6 Things to Know Before You Buy Atlanta CityPASS: Official Review by a Mom on a Budget

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Atlanta has some of the coolest family attractions in the country (that’s not just my opinion, they really are state of the art). Families can experience the Atlanta Zoo, the Georgia Aquarium, a host of museums, and more all within 20 minutes of each other. However, visiting each of these individually adds up quickly, especially if you have a family in tow. Enter our Atlanta CityPASS review.

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As a mom of two toddlers, I am always looking for ways to do fun things with our family for less. This discount pass allows families to see all of the best Atlanta attractions at a discounted rate! However, there are some additional factors to consider like refund options, further discounts, blackout dates, and more.

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Our Atlanta CityPASS review covers everything you need to know about this awesome deal so you can buy with confidence, or pass on it for now.

Pro-Tip: All of these attractions are amazing. However, there is a lot of walking/navigating involved. If you are in the market for a new jogging stroller, check out our new post on top lightweight jogging strollers before you head downtown!

Atlanta CityPASS Review: 6 Things you Need to Know

Our Atlanta CityPASS review covers the top things you need to know before you purchase your pass. We broke it up into 6 main things you should know:

#1

The Atlanta CityPASS includes admission to 5 different Atlanta attractions at a total discount of 45% off.

The 5 attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Zoo, the World of Coca-Cola, and two of these three: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, College Football Hall of Fame, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

#2

You have 9 days to use your pass for all 5 attractions once you visit the first attraction.

Essentially, the countdown begins when you book and visit your first attraction. The 9 day period can include two weekends so plan accordingly! We highly recommend beginning your first experience on a Saturday so that you can include the following Saturday in your 9 day plans.

#3

Once purchased, you have 365 days to begin using the pass.

The Atlanta CityPASS is valid for one year after the date of purchase and that one year time stamp is to BEGIN using the pass. Note that once you start using it, you only have 9 days to visit all 5 attractions. For example, If you purchase the pass on October 1, 2023 then you will need to begin using it by October 1, 2024.

#4

You CAN receive a full CityPASS refund (if it is unused).

There is an Atlanta CityPASS refund option! You can request a refund if you purchase the pass and are unable to use it within the year OR you just decide you are not going to use it. You can request a refund here.

However, if you use your CityPASS for one event, you are then unable to cancel the remainder of the pass and must use it for the available attractions within 9 days (or let the rest of the pass expire).

#5

Attractions for the Atlanta CityPASS do not require advanced reservations.

Please do not be confused by the language on the Atlanta CityPASS booking page. The CityPASS is offered in many cities other than Atlanta so they have general language they use when addressing cancellation concerns.
As of November 2022, none of the available Atlanta attractions require advanced bookings/reservations. Visitors can show up at the ticket booth on any day at any time and present their mobile CityPASS for admission. If an attraction is at capacity, you will be put in line for the next available slot.

#6

There are no additional Atlanta CityPASS discounts available.

There seems to be some confusion about whether or not there are Atlanta CityPASS discount coupon codes available on the internet. We are here to set the record straight before you go searching everywhere for a discount.
There is no Atlanta CityPASS Groupon. There is no Atlanta CityPASS Military discount. There is no Atlanta CityPASS student discount.

[[ Essentially, the only discount you get on these attractions is the one that CityPASS is offering. ]]

If you don’t believe me, check out their website here where they talk about discount codes (or the lack thereof).

Atlanta CityPASS Review: FAQs

We get a lot of questions about this awesome discounted option, but the most common is “Is the Atlanta CityPASS worth it?” Here are the answers to all of the top questions, as well as what you can expect with your Atlanta CityPASS.

1. What does the Atlanta CityPASS price include?

The Atlanta CityPASS price includes admission to five of Atlanta’s top attractions. The Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Atlanta Zoo are the top three attractions that are included with each Atlanta CityPASS ticket.

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In addition to those big three, you can choose two more from this list: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, College Football Hall of Fame, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

fernbank atlanta citypass
–>How long does it take to tour the Atlanta Zoo?

When planning your visits, it is important to note how much time you can expect to spend at each attraction. This will obviously vary depending on how many people you bring with you and how old they are.

For us, we have a family of four that includes two toddlers, a jogging stroller, and a cooler full of food. It takes us about 2-2.5 hours to tour the entire zoo. However, we have spent up to 4 hours at the zoo when spending extended time at the petting zoo, playground, and eating lunch.

–>How long does it take to go through the Georgia Aquarium?

I think this truly depends on the age of your kids. We have a 4 year old and a 3 year old and they can stroll through the aquarium in under 2 hours. However, there are a few cool things that are part of your Georgia Aquarium tickets.

The Dolphin Presentation, Sea Lion Presentation and 4D Theater shows are included in your Georgia Aquarium ticket price and only require a reservation from you once you get there! These shows can easily add an extra hour to an hour and a half of tour time at the aquarium.

2. How many times can you use the Atlanta CityPASS?

The Atlanta CityPass can be used 5 times at 5 different locations. Three of those locations (the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, and World of Coca-Cola) are chosen for you and automatically part of your admission. You get to choose the other two locations. The Atlanta CityPASS can be used one time at each location selected.

3. How long do you have to use the city pass in Atlanta?

Once you purchase your Atlanta CityPASS you should plan an itinerary that allows you to enjoy all of these attractions without feeling rushed. The reason for this is that once you visit one attraction you will have 9 days to visit the remaining 4 attractions.

The 9 day time frame can include two weekends provided that those weekends do not include holidays or black out dates. Two full weekends gives you plenty of time to enjoy all 5 attractions, if planned in advance. See our sample itineraries below!

4. Is the Atlanta CityPASS worth it?

The Atlanta CityPASS is worth it if you are able to spend one or two full weekends visiting all of the best attractions that Atlanta has to offer. If you do not plan to use all 5 admissions then it may be more financially advantageous to pay for each attraction separately according to your schedule.

Here is a snapshot from their website that shows the price breakdown if attraction tickets are purchased separately vs with a CityPASS:

atlanta citypass reviews
Photo from CityPASS.com

5. Can you use the Atlanta City Pass more than once?

You can only use the Atlanta CityPASS once per location. It includes a one-time admission to five different attractions so you can use the pass more than once, but at different locations. Clear as mud?

For example, you can use the Atlanta CityPASS once at the Atlanta Zoo, once at the Georgia Aquarium, once at the world of Coca Cola, etc. Once you have visited each of these attractions once then your pass will be deactivated/completed.

6. Does Atlanta CityPASS include parking?

Is parking included in City PASS Atlanta? Nope. Parking is not included in the Atlanta CityPASS. However, a few of the attractions offer free parking with admission (Fernbank and Atlanta Zoo) and the other locations are all located very close to each other in downtown Atlanta.

You could easily park near Centennial Olympic Park and see the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

7. How long is Atlanta CITY PASS good for?

The Atlanta CityPASS is good for 365 days from the time of purchase. That gives you one year to plan your adventures in Atlanta. Once you choose your first destination and book your day/time, you will have 9 days to use the rest of your admissions.

However, if you decide that you are not going to be able to use it, there is an Atlanta CityPASS refund option on their website.

8. How do I purchase the Atlanta CityPASS?

You can purchase your Atlanta CityPASS in a few different ways. The first way is through their website! They offer up to date pricing information for their tickets and the regular attraction tickets (for comparison).

You can also book an Atlanta CityPASS through Viator if you like to have all of your booked tours in one place!

Sample Itineraries for Atlanta CityPASS

Most of the Atlanta CityPASS reviews tell you what you can do with the CityPASS but not how you can do it. We are Atlanta natives and have personally experienced all of these attractions! Here are some itinerary options we recommend to get the most out of your Atlanta CityPASS within the 9 allowed days:

Option #1 : A Jam-Packed Weekend

If you want to see all 5 attractions in one weekend (which is doable) then we would recommend you do it this way:

  1. Zoo Atlanta – Entry at 10 AM and stay for lunch, animal exhibits, etc. Explore the playground and petting zoo!
  2. Fernbank – Enter in the afternoon around 1:30/2 and stay until close at 5:00PM. Plan to explore multiple levels of science exhibits, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, as well as walking trails.

We purposefully listed these events on the same day because they are all very close to each other. This will save you travel time through downtown. Walking between them is an option if you have comfortable shoes!

  1. Georgia Aquarium – Enter at 8AM and plan to eat lunch there
  2. College Football Hall of Fame – Enter around 1PM and plan to leave around 4PM
  3. World of Coca Cola – Enter around 4PM and plan to leave around closing time, at 7PM

Option #2 : Two Weekend Plan (we recommend this option)

Atlanta Zoo – Entry at 10 AM and stay for lunch, animal exhibits, etc. Explore the playground and petting zoo!

World of Coca Cola – Entry at 10AM and plan to leave around lunch time.

Civil Rights Museum -OR- College Football Hall of Fame – Entry around 1PM and plan to stay until 4PM

Fernbank – Entry at 10AM. Plan to explore the multiple stories of science exhibits, indoor playground, treehouse playground (outdoors), and walking trails through the woods,

Georgia Aquarium – Plan to make this a day trip! Arrive as early as 8AM, pack a lunch or purchase from the cafe, and be ready to explore all of the afternoon shows and 4D movie!

Option #3: A 3-Day Staycation

Georgia Aquarium – Plan to make this a day trip! Arrive as early as 8AM, pack a lunch or purchase from the cafe, and be ready to explore all of the afternoon shows and 4D movie!

  1. World of Coca Cola – Entry at 10AM and plan to leave around lunch time.
  2. Civil Rights Museum -OR- College Football Hall of Fame – Entry around 1PM and plan to stay until 4PM
  1. Zoo Atlanta – Entry at 10 AM and stay for lunch, animal exhibits, etc. Explore the playground and petting zoo!
  2. Fernbank – Enter in the afternoon around 1:30/2 and stay until close at 5:00PM. Plan to explore multiple levels of science exhibits, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, as well as walking trails.

Option #4: Weekday Plans for Quicker Visits

Weekdays for Atlanta attractions are traditionally less crowded. Bonus points if you are willing to be outside when it is cold, because you can have the Zoo all to yourself in January on a Tuesday!

If you are a stay at home parent with non-school aged kids, visiting one attraction per day would be the way to go. Begin this journey on a Tuesday/Wednesday and use one day per attraction. It also gives you a weekend option if you want to save an all day attraction for a weekend day.

Pro-tip: Traffic during the weekdays dies down around 9:30/10AM and picks up again around 3:30-4PM.

Wrap-Up: Atlanta CityPASS Review

Is the Atlanta CityPASS worth it? Financially, yes. It is 100% worth it if you are hoping to experience all of Atlanta’s coolest attractions. The only question is: can you do it in 9 days? We think you can and, if you do, let us know how it went! Happy traveling!

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