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

Chicago rewards a good plan. The Chicago CityPASS® bundles five major attractions into one mobile ticket, giving you nine consecutive days to visit the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and three more choices. I like the generous time window and the freedom to mix museums, skyline views, and a river cruise instead of racing through them in one weekend.

I also like the expedited entry at Skydeck and the easy phone access, especially when you are managing tickets for a family. The catch is that reservations may be needed, and extras such as Tilt at 360 CHICAGO are not included, so you need to read the fine print before promising a particular experience to the children.

Key points to know before buying

• Two attractions are fixed: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included, then you choose three more.
• Nine days begin at first use: You have plenty of room to spread out museums and observation decks.
• Architecture River Tour is a top pick: The boat trip is one of the strongest ways to understand Chicago’s famous buildings.
• Skydeck entry can save serious time: Expedited access is especially useful at Willis Tower.
• Tilt costs extra: A CityPASS ticket to 360 CHICAGO does not include the Tilt experience.
• The pass suits active itineraries: It is less useful if you plan to visit only two or three attractions.

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 from a second group of attractions, which includes the Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, and Adler Planetarium.

Your ticket arrives for mobile use, and you can also print it. At each attraction, go directly to the entry point and show the pass on your phone. The CityPASS app or provider website can also display attraction details and help with reservations when required.

The clock starts on the first day you use the pass, not the day you buy it. From that first activation, the ticket remains valid for nine consecutive days. You have up to one year from purchase to begin using it, which is handy if your Chicago visit is still several months away.

The key question is simple: will you use all five admissions? If you do, the advertised savings of up to 49 percent can make the $142 price a strong deal. If you use only four, the value depends on the normal prices of the attractions you choose. Use only two or three, and buying individual tickets may be wiser.

Shedd Aquarium: the family favorite

Shedd Aquarium is one of the two required attractions, and it gives the pass a strong starting point for families. Your admission includes all exhibits, Animal Spotlights, and the seasonal Stingray Touch area when available.

You also receive a 4-D Experience, subject to availability. The aquarium ticket is not limited to a basic walk-through, so you can spend real time here rather than treating it as a quick stop between observation decks.

The hands-on elements are a major draw for children. Starfish and stingray encounters have been particular highlights for families, while paid add-ons such as a Penguin Encounter are available separately. That extra experience is not part of the CityPASS price, so plan for an additional charge if you want it.

I would allow more time than you might expect. One family found the aquarium crowded and partly affected by construction, which is a useful warning for busy dates. The aquarium can also feel more aimed at younger children than adults, especially if your group prefers art, architecture, or science exhibits.

Still, Shedd is a good required choice because it offers a different kind of experience from the city’s museums and towers. Check current conditions and any reservation instructions before heading over.

Skydeck Chicago: the pass’s best time saver

Skydeck Chicago occupies the top floors of Willis Tower, and the CityPASS includes expedited entry. That perk matters because the building is one of Chicago’s most popular paid sights, and waiting can eat into a short visit.

The main attraction is the view, with The Ledge adding a glass-floor photo opportunity over the city. The pass covers admission and expedited access, but you should select an entry time before arriving if the attraction requires one. A past scheduling mix-up did not prevent one visitor from entering, but advance planning is still the safer approach.

Sunset is a smart time to consider. One useful strategy is to book Skydeck shortly before sunset, giving you daylight, changing color, and evening views during a single visit. You may not need separate visits to two observation decks simply to see Chicago at different times of day.

That matters because 360 CHICAGO is one of the three optional choices. If you mainly want skyline views, you could choose Skydeck and use your other selections for museums or the river cruise. If you love high viewpoints, using both towers gives you two different angles on the city, but it also uses one of your limited choices.

Architecture River Tour: Chicago from the water

The Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour is one of the most valuable choices in the pass. From the river, you get a clear view of Chicago’s buildings and can understand how the downtown core fits together far better than you can from street level.

The cruise is also a pleasant break from indoor museums and long city walks. I would book this early, particularly on a busy weekend or during a major event. Advance booking has helped visitors avoid long lines, and departure times can shape the rest of your day.

This is a scheduled experience, unlike a museum where you can arrive whenever you please. Build your day around the boat time, then place a nearby attraction before or after it. The ticket includes the Architecture River Tour, while transportation to the departure point is not included.

Among the optional choices, this is my strongest recommendation for a first Chicago visit. Even people who expect to prefer the towers often find the boat trip more engaging than expected because the city’s architecture becomes easier to read from the river.

Field Museum: allow more time than you think

The Field Museum includes an All-Access Pass. That means admission to permanent exhibits and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions, while specially ticketed exhibitions outside the All-Access Pass may cost extra.

The museum is a good partner for Shedd Aquarium because both fit naturally into a Museum Campus day. You can see the aquarium first and then continue to the Field Museum, or split them across different days if you want a slower pace.

The Field Museum is not a quick checklist stop. Families have especially enjoyed Sue the Dinosaur and the special exhibitions, and one practical lesson is clear: allow enough time. It is easy to leave wishing you had another hour.

If you prefer natural science and large collections to fine art, the Field Museum is likely a better selection than the Art Institute. It also gives children and adults different ways to stay interested, though the scale can feel tiring if you schedule it after several other major attractions.

360 CHICAGO: another view, another decision

The 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck offers fast-pass entry admission through the CityPASS. This gives you a second high viewpoint and a chance to see the city from a different part of downtown.

The important catch is Tilt. The dramatic-looking platform experience is not included in the standard CityPASS admission and requires an additional fee. One family arrived expecting Tilt and found it sold out, which caused real disappointment. If Tilt is the main reason you want to visit, check availability and purchase requirements before you arrive.

Do not choose 360 CHICAGO simply because you assume the pass includes every attraction at the building. The observation deck is included, but paid add-ons remain separate. The pass is still useful here for the main admission and fast entry, but your expectations need to match the ticket.

For many people, 360 CHICAGO is best as the optional skyline choice if they want both viewpoints. For others, the Art Institute, Field Museum, or river cruise will provide more variety.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: the best all-ages option

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry includes museum entry plus one timed-entry experience. Included areas named in the ticket details include Science Storms, Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, YOU! The Experience, The Blue Paradox, and other exhibits.

The pass also includes a choice of one Giant Dome Theater film or one Motion Ride. Because that add-on is timed, check the schedule and organize your museum visit around it rather than arriving with no plan.

This museum suits a mixed-age group particularly well. Children have enjoyed the submarine, tornado vortex, and hands-on science areas, while adults can find plenty to occupy them too. It is a good selection when your party has different interests and you want more than a traditional display-based museum.

It can also take much of a day. That is not a problem with nine days of validity, but it is a problem if you try to combine it with three other major stops. Give the museum room to breathe.

Art Institute of Chicago: the choice for art lovers

The Art Institute includes fast-pass admission to the permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. Ticketed special exhibitions are not automatically covered, so confirm what your preferred show requires before you arrive.

This is the best optional selection for a group that would rather spend time with paintings and sculpture than science displays or skyline platforms. It also adds a different mood to the pass, balancing the aquarium, river cruise, and observation decks.

Do not assume the Art Institute is a short indoor filler. The collection is large enough that you should choose a few priorities before entering. The fast-pass benefit can help you get inside sooner, but it does not turn the museum into a quick stop.

A useful itinerary might pair it with Skydeck on another day, rather than trying to fit both into a rushed afternoon. If you are visiting in cold weather, this is also a strong indoor choice.

Adler Planetarium: choose it for the sky shows

The Adler Planetarium ticket includes museum entry and two Sky Shows. Admission also covers the exhibitions featuring the Adler’s collections, along with Community Design Labs, the Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory experiences.

The two Sky Shows give this option extra value compared with a basic museum ticket. As with the other attractions, check schedules and reservation needs before arriving, since timed programs can determine the shape of your day.

Adler is a good fit if your group enjoys astronomy and space. It is also a reasonable alternative to the Art Institute or Field Museum when you want a museum day with a clear program rather than a large collection to explore at your own speed.

Building a nine-day plan that does not feel like homework

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, but you do not need to fill every day with attractions. I would spread the five visits across at least three days if your schedule allows.

A sensible outline looks like this:

• Day one: Architecture River Tour and a nearby downtown stop.
• Day two: Skydeck around sunset.
• Day three: Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum.
• Day four: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, with the timed film or ride.
• Another day: 360 CHICAGO, Art Institute, or Adler Planetarium, depending on your three choices.

That is only a framework. Your selections should follow your interests, not an imaginary obligation to collect attractions like refrigerator magnets.

The pass encourages you to try places you might skip when paying one ticket at a time. That can be a benefit. It can also lead to over-scheduling, especially if you attempt two major museums and an observation deck in one day.

Transportation and food are not included. Plan those costs separately, and remember that the ticket does not provide a city transit pass.

Reservations, phone tickets, and small points that matter

The mobile ticket is simple in principle: open it, show the code, and enter. Some people have used the pass without loading the app, while others found the app useful for reservations and ticket access.

Reservation instructions have not always felt clear, so check requirements for every attraction before leaving your hotel. Skydeck entry times and the Architecture River Tour deserve special attention. If you have trouble making a reservation, CityPASS support may be able to help, but it is better not to wait until you are standing in a line.

Keep the phone charged. You can print the pass as a backup, and the printed option is useful if your group is sharing devices or if mobile service is unreliable.

The pass is wheelchair accessible. Specific access details can vary by attraction, so contact the provider or attraction directly if your group needs more information than the general accessibility statement provides.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Chicago dates are not quite settled.

Who should buy the $142 CityPASS?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time Chicago visitors who want the major sights and can use all five admissions. Families benefit from the variety, especially when children are excited by Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, or Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

It also works well for a four-day visit. Several people have completed all five attractions in four days, while the full nine-day window gives you more breathing room if you are staying longer.

The pass is less attractive for a slow city break built around neighborhoods, meals, free sights, and only one museum. It is also a poor fit if you want Tilt, special ticketed exhibitions, or other paid add-ons, since those may cost extra.

At $142, the value comes from using the pass with purpose. Choose the river cruise, Skydeck, a museum, and the aquarium first. Then decide if 360 CHICAGO, the Art Institute, Adler, or the Griffin Museum best matches your group.

Should you book the Chicago CityPASS?

Book it if you want five major Chicago attractions, appreciate fast entry, and can plan around reservations. The strongest combination for many first visits is Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, the Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, and either the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry or Art Institute of Chicago.

Skip it if you will use only two or three attractions, or if your plans are too loose to schedule timed visits. The pass is not magic, but it is a practical way to turn a long Chicago wish list into a manageable plan. Just remember that Tilt, certain exhibitions, food, and transportation are outside the deal.

FAQ

How much does the Chicago CityPASS cost?

The listed price is $142 per person.

How many attractions does the Chicago CityPASS include?

The pass includes admission to five attractions.

Which attractions are required?

Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included as the two required attractions.

Which attractions can I choose from?

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

How long is the pass valid?

It is valid for nine consecutive days beginning on the date of first use.

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

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

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. Mobile tickets are delivered instantly, and you can show the ticket on your mobile device at the attraction. You may also print it.

Are reservations required?

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

Is Tilt at 360 CHICAGO included?

No. The CityPASS includes fast-pass admission to 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, but Tilt requires an additional fee and may sell out.

Are transportation and food included?

No. Transportation, food, and drinks are not included.

Is the pass wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. For attraction-specific needs, check directly with the provider or venue.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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