Chicago Explorer Pass: 35+ Things To Do – Includes 360 Chicago

Chicago’s best views and big museums are spread across the city, and this pass lets you combine them without buying a separate ticket each time. Choose up to seven attractions from more than 35 options, then use the pass over 30 days rather than racing through everything in one weekend.

I like the freedom to change plans around the weather, your neighborhood, or your mood. I also like the mix: 360 Chicago, Skydeck, river cruises, museums, and family activities all sit in one menu. The catch is that popular attractions require reservations, and pass activation, QR codes, and third-party booking can sometimes cause frustrating delays.

Key points to know before buying

• Two observation decks are included: Compare 360 Chicago on the 94th floor with Skydeck at Willis Tower on the 103rd floor.
• The architecture cruise is a top pick: Shoreline and Seadog options let you see Chicago’s famous buildings from the river or lake.
• You choose from 2 to 7 attractions: The pass is not a fixed tour, so you can build a museum day, family day, or skyline-focused visit.
• The pass lasts 30 days after activation: You do not need to use all your attractions on one packed day.
• Reservations matter: Skydeck, 360 Chicago, and some tours need advance booking through the Go City app or the attraction’s instructions.
• The value depends on your choices: High-priced sights can make the $84 pass worthwhile, but two lower-cost activities may not.

How the Chicago Explorer Pass works

The Chicago Explorer Pass is a pick-your-attractions product, not a guided tour with one meeting point. You pay $84 per person and select either 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions from a list of more than 35 choices.

Your pass arrives as a mobile ticket. Save it to your phone or print it at home, then show the QR code at the proper ticket area. The digital guide and Go City app list current hours, directions, entry instructions, and reservation rules.

The pass becomes valid when you use it at your first attraction and remains valid for 30 days. That is useful if you are spending several days in Chicago, or if you want to spread museums and tours around a longer visit.

You do not need to choose every attraction in advance. That flexibility is one of the pass’s better features. You can decide on a river cruise when the weather is clear, choose a museum on a rainy afternoon, or add a family activity when everyone needs a break from sightseeing.

Still, do not confuse flexibility with total spontaneity. The most popular activities can fill their time slots. Check the app before setting out, especially for Skydeck, 360 Chicago, boat tours, and anything requiring a reservation.

Skydeck and 360 Chicago: choosing your skyline view

The pass includes two of Chicago’s best-known observation decks. Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, at about 1,353 feet above the city.

From the glass viewing area, you can look across Chicago toward Navy Pier and Soldier Field. The visit is listed at about 90 minutes, but your actual time can depend on lines and the entry process. Reservations are required, and the pass instructions say you must use the unique Go City link or app to make one.

360 Chicago sits on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center. Its views take in Millennium Park, Soldier Field, and the city’s broad spread along Lake Michigan. The elevator ride takes less than a minute, which is a small thrill before the view begins.

You can spend about 90 minutes here as well. Reservations are required, so do not simply assume you can arrive and walk straight in. Some pass users have reported confusion at Skydeck about available times and where to join the line. Check the reservation steps carefully before you leave your hotel.

Do you need both observation decks? Not necessarily. If you select only two attractions, choosing both gives you a skyline-heavy pass with limited variety. I would choose both only if Chicago’s high-rise views are a major reason for your visit. Otherwise, pair one deck with a river cruise or museum.

Chicago’s architecture from the water

Chicago’s architecture is easiest to understand from a boat. Shoreline Sightseeing offers an architecture river tour lasting about 75 minutes, with a professional guide explaining the buildings along the Chicago River and their place in the city’s development.

This is one of the strongest uses of the pass. You sit back, see a long run of major buildings, and get context that is hard to absorb from street level. It also gives your feet a rest after walking downtown.

The pass menu also includes a Seadog architectural river tour from Navy Pier, listed at about two hours, along with a Seadog lakefront speedboat tour of about one hour. Another Seadog option is an extreme thrill ride on Lake Michigan.

These are not all the same outing, so check the exact title, departure point, duration, and reservation instructions in the app. A calm architecture cruise suits first-time visitors who want to understand the city. The speedboat options suit you if you want motion and lake views more than a long explanation of buildings.

The pass also includes a one-day Classic Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Chicago tour. It covers major sights such as the skyscrapers and Magnificent Mile, and you can get off at stops that suit your plan.

This bus is useful early in your visit, when you want to get your bearings fast. It can also reduce long walks between districts. But several pass users have had trouble understanding whether the bus was included or how to access it, so verify the current route and boarding instructions before counting on it.

Museums on the Museum Campus and beyond

The Field Museum is a strong choice for families and anyone who wants a broad museum visit. Your pass admission covers the permanent exhibitions, including SUE, the famous T. Rex, an ancient Egyptian tomb, and displays covering more than 10,000 years of Chinese history and culture.

The suggested visit is about three hours. That is realistic for a focused visit, though you could spend longer if you read every display. Since the pass includes permanent exhibitions rather than every possible special feature, check what is included before you arrive.

The Adler Planetarium is another Museum Campus choice. Admission includes all exhibitions and experiences, including the historic Atwood Sphere, which presents the Chicago night sky as it appeared in 1913. You also receive a choice of two shows, including Imagine the Moon.

Plan about two hours here. Adler works especially well for families and anyone curious about space, and it pairs naturally with the Field Museum on a full Museum Campus day. Keep in mind that using two attractions in one day can make the pass good value, but it also creates a tiring schedule.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a separate major stop, with hands-on exhibitions for all ages. Admission includes permanent exhibits and one film at the five-story Giant Dome Theater.

The suggested visit is three hours. This is a substantial attraction, not a quick filler between downtown stops. Allow time for the exhibits to work their magic, especially if children want to try several activities.

The Museum of Contemporary Art offers a different kind of museum visit. It focuses on living artists, rotating exhibitions, and contemporary performance. Plan around 90 minutes, though your pace will depend on the current displays.

The Chicago History Museum gives you a useful introduction to the city’s past. It is listed at about two hours and makes sense near the start of a Chicago visit, especially if you want more context for the buildings, neighborhoods, and events you see elsewhere.

The American Writers Museum, in the center of downtown, uses interactive displays and programs to cover many forms of writing. Plan about an hour. It is a compact stop for readers, and it can fit neatly between other downtown attractions.

Family choices from Navy Pier to LEGOLAND

Navy Pier is a large waterfront entertainment area with food, shops, rides, cruises, and views over Lake Michigan. The pass includes access connected with Navy Pier, but it does not function as one blanket ticket for every activity there.

The Chicago Children’s Museum is located on the pier and takes about two hours. It offers hands-on exhibits, programs, and daily art classes. Combine it with Navy Pier’s rides or waterfront time for a family-friendly half day.

Be precise about what your pass covers. One disappointing experience involved a short Navy Pier wheel activity that amounted to only a few brief rotations. Read the attraction description so you know exactly what is included rather than assuming every Navy Pier activity is covered.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is aimed mainly at children ages 3 to 10. You will find LEGO displays, building areas, demonstrations, and hands-on attractions. Plan about two hours, and remember that it is outside the downtown core, so transport time matters.

10pin Bowling Lounge in River North offers 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, and a pizza lunch. This is a practical rainy-day option, especially for families or mixed-age groups who need a break from museums.

The Museum of Illusions takes about an hour and includes more than 80 rooms and exhibits designed around optical tricks and unusual visual effects. It suits children and adults, but it is best treated as a short, playful stop rather than a full day attraction.

Architecture, literature, and neighborhood history

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park explores the architect’s personal home and professional workspace. The complex served as his residence and studio during the first 20 years of his career, when he designed works including the Robie House, the Larkin Building, and Unity Temple.

The visit is listed at about two hours. It requires a trip beyond downtown, so combine it with other Oak Park stops if the timing works.

The Frederick C. Robie House tour focuses on one of Wright’s most important buildings. Plan about an hour. It is a good pick if you care about design, interiors, and the way Wright reshaped American architecture.

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum also takes you to Oak Park. Its guided visit lasts about 45 minutes and covers the home where Hemingway was born. The attraction listing allows about an hour in total.

The Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour lasts about an hour and takes you through the historic theater, from its opening in 1921 to its current role as a concert and theater venue. This is a good indoor choice for anyone interested in old theaters, performance spaces, and Chicago landmarks.

The Lincoln Park Hauntings Chicago Ghost Tour and Ghost Hunt is an on-foot activity lasting about an hour. It covers the area’s links to the Great Fire of 1871, lost cemetery graves, and the so-called Suicide Bridge over the lagoon.

Advanced reservation is required. Choose this for atmosphere and local stories, not as a substitute for a serious history tour.

Outdoor activities and food stops

Bike and Roll Chicago offers a two-hour bike rental from its Millennium Park location at 34 South Michigan Avenue. You can use the bike to connect parks, lakefront areas, and downtown streets at your own pace.

Bobby’s Bike Hike includes a 60-minute kayak rental at Ohio Street Beach. The pass also includes several outdoor activities at The Forge Adventure Park and Ziplines, such as axe throwing, archery, laser tag, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and a children’s adventure zone.

The Forge package does not include the climbing and zipline adventure. That distinction matters, since the name could easily lead you to expect the full course.

For a quick food stop, Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street includes a slice of pizza and a drink. Harry Potter Shop Chicago includes a Butterbeer experience at the Butterbeer Bar. These are fun add-ons, but I would not choose a food stop as one of only two pass selections unless you already plan to visit nearby.

Flyover Chicago offers a simulated bird’s-eye view of the city and takes about an hour. It can fill a short gap in a downtown schedule, though major museums, cruises, and observation decks are usually stronger choices if you are trying to maximize the pass.

Is $84 a good deal?

At $84 per person, the pass can save money if you select several substantial attractions. The strongest value comes from combining an observation deck, an architecture cruise, a museum, and perhaps the bus tour or another major activity.

The pass becomes less convincing if you choose only two low-cost or short activities. One family found that two selected attractions would have cost less when purchased separately. Another visitor reported saving about 20 percent across three activities, which is the kind of result you should aim for.

I would make a quick comparison before buying. Look up the current direct prices for the attractions you are most likely to use, then compare that total with $84. Do not count an attraction just because it appears in a search result or an old advertisement. The Go City app has the current lineup and instructions, and attractions can change.

The pass is most useful when you plan well but keep some room to adjust. Reserve the high-demand sights first, then fill the remaining choices with stops that fit your route.

Mobile pass problems and how to avoid them

The pass is designed to be simple: save the QR code on your phone and scan it at each attraction. Many people use it this way without trouble, but technical and communication problems have also occurred.

Some pass users have had QR codes fail, links refuse to load, or the pass appear complete after the first attraction. Others were sent between Go City and the booking platform when seeking help. Attraction staff sometimes solved the problem, but that can cost you valuable sightseeing time.

Before your first outing, download the Go City app, open the pass, and read the Know Before You Go instructions. Take a screenshot or print the pass as backup, and confirm reservations separately. Keep your order details available if you need support.

The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase. That makes the price comparison and reservation check especially important.

Who should buy this pass?

I would consider it for a first Chicago visit lasting several days, especially if you want one observation deck, a river cruise, a major museum, and the Big Bus tour. Families can also make good use of it by mixing a museum with LEGOLAND, the Children’s Museum, bowling, or the Museum of Illusions.

It is less suitable if your schedule is uncertain, you dislike using apps, or you plan to see only one or two modest attractions. It is also a poor fit if you expect every attraction to accept walk-ins or if you want a guaranteed skip-the-line experience.

Should you book the Chicago Explorer Pass?

Book it if you can name at least three worthwhile attractions and confirm that their current direct prices exceed $84. For many visitors, the best combination is one skyline deck, the architecture river cruise, and a major museum.

Skip it if you are choosing attractions mainly because they are included, or if you need a simple ticket with no reservation work. The pass offers real freedom, but it rewards preparation. Use the app, reserve early, and treat the pass as a flexible discount bundle rather than a magic key to every Chicago queue.

FAQ

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

You can choose a pass for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions from more than 35 options.

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for 30 days from the date you activate it at your first attraction.

Do I need to select my attractions when I purchase the pass?

No. You can decide later, based on your location, the weather, and your plans. Check the Go City app for current attraction details and instructions.

Are reservations required?

Reservations are required for some popular attractions, including Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago. Other tours and activities may also require advance booking, so check the digital guide or app before visiting.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. Your pass is available as a mobile ticket. You can save it on your smartphone or print it at home and show it at the designated ticket area.

Does the pass include transportation and food?

Transportation to and from attractions is not included. Food and drinks are also excluded unless the specific attraction says they are included, such as the pizza and drink at Bacci Pizzeria or the pizza lunch connected with 10pin Bowling Lounge.