Chicago Explorer Pass: 2 to 7 Attractions including SkyDeck

Chicago’s Go City Explorer Pass turns sightseeing into a menu: choose two to seven attractions, then use them across 30 days after your first visit. The best picks pair a major view, such as Skydeck Chicago or 360 CHICAGO, with a river cruise or museum.

I like the freedom to spread visits across several days, and I like the simple phone scan that lets you skip the ticket-buying line. The main catch is that some attractions require reservations, and seasonal closures can leave you with fewer useful choices than expected.

Key points at a glance

• Skydeck Chicago: Ride up Willis Tower for wide city views and the glass Ledge experience.
• Shoreline architecture cruise: See Chicago’s famous buildings from the river without buying a separate ticket.
• 30-day use period: Your pass activates at the first attraction, not when you buy it.
• 35-plus choices: Pick museums, observation decks, cruises, bus tours, family activities, and more.
• Reservations matter: Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO, 10pin Chicago Bowling and Pizza, and other popular activities may require advance booking.
• Seasonal planning: Navy Pier and outdoor attractions may offer fewer choices during colder months.

How the Chicago Explorer Pass works

You choose a pass for two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions. The $79 per-person price supplied here may apply to a particular option or sale, so check the exact choice and current price before paying. The pass aims to save up to 50 percent compared with buying selected admissions separately, but your savings depend on the attractions you use.

After purchase, the pass remains valid for one year before activation. Your 30-day clock begins only when you scan into the first attraction. That is useful if you buy ahead of time, especially when your Chicago dates are still being arranged.

You receive two confirmation emails. Wait for the second one, titled Go City via GetYourGuide, then follow the instructions to sync the pass with the Go City app. You can also save the pass to a phone or tablet, or print it.

The app provides attraction details, opening hours, maps, and reservation instructions. I would download and check it before leaving for Chicago. The attraction list and operating hours can change, and the app is the place to confirm the current details.

Start with Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower

Skydeck is the headline attraction for many people, and it makes a strong first or second choice. You go to the top of Willis Tower, one of Chicago’s most recognizable skyscrapers, for views across the city.

The pass includes admission, but a reservation is required. Do not assume you can simply arrive and walk in at the time you want. Book your slot through the instructions in the app, particularly if your Chicago visit falls on a busy weekend or holiday period.

Skydeck works well with a river cruise or bus tour because the views give you a useful sense of the city’s size and layout. You can spot the lake, downtown buildings, and the broad streets below, then see those areas again from ground level.

One practical warning: Skydeck is a fixed-time activity. Build the rest of your day around the reservation instead of trying to squeeze it between several tightly timed stops.

Compare Skydeck with 360 CHICAGO

The pass also includes 360 CHICAGO, located at the former John Hancock Center. You get another high-level view, but it is a separate attraction, not a second entrance to Skydeck.

For a two-attraction pass, choosing both observation decks may not be the best value unless city views are your main reason for visiting Chicago. With three or more attractions, though, the pair can work well for comparing the city from two different parts of downtown.

360 CHICAGO also requires a reservation. A booking system error has caused frustration for some people trying to reserve a time, so handle this early and keep checking the instructions if the site does not cooperate. Staff have sometimes allowed an earlier entry when space was available, but you should not build your plan around that possibility.

Choose one tower if you want a balanced itinerary. Choose both if your group enjoys skyline views, photography, and seeing how Chicago’s downtown changes from north to south.

Take the Shoreline Architecture River Cruise

The Shoreline Architecture River Cruise is one of the strongest choices on the pass. Chicago’s architecture is much easier to understand from the river, where the buildings rise directly around you and the city’s layered skyline becomes clear.

This is a good use of a pass attraction because a cruise usually costs enough on its own to make a two or three-attraction pass worthwhile. It also gives your feet a rest after a museum or walking around the Loop.

Check departure times before you go. Cruises are affected by season and operating changes, and you do not want to waste a pass choice on a departure that does not fit your day.

The pass also lists a Skyline Lake Tour. That gives you another way to see the city from the water, though you should check the app for current availability and access instructions. If you are choosing between the river and lake options, the river cruise is the more focused pick for architecture, while the lake option may suit you if your priority is a broad skyline view.

Use the Big Bus tour to organize your first day

The one-day Big Bus Chicago Discover Tour is a useful orientation ride. You can stay aboard for an overview, then hop off at stops that interest you and rejoin the bus later.

One passenger found the recorded audio less important because the driver added lively facts and commentary throughout the ride. That can happen, but the quality of live commentary may vary by driver. The Big Bus app helps you track stops and was found accurate during one visit.

I recommend using the bus early in your stay if you want a quick sense of where things are. It can help you decide which neighborhoods or attractions deserve a longer visit. It is less useful if you already know Chicago well or if traffic turns a short trip into a slow one.

Remember that this is a one-day bus option, not unlimited bus use throughout the 30-day pass period. Plan the ride for a day when you want transportation and sightseeing together.

Pick the right museum for your interests

The pass covers several major museums, each with a different feel.

The Field Museum is the broad choice. It works well for families and for anyone who wants natural history, large exhibits, and several hours indoors. It is a substantial museum, so avoid placing it beside too many other attractions on the same day.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry offers interactive science displays and hands-on learning. It suits families and curious adults, though its location may require more planning than downtown attractions. Pair it with other activities in the same part of the city only after checking travel times and opening hours.

Adler Planetarium focuses on space and the universe. Its subject matter makes it a natural companion to the science museum, but visiting both in one day could feel like a lot of indoor exhibits. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the displays rather than treating each museum as a quick stamp on the pass.

The Chicago Children’s Museum is aimed at younger visitors. If you are traveling with children, this may be a better choice than an adult-focused museum, especially when the weather is poor.

The Museum of Illusions Chicago offers a shorter, more playful stop. It can work as a lighter break between larger attractions, though you should compare its individual admission value with the price of the pass.

Add Navy Pier, Flyover Chicago, or bowling

Navy Pier is included through its Ferris wheel and rides. It is important to read that carefully: the pass does not necessarily cover every Navy Pier activity. One person expected more choices but found the Ferris wheel was the only available attraction during a March visit.

That example points to a real planning issue. Outdoor and seasonal attractions can operate on reduced schedules, especially outside the main summer period. Check the app before assigning one of your limited choices to Navy Pier.

Flyover Chicago offers a shorter, technology-based experience and can fit nicely into a downtown day. As with the other attractions, confirm current hours and reservation rules before you go.

10pin Chicago Bowling and Pizza is a useful option for families or groups that want something less museum-focused. Reservations are required, so you need to plan ahead. It may not provide the same admission value as a major museum or observation deck, but it can save a rainy evening from becoming a search for last-minute entertainment.

The pass also includes a two-hour bike rental from Bike and Roll Chicago and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. These are especially useful for families, provided the location, weather, and operating schedule fit your plan.

The math: when does the pass pay off?

The pass makes financial sense when you select attractions with fairly high individual admission prices and use the number of visits you purchased. A three-attraction plan built around Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO, and the Shoreline cruise has a better chance of reaching the advertised savings than a plan built around several short or lower-priced activities.

At $79, a two-attraction pass may be worthwhile if both selections normally cost a good deal individually. For a larger pass, write down the separate prices before buying. The advertised savings are based on particular itineraries, not every possible combination.

I would not buy the pass simply because it says up to 50 percent off. I would choose your attractions first, total their regular admission prices, and then compare that figure with the pass price.

The pass can also save time. You scan at included attractions instead of stopping to buy a ticket at each gate. That was especially useful for people who changed plans during the day. If weather, fatigue, or a closed attraction forces you to switch choices, the flexibility has practical value.

Build a sensible three-day plan

A three-day visit gives the pass enough room to work without turning sightseeing into a contest.

On the first day, use the Big Bus tour to get oriented, then visit one downtown attraction if energy allows. Keep the rest of the day loose because traffic and bus timing can shift.

On the second day, schedule your reserved observation deck visit. Add the Shoreline Architecture River Cruise if the departure time fits, but do not pack in a museum unless you enjoy fast-paced days.

On the third day, choose one major museum and one shorter activity, such as Flyover Chicago, the Museum of Illusions, or a family attraction. This approach gives you real time inside the museum instead of racing through its entrance hall.

For a longer stay, the 30-day validity is generous. You can split the attractions across several days and use the pass during a return visit within the same month. The pass counts attractions, not calendar days, so there is no need to burn through all your entries immediately.

Reservations, closures, and small print that matters

The most important practical detail is the reservation rule. Skydeck and 360 CHICAGO require reservations, and 10pin Chicago Bowling and Pizza also requires one. Other popular activities may add reservation requirements or change their access process.

Check the Go City app before every visit. Opening hours can change, and the attraction lineup itself is subject to change. If you are visiting during a holiday period, confirm hours again shortly before the day.

Be careful with seasonal planning. A March visit may offer fewer Navy Pier choices, and some outdoor activities may not run on the same schedule as summer attractions. If your pass depends on a lake tour, bike rental, Ferris wheel, or similar activity, verify the date before counting it toward your savings.

Cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Once you start using the pass, though, your 30-day period begins, so choose the first scan with care.

Who should buy the Explorer Pass?

I think the pass suits first-time Chicago visitors who want major sights and who prefer a ready-made list of options. Families can also get good use from it because the menu includes museums, rides, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, bowling, and the Children’s Museum.

It is less attractive if you plan to visit only one museum and spend the rest of your time walking neighborhoods, eating, or enjoying free views. It also requires more planning than a simple sightseeing ticket because reservations, opening hours, and seasonal changes affect the value.

The pass works best for people who will use three or more substantial attractions. It is particularly strong when your plan includes Skydeck or 360 CHICAGO, the architecture cruise, and a major museum.

Should you book it?

Book the Chicago Explorer Pass if you can name your attractions before purchase and the regular admission total beats the pass price. Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO, the Shoreline Architecture River Cruise, and the larger museums are the strongest building blocks.

Skip it if your schedule is uncertain, your visit falls during a period of seasonal closures, or you mainly want unstructured time in the city. Before paying, open the Go City app information, check reservations, confirm operating dates, and make sure the pass option covers enough attractions for your plan.

Used thoughtfully, it is a flexible sightseeing tool rather than a magic discount. The savings come from choosing well and showing up prepared.

FAQ

How many attractions can I visit with the Chicago Explorer Pass?

You can choose a pass covering 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions and tours.

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for 30 days after your first attraction visit. It remains inactive for up to one year from the purchase date.

Is Skydeck Chicago included?

Yes. Skydeck Chicago is one of the listed attractions, and reservations are required.

Do I need reservations for 360 CHICAGO?

Yes. Reservations are required for 360 CHICAGO. Check the Go City app for the current booking instructions.

What does the Go City app provide?

The app includes attraction information, reservation instructions where needed, maps, and opening hours. It also shows the current attraction lineup.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.