Chicago CityPASS®

Chicago CityPASS gives you a practical way to bundle five major Chicago attractions: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are fixed, then you choose three more. That mix can take you from beluga whales and dinosaur fossils to a river-level view of the city’s famous buildings.

I like the freedom to pick attractions that suit your group, and the nine consecutive days give you room to spread out visits instead of sprinting from one museum to the next. I also like that expedited or fast-pass entry is available at some stops, including Skydeck and 360 CHICAGO.

The main catch is that $142 is a good deal only if you use the pass for several attractions you genuinely want to see. You must also keep track of any reservations, and food and transportation are on you.

Chicago CityPASS at a glance

• Two attractions are set: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included for every pass holder.
• You choose three more: Pick from six options, including the Art Institute, Field Museum, a river architecture tour, and three other museums or observation decks.
• The pass lasts nine consecutive days: Your first visit starts the clock. An unused ticket expires one year after purchase.
• Some venues offer faster entry: Entry benefits vary by attraction, so check each venue’s details before you go.
• Tickets work on a phone or on paper: Access them through the CityPASS site and present them at each attraction.
• The price is $142 per person: The savings depend on which five attractions you choose and how many you visit.

Two fixed stops: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago

The pass starts with two very different Chicago experiences. Shedd Aquarium puts you close to aquatic habitats and exhibits, with all-access admission that includes exhibits, Animal Spotlights, and the seasonal Stingray Touch when available. A 4-D Experience is also included, subject to availability.

Set aside several hours for Shedd. The aquarium is a strong choice for families and for anyone who wants a change of pace from galleries and city views. Beluga whales are one of the memorable draws, and the aquarium’s many exhibits can easily fill a substantial part of your day. The practical question is less whether there is enough to see than whether you want to spend a large block of your visit indoors.

Skydeck Chicago, at Willis Tower, delivers a different kind of spectacle: a high-up look across the city and the chance to step onto the glass ledge. The pass includes expedited entry, which can be especially useful when the regular line is long. Give yourself time for the visit rather than treating it as a quick photo stop; the view is the point, and a little breathing room makes the experience less rushed.

You can choose when to do these two anchor attractions within your nine-day period. That flexibility matters if weather, energy, or a packed museum day changes your plans.

Choose your other three attractions with care

After Shedd and Skydeck, you select three of six options. This is where the pass becomes personal. You can choose more museums, add a second observation deck, or trade an indoor visit for a guided architecture cruise.

The options are:

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

There is no need to treat the full menu as a checklist. The pass allows one admission per person at each included attraction, and you should pick the three that fit your interests and available time. If the architecture cruise is your priority, you might choose it instead of a museum. If you enjoy art, science, or natural history, use the remaining slots for the collections that most appeal to you.

Take in Chicago’s buildings from the river

The Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour gives you a close look at the city from the water, with the buildings as the main event. The experience offers a useful change of perspective: instead of looking up from a sidewalk, you see the city’s architecture together along the river.

The cruise is one of the best picks if you want context for Chicago’s built environment without spending another half-day in a museum. A sunset or evening departure can add a memorable quality to the views, though timing and conditions will shape what you see. Bring a hat for a sunny outing, and check the departure details before making the cruise one of your three choices.

The tour’s appeal also depends on the guide. A lively, informative guide can make the buildings easier to read and turn the ride into more than a sightseeing loop. No guide name is specified, so you cannot book around a particular person.

Make room for the Field Museum

The Field Museum’s All-Access Pass covers permanent exhibits and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions. Specially ticketed exhibitions outside that pass may cost extra.

This is a major museum, not a quick stop. Dinosaur displays, including Sue, are a draw, while the collections range well beyond dinosaurs. You could spend several hours here, and the scale means it is wise to choose a few priorities rather than expect to see every gallery in one visit.

For families and history-minded visitors, the Field Museum can be a satisfying use of one of your three selections. If you prefer a short, easy visit, think twice: its size rewards time and attention.

Pick between the two observation decks

Skydeck is already included, but your optional choices include 360 CHICAGO, another place to see the city from above. The second deck can be worthwhile if panoramic views are a highlight of your trip. You get a different location and another chance to look out across Chicago, but the experiences overlap in broad terms.

360 CHICAGO includes fast-pass entry. That can save time, but it does not change the basic decision: if you would rather see a museum or take the river tour, use your choice elsewhere. I would add the second deck for a view-focused trip, or if you particularly enjoy comparing city panoramas.

Spend a day at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry includes museum entry, with exhibits such as Science Storms, Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, YOU! The Experience, and The Blue Paradox. Admission also includes one timed-entry experience: either a Giant Dome Theater film or a Motion Ride.

That timed choice gives the visit a useful centerpiece. The museum is a good fit for families and curious minds who prefer hands-on exhibits to a traditional gallery visit. It can also take several hours, so avoid pairing it with too many other long stops on the same day.

Choose the Art Institute for art and close looking

The Art Institute of Chicago includes fast-pass admission to its permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. It is the strongest option for visitors who want time with paintings and other works rather than another high-energy family attraction.

The collection is broad, so plan your visit around what you most want to see. A few focused hours can be more satisfying than racing through every room. The pass does not cover ticketed special exhibitions, so check whether a particular exhibition requires an additional charge.

Add Adler Planetarium for space and sky shows

Adler Planetarium admission includes the museum’s exhibitions and two Sky Shows. The pass also covers experiences such as the Community Design Labs, Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory.

This is a particularly natural choice if space interests you or if you want an alternative to the city’s art and history museums. The two included shows give the visit structure, but check show availability and timing when planning your day. Like the other museums, Adler takes time, so avoid stacking it with several other major stops.

Is $142 good value?

At $142 per person, CityPASS can be a solid deal if you visit all five included attractions and choose places you would otherwise pay to enter. The pass also makes costs easier to manage: you buy one package rather than separate admissions for each attraction. But without comparing current individual ticket prices for your exact dates, there is no honest way to promise a specific dollar saving.

The strongest value comes when the pass fits your plans, rather than when you force your plans to fit the pass. If you want Shedd, Skydeck, and three of the optional attractions, it is worth comparing their separate admission costs with the pass price before buying. If you expect to visit only two or three sites in total, the math may not work as well.

Entry perks add practical value, too. Expedited or fast-pass entry is available at some attractions, and advance reservations may be required at some sites. Those benefits can save time, but do not assume every venue has the same rules. Check the details for each one before setting your schedule.

Plan the days, not just the admissions

Your ticket is valid for nine consecutive days starting with its first use. That gives you room to put museums on separate days, leave time for meals, and adjust your choices as you go. It is a more relaxed window than a one-day sightseeing pass, but it still pays to plan ahead.

Use the CityPASS site to access tickets, view attraction details, and make reservations where required. Present the ticket on your phone or print it. Some people find the setup confusing at first, especially when linking tickets to the app, so sort out access before you arrive at the first venue.

Transportation to and from attractions is not included, and neither are food and drinks. The attractions are near public transportation, but you still need to plan your own route. Check addresses and maps on the attraction pages rather than assuming the pass itself will guide you between stops.

One other important point: the pass provides one admission to each included attraction per person. It is not a repeat-entry ticket, so choose carefully and make each visit count.

Who should buy Chicago CityPASS?

I would consider CityPASS for a first Chicago visit, especially if you are traveling with family or a group that wants a mix of classic sights, museums, and views. The choice of three optional attractions makes the package more flexible than a fixed sightseeing route, and the nine-day validity gives you time to spread the visits out.

It also suits a short trip if you already know you want several of the included attractions. The aquarium, Skydeck, and architecture cruise can make a varied set, while museum fans can build a more collection-focused visit.

Skip it if you are unlikely to use all five admissions, or if the included attractions do not match your interests. The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so make your choices before purchasing. For a trip built around several of Chicago’s major sights, it is a convenient way to organize admissions and may save money. For a slower visit with only one or two paid attractions, buying tickets separately may make more sense.

FAQ

What does Chicago CityPASS include?

It includes admission to Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus your choice of three attractions from six options: Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, or Adler Planetarium.

How long is the pass valid?

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

When does an unused pass expire?

A nonactivated ticket expires one year from its purchase date.

How much does Chicago CityPASS cost?

The listed price is $142 per person.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

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

Do I need to reserve attraction times?

Reservations are required at some attractions. Check the attraction details and make any required reservations through the CityPASS site.

Are transportation, food, or drinks included?

No. Transportation to and from attractions, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I visit the same attraction more than once with the pass?

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

Can I cancel or change my booking?

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