Chicago CityPASS®

Chicago CityPASS turns Chicago’s biggest sights into one nine-day plan. For $142 per person, you get Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and three more choices from six major attractions. That means dinosaurs, science, art, stars, skyline views, or an architecture cruise, with room to set your own pace.

I like the nine-day validity, which keeps you from racing through five places in one sweaty weekend. I also like the priority entry at several sights, especially Skydeck Chicago, where avoiding the longest lines can matter as much as the ticket savings.

The catch is simple: you must choose your extra three attractions carefully. Food, transportation, and some special exhibitions are not included, and a few locations require advance reservations. The app is useful once working, but getting the pass connected can feel confusing at first.

Key points before you buy

• Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck are fixed inclusions: You receive admission to both, then choose three additional attractions.
• Nine consecutive days give you breathing room: The pass starts on the first day you use it, not necessarily the purchase date.
• The best savings come after several visits: The pass can pay for itself when you use it for multiple major sights.
• Priority access can save real time: Expedited or fast-pass entry is offered at several attractions, though exact procedures vary.
• The choices cover very different Chicago experiences: Pick museums, skyline decks, a planetarium, or the architecture river tour to match your interests.
• Use the CityPASS app before heading out: Check addresses, attraction details, ticket access, and reservation requirements in advance.

How the $142 Chicago CityPASS works

The pass is built around five admissions in total. Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included for everyone, and you select three attractions from this group:

• Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
• Field Museum
• 360 Chicago Observation Deck
• Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Adler Planetarium

You have nine consecutive days to use the pass, counting the first day of admission. A ticket that has not been activated expires one year after purchase. Each person receives one admission to each included attraction, so you cannot use one pass for repeated visits.

At $142, the value depends on how many places you would otherwise pay for separately. If you plan to visit only Shedd and Skydeck, buy individual admission instead. Once you add three more major stops, the math becomes much more appealing, and several people have found that the pass paid for itself after three visits.

I would not buy this pass simply because it sounds efficient. I would first make a short list of the five places you genuinely want to see. If that list includes Shedd, Skydeck, and at least three of the optional attractions, the price is easier to justify.

Shedd Aquarium: the family anchor

Shedd Aquarium is one of the strongest fixed inclusions, particularly for families. Your pass covers all exhibits, Animal Spotlights, the seasonal Stingray Touch experience, and a 4-D Experience when available.

Plan on about four hours. That is not a quick walk-through if you want to see the aquarium properly. The large collection includes marine animals that appeal to children, while the beluga whales and other displays give adults plenty to watch as well.

The value here is the all-access coverage. You are not buying a bare-bones entry ticket and then paying again for every major feature. Seasonal offerings can change, and the 4-D experience is subject to availability, so check the current details in the app before you promise the children a particular activity.

Shedd pairs well with the nearby lakefront attractions, including the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium. Still, do not cram all three into one short morning. Shedd alone can fill a large part of your day.

Skydeck Chicago: city views with less waiting

Skydeck Chicago occupies Willis Tower, and the pass provides expedited entry. The attraction takes about three hours in the supplied schedule, though your time inside may vary with lines and how long you spend at the viewing areas.

The main appeal is the height and the broad view across Chicago. The pass is especially useful here because line savings are a repeated theme of this ticket. You still need to follow Skydeck’s entry process, but having expedited access can make this a far better use of your afternoon than standing in a long general admission queue.

Skydeck is a good first or second stop because it gives you a quick sense of Chicago’s size and layout. It also contrasts nicely with 360 Chicago, which offers a different angle from another part of the city.

You should not assume the pass makes every part of the visit instant. Check the attraction page for current reservation instructions, and allow time to get there. Transportation is not included.

Your three extra choices: pick by interest, not by habit

The optional attractions are not interchangeable. Each one changes the character of your trip.

Field Museum: a large collection that needs time

The Field Museum provides an All-Access Pass covering the permanent collection and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions. Special exhibitions outside that coverage can cost extra.

Allow about four hours, and more if you enjoy museums. This is a large place, so it rewards a clear plan. The dinosaur displays, Sue, and the extensive specimen collections can easily fill an entire day for anyone who likes natural history.

I would choose the Field Museum over another observation deck if you want a substantial museum visit. I would not choose it simply to fill a spare hour. Its size is the point, but that size can also feel tiring if your group prefers short, highly focused attractions.

Shoreline Sightseeing: Chicago’s architecture from the water

The Architecture River Tour is often the most distinctive choice because it lets you see Chicago’s buildings from the river instead of from a sidewalk. The tour provides a new angle on both older and newer buildings, and the guide adds context about buildings that are current, past, and planned.

The schedule allows roughly five hours and twenty minutes for this stop, but the key practical point is to check departure times and availability before you go. An evening or sunset departure can be especially appealing. You may see the city light change across the buildings, and a cool breeze can make the ride pleasant on a warm day.

Wear sun protection for daytime departures. A hat is a sensible idea. The boat is weather dependent in practical terms, so do not place it as the only activity on the last afternoon of a short visit.

This is my favorite optional choice for anyone who wants more than indoor exhibits. It gives you a visual introduction to Chicago’s architecture without requiring a long walking route.

360 Chicago: another way to read the city

360 Chicago Observation Deck offers fast-pass entry. The attraction takes about three hours in the suggested schedule and provides another high viewpoint over Chicago.

Should you choose both Skydeck and 360 Chicago? That depends on your priorities. Some people love comparing observation decks, while others will find one high view enough. If you want to focus on skyline experiences, 360 Chicago may be a better third choice than a museum.

The practical advantage is speed. Fast-pass entry can help you fit the attraction into a busy day, though you should still check the app for current booking rules and arrival details. Pairing 360 Chicago with the Art Institute can create a strong downtown day, provided you leave enough time between reservations.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: hands-on learning

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry includes museum entry and one timed-entry experience. Your covered exhibits include Science Storms, Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, YOU! The Experience, The Blue Paradox, and other displays. You also receive either a Giant Dome Theater film or a Motion Ride.

Plan on about three hours, but choose your timed experience early. The museum is best for you if you like exhibits that ask you to look, test, and interact rather than simply read labels.

This option can be especially good for families with older children and teenagers. It gives you something different from the art, animals, and skyline stops. The main drawback is the timed element. You need to organize your visit around the film or ride instead of wandering without a plan.

Art Institute of Chicago: the best choice for serious art time

The Art Institute provides fast-pass admission to its permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. It is the clearest choice for you if art is one of the main reasons you came to Chicago.

Allow around three hours, although you can spend much longer. The pass does not cover every possible ticketed exhibition, so check the attraction details before you assume all temporary shows are included.

The fast-pass feature is useful in a busy museum, but this is not an attraction to rush through just because it is part of a package. Pick a few sections that matter to you, take breaks, and treat the pass as a way to enter easily, not as a reason to collect the museum in one hurried sweep.

Adler Planetarium: space, sky shows, and lakefront views

Adler Planetarium includes museum entry and two Sky Shows. You also receive access to exhibitions featuring the Adler’s collections, Community Design Labs, the Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory experiences.

Allow roughly four hours. This is a good choice for you if astronomy appeals to the whole group, or if you want a museum visit with a clear subject rather than a very broad collection.

The two Sky Shows add structure to the visit, but show times matter. Check the current schedule and plan around them. Adler also fits naturally with Shedd and the Field Museum, though visiting all three in one day would make for a long outing.

Building a nine-day plan without exhausting yourself

The pass is strongest when you spread it across several days. You do not need to use all five admissions at once, and the nine-day window gives you a chance to work around weather, energy, and reservation times.

A sensible pattern might look like this:

• Use one morning or afternoon for Shedd Aquarium.
• Visit Skydeck on a separate downtown day.
• Reserve the architecture cruise for clear weather or a good sunset.
• Give the Field Museum or Griffin Museum of Science and Industry a half day.
• Use another day for the Art Institute or Adler Planetarium.
• Choose 360 Chicago only if another skyline view suits your plans.

The attraction locations are near public transportation, but getting between them still takes planning. Transportation to and from the sights is not included, so leave room for transit time and do not schedule back-to-back admissions with no buffer.

The app lets you access tickets, view attraction details, and make reservations when needed. It can also allow changes to timed entry and dates. Before leaving your hotel, open every attraction page you plan to visit and check its address, map, hours, and reservation instructions.

The mobile ticket and the app

You can present the pass on your phone or print it. At each attraction, show the appropriate ticket for scanning and admission.

The mobile setup is convenient once everything is connected. It keeps five admissions in one place and means you do not have to buy separate tickets at each stop. Some people have also found the pass useful for shorter lines, especially at Skydeck Chicago and other locations with priority procedures.

The weak spot is the initial setup. You may need to enter more than one code into the CityPASS app, and a missing email or link can delay your first admission. Make sure you have the ticket loaded before you arrive at your first attraction, rather than trying to solve the problem at the entrance.

Visit my.citypass.com for reservations, ticket access, and current attraction details. If something does not work, CityPASS customer care may need to resend a link or help activate the pass. That is a small task, but it is much less stressful when handled before your sightseeing day begins.

Who gets the most from this pass

I would recommend Chicago CityPASS to a first-time visitor with a full sightseeing list. It works particularly well for families, since the included attractions cover animals, science, dinosaurs, space, art, and city views.

It also suits a short trip when you want a simple structure. The pass can keep you moving toward the city’s major sights without stopping to compare ticket prices at every entrance.

You should think twice if you prefer neighborhood walks, restaurants, free museums, or a slow schedule. You may not save money if you use only two or three admissions, and the pass does not include meals or transport.

The pass is not a guided tour. Only the Shoreline river cruise includes a guide, and the guide can make the architecture experience especially entertaining and informative. At the museums and observation decks, you set your own pace.

Final verdict: buy it for five major stops

I would buy the Chicago CityPASS if you can name five included experiences you want, especially if your list contains Shedd, Skydeck, and the architecture cruise or a major museum. The $142 price becomes easier to defend when you use the priority entry and fill several days with paid attractions.

I would skip it if you want only a single museum and one observation deck. For everyone else, the pass offers a practical way to see Chicago’s best-known sights, with enough time to avoid a frantic schedule. Load the mobile tickets early, reserve the attractions that require it, and choose your three extras with care.

FAQ

How much does the Chicago CityPASS cost?

The Chicago CityPASS costs $142 per person.

How long is the Chicago CityPASS valid?

It is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day you use it.

What attractions are always included?

Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included for every pass holder.

How many additional attractions can I choose?

You can choose three additional attractions from the six available options.

Which optional attractions can I choose?

Your choices are Shoreline Sightseeing’s Architecture River Tour, the Field Museum, 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Adler Planetarium.

Can I use the pass more than once at the same attraction?

No. The CityPASS provides one admission to each included attraction per person.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the attractions is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the pass.

Do I need reservations?

Reservations are required at some attractions. Use my.citypass.com to check current requirements and make reservations when needed.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. You can present the ticket on a mobile device, or print it for entry.

What happens if I do not activate the pass?

A nonactivated ticket expires one year from the purchase date.

Can I cancel or change the pass?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.