Do Your Research
Use traveler reviews from TripAdvisor, Google or Yelp to determine which attractions are actually worth the price of admission. Reviewers may also alert you to special discounts that you may not have been aware of otherwise. Keep these attractions in mind when booking accommodation as sometimes hotels will offer package deals including free attractions or attraction discounts.
Social Media Channels
Look for special offers on the social media channels of your favourite attractions (Facebook posts, Instagram stories etc).
Specialized Attraction Websites
Check for deals on platforms that specialize in attraction ticket sales such at Viator.com and GetYourGuide.com. These companies will sometimes offer extra discounts for booking multiple attractions or for making bookings via their app.
Consider Attraction Passes
Companies such as CityPass and GoCity offer multi-attraction passes in major centres such as Seattle, Toronto, and New York. If you have some action-filled days planned, these passes can save you more than 40 percent.
Note: These companies typically offer discounted children’s passes but keep in mind that some included attractions are already free for kids (most museums, for example). Take this into account when deciding if it makes sense to purchase a pass for your child/children.
It might not be close to November right now, but if you know you have a trip coming up later in the year, hold off booking attractions until you have a chance to look at Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. This can be the best time of the year to save money.
Members Only Deals
Organizations love to have customers signed up for their membership programs and newsletters. In exchange, loyal customers are often rewarded with special members-only deals and first access to special events. I encourage you to sign up for these mailing list in advance of your visit to have the opportunity to take advantage of special deals and events.
Consider Off-Peak Season and Off-Peak Times
Many attraction discounts are found outside of peak season (summer, Easter and Winter Break). You may also find great family attractions discounts in off-peak hours such as Tuesday evenings. Furthermore, some attractions (most often museums) offer one day (or evening) a month that is either free or by donation.
The best place to find these deals is by checking the attraction website under discounts or offers.
The BCAA Membership
Many attractions offer a small discount with an BCAA membership. As hotels also often offer a BCAA discount, we have found that our saving over a long weekend have often covered off our annual cost of our membership.
Go Local
Another nice thing is to find out what events and festivals are going on locally for families. Do a Google search on, using Seattle as an example, Seattle Family Magazine or Seattle Parent’s Magazine. This search brings up two great community magazine websites that list kid-friendly events going on in the city for the upcoming months.
