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

Chicago Explorer Pass: A Practical Review of 35+ Attractions

Chicago’s Explorer Pass puts the city’s best views, museums, boat rides, and family stops behind one phone barcode. For $84 per person, you can choose two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions from a list of more than 35 options, with 360 Chicago and Skydeck Chicago among the strongest choices.

I like the freedom to decide as you go, since you do not need to select every attraction at purchase. I also like the 30-day validity, which gives you time to spread visits across a longer stay. The catch is important: popular attractions may require reservations, and some visitors have had trouble with QR codes, app access, or unclear attraction instructions.

Key points to know before you buy

• Pick two to seven attractions: The pass works best when you choose several higher-priced stops.
• Use the Go City app: It contains the current attraction list, hours, directions, and reservation instructions.
• Book Skydeck and 360 Chicago early: Both observation decks require reservations.
• Build around the river cruise: The architecture cruise is one of the most rewarding uses of the pass.
• Expect a changing lineup: Attractions, schedules, and access rules can change.
• Keep a backup plan: Bad weather, sold-out time slots, or technical problems can affect your schedule.

How the Chicago pass works in real life

Your pass is a mobile ticket, though you can also print it at home. You activate it when you first use it, and it remains valid for 30 days. You do not have to visit attractions on consecutive days, so the pass can suit a weekend visit, a full week, or a slower month-long stay.

The pass includes admission to the number of attractions you select. It is not an unlimited attraction pass. A two-attraction pass gives you two admissions, while a seven-attraction pass gives you seven. Check the current price for your chosen number before buying, since the supplied price of $84 may not apply to every pass size.

I would install the Go City app before leaving your hotel. Add the pass using the unique link supplied after purchase, then read the individual instructions for each stop. This matters because the barcode alone does not always tell you where to enter, and some activities use reservations rather than simple walk-up admission.

The pass is sold through a third-party booking channel in the information provided. That can create an extra layer of support if something goes wrong. Several users had trouble loading passes, scanning QR codes, or figuring out which company could solve the problem. I would save the confirmation email, keep the pass visible in the app, and confirm each reservation before setting out.

360 Chicago and Skydeck give you two very different views

The two observation decks are obvious pass choices, but I would not treat them as identical.

360 Chicago is on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue, formerly the John Hancock Center. The elevator ride takes less than a minute, and the windows look across Millennium Park, Soldier Field, and the city grid. Allow about 90 minutes, including the elevator and viewing time.

Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, 1,353 feet above the street. From here, you can look toward Navy Pier and Soldier Field, and the glass ledges extend outside the building’s walls for a more dramatic photo. Plan about 90 minutes.

Both attractions require advance reservations. That is the detail most likely to shape your day. You cannot simply assume that flashing the pass guarantees immediate entry at the time you arrive. Use the reservation link in the app, and do it well ahead of your visit if your schedule is tight.

One practical warning: some users found that Skydeck access did not work like a skip-the-line ticket. You may still need to follow the attraction’s normal process, wait for an assigned time, or deal with an extra charge under certain conditions. Check the current app instructions instead of relying on the phrase skip the line.

The architecture cruise explains Chicago better than a postcard

Chicago’s buildings make more sense from the river. The architecture cruise lasts about 75 minutes and is led by a professional guide who explains the buildings along the Chicago River and their place in the city’s development.

This is one of the best uses of the pass because you get both sightseeing and explanation. From street level, you may notice height, stone, and glass. From the boat, you can compare whole blocks and see how the river cuts through the center of the city.

The pass also lists Shoreline and Seadog options. These can include a Seadog architectural river tour from Navy Pier, a lakefront speedboat ride, and a Seadog extreme thrill ride. The exact schedule and boarding point matter, so check the app carefully. Do not assume that every boat listed operates at the same dock or has the same duration.

The regular architecture cruise is the better pick if you want context and photographs. The speedboat trips are better if you want motion and a short burst of fun. You may not have time to fit several boat options into one day, especially once boarding and travel time are included.

Museums make the pass worthwhile for families and curious adults

The Field Museum is a strong choice if you want a large museum with enough material for several hours. The included admission covers permanent exhibits, including SUE, the famous T. Rex, an ancient Egyptian tomb, and displays on Chinese history and culture. Allow about three hours.

At the Adler Planetarium, your admission covers all exhibitions and experiences, including the historic Atwood Sphere and two shows. The Atwood Sphere presents the Chicago night sky as it appeared in 1913. Plan about two hours, and check show times before arriving.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is another three-hour stop. Your pass covers the permanent exhibits and one film in the five-story Giant Dome Theater. The hands-on format makes this a good family choice, but it can consume a large part of your day.

The Museum of Contemporary Art offers rotating exhibitions by living artists, along with performances. Allow about 90 minutes. It is a useful pick if you prefer current art to natural history or science.

The Chicago History Museum takes about two hours and gives you a clear introduction to the city’s past. The American Writers Museum is smaller, with about an hour of exhibits and programs focused on American writing.

The pass list has changed over time, and museum access can be especially confusing. One user expected the Art Institute and Shedd Aquarium to be included, while another found that an art museum no longer accepted the pass. Do not rely on an old article, a sales conversation, or a screenshot. Check the live attraction list in the Go City app before paying.

Navy Pier offers several choices in one location

Navy Pier is a handy base for a half day. The pier itself includes food, shopping, rides, movies, and cruises, but the pass only covers specific listed activities. Simply visiting Navy Pier does not use an attraction credit.

The Chicago Children’s Museum is on the pier and suits families with younger children. Its hands-on exhibits, daily art classes, and activity areas make it an easy two-hour stop. You can pair it with a cruise or another pier activity, though keep an eye on your attraction count.

The Harry Potter Shop Chicago includes a Butterbeer experience. Allow about an hour. It is a narrow-interest choice, but a good one if the wizarding theme is already on your family’s list.

The pass also includes Flyover in Chicago, an immersive attraction that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the city. It takes about an hour and offers a lighter, more theatrical break between museums.

Navy Pier is spread out, and transportation to and from attractions is not included. Leave extra time if you are moving from the pier to the Museum Campus, Oak Park, or a suburban activity.

The family options cover LEGO, bowling, bikes, and water

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is aimed at children ages 3 to 10. You can expect LEGO displays, building areas, construction demonstrations, and interactive attractions. Allow about two hours, though a child who loves LEGO may want much longer.

At 10pin Bowling Lounge in River North, the pass includes 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, and a pizza lunch. This is one of the clearer value choices if you would otherwise pay separately for bowling and food.

Bike and Roll Chicago provides a two-hour bike rental from the Millennium Park location at 34 South Michigan Avenue. It is a simple way to reach parks and nearby streets without joining a formal tour. You still need to manage traffic, route planning, and the weather yourself.

At the Forge Adventure Park and Ziplines, the pass includes explorer activities such as axe throwing, archery, laser tag, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and a children’s adventure zone. Zipline and climbing adventures are not included, so read the inclusions before making the trip outside the city.

Bobby’s Bike Hike lists a 60-minute kayak rental at Ohio Street Beach. This is a weather-dependent choice and requires more planning than a museum visit. You will need to reach the beach independently, since transportation is not part of the pass.

Oak Park adds architecture and literary history

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is in Oak Park, outside central Chicago. The tour explores Wright’s home and workplace during the first 20 years of his career, when he developed designs including the Robie House, Larkin Building, and Unity Temple. Allow about two hours.

The Frederick C. Robie House tour focuses on one of Wright’s most important buildings. It takes about an hour and works well for anyone interested in American architecture. If you choose both Wright sites, plan your day around their locations and operating times rather than trying to squeeze them between downtown attractions.

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum also sits in Oak Park. The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes, with an hour needed overall. It offers a look at the house where Hemingway was born and is an easy pairing with the Wright attractions if the schedules line up.

These stops are not quick downtown add-ons. Public transportation is available near many attractions, but transportation is not included. Treat Oak Park as its own half-day plan.

Smaller stops can fill gaps in your schedule

The Museum of Illusions takes about an hour and includes more than 80 rooms and visual exhibits. It is designed for both children and adults, making it useful when you want something playful rather than another large museum.

The Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour lasts about an hour and explores the historic theater, from its 1921 opening to its current use for concerts and performances. It is a good choice for people who enjoy old theaters and behind-the-scenes spaces.

The Lincoln Park Hauntings walking tour lasts about an hour and requires advance reservation. The guide covers the Great Fire of 1871, lost cemetery graves, and the so-called Suicide Bridge over the lagoon. Choose it for an evening activity with a spooky edge, but do not expect a flexible walk-up experience.

At Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street, you receive a pizza slice and drink. This is a useful credit only if you are already nearby. I would not cross the city for a single slice unless the food stop fits your route.

How to calculate the $84 value

The pass makes sense when you choose several attractions with separate admission costs and visit them efficiently. Skydeck, 360 Chicago, a river cruise, and one major museum can give you a strong value comparison. Add a fifth, sixth, or seventh stop only if you genuinely want those places.

It is less useful for a relaxed visit built around one museum and one viewpoint. Some users paid more through the pass than they would have paid directly for their selected attractions. That is why I would price your exact choices before buying.

Time also has a value. A two-hour museum, a 90-minute viewpoint, and a 75-minute cruise can fill a day before you add transit, meals, and lines. A pass does not save money if it pushes you into attractions you do not really want.

The best strategy is to group nearby stops, reserve fixed-time activities first, and use flexible attractions around them. Do not count Navy Pier as an attraction unless you select a specific included experience there.

Who should buy the Chicago Explorer Pass?

I would consider it for a first Chicago visit focused on major sights, especially if you want two observation decks, a river cruise, and at least one large museum. Families can also get value from the mix of museums, LEGO, bowling, the Children’s Museum, and lighter attractions.

I would be more cautious if you are visiting for only one day, dislike advance planning, or have your heart set on attractions that may not currently be included. The pass is also a poor fit if technical problems or customer-service delays would make you uncomfortable.

The rating supplied for this experience is 4 out of 5 from 354 reviews, but the individual experiences are mixed. The strongest praise centers on the architecture cruise, boat rides, Skydeck, museum access, and easy scanning when the QR code works. The sharpest complaints concern unavailable reservation times, failed barcodes, changing attraction coverage, and difficulty getting refunds or help.

Final call: buy it only after building your list

I would buy the Chicago Explorer Pass if I could name at least three included attractions I truly wanted and confirm their current hours and reservation rules in the app. The architecture cruise, Skydeck or 360 Chicago, and one major museum give you a sensible starting trio.

I would skip it if I wanted the Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, or another specific attraction that is not clearly shown in the current lineup. The pass can save money, but only when you plan around the real admission rules, not the broad promise of more than 35 options.

FAQ

How many attractions can I visit with the Chicago Explorer Pass?

You can choose a pass covering two, three, four, five, six, or seven attractions. The pass is not an unlimited admission product.

How long is the pass valid?

Your pass is valid for 30 days from the date you activate it by visiting your first attraction.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. You can save the pass on your mobile device and show it at designated ticket areas. You can also print it at home.

Do I need to choose my attractions when I purchase?

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 Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago. Other popular activities may also require advance booking, so check the Go City app for current instructions.

Does the pass include transportation?

No. Transportation to and from attractions is not included.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are generally not included, except where specifically stated. The 10pin Bowling Lounge option includes pizza lunch, and Bacci Pizzeria includes a pizza slice and drink.

Can I cancel the pass for a refund?

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