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

Chicago’s best sightseeing is scattered across a wide area, from the Museum Campus and Navy Pier to Oak Park and the northern lakefront. The Chicago Explorer Pass lets you choose from more than 35 attractions, including 360 Chicago, Skydeck Chicago, architecture cruises, and major museums, without locking in every choice before you arrive.

I like the freedom to change plans around weather and location, and I like that the pass covers several of Chicago’s expensive headline attractions. The digital guide and Go City app can also make a busy visit easier to organize.

The catch is simple: you must choose carefully. At $84 per person for the pass tier shown here, two low-cost activities may not cover the price, and some popular stops require reservations that can fill up. A few buyers also reported QR-code and booking problems when purchasing through an intermediary.

Key points to know before you buy

• Choose two to seven attractions: The pass is available in different tiers, so you select the number of activities that suits your trip.
• Use it for Chicago’s big views: 360 Chicago and Skydeck Chicago are both included, but each requires advance planning.
• Make the river cruise a priority: The architecture cruises are among the strongest uses of the pass, with professional guides explaining the buildings along the Chicago River.
• The pass lasts 30 days after activation: You do not need to cram every attraction into one weekend.
• Check the app before leaving your hotel: Opening hours, reservation rules, access instructions, and the attraction list can change.
• Value depends on your choices: The pass can save money with high-priced attractions, but it is not automatically cheaper than buying individual tickets.

How the Chicago Explorer Pass works

You receive a mobile pass and a digital guide. You can save the pass to your phone or print it at home, then show it at the designated ticket area for each attraction.

You do not pre-select your attractions when buying the pass. That is useful if you are unsure how much museum time you want, or if a hot afternoon makes an air-conditioned museum more appealing than a bike ride. Your pass activates when you use it for the first included attraction and remains valid for 30 days.

The pass is available for two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions. The supplied price is $84 per person, but you should confirm the exact tier before paying because the cost depends on how many attractions you select.

The main rule is that one attraction counts as one use. A museum visit, a boat tour, and a bike rental each use one selection. Food and transport are generally not included, although a few inclusions specifically provide food, such as the Bacci Pizza combo and the 10pin Bowling Lounge package.

The two observation decks: 360 Chicago and Skydeck

The pass includes Chicago’s two best-known observation decks. Seeing both gives you different views and a useful comparison, but it also uses two of your selections.

At 360 Chicago, you ride to the 94th floor in one of the city’s fastest elevators. From the observation deck, you can look toward Millennium Park, Soldier Field, and the broad sweep of Lake Michigan. The visit takes about 90 minutes.

Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. At roughly 1,353 feet, it offers views toward Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and much of the city. Allow around 90 minutes here as well.

Both attractions require reservations. This is the point that causes the most trouble for people who simply show up with a QR code. Use the unique link provided with the pass, add the pass to the Go City app, and follow the reservation instructions before you go. Availability can be tight, especially during busy periods.

Do not assume the pass means instant entry or a guaranteed time. Some people arrived expecting a skip-the-line experience and instead had to wait for an available slot. For a smooth visit, reserve both towers as soon as your dates are firm.

Chicago’s architecture from the river

If you choose only one sightseeing activity, I would give serious thought to an architecture river cruise. Chicago is easiest to understand from the water, where the height, age, and variety of the buildings become clear.

The Shoreline Sightseeing architecture tour lasts about 75 minutes. A professional guide explains the buildings along the Chicago River and places them in the city’s architectural story. The cruise gives you a close look at downtown towers without the stop-and-start rhythm of a walking tour.

Other included options may include a Seadog architectural river tour from Navy Pier, a Seadog lakefront speedboat ride, or a high-speed ride on Lake Michigan. These are not identical experiences, so check the current app listing and departure instructions before using a selection.

The Seadog options are more about speed and open-air excitement. The traditional architecture cruise is the better fit if you want building details and city context. Boats operate on schedules, and transportation to the departure point is not included.

The pass also includes a one-day classic Big Bus Chicago hop-on hop-off tour. It can help you get an overview of the city and reach major sights, including the Magnificent Mile. Confirm the current route and operating details in the app, since the included lineup and instructions can change.

Museum Campus: Adler, the Field Museum, and more

The Museum Campus gives you three major attractions close together, although only some are included in the pass at any given time. Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum are listed inclusions here.

Adler is a strong choice for families and anyone curious about space. Admission includes the permanent exhibitions, the historic Atwood Sphere, and two shows, including Imagine the Moon. Plan for about two hours.

The Field Museum deserves longer. You can meet SUE, the famous T. Rex, see an ancient Egyptian tomb, and explore more than 10,000 years of Chinese history and culture. The listed admission includes the permanent exhibitions, and three hours is a sensible visit length.

These museums are not quick photo stops. If you choose both, you have already committed much of a day, so pair them with nearby plans rather than trying to squeeze in several distant attractions.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is another excellent three-hour option, especially for families and anyone who likes hands-on exhibits. Admission includes the permanent exhibitions and one film at the five-story Giant Dome Theater.

One important warning: attraction participation can change. The app is the current source for what is included, and a listed museum may have different ticket rules or add-on charges. Confirm before building your day around one specific institution.

Navy Pier, families, and easy indoor stops

Navy Pier is more than a single attraction. It is a large lakeside entertainment area with shops, restaurants, rides, cruises, and views across Lake Michigan. The pass includes access connected with Navy Pier, but the exact activity matters.

The Chicago Children’s Museum is a good two-hour choice for families with younger children. Its interactive exhibits, hands-on programs, and daily art classes give children something to do rather than simply look at displays. You can combine it with the pier’s rides and other activities.

The pass also lists Navy Pier access for about an hour. Read the details carefully, since one reported experience involved only three short turns on a wheel. Do not assume that a general Navy Pier inclusion covers every ride or activity on the pier.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is aimed at children ages 3 to 10. Allow about two hours for the LEGO exhibits, construction demonstrations, interactive areas, and rides. It is outside the downtown core, so add transport time before using one of your selections.

10pin Bowling Lounge in River North offers 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, and a pizza lunch. It is a practical rainy-day option for families or mixed-age groups, though you should reserve the lane if the instructions require it.

The Museum of Illusions takes about an hour and has more than 80 rooms and visual exhibits. It is light entertainment rather than a major cultural stop, but it can work well between downtown sights.

Flyover Chicago offers a one-hour simulated bird’s-eye view of the city. It is another short downtown activity that can fit neatly into a day already centered on the Loop.

Architecture and literary history beyond downtown

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park is one of the strongest specialty choices. Wright lived and worked there during the first 20 years of his career, when he developed designs including Robie House, the Larkin Building, and Unity Temple. Allow about two hours.

The separate Frederick C. Robie House tour focuses on one of Wright’s most important buildings. It takes about an hour and makes a good choice for architecture fans who want to see Wright’s ideas applied to a complete home.

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum is also in Oak Park, outside downtown Chicago. A guided tour of the 45-minute visit explains the house and Hemingway’s early life. Allow an hour overall, plus the time needed to reach Oak Park.

You can also visit the Chicago History Museum, which is a useful first stop for understanding the city’s development, or the American Writers Museum downtown, where interactive exhibits cover many types of writing. The Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on living artists and rotating exhibitions.

These stops are more specialized than Skydeck or a river cruise. I would choose them because they match your interests, not because you are trying to collect as many scans as possible.

Active choices and special outings

Bike and Roll Chicago offers a two-hour bike rental from its Millennium Park location at 34 South Michigan Avenue. It is a practical way to cover the lakefront or downtown parks at your own speed, and it can suit families who want a break from indoor attractions.

Bobby’s Bike Hike lists a one-hour kayak rental at Ohio Street Beach. This is a weather-dependent choice, and you should check operating hours and instructions before setting out.

At The Forge Adventure Park and Ziplines, the pass includes activities such as axe throwing, archery, laser tag, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and a children’s adventure zone. The climbing and zipline course is not included, so do not arrive expecting the full adventure package.

Lincoln Park Hauntings is a one-hour walking ghost tour and investigation. It covers the area’s connection with the Great Fire of 1871, lost cemetery graves, and the so-called Suicide Bridge over the lagoon. Advanced reservation is required.

Seadog’s Extreme Thrill Ride is another one-hour option, with a fast ride across Lake Michigan. It suits you if you want excitement more than historical detail.

The Harry Potter Shop Chicago includes a Butterbeer experience at the Butterbeer Bar. It is listed as a free activity, so check the current instructions to understand exactly what the pass covers.

Finally, Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street provides a pizza slice and drink. It is a modest inclusion, but useful when you are already in the area and want a quick break.

Finding the real value at $84

The pass makes the most sense when you select several attractions that would otherwise have high individual admission prices. Two observation decks, an architecture cruise, and a major museum can create a reasonable comparison, especially if you use three to five selections.

It is less attractive if you choose two inexpensive activities, a short free stop, or attractions you would not have paid for anyway. One buyer calculated savings of about 20 percent across three events, while another found the pass cost more than buying two individual tickets. Both outcomes are possible.

I suggest making a simple list before purchasing:

• Write down the exact attractions you want.
• Check their current individual prices.
• Add any reservation requirements and transport costs.
• Compare that total with the correct pass tier.
• Keep a little flexibility for weather, but reserve the popular timed attractions early.

Do not count every possible activity as part of your plan. You are unlikely to visit seven major attractions comfortably in a short stay, especially if you choose three-hour museums. The pass is a discount tool, not a race ticket.

Mobile passes, reservations, and common snags

The phone-based system is convenient when it works. Save the pass in the Go City app and keep the confirmation email available. At each attraction, show the QR code at the correct ticket point.

Some people had trouble loading passes purchased through a third-party booking channel, and a few reported codes that stopped working or failed to scan. Attraction staff sometimes helped, but resolving the issue could take time between Go City and the seller.

For that reason, activate and test the pass before your first major booking. Check that the QR code displays, confirm that the attraction appears in the app, and read the reservation instructions. If you buy through an intermediary, understand that support may involve both the seller and Go City.

The pass does not include transportation between stops. Chicago’s attractions are spread out, so allow time for public transport, walking, or taxis. The activity has a maximum group size of 15 for the tour component, but the pass itself is used individually at participating venues.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase. That makes advance checking especially important.

Who should buy this Chicago pass?

I would consider it for a first Chicago visit lasting several days, especially if you want Skydeck, 360 Chicago, a river cruise, and one or two museums. It also works well for families who can mix major sights with bowling, the Children’s Museum, LEGOLAND, or outdoor activities.

I would be cautious if you have only one day, dislike timed reservations, or already know you want just two low-cost attractions. I would also avoid buying until you confirm that the exact attractions you want are operating and included.

Should you book the Chicago Explorer Pass?

Book it if you can name at least three worthwhile attractions and the numbers show a saving. The best plan is usually one major view, one architecture cruise, and one substantial museum, with extra choices added only when they genuinely interest you.

Skip it if convenience matters more than flexibility, or if you do not want to manage reservations and changing attraction rules. Used thoughtfully, the pass can simplify a busy Chicago visit and cut costs. Used casually, it can leave you paying for options you never have time to use.

FAQ

How many Chicago attractions can I visit with the pass?

You can choose a pass for two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions from a selection of more than 35 activities.

How long is the Chicago Explorer Pass valid?

The pass is valid for 30 days from the date you activate it at your first attraction.

Do I need to choose my attractions when I buy the pass?

No. You can decide which included attractions to visit after purchase, based on your location, the weather, and your plans.

Are reservations required?

Reservations are required for popular attractions including Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago. Lincoln Park Hauntings also requires an advance reservation. Check the digital guide or Go City app for current instructions.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. You can save the pass to your mobile device and present it at the designated ticket area. You may also print the pass at home.

Does the pass include transportation and food?

Transportation to and from attractions is not included. Food and drinks are generally not included, although specific options such as the Bacci Pizza combo and 10pin Bowling Lounge package include food as stated.

Is the Chicago Explorer Pass refundable?

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