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

Chicago makes a strong case for looking up: the river cuts between famous towers, and the city’s best views come from both high above the streets and down on the water. This Go City Explorer Pass lets you choose two to seven attractions from a selection of more than 35, then spread them across as many as 30 days.

I like two things in particular: you can wait to choose your attractions until you know the weather and your plans, and the selection mixes big-ticket sights with museums, cruises, and family activities. That flexibility can make it easier to build a trip around your interests rather than race through a fixed itinerary.

The catch is that flexibility does not guarantee savings or a place at every attraction. Some popular stops require reservations, the lineup can change, and several customers have had trouble with mobile passes or unclear admission details. Check the current Go City app before you buy, then compare the cost of your chosen activities with their individual prices.

The best reasons to consider this pass

• Choose your pass size: Pick admission to two, three, four, five, six, or seven activities from more than 35 options.
• Use the pass over 30 days: It is valid for 30 days from activation, so you can space out visits instead of packing them into a day or two.
• Mix city views with time on the river: Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO, architecture cruises, and a hop-on hop-off bus are among the listed choices.
• Plan on your phone: Save the pass and digital guide on your mobile device, or print the pass at home.
• Watch for reservation rules: Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO, and the Lincoln Park ghost tour require advance reservations.
• Compare before committing: Savings depend on which attractions you choose, and the available options and access instructions can change.

A flexible pass, not a fixed tour

This is an attraction pass rather than a guided city tour. You choose a pass size, then decide which activities to use it for. You do not need to name your attractions at purchase, which is useful if rain changes your plans or you decide that a museum day sounds better than a lakefront outing.

The pass activates when you visit your first attraction and remains valid for 30 days. That makes it a good fit for a longer Chicago stay, or for anyone who wants to leave room between major sights. You can show the pass on your phone or bring a printout. The included digital guide provides attraction details, operating times, directions, and special instructions.

There is an important distinction between choosing a pass size and reserving a time. You may not need to pick your attractions in advance, but some activities do require a reservation. Check the instructions for each planned stop in the app before heading out, especially for Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO, and the Lincoln Park ghost tour. A pass is not a promise that every time slot will be open when you arrive.

Chicago’s skyline, from two very different heights

Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, 1,353 feet above the ground. The observation deck offers broad views toward places such as Navy Pier and Soldier Field. Plan around 90 minutes, and reserve ahead. The pass information specifically warns that you must use the unique link to access the Go City app to make a reservation.

The other high-up option is 360 CHICAGO, on the 94th floor. Its fast elevator reaches the observation deck in under a minute, and the view takes in sights including Millennium Park and Soldier Field. Allow about 90 minutes here, too, and make a reservation before you go.

Both are tempting, but you may not need to use a pass choice on both. If you are trying to manage costs, compare their individual admission prices and think about whether you want two observation decks or would rather spend one selection on a museum or boat trip. The pass description includes 360 CHICAGO in its title, but the digital guide is the place to confirm current access details before you set your plans.

Take the river for architecture and orientation

A Chicago architecture cruise is one of the most useful ways to understand why the city’s center looks as it does. Shoreline Sightseeing’s architecture tour lasts about 75 minutes, with a professional guide explaining the buildings along the river and their historical importance. It is a compact outing that gives you a fresh view of the city’s towers without asking you to study a map from the sidewalk.

The listed choices also include a two-hour Seadog architectural river tour from Navy Pier. Another Shoreline option is a one-hour lakefront speedboat tour, while Seadog’s Extreme ride is a high-speed trip across Lake Michigan. These are different outings, so check the current guide and decide whether you want building stories, a faster ride, or both.

The pass description also lists a one-day Classic Big Bus Chicago hop-on hop-off tour, which can help you get your bearings and reach major sights. However, some customers have encountered confusion about whether the bus was included or how to use it. Confirm that it appears as an available choice in your current pass details before building your day around it. Transportation to and from attractions is not included, so the pass itself does not cover your general travel around town.

Museums for big questions and rainy days

The Field Museum is a substantial visit, with permanent exhibits that include SUE, the large Tyrannosaurus rex, an ancient Egyptian tomb, and exhibits on Chinese history and culture. Allow about three hours. The pass covers permanent exhibits, making it a sensible choice if you want a full museum visit rather than a quick walk through.

At the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, you can explore hands-on exhibits and use admission for permanent exhibits plus one film screening in the Giant Dome Theater. The listing suggests about three hours here as well. It is a strong choice for families and anyone who likes learning by doing, but do check the day’s film and operating details before you go.

The Adler Planetarium, on Museum Campus, includes exhibitions and experiences, the historic Atwood Sphere, and a choice of two shows. The Atwood Sphere offers an interactive look at the Chicago night sky as it appeared in 1913. Set aside about two hours. The Chicago History Museum is another two-hour option, particularly useful if you want context for the city beyond its architecture.

For contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art offers changing exhibitions and performance, with a suggested visit of about 90 minutes. The American Writers Museum, downtown, uses interactive displays to cover writing across genres and takes about an hour. These smaller time commitments can be easier to fit between other plans, though the pass only makes financial sense if the included admission is worth more to you than the pass choice.

Architecture, theatre, and stories close to Chicago

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park gives you a look at the architect’s home and workplace during the first 20 years of his career. Plan around two hours. The nearby Frederick C. Robie House is another Wright Trust option, with a one-hour tour of a residence regarded as an important work of American architecture. Both are appealing for architecture fans, but they are separate choices and require time outside the central sightseeing circuit.

The Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour takes you inside the landmark venue and traces its story from its 1921 construction to its present use for concerts and theatre. It lasts about an hour. In Oak Park, the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum offers a guided 45-minute tour of the writer’s childhood home, with about an hour suggested for the visit.

These stops reward a more focused trip. They are not interchangeable with a quick downtown photo stop, and getting to Oak Park means planning around the distance. The pass does not include transportation, so factor in the extra travel when deciding whether these choices fit your schedule.

Family outings, lakefront time, and lighter stops

Navy Pier combines shops, food, rides, and cruises beside Lake Michigan. The pass listing suggests an hour, but you can easily spend longer if you add other activities. The Chicago Children’s Museum is also on the pier, with interactive exhibits, programs, and daily art classes. Allow about two hours for the museum.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center is aimed at children ages three to ten and includes LEGO displays, construction demonstrations, and interactive attractions. Set aside about two hours. For something active outdoors, Bike and Roll Chicago offers a two-hour bike rental, with pickup locations listed at Millennium Park and another convenient spot. It gives you the freedom to explore streets and green spaces at your own pace, though it is a rental rather than a guided ride.

Other choices are deliberately more playful. Museum of Illusions has more than 80 rooms and exhibits, with about an hour suggested. At 10pin Bowling Lounge in River North, admission includes 90 minutes on a reserved lane, shoe rental, and a pizza lunch. Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street offers a pizza slice and a drink.

The Forge Adventure Park is outside the city and includes listed Explorer Activities such as axe throwing, archery, laser tag, kayaking, canoes, pedal boats, and a kids’ adventure zone. The climbing and zipline adventure is not included, so read the activity details carefully. Harry Potter Shop Chicago lists a Butterbeer experience, while Flyover in Chicago offers an immersive aerial view of the city. These options can round out a family or novelty-focused day, but they may not deliver the same value as a full museum or cruise.

For an evening with a different mood, the Lincoln Park Hauntings walking tour takes about an hour and covers the park’s connection to the Great Fire, the cemetery’s lost graves, and the so-called Suicide Bridge. Advance reservation is required. Bobby’s Bike Hike lists a one-hour kayak rental at Ohio Street Beach, while Seadog offers additional boat options. Check the current guide for operating times and any special instructions before choosing outdoor activities.

Does $84 make the pass worthwhile?

At the quoted price of $84 per person, value depends on the number and cost of the attractions you actually use. A pass with several high-priced choices, such as an observation deck, a museum, and an architecture cruise, may compare favorably with separate admissions. A two-attraction pass can be a poor deal if your selections cost less than the pass itself.

Before buying, write down your likely choices and compare their individual prices with the current pass price for the right number of attractions. Do not count an activity just because it appears in a general list. Options can change, and some customers have found that an attraction they expected to use was not available on their pass or that the advertised access did not match what they encountered.

Mobile access is meant to keep entry simple: show the pass at the designated ticketing area and scan it. Many passholders have used the QR code without trouble, while others have dealt with invalid codes, missing confirmations, or difficulty getting help between the pass seller and Go City. If you purchase through a third party, save your confirmation and pass details before leaving for an attraction. If an attraction requires a reservation, do not assume that showing up with the pass is enough.

The pass does not include transportation to attractions, and food and drink are excluded unless the activity specifically includes them. One notable exception is the 10pin package, which includes pizza, and the Bacci option, which includes a slice and a drink. The pass is non-refundable, so take extra care to confirm the attraction lineup, reservation rules, and math before purchasing.

Who should book it?

I would consider this pass if you have several Chicago attractions in mind, want to spread them across a longer stay, and are comfortable checking reservation requirements in an app. It is especially useful for families or couples combining museums, skyline views, and a cruise, provided the selected activities add up to more than the pass price.

I would skip it if you only want one or two lower-cost stops, need guaranteed entry at a particular time, or do not want to troubleshoot a mobile ticket. Compare your planned admissions first, verify each activity in the current guide, and reserve the attractions that require it. If the numbers work and the flexibility suits your plans, the pass can make a varied Chicago visit simpler. If not, buying direct from individual attractions may be the clearer choice.

FAQ

How many attractions can I visit with the pass?

You can choose a pass for two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions from a selection of more than 35 options.

How long is the pass valid?

It is valid for 30 days from the date you activate it by visiting your first attraction.

Do I need to select my attractions before I buy?

No. You can decide which attractions to visit after purchase, but some activities require advance reservations.

Do Skydeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO require reservations?

Yes. Reservations are required for both. Check the Go City app and the attraction instructions before you go.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. Save the pass on your mobile device and show it for entry. You can also print it at home.

Are transportation and food included?

Transportation to and from attractions is not included. Food and drink are excluded unless a specific activity says otherwise.