Chicago CityPASS®: Save up to 49% at 5 Top Attractions

Chicago CityPASS is built around a simple idea: see five of Chicago’s biggest attractions without buying five separate tickets. The smart part is the nine-day validity, which lets you spread out museums, observation decks, and the river cruise instead of racing through them in one packed weekend.

I especially like the included all-access admission at Shedd Aquarium and the choice of three additional attractions. I also like the mobile ticket and expedited entry at Skydeck Chicago, a useful perk when you are standing near the Willis Tower with a fixed viewing time in mind. The catch is that reservations, add-ons, and attraction rules are not identical, so you need to read the details before you arrive.

Key points

• Two attractions are fixed: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included for everyone.
• Choose three more: Pick from the Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, or Adler Planetarium.
• Use it for nine consecutive days: The clock begins with your first attraction visit, not necessarily the day you buy it.
• Mobile entry keeps things simple: Present the pass on your phone, or print it if you prefer.
• Some reservations matter: The river cruise and certain timed experiences can fill up, especially on busy weekends.
• The best value comes from using all five admissions: If you only use four, the savings become less impressive.

How the Chicago CityPASS works

The pass costs $142 per person and covers admission to five attractions. Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are the required stops. You then select three more attractions from the available list.

You have one year from the purchase date to begin using the pass. Once you activate it at your first attraction, it remains valid for nine consecutive days. That gives you room to adjust for weather, museum fatigue, or a delayed arrival.

I would not try to use all five admissions in a single day. Chicago’s attractions are spread across different parts of the city, and the museums alone can take several hours. A better plan is one major attraction in the morning, a long lunch or neighborhood walk, then a second stop only if you still have energy.

The pass is delivered instantly to your phone. You show the ticket at the attraction entrance, and you can also print it. The CityPASS app or website helps with reservations and ticket access, but you should check each attraction’s current rules before leaving your hotel.

Shedd Aquarium brings the pass to life

Shedd Aquarium is one of the fixed attractions, and the pass includes all-access admission. That means you can see the regular exhibits, Animal Spotlights, the seasonal Stingray Touch experience when available, and one 4-D Experience, also subject to availability.

This is a strong family stop because the admission covers more than a basic walk through the building. Children can get close to animals and may have the chance to touch starfish or stingrays, depending on the seasonal program. A penguin encounter or another special experience may cost extra, so do not assume every close-up animal program is included.

The aquarium can also be the busiest stop on your schedule. One family found it crowded during construction, which is a useful warning. If Shedd is high on your list, go early and allow enough time to move at a calm pace.

I would plan at least half a day here, particularly with children. The aquarium is geared toward younger visitors in places, but the scale and range of exhibits still make it worthwhile for adults. If your group is not interested in marine life, this is one of the pass’s less flexible elements because you cannot replace it with another attraction.

Skydeck Chicago and the Willis Tower view

Skydeck Chicago is the second required attraction. Your pass includes expedited entry, which can be valuable at Willis Tower, particularly around sunset or during busy travel periods.

The main draw is the view from the tower, including the glass Ledge experience. You can look out across Chicago from high above the city and step onto the glass platform for a more dramatic photo. The view is the reason to choose your timing carefully.

If you want sunset, reserve or select your entry time before you arrive. One useful strategy is to enter shortly before sunset, giving you a chance to see the city in daylight, during the color change, and after dark. You do not need to use the two observation decks at the same time, so save 360 CHICAGO for another day if you choose it as one of your three optional attractions.

Skydeck is not a quick box to check. The expedited entry saves time, but you still need to plan around your chosen arrival time and the popularity of the view. The pass does not eliminate every part of the visit, so avoid assuming that a skip-ahead benefit means no planning is needed.

The Architecture River Tour explains Chicago from the water

For many people, the Architecture River Tour will be the highlight of the pass. The cruise gives you a different view of the city than a museum or tower can provide, with buildings lining the river and the water creating a natural route through the center.

The attraction listed with the pass is the Architecture River Tour operated by Shoreline Sightseeing. You should reserve ahead when possible. That is especially important on weekends and during major events, since a popular departure can fill before you reach the dock.

This cruise is also a good choice when you want a break from indoor attractions. After several hours at Shedd or the Field Museum, sitting on a boat gives your feet a rest while still adding something substantial to your Chicago visit.

Allow time to reach the departure point and check the reservation details carefully. Transportation is not included in the CityPASS, and the pass itself does not provide a ride between attractions. The boat tour is one of the optional choices I would prioritize for a first visit because it gives you a broad sense of the city in one outing.

Field Museum is the pass choice for serious museum time

The Field Museum includes an All-Access Pass, with entry to permanent exhibits and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions. Special exhibitions outside the All-Access Pass can require another payment.

This is the choice for you if you want a large museum with enough material for a full morning or afternoon. Sue the dinosaur is a major draw, and the permanent collection gives children and adults plenty to explore at different speeds.

Do not treat the Field Museum as a short stop between two other attractions. One family wished they had more time there, and that is easy to understand. If you enjoy natural history, you may leave wishing you had scheduled the entire day.

The museum works well with Shedd Aquarium because they are both major museum stops, but doing them back to back can be tiring. If you have four nights in Chicago, place them on separate days unless your group is comfortable with long indoor visits.

360 CHICAGO offers a different angle on the skyline

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck is another optional attraction. The pass provides Fast Pass Entry Admission, which helps reduce waiting at the building.

The attraction gives you a second chance to see Chicago from above, but the experience is not identical to Skydeck. If you want both city views, schedule them at different times of day. Skydeck near sunset and 360 CHICAGO during daylight can give you two distinct perspectives.

Read the details about add-ons carefully. Tilt, the attraction that angles visitors outward from the building, is not included in the CityPASS admission and requires a separate fee. It can also sell out. If Tilt is the main reason you choose 360 CHICAGO, check availability before promising it to children or building your whole day around it.

This is a good example of why the pass is valuable but not all-inclusive. The basic observation deck entry is covered. Extra experiences, food, and drinks are separate.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry fills a whole day

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry includes general museum entry plus one timed-entry experience. Included museum features listed with the pass include Science Storms, Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, YOU! The Experience, and The Blue Paradox. Your timed choice can be a Giant Dome Theater film or a Motion Ride.

This is one of the strongest picks for families and curious adults. The exhibits are hands-on, and the timed experience gives your visit some structure. Children may find the submarine and the tornado vortex especially memorable, while adults can spend more time with the science displays.

Because the museum offers so much, plan your route before you arrive. If you simply wander without checking the times for your chosen film or ride, you can lose the included timed experience. The CityPASS covers the museum and one of those options, not every possible special activity.

The museum is also farther from some of the downtown attractions, so consider making it the main event for that day. You will get more value from the pass if you allow enough time to see it properly instead of squeezing it between observation decks.

Art Institute of Chicago rewards a slower pace

The Art Institute includes Fast Pass Admission to the permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. This is the choice I would make if you want a quieter day with paintings, sculpture, and major works rather than an interactive science museum or another high-rise view.

Fast entry helps, but the real value is the ability to spend time inside one of Chicago’s leading cultural institutions without paying a separate admission. You can make this a short visit or stay for hours, depending on your interests.

The Art Institute is also a useful replacement for one of the observation decks. If you already know you prefer museums to skyline photos, choose it instead of 360 CHICAGO. The pass is at its best when you select attractions that match your group, not simply the places with the biggest names.

Adler Planetarium adds shows to the museum visit

Adler Planetarium admission includes the museum, two Sky Shows, and access to exhibitions and listed experiences such as Community Design Labs, the Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory experiences.

The two Sky Shows give this choice more structure than a basic museum ticket. Check the show times and build your visit around them. Missing a scheduled show can make the included benefit less useful.

Adler suits you if space and astronomy interest your group, or if you want another museum with a strong view of the city around you. It is also a sensible choice for a family that wants a balance of exhibits and scheduled presentations.

As with the other museums, do not rush it. Choose Adler because you want the subject matter, not simply because you need a fifth place to use the pass.

What the $142 price really means

At $142, the CityPASS is not automatically a bargain for every Chicago visit. Its value depends on using all five admissions and selecting attractions that would otherwise cost enough to justify the pass.

The biggest savings come when you combine Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and three substantial optional attractions. You also receive time-saving entry benefits at some locations, which matter when a long queue would cost you part of a short vacation.

I would be cautious if you plan to visit only three or four attractions. One person used four of the five admissions because there was not enough time, and that is a reminder that unused admission lowers the value. The nine-day period gives you plenty of room, but you still need to be in Chicago long enough to use it.

Food, drinks, and transportation are not included. Add those costs when planning your budget. The pass also does not cover every special experience at each venue, such as Tilt or certain specially ticketed exhibitions.

A practical nine-day plan

If you have four days, I would arrange the pass like this:

• Day one: Shedd Aquarium, with enough time for the exhibits and any included available experiences.
• Day two: Architecture River Tour and Skydeck Chicago near sunset, if the schedules work.
• Day three: Field Museum or Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
• Day four: Art Institute, 360 CHICAGO, or Adler Planetarium, depending on your interests.

For a longer stay, spread the attractions farther apart. Keep at least one flexible day if weather or reservations may affect the boat tour or observation decks.

Use the CityPASS app or website to check reservations. Some people have found the QR codes and reservation process less clear than expected, so do this before you are standing in an entrance line. If a time is required, reserve it early and save the confirmation on your phone.

The pass is wheelchair accessible. You can present it directly at the attraction entrance, and printing a copy gives you a backup if your phone battery is low.

Who should buy Chicago CityPASS?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors who want the main Chicago attractions, families with school-age children, and anyone staying long enough to use all five admissions.

It is also a good fit for a group with mixed interests. One person can choose the Art Institute, another can prefer the science museum, and everyone still benefits from the same pass structure.

I would skip it if you already know you want only one museum and one observation deck, or if your schedule is so tight that five visits are unlikely. It is not a magic ticket for every Chicago attraction, and add-ons still cost extra.

The strongest combination for many first visits is Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, the Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, and either 360 CHICAGO or the Art Institute. Families may prefer Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, while space fans may choose Adler Planetarium.

FAQ

How many attractions does Chicago CityPASS include?

The pass includes admission to five attractions. Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are fixed, and you choose three additional attractions from the listed options.

How long is Chicago CityPASS valid?

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days beginning with the date of first use.

How long do I have to start using the pass after buying it?

You have one year from the purchase date to begin using the pass before the order expires.

Which attractions are included automatically?

Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included automatically.

Which attractions can I choose for the other three admissions?

You can choose the Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, or Adler Planetarium.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation between attractions is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are separate expenses.

Do I need reservations?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. Check the provider’s website for current reservation rules, tickets, and attraction details.

Is Tilt at 360 CHICAGO included?

No. Tilt requires an additional fee, and availability can be limited. It may sell out.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. You can present the ticket on a mobile device at the attraction entrance. You may also print it.

Should I buy the pass for a short Chicago visit?

Buy it for a short visit only if you are confident you can use all five admissions. If you expect to use four or fewer, compare the separate attraction prices before purchasing.

Should you book Chicago CityPASS?

Book it if you want a structured first look at Chicago and can commit to five major stops. The pass is especially useful when you value the Architecture River Tour, Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, and one or two substantial museums.

Before buying, choose your three optional attractions, check reservation needs, and decide if your schedule allows enough time. Use Skydeck around sunset if that is your priority, reserve the river cruise early, and treat Tilt and special exhibitions as extra-cost possibilities.

For a family or first-time visitor staying several days, the pass offers real savings and helps you see more than you might have planned on your own. For a short trip built around only a couple of sights, buy individual tickets instead.