pass that covers five of the city's biggest paid attractions at up to 52 percent off the gate price. For a first-time visitor planning to hit Space Center Houston, the Houston Zoo, and a few more stops, the math is clear: the pass costs $82 for adults and pays for itself before you finish your second attraction.

What is Houston CityPASS?

Houston CityPASS is a bundled admissions pass sold by the national CityPASS company. You buy it online at citypass.com, load it into the My CityPASS app or print it, and show it at the gate. You pick any five attractions from a list of seven, and each gives you one-time entry. The pass is valid for nine consecutive days starting from the first day you use it, and you have up to one year from purchase before the clock starts.

What's included: the 7 attractions to choose from

You choose any five of these seven. Prices are the standard gate price for adults (ages 12 and up).

Space Center Houston — $44.95 at the gate. The official visitor center for NASA Johnson Space Center, about 25 miles south of downtown in Clear Lake. The pass covers all exhibits and live shows plus three NASA tram tours of the working campus. Tram tours can sell out — book a time slot on the My CityPASS app before you arrive. Our Space Center Houston guide has the full rundown.

Houston Zoo — $42.70 at the gate. Six thousand animals on 55 acres inside Hermann Park in the Museum District. The Zoo is adjacent to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, so you can combine both in one day. See our Houston Zoo visitor guide for what to see first.

Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) — $25 at the gate. Permanent halls covering gems and minerals, paleontology, ancient Egypt, and Texas wildlife, in the Museum District. HMNS recommends booking ahead; check availability on its website. Full details in our HMNS visitor guide.

Kemah Boardwalk — $32.47 at the gate for an unlimited rides pass. The lakefront boardwalk about 30 miles southeast of downtown, with around a dozen rides including a roller coaster, a carousel, and a Ferris wheel. Note: the Stingray Reef touch tank, the Boardwalk Beast speedboat, and the Iron Eagle Zip Line are not covered by CityPASS. Our Kemah Boardwalk guide has parking and timing tips.

Downtown Aquarium Houston — $18.39 at the gate. Five hundred thousand gallons of marine exhibits in five themed galleries in downtown Houston. This is the lowest gate-price attraction on the list, which matters for the math below. Full details in our Downtown Aquarium guide.

Children's Museum Houston — $23.95 at the gate for adults and children alike. Hands-on exhibits for kids from toddlers through early teens, with science demonstrations and rotating workshops. Located near Hermann Park and the Museum District.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) — $24 at the gate for adults; children 12 and under get in free regardless of CityPASS. Permanent collection plus most special exhibitions. One of the largest art museums in the United States by square footage and holdings.

The math: does Houston CityPASS save you money?

Yes — for most adult visitors who plan to visit five attractions.

The most useful comparison is simple: Space Center Houston and the Houston Zoo together cost $87.65 at the gate. That is $5.65 more than the $82 CityPASS. If you plan to visit both on your trip, the pass has already paid for itself and you have three more attraction entries to use at no additional cost.

If you choose the five highest gate-price attractions — Space Center ($44.95), Houston Zoo ($42.70), Kemah Boardwalk ($32.47), HMNS ($25), and MFAH ($24) — you pay $169.12 at individual gates versus $82 for the pass. That is $87.12 in savings, or 52 percent off.

For families with children 12 and under, the MFAH entry is free for kids regardless of the pass, so its value to your group is reduced. Swap it for Children's Museum Houston ($23.95 child gate) or Downtown Aquarium ($16.22 child gate) to get more out of your five picks. A child CityPASS costs $72.

Where the value weakens:

• If you only plan to visit two or three attractions, individual tickets usually make more sense.
• Downtown Aquarium has the lowest gate price at $18.39 and typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. If you're already fitting in Space Center, Zoo, Kemah, and HMNS, consider swapping it for MFAH or Children's Museum.
• Children 2 and under are free at most CityPASS attractions, so the $72 child pass has little value for that age group.

The best 3-day CityPASS itinerary

This plan groups attractions by location so you're not crossing the city twice.

Day 1: Space Center Houston

Give NASA a full day. The three tram tours of the working campus take two to three hours on their own, and the indoor exhibit halls add another two to three. Arrive when the center opens and book your tram tour time slot in the My CityPASS app the night before — weekend slots fill up. Space Center Houston is about 25 miles south of downtown near NASA Road 1 in Clear Lake. Dinner options are nearby; our Clear Lake restaurant guide covers the area.

Day 2: Houston Zoo + HMNS (Hermann Park)

The Zoo and HMNS share a parking area off Fannin Street in Hermann Park and are a three-minute walk from each other. Start at HMNS when it opens — typically 9 am — spend two to three hours on the permanent halls, then walk over to the Zoo for the afternoon. A family day in Hermann Park can comfortably hold both stops.

Day 3: Kemah Boardwalk or your fifth attraction

Kemah Boardwalk is 30 miles southeast of downtown and works best as a standalone afternoon-to-evening outing. If you'd rather stay closer to downtown, pair the Downtown Aquarium and Children's Museum — both are near the central city and can be done in a single day. Mix and match based on your group's age range and energy level.

Who should skip Houston CityPASS

CityPASS is built for first-time visitors doing Houston's major paid attractions in one trip. It is not the right call for everyone.

Skip the pass if:

• You are a Houston local who has already seen Space Center Houston and the Zoo. Those two gate prices justify the pass; without them, the math weakens considerably.
• Your trip covers only one or two full activity days and you plan to spend the rest eating and exploring neighborhoods. Individual tickets will cost less.
• You are traveling with children aged 2 and under. They get in free at most attractions regardless, so the child pass offers little value.
• Your trip schedule is genuinely uncertain. The nine-day window is generous, but if work or weather might cut your sightseeing short, you could end up paying for attractions you don't reach.

For a broader view of planning your first visit, our first-time visitors guide to Houston and 3-day Houston itinerary cover transportation, neighborhoods, and the rest of the city beyond these five stops.

Save this: CityPASS planning checklist

• Buy at citypass.com before you leave home; same price, and you can load the My CityPASS app right away.
• Book your Space Center Houston NASA tram tour time slot on the app before Day 1. Weekend slots sell out.
• Check hmns.org for advance ticket availability — the museum recommends it.
• Plan Space Center Houston as a standalone full day. Four to seven hours is realistic.
• Pair the Zoo and HMNS on the same day — they share parking in Hermann Park.
• Kemah Boardwalk is 30 miles from downtown. Budget at least 45 minutes each way and plan around traffic.
• The pass starts its 9-day countdown on your first scan, so decide your order before you tap in.
• Parking is not included at any attraction.
• Children 2 and under are free at most attractions and do not need a pass.
• Check each attraction's current hours on its own website before each visit; hours change seasonally.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Houston CityPASS cost?

Houston CityPASS typically costs $82 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $72 for children (ages 3 to 11). Children 2 and under are free at most included attractions. Verify current pricing at citypass.com before you buy.

What attractions are included in Houston CityPASS?

You choose 5 from these 7 attractions: Space Center Houston, Houston Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Kemah Boardwalk (unlimited rides pass), Downtown Aquarium, Children's Museum Houston, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH).

How long is Houston CityPASS valid?

Houston CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting from the first day you use it. You can purchase the pass up to one year in advance and the countdown does not begin until your first scan.

Is Houston CityPASS worth it for families?

Generally yes, especially if you plan to visit Space Center Houston and the Houston Zoo. Those two alone cost $87.65 at the gate for one adult — more than the $82 CityPASS price — giving you three more entries at no extra cost. Children 12 and under get into MFAH free regardless, so families should swap that slot for Children's Museum Houston or the Downtown Aquarium.

Where is the best place to buy Houston CityPASS?

Buy it at citypass.com or through the My CityPASS app. The price is the same whether you buy online or at the gate, but buying in advance lets you book Space Center Houston tram tour time slots before you arrive.

Which Houston CityPASS attractions are the best value?

Space Center Houston ($44.95 gate) and Houston Zoo ($42.70 gate) give the most gate-price value per attraction. Together they cost $87.65 — $5.65 more than the entire $82 pass — making the other three picks essentially free.