Chicago CityPASS®

Chicago CityPASS is a practical way to tackle the city’s biggest attractions without buying five separate tickets. Your fixed admissions are Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, then you choose three more stops, from the Art Institute and Field Museum to a river cruise or observation deck.

I especially like the nine-day validity, which keeps you from racing through museums, and the shorter entry lines available at several attractions. The main catch is that the pass only makes financial sense if you use most of its five admissions, and some attractions require reservations that you must arrange through the CityPASS app.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Five attractions for $142: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are included, plus three choices from six additional attractions.
• Nine consecutive days: The clock begins with your first use, giving you room to spread out major museums and viewpoints.
• Strong family appeal: The aquarium, science museum, observation decks, and planetarium give different age groups something to enjoy.
• Architecture cruise option: Shoreline Sightseeing offers a fresh view of Chicago’s famous buildings from the river, with sunset departures especially appealing when available.
• Mobile entry and reservations: Use my.citypass.com to access tickets, check attraction details, and reserve timed visits where required.

How the Chicago CityPASS Works

The pass costs $142 per person and gives you admission to five attractions total. Two are fixed: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower. You then select three attractions from the remaining six options.

That choice is the key to getting good value. If you select the Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO, and the Art Institute, for example, you receive a broad mix of natural history, city views, and fine art. If you choose the architecture cruise, Adler Planetarium, and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, you get a different kind of Chicago trip.

You can use the pass on nine consecutive days, including the first day of use. An unused pass expires one year after purchase, but once activated, you cannot pause the nine-day period. The pass gives you one admission to each included attraction per person, so plan your choices before you start scanning tickets.

The pass works on your phone, and you can also print it. I would download the tickets before setting out and check each attraction’s page for current hours, addresses, and reservation rules. Most attractions are near public transportation, but transportation itself is not included.

Shedd Aquarium: A Strong First Choice for Families

Shedd Aquarium is one of the two required stops, and it is likely to be a hit with children and adults alike. Your admission covers all exhibits, Animal Spotlights, the seasonal Stingray Touch area, and a 4-D Experience when available.

Allow about four hours. That is enough time for a proper visit rather than a quick walk through, especially if your group stops often. The aquarium’s beluga whales are a particular highlight, and the range of marine life gives the visit more substance than a single headline exhibit.

The all-access wording matters here. You are not buying a basic entry ticket and then facing a string of add-on charges for every major area. Seasonal offerings can change, though, and the Stingray Touch and 4-D Experience are subject to availability.

I would place Shedd on a day when you have energy for a full museum visit. It pairs naturally with the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and other attractions around the Museum Campus, though the pass does not provide transport between them.

Skydeck Chicago: The Pass Helps With the Lines

Skydeck Chicago, at Willis Tower, is the other fixed attraction. The pass provides expedited entry, which can be a major reason to buy it if the tower is high on your list.

Set aside about three hours. The main draw is the view, but the visit also involves getting through a popular attraction where queues can eat into your day. Faster entry does not mean you should ignore planning. Check the available visit details in the app and allow time for transportation, security, and the observation experience itself.

The Ledge is a memorable part of Skydeck for many visitors, with glass viewing areas that put the city below your feet. The attraction gives you a high-up perspective on Chicago, while 360 CHICAGO offers a different angle from another part of the city. Choosing both can be worthwhile if city views are your main interest, but it may feel repetitive if you prefer museums and guided sightseeing.

Choosing Three More Chicago Attractions

The choice attractions are where you shape the pass around your own interests. You do not need to visit every attraction listed below. Pick three.

Field Museum

The Field Museum includes all-access admission, covering permanent exhibits and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions. Special exhibitions outside the all-access package may cost extra.

Allow about four hours, and be realistic about the museum’s size. It is easy to underestimate how much time the Field Museum requires. Collections range from natural specimens to dinosaurs, with SUE and the dinosaur displays among the strongest reasons to choose it.

This is a good pick for families, museum fans, and anyone who likes to move at their own pace. It is less ideal if your Chicago schedule is already packed with short stops. You can spend much of a day here without running out of things to see.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute provides fast-pass admission to its permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions. It gives your pass a more traditional art museum stop, balancing the science and natural-history attractions.

Plan on about three hours, though art lovers could easily stay longer. You will need to decide in advance how much ground to cover because a large collection can become tiring if you try to see everything.

Choose this if you want painting, sculpture, and design rather than interactive science exhibits or panoramic views. It is also a smart choice for a rainy or very hot day, when an indoor museum offers a welcome break.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

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

Allow about three hours, though the museum can easily occupy more of your day. The timed-entry benefit is important, so check how to reserve that included experience before arriving.

This is one of the best choices for families with children or teenagers who prefer hands-on displays. The museum’s large exhibits give you more than a collection of cases to read, but you should pay attention to timing so you do not miss the theater film or ride.

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

360 CHICAGO offers fast-pass entry admission and takes about three hours on the supplied schedule. Like Skydeck, it is a city-view attraction, but the two observation decks give different ways to see Chicago from above.

I would choose 360 CHICAGO if you want another major skyline viewpoint, especially if you like comparing perspectives. If your group has limited time, though, one observation deck plus a museum or boat tour may provide a better mix.

The attraction is a good match for first-time visitors who want a quick visual sense of the city. It is not the best choice for someone who already knows that long lines, heights, or observation platforms are not appealing.

Adler Planetarium

Adler Planetarium includes museum entry and two Sky Shows. You also receive access to exhibitions featuring the planetarium’s collections, along with the Community Design Labs, Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory experiences.

Plan for about four hours. That gives you time to explore the exhibits and fit in both Sky Shows without treating the visit as a hurried stop.

Adler is a strong choice if space and astronomy interest your family. It also makes a good companion to Shedd Aquarium or the Field Museum because all three offer a Museum Campus day, although you will need to manage energy and travel time carefully.

Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

The Shoreline architecture cruise is your chance to see Chicago from the water rather than from a museum floor or observation deck. The listed schedule allows five hours and 20 minutes, which appears to cover the outing window rather than simply time spent listening to the guide, so check the current departure details when reserving.

The cruise is a particularly good choice for first-time visitors who want context for the city’s buildings. A guide explains the past, present, and future of the skyline, and the experience gives you views that are hard to get from street level.

I would try for a sunset or evening departure if the schedule permits. The city lights, cooler breeze, and reflections on the river can make this one of the most memorable parts of your pass. Bring sun protection for daytime departures, and do not assume the boat tour can be squeezed into a spare hour.

Building a Sensible Nine-Day Plan

You have enough time to spread the attractions across several days, which is far better than trying to complete all five in a single weekend. The pass is most useful when you treat it as a flexible city plan, not a race.

A simple approach is to group nearby attractions. Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium are all connected with the Museum Campus area, so selecting two or three of them can reduce backtracking. You could then use another day for Skydeck and the Art Institute, with the architecture cruise or 360 CHICAGO on a separate day.

Do not schedule every major attraction back-to-back. Shedd and the Field Museum can each take several hours, and the Science and Industry museum is large enough to deserve an unhurried visit. A lighter day between big museums will make the pass feel like a bargain rather than a chore.

The app lets you view attraction details and make reservations where needed. It can also help you change a timed entry or visit date, though the process may feel confusing at first if you must enter multiple codes or connect the pass manually. Keep the confirmation link easy to reach, and make sure every member of your group has the correct mobile ticket.

Is $142 a Good Deal?

The pass is a good value when you use all five admissions and choose attractions with substantial individual entry costs. Several people have found that the pass paid for itself after three visits, but your exact savings depend on which three optional attractions you choose and whether you would have paid to visit them separately.

The financial calculation is only part of the value. The pass can save time at attractions with expedited or priority entry, and it removes the need to buy a new ticket at every stop. That convenience matters with children, larger families, or a short Chicago visit.

The pass is less useful if you only want Skydeck and Shedd Aquarium, or if you plan to spend most of your time walking neighborhoods, eating, shopping, and visiting free sights. It is also a poor fit if you dislike fixed reservations or know that your schedule may change sharply.

At $142, I would compare the normal admission prices for your chosen five attractions before buying. Do not count attractions you are unlikely to visit. Pick the pass because your actual plan includes five worthwhile stops, not because the headline savings sound impressive.

Practical Details That Affect Your Day

You receive confirmation at booking, and the pass is offered in English. You can present it on a mobile device or use a printed version at each attraction.

Use my.citypass.com for ticket access, attraction addresses, opening details, and reservations. The app is usually the simplest way to show and scan your entry, but technical problems can happen. Save the ticket link before leaving your hotel, keep your phone charged, and print the pass if your group prefers a backup.

The attractions are near public transportation, but transportation and food are not included. Build travel time into your schedule rather than treating the listed attraction durations as a complete door-to-door plan.

Most people can participate, and the pass is family-friendly. Still, each attraction has its own layout, pace, and reservation needs, so read the attraction page before committing to a day. The pass is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase, an important point if your dates are uncertain.

Who Should Buy the Chicago CityPASS?

I would recommend it to a first-time Chicago visitor who wants a focused introduction to the city and plans to see at least five major attractions. Families, museum fans, and short-stay visitors get the most from the combination of faster entry, included admissions, and nine days of flexibility.

I would be more cautious if you mainly want one observation deck, one museum, and plenty of unplanned time. In that case, buying separate tickets may be simpler. Also think about your group’s interests: two observation decks may be excessive, while the aquarium, science museum, and planetarium can provide a better mix for children.

Should You Book It?

Book the Chicago CityPASS if you can name your five attractions now, especially if your list includes Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and three high-priced museums, views, or the architecture cruise. The nine-day window and shorter entry lines make it particularly useful for a full Chicago visit.

Skip it if you want a loose schedule or will use only two or three admissions. For most first-time visitors with a museum-and-skyline plan, though, this is a practical pass that can save both money and time.

FAQ

How many Chicago attractions does the pass include?

The pass includes five attractions per person. Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago are fixed, and you choose three additional attractions from six options.

Which attractions can I choose?

Your three choices can include Shoreline Sightseeing’s Architecture River Tour, the Field Museum, 360 CHICAGO, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago, or Adler Planetarium.

How long is the Chicago CityPASS valid?

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day you use it. An unactivated pass expires one year after its purchase date.

Can I use the pass more than once at an attraction?

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

Is the pass available on a phone?

Yes. You can present the mobile ticket on your device. You may also print the pass and use the printed version for entry.

Do I need reservations?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. Use my.citypass.com to check attraction details and make reservations when needed.

Are transportation, food, and drinks included?

No. You are responsible for transportation to and from the attractions, as well as food and drinks.

What is the price?

The Chicago CityPASS costs $142 per person. Its value depends on using all five admissions and choosing attractions you would otherwise pay to visit separately.