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

Chicago rewards a good plan. The Chicago Explorer Pass lets you choose two to seven attractions from more than 35 options, so you can mix major viewpoints, museums, cruises, tours, and family activities without locking in every decision ahead of time. I like the freedom to change plans with the weather, and the 30-day validity gives you breathing room.

I especially like the 360 Chicago and Skydeck access, plus the architecture cruises that show Chicago from the river and lake. The digital guide is useful for hours, directions, and reservation rules. The main catch is that several popular attractions require advance reservations, and some people have had trouble getting mobile passes or QR codes to work.

Key points to know before you buy

• Two observation decks give you two different views: 360 Chicago sits on the 94th floor, while Skydeck Chicago rises to the 103rd floor of Willis Tower.
• The architecture cruise is the pass’s strongest single experience: a guide explains the buildings along the Chicago River as you pass them from the water.
• You choose attractions after purchase: select two, three, four, five, six, or seven activities, then activate the pass when you are ready.
• The pass lasts 30 days after activation: this works well for a longer visit or a relaxed schedule, but it does not make reservations for you.
• Reservations matter: Skydeck, 360 Chicago, the Lincoln Park ghost tour, and some tours require advance booking.
• Value depends on your choices: it can save money with expensive attractions, but a short list of low-cost stops may cost less when bought separately.

How the Chicago Explorer Pass works

Think of this as a prepaid bundle, not a guided city tour. You receive a mobile pass and a digital guide, then choose the attractions that fit your day. You do not need to select every activity at the time of purchase.

The pass is available for two through seven attractions. The listed price is $84 per person, though the final cost can vary by the option you select and the seller you use. To judge the value, add up the normal prices of the attractions you actually plan to visit. If your choices include an observation deck, a cruise, and a major museum, the math is more promising than it is for two modestly priced stops.

Your pass activates when you use it at an attraction and remains valid for 30 days. You can keep it on your smartphone or print it at home. I would download the Go City app and save the pass before leaving your hotel, since several complaints involve missing links, unusable QR codes, or confusion between the booking seller and Go City support.

The pass does not cover transportation between stops. Chicago has public transit near many attractions, but you still need to arrange and pay for your own rides. Build your day by neighborhood rather than zigzagging across the city. That saves time and helps you get more out of a seven-attraction pass.

The big views at Skydeck and 360 Chicago

Chicago’s two observation decks are among the most tempting reasons to buy this pass. They are also the places where timing matters most.

Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, 1,353 feet above the city. From up there, you can look toward Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and the dense grid of downtown buildings. The Ledge, a glass viewing area extending outside the building, is a popular part of the experience, though the supplied details focus on the observation deck itself.

Plan about 90 minutes. Reservations are required, and the digital guide directs you to the correct reservation link. Do not simply assume that presenting your pass guarantees immediate entry. Several people expected skip-the-line treatment, then found themselves waiting or needing to arrange a time at the tower. A reservation is the practical difference between a smooth visit and a frustrating one.

360 Chicago is on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center. Its views reach over Millennium Park, Soldier Field, and Lake Michigan. The elevator ride takes less than a minute, which is part of the fun, and you should allow about 90 minutes here as well.

The two decks are similar enough that you may not need both if your pass only covers two attractions. If you are choosing seven, both make sense because their locations and sightlines differ. If you are choosing two or three, compare their current admission prices and reservation availability before committing.

Chicago’s river is the real star

If you choose only one sightseeing activity, I would give serious thought to an architecture river cruise. Chicago’s downtown buildings make more sense when you see them from the water, where their height, setbacks, materials, and relationship to the river become clear.

Shoreline Sightseeing offers an architecture river tour lasting about 75 minutes. A professional guide explains the buildings along the Chicago River and adds historical context as you move through the center of the city. This is not just a ride with a view. It gives you a useful introduction to why Chicago looks the way it does.

A second option is the Seadog Architectural River Tour from Navy Pier, listed at about two hours. The pass also includes a Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour and a Seadog Extreme Thrill Ride, each about an hour. These are better picks if you want motion and open-water views rather than a slower architecture lesson.

The cruise schedule is important. Look at operating times and reservation rules before you activate the pass, especially during a busy season. If you have only one day in central Chicago, combine a river cruise with the Riverwalk, Millennium Park, or an observation deck. The nearby stops make this one of the easiest ways to use the pass efficiently.

Museums for families, science fans, and history lovers

The Field Museum can fill three hours without effort. Its permanent exhibits include SUE, the famous T. Rex, an ancient Egyptian tomb, and displays covering more than 10,000 years of Chinese history and culture. Admission through the pass includes permanent exhibits, so check the terms if a special exhibition is a priority.

The Adler Planetarium takes about two hours and sits on Museum Campus near the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Your admission includes exhibitions and experiences such as the historic Atwood Sphere, which presents the Chicago night sky as it appeared in 1913. You also get a choice of two shows, including Imagine the Moon.

For families with different interests, Adler and the Field Museum make a strong pairing. You can spend the morning with fossils and ancient cultures, then shift to astronomy without leaving Museum Campus. Transportation is not included, so allow time to reach the campus and check the day’s show schedule.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry needs about three hours. It is filled with hands-on exhibits for children and adults, and your pass includes permanent exhibits plus one film at the five-story Giant Dome Theater. That film inclusion adds value, but you should confirm showtimes before arriving so you do not miss it.

The Chicago History Museum is another two-hour stop. It is a sensible choice if you want to understand how Chicago developed and why the city became such an important American center. The American Writers Museum, in the heart of downtown, takes about an hour and uses interactive exhibits to explore different forms of writing.

The Museum of Contemporary Art takes around 90 minutes. It focuses on living artists, rotating exhibitions, and performance. This is a good pick if you prefer current art to traditional collections, but its value depends on the exhibitions showing during your visit.

One important warning: attraction participation can change. The Go City app has the current lineup and instructions. Do not rely on an old web page or an attraction name you saw in an earlier promotion. Some people expected the Art Institute of Chicago or Shedd Aquarium to be covered and found that their selected pass did not include them.

Family stops at Navy Pier and beyond

Navy Pier is less a single attraction than a full entertainment district on Lake Michigan. You can walk the pier, eat, shop, ride attractions, see a movie, or connect with a cruise. The pass includes a visit described as about an hour, but you can easily spend much longer there.

The Chicago Children’s Museum is also at Navy Pier and takes about two hours. Its hands-on exhibits, daily art classes, and family programs make it a natural choice for younger children. Combine it with Navy Pier’s rides or a boat trip and you have a full family afternoon.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is designed mainly for children ages 3 to 10. It offers LEGO exhibits, building areas, demonstrations, and interactive attractions. Allow about two hours, and remember that it is not in the center of downtown, so transportation time affects the value of this selection.

At 10pin Bowling Lounge in River North, the pass covers 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, and a pizza lunch. This is an unusual inclusion and useful on a rainy day or when children need a break from museums. It is less valuable if you already have a full sightseeing schedule or do not enjoy bowling.

Bike and Roll Chicago gives you a two-hour bike rental from the Millennium Park location at 34 South Michigan Avenue. This can be a pleasant way to connect downtown sights at your own pace. You still need to follow the rental instructions and fit the ride into the operating hours.

Architecture and literary history in Oak Park

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio tour takes about two hours and explores the home and workplace where Wright spent the first 20 years of his career. The setting connects directly to major works such as Robie House, the Larkin Building, and Unity Temple.

The separate Frederick C. Robie House tour takes about an hour. Robie House is one of Wright’s most important designs, so architecture fans may find both stops worthwhile. For a short visit, choose one based on your route and available tour times. These are not downtown stops, and the pass does not provide transportation.

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum is in Oak Park, Illinois, just outside downtown Chicago. Its guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and focuses on the home where Hemingway was born. It is a good match for readers and anyone already interested in American literary history, but it takes planning because of the trip beyond central Chicago.

The Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour lasts about an hour and takes you through the historic theater, from its 1921 opening to its present use for concerts and theater. It offers a close look at one of the city’s best-known performance venues without requiring an evening show ticket.

Smaller attractions and active choices

The Museum of Illusions takes about an hour and contains more than 80 rooms and exhibits built around visual tricks. It suits adults and children, and it is easy to fit between larger stops downtown.

At the Harry Potter Shop Chicago, the included Butterbeer Experience takes about an hour and is listed as free with the pass. This is a themed stop rather than a major sightseeing experience, so choose it because you enjoy the subject, not because it will fill half a day.

The Lincoln Park Hauntings walking tour lasts about an hour and requires advance reservation. It covers the Great Fire of 1871, lost cemetery graves, and the so-called Suicide Bridge over the lagoon. It is a good evening option for people who like local legends, but do not leave the reservation until the last minute.

The Forge Adventure Park offers Explorer Activities such as axe throwing, archery, laser tag, kayaking, canoes, pedal boats, and a children’s adventure zone. The climb and zipline adventure is not included, an important limitation if those are the activities you want. Allow about two hours, plus the time needed to get outside the city.

The pass also includes a 60-minute kayak rental at Ohio Street Beach through Bobby’s Bike Hike, along with a pizza and drink combo at Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street. These choices add variety, but they are not interchangeable with a major museum or observation deck when you are calculating savings.

What the pass is really worth at $84

At $84 per person, the pass can work well if you use it for high-priced attractions. A combination such as Skydeck, 360 Chicago, a river cruise, and a major museum has a better chance of beating individual admission prices than a pair of smaller activities.

The two-attraction option requires more care. One customer found that two selected stops cost more through the pass than buying directly at the venues. That can happen when you choose lower-priced attractions, fail to use the second admission, or encounter a reservation problem that prevents access.

The strongest value comes from planning three or more substantial stops and grouping them by area. The pass is less convincing for a rushed one-day visit, especially if you spend much of the day waiting for an observation deck time or traveling between distant museums.

I would compare current direct prices before buying. Also compare the price on the Go City website with the price through a booking intermediary. One complaint specifically noted that the package was cheaper when purchased directly from Go City.

The mobile pass is convenient, with a catch

Scanning a QR code at an attraction can be quick. Several people used the pass successfully at the Skydeck, river architecture cruise, and Big Bus tour with only the mobile code. The app also puts attraction hours, directions, reservation links, and access instructions in one place.

But technical problems have caused real frustration. Some people could not load passes bought through a booking intermediary, and others lost access to the QR code after using the first attraction. Customer support was sometimes caught between the seller and Go City, which led to long waits and unclear answers.

To protect yourself, save the pass in the app and keep the confirmation email available. Read the Know Before You Go instructions for every attraction. Take screenshots of reservation confirmations, and do not wait until you are standing at the entrance to discover that a time slot was required.

The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase. That makes advance checking especially important. Confirm the current attraction list, the number of admissions you are buying, and the reservation rules before paying.

Who should buy the Chicago Explorer Pass?

I think this pass suits a first visit built around major paid attractions. It is also useful for families who want options, since one person may prefer Adler Planetarium while another wants LEGOLAND, bowling, or the Children’s Museum.

It works best when you:

• Plan to visit at least three substantial attractions
• Want both flexibility and a prepaid budget
• Are comfortable using a smartphone app
• Can reserve popular activities ahead of time
• Have enough days to spread the visits across the 30-day validity period

I would be cautious if you are visiting for only one day, want only two inexpensive stops, or dislike dealing with reservations. I would also avoid buying it based on an assumed inclusion. Check the current app lineup, since attractions and access rules can change.

FAQ

How many attractions does the Chicago Explorer Pass include?

You can purchase access to two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions from a selection of more than 35 options.

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for 30 days after activation.

Can I choose attractions after buying the pass?

Yes. You do not need to pre-select your attractions at purchase. You can choose from the available activities as you plan each day.

Is the pass available on a phone?

Yes. You can save the mobile pass on your smartphone, or print it at home.

Are reservations required?

Some popular activities require reservations. Skydeck Chicago, 360 Chicago, and the Lincoln Park ghost tour specifically require advance reservations. Check the Go City app for current instructions.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from attractions is not included.

Does the pass include food and drinks?

Food and drinks are generally not included. Exceptions listed here include the pizza lunch at 10pin Bowling Lounge and the pizza and drink combo at Bacci Pizzeria.

Is the Skydeck included?

Yes. Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower is one of the available attractions, but reservations are required.

Is 360 Chicago included?

Yes. 360 Chicago Observation Deck is included, and reservations are required.

Can I cancel or change the pass?

No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase.

Should you book it?

Book it if you will use several major attractions, especially an observation deck, an architecture cruise, and one or two substantial museums. The river cruise, the two skyline viewpoints, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry give the pass its best practical value.

Skip it if you only want two low-cost stops or if you have not checked reservation availability. My best advice is simple: open the Go City app first, mark the attractions you truly want, check their hours and booking requirements, then compare the total direct cost with $84. If the math works and you plan ahead, this pass can make Chicago sightseeing flexible and pleasantly simple.