All Chicago Tourist Passes Compared: Which One Should You Buy?
Chicago has two passes worth comparing: CityPASS, which bundles Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck and three more, and Go City's All-Inclusive Pass, which covers 37 attractions for 1-5 days. The Art Institute decides a lot: it's a CityPASS option but isn't on Go City's list.
Types of tourist pass
Fixed bundle
Shedd and Skydeck, plus three of the Field, Adler, Griffin MSI, 360 CHICAGO, the Art Institute or the Shoreline cruise.
In Chicago: Chicago CityPASS
Day pass
1-5 calendar days of the Museum Campus, both observation decks, Navy Pier and 33 more.
In Chicago: Chicago Go City All-Inclusive Pass
Which pass for your trip?
Chicago CityPASS
- Shedd, Skydeck and the Art Institute over a long weekend. All three on one $144 pass.
Chicago Go City All-Inclusive Pass
- Two days with kids: Museum Campus, then Navy Pier. Covers the rides, Flyover and both decks.
No pass needed
- Millennium Park, the Bean and the Riverwalk. They're free.
- Just the Art Institute and one deck. About $59-64 on their own, well under $144.
The passes compared
Chicago CityPASS
- Attractions
- 5
- Price
- $144
- Time to use
- 9 days
- Best for
- First trip, 3-5 days in the Loop
- The only pass with the Art Institute
- Child tickets $114
- Shedd and Skydeck are compulsory
- No Navy Pier rides
Chicago Go City All-Inclusive Pass
- Attractions
- 37
- Price
- From $149
- Time to use
- 1-5 days
- Best for
- Two busy days with kids
- Skydeck and 360 CHICAGO both included
- Navy Pier Ferris wheel and Flyover
- No Art Institute
- $149 needs 3-4 sights a day
Which big sights are on which pass?
| Sight | CityPASS | Go City |
|---|---|---|
| Shedd Aquarium | Included, book a slot | Included |
| Skydeck Chicago | Included, book a slot | Included |
| 360 CHICAGO | Included, book a slot | Included |
| Shoreline Architecture River Cruise | Included, book a slot | Included |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Included | Not included |
| Field Museum | Included | Included |
| Navy Pier Ferris Wheel | Not included | Included |
Worth knowing before you buy
One deck is plenty on CityPASS
Skydeck is already fixed, so spend the choice on the Art Institute or the Shoreline cruise instead of 360 CHICAGO.
The Museum Campus is one day
Shedd, the Field Museum and Adler are neighbours on the lakefront. Both passes cover all three.
Art Institute: CityPASS only
From $32 on its own and open until 8 pm on Thursdays. Go City doesn't list it.
Lots of Chicago is free
Millennium Park, Cloud Gate and the Riverwalk cost nothing.
Shedd and Skydeck get the longest lines on busy days. Check how busy each one is right now on beatthecrowd.co before you go.
Check live crowds in Chicago →How pass companies make money
Here's how sellers of Chicago CityPASS and Chicago Go City All-Inclusive Pass earn, and what it means for your Chicago trip.
Shedd Aquarium and the other attractions sell entry to pass companies below the gate price.
Plenty of buyers never use everything they paid for. That gap is the seller's margin.
Longer passes and premium extras in Chicago raise the price faster than the value.
Other ways to save
- Chicago Go City Explorer and Essentials
Explorer from $109 (3-7 of 36, 30 days); Essentials from $99 for 3 of 11.
FAQs
Which Chicago pass is best?
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For most first-timers, Chicago CityPASS: five big sights for $144. For two busy days with Navy Pier and Griffin MSI, Go City.
Which Chicago pass includes the Art Institute?
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CityPASS, as one of its six options. Go City doesn't list it.
Do I need a pass for Millennium Park?
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No. Millennium Park, Cloud Gate and the Riverwalk are free.
Skydeck or 360 CHICAGO?
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Skydeck is from $32 and includes The Ledge; 360 CHICAGO is from $27 online ($35 at the door), with TILT about $9-10 extra. CityPASS fixes Skydeck; Go City includes both.
When is Skydeck quietest?
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In our data, weekends are quieter than weekdays at Skydeck. 360 CHICAGO is quietest Monday to Thursday.