Can you use the Chicago CityPASS to save money on your trip? We help you by providing a full in-depth Chicago CityPASS review.

Chicago CityPASS Review 2020: Is The Pass Worth The Price?

Have you always wondered how Chicago CityPASS works, where to buy it and is it worth the price? If so, keep reading because this Chicago CityPASS review will give you all the answers to your questions with some bonus tips and tricks.

With an abundance of museums, art galleries, excellent shopping options, fancy restaurants, and gorgeous architecture, Windy City is one of the most popular destinations for many travelers. Home to the world’s largest dinosaur and the birthplace of the skyscraper, this cultural hub offers numerous inspiring attractions.

But how do you save money and not break the bank and still get to experience the best of the city? If properly used, Chicago CityPASS might be your solution.

Let’s find out if the pass is a good option for you and what are the things you should know before buying it.

HOW CHICAGO CITYPASS WORKS?

Chicago CityPASS is another great tool for making your own sightseeing plans while saving up money. Like any other tourist attraction pass, the Chicago CityPASS offers you a chance to save up to 50% off the cost of the city’s most popular attractions. When you think about it, it saves you a lot of money, especially if you are traveling with family or friends.

We’ve already reviewed the Denver CityPASS, but Chicago is much bigger and has much more to offer (sorry Denver).

Therefore, this pass provides an entrance to 5 of Chicago’s top 7 attractions, so it’s up to you to choose which ones you would like to see. Keep in mind that three of these attractions are included in every pass, while the remaining four attractions are an option.

In this case, you can make your own sightseeing plan according to your wishes and preferences.

After an easy online purchase, you will get an instant e-mail delivery with convenient printable or mobile ticket options. Just choose the option you like more and start exploring Chicago’s best attractions.

The best part about this PASS is not only saving money but also the fact you will skip many ticket lines and get some extra time for discovering the city.

CityPASS is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day of use, so plan your trip carefully and experience the best of Chicago.

WHAT ATTRACTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN CHICAGO CITYPASS?

With the Chicago CityPASS, you will have a chance to visit five of the seven most popular attractions. Each pass includes three main attractions and you get to choose the remaining two of the four available options.

The three main attractions are:

Shedd Aquarium

This cool aquarium is an unavoidable place for all sea and nature lovers. With the Chicago CityPASS, you will get a chance to admire more than 32 000 sea creatures from all over the world. Come and experience unforgettable encounters with a fascinating Pacific coastal ecosystem.

Get up close and personal with the Magellanic penguins or the 14-foot sawfish with a razor-sharp bill. Learn more about Amazon and its habitat and why jellies aren’t fish at all. The options are endless.

But that’s not all.

Animal presentations, 360-degree tour of the underwater reef community, dolphin shows, and priority entry are just some of the Aquarium’s extra treats available by using the CityPASS. Not bad at all, right?

(Regular adult admission: $44.90)

Skydeck Chicago

Who doesn’t want to enjoy spectacular panorama vistas while taking Insta-worthy photos? The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere will treat you with an incredible 360-degree view of up to four states, making the visit to this attraction one of the unique ones. In addition to the unique experience, prepare for the real breathtaking one. Located 103 floors above the city is a cool glass floor named The Ledge. Take a deep breath and step out onto the clouds. These never-before-seen views of the city will totally blow your mind while providing you completely different experiences of Windy City.

In addition to the daring platform, Skydeck Chicago offers several interactive exhibits, photo opportunities and a short video about the history of the tower.

(Regular adult admission: $45)

The Field Museum

The Field Museum is another must-visit place during your stay in the Windy City. This fascinating museum will open to you an incredible world of T.Rex skeleton, as well as Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur that has ever lived. Explore the history and culture of China, take a glimpse inside ancient Egypt or admire a beautiful collection of gems and stones around the world. You can even see fossils being prepped in their scientists’ labs.

For all those who want to know more, Museum’s DNA Discovery Center will give you a chance to interact with scientists that extract DNA or to watch the actual research in making. How cool is that?

(Regular adult admission: $38)

Optional attractions to choose from are Adler Planetarium or Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry or 360 Chicago Observation Deck.

Adler Planetarium

Use your Chicago CityPASS to explore America’s first planetarium. Situated on 60 000 square feet with numerous exhibits, interactive and minds-on activities, this planetarium is a real treat for the eyes and ears. It also has two domed theaters and it houses an amazing Doane Observatory’s research telescope. Therefore, it is a perfect place to spend a day and learn all mind-blowing facts about the Universe.

However, that is not all. With the Chicago CityPASS, you will get an entrance to two sky shows and a cool opportunity to touch a piece of Moon or Mars or to feel a piece of an actual meteorite that crashed into the Earth. Can anyone surpass that?

(Regular adult admission: $35)

Art Institute of Chicago

If space is not really your thing, maybe art is. The Art Institute of Chicago is a great place to admire the greatest Impressionist collection outside Paris. Take your time and wander around the globe through galleries of ancient Greece, Africa, Japan, and the Americas. Get up close and personal with the greatest work of the greatest artists. Picasso, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and many more are just some of the names you’ll find in this incredible art institute.

For all those who are coming with their families, Art Institute has a cool place named The Family Room where your children can enjoy free-art making activities. There are also self-guided audio tours with behind-the-scenes stories and music available through the Art Institute’s mobile app.

(Regular adult admission: $42)

Museum of Science and Industry

Who wants to visit the largest science museum in the country? Located in the beautiful Hyde Park neighborhood, it’s unlike any other museum you have ever seen. Numerous astonishing exhibits will leave you amazed and breathless. To get real-time feedback on the body’s response to physical activity, head to the human-sized Hamster Wheel. Investigate the impact of the tsunami on different environments in a tsunami wave tank. Gaze in awe of the historic aircraft flying above or go to the epicenter of Science Storms. Learn how to examine the tornado, a real 40-foot vortex of swirling air and vapor you can manipulate.

Chicago CityPASS will not only allow you to enter this heaven of science and industry but also a one-timed entry experience. Choose between a Coal Mine tour, Giant Dome Theater film, Fab Lab or Wired to Wear and enjoy your stay.

(Regular adult admission: $33.95)

360 Chicago

An incredible observation deck with breathtaking 360-degree views of Chicago’s skyline is a must-visit for all those wanting to experience the city from a different angle. Soaring 1030 feet above Lake Michigan, 360 Chicago is more than an architectural wonder.

So, enhance your visit with multimedia activities and learn more about the city’s history, culture, and architecture. Get in one of the fastest elevators in North America and experience the magnificent panorama from the above.

They also have a Sky School that provides a great way to bring a program study alive.

(Regular adult admission: $42)

TIPS FOR USING CHICAGO CITYPASS

Chicago CityPASS provides great value for all travelers looking to enjoy the city’s cultural attractions and visit popular entertainment places. However, there are some tips and tricks you should have in mind to make your journey even better.

Buy your CityPASS online before you start exploring any of the attractions

before you start exploring any of the attractions Visit all five attractions. Even though the pass allows you to visit only three main attractions, it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to visit all five of them.

Even though the pass allows you to visit only three main attractions, it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to visit all five of them. Pay attention to expiration dates. After buying the Chicago CityPASS, you have 9 consecutive days to visit all of the attractions. included. Booklets you’ll get also have expiration dates, so keep that in mind too. Finally, it is really important to use your pass before it expires. Remember there is a deadline of 6 months to exchange your voucher for a booklet!

After buying the Chicago CityPASS, you have 9 consecutive days to visit all of the attractions. included. Booklets you’ll get also have expiration dates, so keep that in mind too. Finally, it is really important to use your pass before it expires. Remember there is a deadline of 6 months to exchange your voucher for a booklet! Don’t rip your tickets out of the booklet. They may be considered invalid.

They may be considered invalid. Skip the line access. With the Chicago CityPASS, you will get a fast track entry, which will save you a lot of time, especially during peak times.

To get a blast from your visit to Chicago’s attractions, here are some extra tips:

The best time to visit Shedd Aquarium is on weekdays before 11 am.

During your visit to Adler Planetarium, stop by the Space Visualization laboratory and talk with an expert on space.

For an ultra experience during your visit to Skydeck Chicago, sitting or laying down on The Ledge is recommended.

Field Museum’s shows fill up fast, so go directly to 3D Theater to secure your place on time.

In Art Institute of Chicago, free guided tours are available daily at noon

As each pass includes a visit to Skydeck Chicago, go to the Museum of Science and Industry instead of 360 Chicago.

HOW TO BUY CHICAGO CITYPASS?

Buying this great sightseeing tool couldn’t be easier. Simply visit this link to buy your Chicago CityPASS online.

After you purchase the pass, you have three options to retrieve the pass. First, you can choose the option where your booklet will be mailed directly to your front door. It’s not a bad option, but keep in mind that the booklets have an expiration date. That’s why you have to be sure you’ll have time to use it before purchasing this option.

You can also receive a voucher on your mobile phone or you can go for a printable ticket on your own. If you go for these options, you will have six months to exchange the voucher for a booklet, and still, have time to plan your visit.

Mobile tickets are perhaps the simplest way to carry around and while not having to worry about losing the booklets or tearing out tickets.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE NOW

WHO SHOULD (NOT) BUY CHICAGO CITYPASS?

Even though the Chicago CityPASS provides great value and saves you a lot of time, it’s probably not for every type of traveler.

So who should definitely consider taking Chicago CityPASS?

First-time visitors and those who like to discover culture on their own terms will enjoy this pass. It includes the most popular attractions and it saves a lot of money, so it’s a win-win situation.

It is also a great option for families and small groups who are traveling on a budget. In this case, your family trip isn’t expensive but you will still have a chance to enjoy the best of Chicago’s attractions.

Anyone who would like to visit 3 attractions or more should go for the Chicago CityPASS. As mentioned above, three main attractions are always included, and the entrance to the extra two is just a bonus.

On the other hand, travelers that are not interested in cultural attractions or sightseeing should avoid buying the Chicago CityPASS. The same goes for travelers who enjoy guided tours more than wandering around by themselves or those who want to visit fewer than three attractions.

If you like the concept of the Chicago CityPASS, but you would like to have more options, consider buying the Go Chicago Card. There are plenty of things to do in Chicago, so if you need more options or don’t like museums, you might not need the CityPASS.

HOW MUCH CHICAGO CITYPASS COSTS?

Since every traveler is interested in the cost of tickets, in the table below you will find all the necessary information. Prices are divided into adults (ages 12+) and children (ages 3-11).

Passes Chicago CityPASS price Regular price Savings with Pass Adult (12+) $108 $213.90 $105.90 Children (3-11) $89 $174.90 $85.90

*Currency on September 25th, 2019

As you can see, using Chicago CityPASS is an excellent way to save 50 % off the price while visiting the city’s best attractions. It provides a great value whether you are traveling with your friends, family or children. That is not something to dismiss, is it?

IS CHICAGO CITYPASS WORTH THE PRICE?

Like any other pass, the Chicago CityPASS also has its positive and negative sides.

It is definitely worth considering if you want to explore more than 3 attractions in Windy City or if you found yourself in any lines of the paragraph ‘Who should buy Chicago CityPASS’.

It’s also an excellent saving option because you can save 50% off the regular admission prices, which is not a small amount of money. The other great thing about Chicago CityPASS is that it allows you to visit the city’s three most popular attractions plus giving you the bonus of an extra two at your own choice.

Moreover, the CityPASS is valid for 9 days once you activate it, so you will have enough time to plan your sightseeing schedule.

Finally, the pass provides a fast-track entry for all attractions, which saves you a lot of time. No lines and no spending time waiting in the crowd is something every traveler appreciates.

Yes, you have to pay attention not to rip tickets out from the booklet or to lose them, but that is a small sacrifice for what the pass has to offer.

Overall, Chicago CityPASS is definitely worth the price.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE NOW

What do you think about our Chicago CityPASS review? Please let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

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