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

Chicago CityPASS is most useful when you want to see Chicago’s big sights without buying five separate tickets. The pass covers Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, then lets you choose three more attractions, giving you nine consecutive days to spread out museums, skyline views, and the Architecture River Tour.

I like the simple math: at $142 per person, the pass can save up to 49 percent if you use all five admissions. I also like the expedited entry at Skydeck and 360 CHICAGO, plus the flexibility to choose attractions that fit your group.

The main catch is planning. Some attractions require reservations, and extras such as the Tilt experience at 360 CHICAGO are not included. Read the fine print before you arrive, or you may lose time sorting out a booking while standing in line.

Key points at a glance

• Nine consecutive days: Your pass begins on the first day you use it, not necessarily the day you buy it.
• Two fixed attractions: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included, along with three choices.
• Seven possible choices: Pick from the Architecture River Tour, Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, or Adler Planetarium.
• Strong time savings: Skydeck includes expedited entry, while 360 CHICAGO offers Fast Pass entry.
• Mobile access: Use the pass on your phone or print it, then go directly to each attraction’s entry point.
• Reservations matter: Check the provider’s website before visiting, especially for timed entries and the river cruise.

How the Chicago CityPASS works over nine days

You purchase one pass for $142, receive mobile tickets, and use them at five attractions. Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are built into the pass, while you select three additional stops from the available list.

The nine-day period starts with your first use. That is a helpful setup for a long weekend, a four-night family visit, or a slower city break. You do not need to race from the aquarium to the observation deck on the same afternoon. You can place indoor museums on colder or rainy days and save the river cruise for good weather.

Your order remains valid for one year from the purchase date before activation. Once you use the pass, though, the nine-day clock begins and runs on consecutive days. Keep that difference in mind if you are buying well ahead of your Chicago visit.

You present the pass at each attraction on a mobile device, or you can print it. The CityPASS app helps with tickets and reservations, but the pass can still be used without loading the app. I would still check the current attraction details and reservation instructions before leaving your hotel.

Shedd Aquarium: a family favorite with extras

Shedd Aquarium is one of the two required attractions, and the pass gives you all-access admission. That includes the regular exhibits, Animal Spotlights, seasonal Stingray Touch, and a 4-D Experience when available.

That broad admission is important. You are not merely buying a basic walk-through ticket and then discovering that major sections cost extra. The exact seasonal offerings can change, so check what is running during your visit.

Families with children often get the most from this stop. The chance to touch starfish and stingrays can add a hands-on moment to a museum visit, while the 4-D feature gives younger visitors something more theatrical. Paid add-ons, such as a Penguin Encounter, are separate, so budget for those only if they are a priority.

Shedd can become crowded, and one recent visit found construction affecting the experience. I would avoid treating it as a quick stop. Give yourself enough time to see the exhibits at a comfortable pace, especially if you are visiting with children who want to linger.

Because Shedd is mandatory, it is part of the value calculation even if aquariums are not your main interest. If your group prefers art, architecture, or science, the other three choices let you balance the pass with attractions that suit you better.

Skydeck Chicago: the included skyline essential

Skydeck Chicago, at Willis Tower, is the second required attraction. The pass includes expedited entry, which is one of its clearest practical benefits. You still need to pay attention to entry arrangements, and reserving a time before arrival is wise.

The Skydeck experience centers on the city views and The Ledge, the glass viewing boxes that extend from the building. Many people consider the time saved here one of the strongest reasons to buy the pass, especially on a busy weekend.

For the best light, plan your visit near sunset. That gives you a chance to see Chicago in daylight, watch the color change, and stay for the evening view. The pass does not require you to visit only at one particular time, but availability and reservations can shape your choice.

Skydeck is also useful when you are deciding between the two observation decks. Several people find its views more satisfying than the Tilt add-on at 360 CHICAGO. The pass includes Skydeck, while Tilt costs extra at 360 CHICAGO and may sell out. If The Ledge is your main goal, reserve Skydeck first rather than assuming every skyline add-on will be available.

Choose your third stop: the Architecture River Tour

The Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour is one of the best choices for understanding Chicago’s buildings. The boat places the city’s architecture in front of you from a useful angle, rather than asking you to stare upward from a sidewalk.

The cruise is also a smart way to give your feet a rest after a museum morning. Weather matters, so keep an eye on the forecast and book ahead when reservations are available. A well-timed cruise can become the centerpiece of your Chicago sightseeing, while a poorly timed one may force you to rearrange the rest of the pass.

Advance booking is especially helpful during busy periods. It can prevent you from arriving to find a long line or a departure that does not fit your schedule. The pass covers the Architecture River Tour, not general transportation around the city, so you need to arrange your own way to the departure point.

Field Museum: give Sue the time she deserves

The Field Museum includes an All-Access Pass. That covers permanent exhibits and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions, though specially ticketed shows may cost extra.

This is one of the strongest choices for families and anyone who wants a large museum with plenty of room to explore. Sue the dinosaur is a major draw, and the museum’s permanent displays can easily fill several hours. One practical warning: do not squeeze the Field Museum into a narrow gap between other reservations. It is the choice most likely to leave you wishing for more time.

The museum also pairs well with Shedd Aquarium because both can fit into the same general museum area, depending on your schedule. Still, I would not assume you can comfortably see every major section of both in one day. The nine-day validity gives you permission to slow down.

The All-Access wording is valuable, but check the current exhibition rules before you go. A special show outside the pass may require an extra charge.

360 CHICAGO: another view, but know what costs extra

360 CHICAGO offers Fast Pass Entry Admission, so it can be a useful third, fourth, or fifth selection. Its location gives you a different look at the city from Skydeck, and visiting both can make sense if you want to compare two high viewpoints.

You should understand the difference between admission and the Tilt experience. Tilt is not included in the CityPASS admission, and it requires an additional fee. It can also sell out, so do not promise it to children or build your whole visit around it unless you have confirmed availability.

The practical choice is to use Skydeck for sunset and 360 CHICAGO at another time of day, if your schedule allows. That gives you two skyline perspectives without forcing both visits into one rushed afternoon. If you only need one observation deck, use your extra choice on a museum or the architecture cruise.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: the broadest family option

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry includes museum entry and one timed-entry experience. The pass covers exhibits such as Science Storms, Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, YOU! The Experience, and The Blue Paradox, along with other displays.

Your timed experience is either a Giant Dome Theater film or a Motion Ride. Since one is included, reserve or select it with care. The attraction is large, so the timed element gives your visit a useful anchor.

This is a particularly good selection for families with school-age children and teenagers. Exhibits involving a submarine, a tornado vortex, mirrors, and hands-on science can appeal to a wide age range. It also provides a welcome change of pace after art museums or observation decks.

Do not confuse museum admission with unlimited access to every possible presentation. The pass includes one timed-entry experience, and additional options may have separate terms.

Art Institute of Chicago: the best choice for art lovers

The Art Institute includes Fast Pass Admission to the permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. This is a strong choice if you want a serious museum visit rather than another view from above.

The permanent collection gives you room to set your own pace. You can spend an hour on highlights or make the museum a half-day stop. That flexibility helps if your group has mixed interests, since people can take different amounts of time without following a fixed tour.

The Art Institute also makes a good substitute for 360 CHICAGO if you have already visited Skydeck. One practical lesson from the pass structure is that you do not need to choose attractions that duplicate each other. Two observation decks may appeal to skyline fans, but the Art Institute adds a different kind of Chicago experience.

Adler Planetarium: two Sky Shows included

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

This option suits you if space science interests your group, or if you want a museum visit with scheduled presentations. The two Sky Shows add structure and can make the admission feel substantial, but check show times and any reservation requirements before you arrive.

The Adler is also a good choice when you want to vary the rhythm of your trip. After a river cruise or architecture-heavy day, a planetarium visit offers a different subject without requiring another outdoor sightseeing block.

The value at $142: when the math works

The pass is designed to save up to 49 percent, but the exact value depends on the five attractions you select and how many you actually use. If you visit all five, the price is easier to justify because you are replacing several individual admissions with one purchase.

The pass also creates a psychological benefit: once you have paid for it, you may be more willing to visit an attraction that you would otherwise skip. That can lead you to the Architecture River Tour, Art Institute, or Adler Planetarium instead of spending the whole trip around only one or two famous stops.

The value drops if you use only four attractions. One person used four of five and still found the experience worthwhile, but you should not buy the pass assuming you will decide later. Before purchasing, choose your two required attractions and at least three realistic choices.

For a family, the savings can add up quickly, particularly when the adults and children all visit the same included attractions. For a solo visitor who prefers only one museum and one observation deck, separate tickets may be simpler. The pass rewards an active sightseeing plan.

Reservations, mobile tickets, and small traps

The app makes it easier to access tickets and book attractions that need reservations. You can scan the pass from your phone at the entry point, and printing is also allowed.

The main weakness is that the reservation process is not always obvious. Make reservations before you reach an attraction, not while you are already in a queue. Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO, and the river cruise deserve particular attention because timed entry or departure slots can shape your day.

Save the pass where you can reach it quickly. A dead phone battery or a poor signal can turn a simple scan into a nuisance, so a printed copy is a sensible backup.

Also check what is and is not included at each stop. The pass covers specific admission packages, not every paid add-on. Tilt at 360 CHICAGO is the clearest example, but specially ticketed museum exhibitions can also require additional payment.

Transportation, food, and drinks are not included. You go directly to each attraction on your own, so your daily plan should allow for Chicago transit, walking, meals, and breaks.

Who should buy the pass

I would recommend Chicago CityPASS to you if this is a first Chicago visit and you want the major sights. It works particularly well for families, active weekend visitors, and anyone staying four nights or more.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a mix of museums, architecture, and high-rise views. The nine-day period is generous enough to spread out the schedule, while expedited entry can reduce friction at the busiest stops.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fixed plans or expect to visit only two or three attractions. I would also think twice if your group has no interest in aquariums, since Shedd is one of the two required admissions.

The pass is wheelchair accessible, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your dates are not fully settled.

FAQ

How much does Chicago CityPASS cost?

The listed price is $142 per person.

How many attractions does the pass include?

The pass includes admission to five attractions.

Which attractions are required?

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

Which attractions can I choose?

You can choose three from 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.

How long is Chicago CityPASS 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. You can present the ticket on a mobile device, or 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. Tilt requires an additional fee and may sell out.

Are transportation, food, and drinks included?

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

Should you book Chicago CityPASS?

Book it if you can name five attractions you genuinely want to visit, especially Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and a mix of the river cruise, Field Museum, Art Institute, Griffin Museum, Adler Planetarium, or 360 CHICAGO.

My preferred plan would use Skydeck near sunset, reserve the Architecture River Tour early, and give the Field Museum or Griffin Museum plenty of time. If you follow that approach, the $142 price can deliver both savings and a less stressful way to see Chicago’s major sights.