Chicago Tourist Cards

If you're having a hard time deciding between all the things to see and do in Chicago, you should get a sightseeing pass. You'll never be bored in the Windy City as you'll always find something cool to do. However, keep in mind that this city can be expensive, so plan your spending well without restricting your fun.

There is a pass for everyone, whether you want to visit a few places in a few days or want to do as much as you can in less than a week. There are even plans for people who prefer to take their time to enjoy new places and sensations. Whatever your style, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.

In Chicago you can spend days and days exploring the best sights. However, as a tourist you can buy a pass that allows you to save some money and visit the places that interest you the most. Here's what they are, what they include and how they work:

• Chicago Explorer Pass: if you are travelling for 1 or 2 months and want to take it easy, this pass is for you. It is valid for 60 days after its first use and only allows you to visit 2 to 7 sites. You can save 45% on your holiday.
• The Chicago CityPASS®: a 9-day pass that allows you to save at least 50% on admission to 5 attractions. You can visit each in the order you prefer.
• GoCity Chicago all-inclusive pass: this pass is valid for 1 to 5 days, depending on what you choose. You will be able to do as much as you want if you manage your time well. Plus, you'll save around 55%.

Almost all sightseeing passes in Chicago work the same way. The first step is to download the mobile app for your pass. Within the app you can purchase your pass. There you will see instructions on how to use it comfortably.

In addition to downloading your pass to your smartphone, you also have the option to print it out if you wish. Remember to present it at the ticket offices of the sites you visit along with the ticket or reservation you have made.

Mobile apps have the great advantage of including a description of all the activities. There you will also find links and details of interest that will surely be of great help during your tour. Some even offer directions and tips to help you get around the city more freely.

Depending on your particular case it may or may not be a good option to buy a sightseeing pass for your Chicago holiday. I recommend that you do some research on the places you want to go and add up each of these tickets to see the final cost. If the result is more than a sightseeing pass, then choose the pass!

Sometimes the attractions you want to visit are not included in certain sightseeing passes or you may not have time to see everything you want to see in one day. That's why my recommendation is always to do a little research, compare prices and make an itinerary before making a decision.

One of the things to do in Chicago if you're staying for 3 days or less is to buy the Chicago CityPASS®:. With it you can save up to 50% on admission to at least 5 attractions. The pass includes a visit to three of the city's most popular attractions: the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago and the Field Museum.

In addition, you can choose two more destinations from the following attractions: the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Observatory 360 Chicago and the Deck Adler Planetarium. Please note that to enjoy this pass you should check if the attractions require reservations or not, as this is not included.

I recommend that as soon as you have your pass, check the website of the sites you want to visit and book in advance. This way you can check their opening hours and plan your visit better. Your pass can be valid for 9 consecutive days, counting from the day you visit the first attraction. By the way, you can visit these sites in any order you prefer.

How much does the Chicago CityPASS® cost?

If you're in Chicago for less than 10 days, I'm sure you'll want to see as much of the city as you can. Plus, short trips mean less expense, which is why I like this pass. It's worth about €117 or less and allows you to visit Chicago's main attractions. So when you go home you can say you went to the Art Institute of Chicago or the Shedd Aquarium.

The Chicago CityPASS® Tourist Card is a tool that will also help you do and see things with kids in Chicago as it also offers a sightseeing pass for children under 12 years old. The average cost is about €95. If you're travelling as a family, this is a good plan. As well as saving you some money, it helps you decide where to go and avoid arguments with your partner, family and friends.

What's included in the Chicago CityPASS®?

As I mentioned at the beginning, with this pass you save 50% on admission to various attractions. Just check the website of each attraction to make your reservation. The tickets included are:

• Shedd Aquarium admission
• Entrance to Skydeck Chicago
• Entrance to the Field Museum

Remember that you can choose only two more destinations from the following options:

• Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago
• Entrance to the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago
• Admission to the 360 CHICAGO Observatory
• Admission to the Adler Planetarium

What does the Chicago CityPASS® Tourist Pass not include?

The Chicago CityPASS® Tourist Pass only includes admission to five attractions. At each attraction you will need to present only your pass, your reservation or both. For more information you can read the Ticket and Reservation instructions.

What this pass does not include is transportation between each attraction. For that I suggest you take public transport such as the Chicago Transit Authority. You will not be provided with food or beverages during your tour.

Please note that the pass does not include admission to special events offered by the attractions. In any case, I recommend that you check all the details you want before purchasing your pass.

When to buy the Chicago CityPASS® sightseeing pass

I recommend buying the Chicago CityPASS®: when your list of things to do in Chicago includes visiting some of the attractions included in the pass. Also, keep in mind that most of these attractions should take an average of 3 to 4 hours to get around. With this in mind, you will be able to visit at least three or two of the proposed sites per day.

This means that to get the most out of your pass you would have to stay in Chicago for at least 2 days. If you stay for 1 day you won't be able to enjoy each attraction at your leisure. In any case, if your budget allows it, I invite you to stay several days and take advantage of this pass.

When not to buy a Chicago CityPASS®

If you want to stay for a month or more in Chicago, this is not the best option. Chicago has other passes that could help you see more of the sights in Chicago. These are longer in duration and include more sites that you're sure to want to see.

Plus, some of the most iconic sites that should be on your list are free. For example, the Cloud Gate, better known as The Bean, the central sculpture at AT&T Plaza in Chicago's Millennium Park. It's a great place to take selfies and memorable photos and is a must on any tour you book in the city.

Unlike the Chicago CityPASS®, the Go City Chicago Pass allows you to save up to 55% on all the attractions you want to visit. The price of the pass varies depending on how many days you want to use it. You can buy a one-day pass for around €100 or a five-day pass for €200.

A list of the attractions included in the pass can be found on the Go City Chicago website. As well as offering admission to Chicago's best museums, you'll also find tours of the city, cruises, bike rentals and more.

Please note that the pass is only valid for the amount of time you purchase it. This time will start to run from the day you use it for the first time. You can have an unused pass for up to a year. I recommend that you do some research on the activities you want to enjoy during your stay in Chicago before purchasing this pass.

Traveller Tip

Although this pass allows you to do many activities in a single day, I recommend that you do some research on what your favourite ones are and how long each one takes. This way you can better plan your stay in Chicago and also know if it is worth buying this pass.

How much does the Go City Chicago Pass cost?

This pass is ideal when you are travelling on a "no time to waste" basis. With this pass there are no dull moments as you have so many options to have fun. From the Go City app you can choose an attraction or a plan to start your day off on the right foot.

Something that happens to many tourists is that they get saturated with options and if they go in a group, this can be counterproductive. With the list of attractions and destinations offered on this pass , you'll be able to choose what to do more quickly. You can get all the benefits of this pass for just £100 if you want to use it for one day, or £200 if you want to use it for five days.

What does the Go City Chicago pass include?

There is no limit to the number of activities you can do with this pass. You simply choose from this list of over 20 plans what you like and what you want to do:

• Big Bus Chicago 1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Shedd Aquarium
• Skydeck Chicago Observation Deck
• Shoreline Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River
• 360 CHICAGO
• Navy Pier: 4 attraction pass
• Field Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Adler Planetarium
• Skyline Lake Cruise Tour
• Chicago Children's Museum
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center
• Bike and Roll Chicago: 4-hour bicycle rental
• 10Pin Bowling Chicago: 90 minutes of bowling and pizza
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
• Chicago Theatre Tour
• Chicago History Museum
• Guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio
• American Writers Museum
• Robie House
• Lincoln Zoo Attractions
• Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace
• Gray Line Chicago's North Side Chicago Tour
• Gray Line Chicago's South Shore Historic Tour Chicago
• Gray Line Chicago Grand Tour

What does the Go City Chicago pass not include?

As with other passes, Go City Chicago does not include refreshments or private transportation. Also, some sites require reservations as they tend to be full during certain seasons. This is why you should check their websites for times and availability and then purchase your discounted ticket.

When should you buy the Go City Chicago Pass?

I recommend that you buy the Go City Chicago when you are travelling with enough time to visit as many sites as you can for the whole day. If you're just travelling for your entire holiday, then it's a good pass for you as it will help you do a little bit of everything in this city.

When not to buy the Go City Chicago Sightseeing Pass

This is not the best pass for people who prefer to take their time getting to know the city. If you want to wander the streets, visit the occasional local coffee shop and enjoy the parks and squares, use another pass. It's also not a good idea to buy it if you're in the city for more than 5 days, as I guess you'll have more time to take it easy and you'll be able to pick and choose where you want to go at your leisure.

The Chicago Explorer Pass is an alternative all-inclusive version of the Go City Chicago Pass. This pass is designed to save you at least 40% on your chosen entrance fees and plans. The pass is valid for up to 1 year if you haven't used it and up to 60 days after your first use.

Just like you read it! You will have almost 2 months to explore the city at your own pace. You will be able to choose from 25 plans including cruises in Chicago or museum tours. Please note that you must choose how many attractions or plans you want before purchasing your pass. You can choose from 2 to 7 and the cost of the pass will depend on that number, being approximately €70 and €140 respectively.

How much does the Chicago Explorer Pass cost?

This pass is great for those visiting Chicago for 1 or 2 months. It allows you to decide on a good plan to enjoy the Windy City but not in a hurry. This way you won't have the stress of using your pass before it expires.

On the pass you can choose from 2 to 7 attractions from a list of over 20 things to do. The cost of the pass depends on how much you want to include. The price can range from €70 for 2 attractions to €140 for 7.

If you want to enjoy Chicago's free sites, this is a good pass as you can visit them while attending museums or paid plans. This way you'll see the whole city, its most popular sides and its hidden corners.

What does the Chicago Explorer Pass include?

With the Chicago Explorer Pass you can enjoy two to seven plans to choose from this list:

• 1 Day Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Skydeck Chicago Observation Deck
• 360 CHICAGO
• Navy Pier: 4 attraction pass
• Shoreline Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River
• Field Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Adler Planetarium
• Skyline Lake Cruise Tour
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center
• Chicago Children's Museum
• Bike and Roll Chicago: 4-hour bicycle rental
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
• 10Pin Bowling Chicago - 90 minutes of bowling and pizza
• Chicago History Museum
• Guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio
• Chicago Theatre Tour
• Gray Line Chicago's South Shore Historical Tour of Chicago
• Gray Line Chicago's North Side Tour of Chicago
• Robie House
• Gray Line Chicago Grand Tour
• American Writers Museum
• Lincoln Zoo Attractions
• Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace

What is not included in the Chicago Explorer Pass?

Although I have told you in previous sections, this type of pass does not include any snacks or drinks. Some tours may include bottles of water or the like, but you will need to check the description of the plans. Also not included are transfers and reservations, which you should make yourself when necessary.

When should I buy the Chicago Explorer Pass?

I would recommend buying the Chicago Explorer Pass when you are travelling to the city with plenty of time to explore. It's a pass that you don't have to rush and you can walk around at your leisure. It's also a good option if you don't want to go to too many places, remember that you can only choose between 2 and 7 destinations.

I would also say it 's ideal for people who are travelling for work for a couple of months. You can focus on your business meetings and when you have free time, you can use your pass to visit an attraction you like or take a tour of Chicago.

When is it not a good idea to buy the Chicago Explorer Pass?

On the other hand, if you're someone who wants to make the most of your holiday, this is not a good pass. As it only includes up to seven options for that price, you'll probably be left wanting to see and do more. That's why it's best to choose one of the passes above.