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

Your Chicago skyline fix, on demand. With the Chicago Explorer Pass from Go City, you pick 2 to 7 attractions from 35+ options and focus on the stops that match your day. 360 CHICAGO and Skydeck Chicago give you that big-city, big-height view over the lakefront and beyond.

I like two things most: the freedom to swap plans without pre-selecting, and the digital guide that helps you line up hours and directions while your pass stays valid for 30 days after activation. You can show your mobile ticket on your phone or print it at home, then scan at the ticketing areas.

The one catch is reservations. Skydeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO require them, and the timing app link matters, so I’d set aside a little time to get your pass working before you rush to a tall-building line.

Key points to know before you pick your 2–7

• Choose without pre-locking: you select attractions after you arrive, using the digital guide in the Go City app.
• Two major skyline stops included: Skydeck Chicago (Willis Tower) and 360 CHICAGO (94th floor) are both on the menu.
• Some bookings are time-sensitive: reservations are required for the two observatories.
• You can build a mix of big sights and small fun: museums, architecture cruises, LEGO, bowling, and even a Butterbeer stop.
• You’ll move around the city: most included activities start at specific locations, so think neighborhoods, not just attractions.

How the Chicago Explorer Pass builds a flexible Chicago plan

This pass is simple in concept: buy once, then use a digital ticket to enter attractions you choose. You’re not stuck with one exact schedule. The Go City flow is meant for real travel days—weather changes, lines happen, and you might decide you want a museum day instead of a skyline day.

The pass covers access to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions picked from 35+ options. Most included experiences list a suggested length, which helps you avoid the classic Chicago mistake: squeezing in too much and then spending your late afternoon commuting.

One practical detail I value: some experiences are offered with a small maximum group size (up to 15 people). That’s not the same as a private tour, but it can feel less like a cattle-car ride.

Picking the right mix: save money by stacking the big tickets

The pass price is $84 per person, and the value really depends on your choices. A pass like this tends to pay off when you bundle a few higher-priced, higher-demand attractions—especially the ones with reservations.

Here’s the strategy I’d use if I were planning my own days in Chicago:

• Start with the tall views (Skydeck Chicago and/or 360 CHICAGO). If you only pick one observatory, you still get a win, but you’ll feel the value more when you stack two.
• Add one “moving” experience like an architecture cruise or a speedboat tour, so you’re not stuck indoors all day.
• Then anchor with one longer museum block (like the Field Museum or Griffin Museum of Science and Industry).

If instead you choose a couple of short, lower-cost items, you might feel like you overpaid. One buyer summed it up bluntly: choose wisely to save.

Also, do yourself a favor: use the digital guide before you leave your hotel. It lists hours, directions, and special instructions. And because the lineup can change, you want the app’s current info—not yesterday’s assumptions.

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower: the 1,353-foot wow moment

Skydeck Chicago is the observatory deck in Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower. You rise to the 103rd floor, about 1,353 feet up, and the views are built for the classic Chicago sweep: lakefront, skyline, and major stadium-area landmarks.

Plan for around 1 hour 30 minutes for your visit. And here’s the key logistics point: reservations are required. The pass documentation notes that you’ll need to use your unique link to access the Go City app in the right way, or you might not be able to make the reservation.

What makes this stop worth prioritizing is that it’s a true “I’m in Chicago” moment. It’s also a good reset point if your day has gotten messy—you can adjust your other plans around a single booked time slot.

My practical tip: treat Skydeck Chicago like an appointment. If you schedule other timed stops back-to-back, leave a buffer for transit and lines.

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck on the 94th floor: fast elevator energy

If Skydeck is the classic corporate-tower view, 360 CHICAGO leans into modern speed. This observatory sits on the 94th floor, and you take a fast elevator ride up in under a minute.

Expect about 1 hour 30 minutes. Reservations are also required, and the same big warning applies: make sure the Go City app reservation link is set up correctly before you arrive.

One subtle advantage of picking both observatories (if you’re going that route): the decks give you different “angles” of the city. Even though it’s the same skyline, you’ll notice different neighborhoods and waterfront stretches depending on the day and how the viewing decks frame the buildings.

Who should choose both: families and couples who want one or two “big ticket” memories and don’t want to pick between them.

The river routes: architecture cruises and speedboats that actually change your pace

Chicago is a walking city, but it’s also a water city. These options let you see the skyline without dodging crowds on foot.

Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

This is a guided architecture river cruise with a professional guide describing the buildings along the river and their historical significance. It runs about 1 hour 15 minutes—a great length if you want the Chicago “storytelling” without turning the day into a full travel marathon.

Seadog Architectural River Tour from Navy Pier

A similar idea, but launched from Navy Pier with a 2-hour window. Longer cruise means more time to settle in, take photos, and absorb the architecture talk at a calmer speed.

Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour

If you want something louder and more energetic, choose the lakefront speedboat option (about 1 hour). This is also where the pass gives you a chance to feel the city from the water with more motion.

Seadog Extreme Thrill Ride

This one is explicitly the thrill category: a high-speed ride across Lake Michigan, listed at about 1 hour.

How I’d choose: if you’re into design and details, go architecture. If you’re with kids (or you just want a jolt), go speedboat. Either way, add one of these cruises to your day so the skyline doesn’t become only a viewpoint from tall glass.

Big Bus Chicago: the easiest way to cover the city fast

One included option is a 1-Day Classic Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Chicago tour. It’s the practical choice when you want to cover major sights without thinking about transit connections every time.

From the pass description, you’ll hit major bucket-list areas like skyscrapers and the Magnificent Mile. You can hop on and off at stops.

A balanced note: if your goal is strict efficiency, check the Go City digital guide instructions to confirm how this bus is meant to work with your pass. One person complained that a hop-on hop-off expectation didn’t match what they found at the moment. The guide is your best friend here.

Museum Campus day: Adler, Field Museum, and science without guessing

Chicago’s Museum Campus can eat an entire day, but the pass options make it easier to decide what kind of museum day you want.

Adler Planetarium (2 hours)

Adler is for anyone who loves space and shows. Admission includes all exhibitions and experiences, including the historic Atwood Sphere (an interactive look at the Chicago night sky in 1913). You also choose two shows, including Adler’s newest sky show Imagine the Moon.

Plan for about 2 hours. If you’re traveling as a family, this is one of the most “everyone wins” options on the list.

Field Museum (3 hours)

The Field Museum is a big one, about 3 hours. The highlights listed include SUE (the world’s largest T. rex), an ancient Egyptian tomb, and over 10,000 years of Chinese history and culture. Your ticket includes access to all permanent exhibits.

If you want a heavier museum day with lots to read and see, pick this.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry / MSI (3 hours)

MSI is science-first and hands-on. It’s the largest science museum in the country, and your ticket includes all permanent exhibits plus one film screening at the five-story Giant Dome Theater.

Plan for around 3 hours. This is also a good choice when the weather turns or you want a museum that feels active instead of purely observational.

How to pair these: don’t try to do Adler + Field Museum + MSI all in one go unless you’re the type who enjoys museum foot fatigue. Pick one main museum and then add a shorter stop nearby.

Navy Pier: a lakefront base with lots of directions

Navy Pier is listed as an admission included stop and runs about 1 hour in the pass framing. It’s also described as a major Midwest destination, built around Lake Michigan: shopping, eating, thrill rides, and cruise-hopping.

If you have extra time, Navy Pier is also an easy place to start or end a day because it’s a clear visual landmark.

Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier (2 hours)

For families, the Chicago Children’s Museum fits nicely into the Navy Pier atmosphere. It’s packed with interactive exhibits and hands-on programs, and it also mentions free daily art classes.

This is a strong “weather-proof plus energy burn” option.

Planning note: Navy Pier can feel like a choose-your-own-adventure zone. If your pass selection includes only entry to Navy Pier, you still might want to budget extra for specific activities there.

Frank Lloyd Wright: two home-base tours for architecture fans

Chicago is famous for design, and these Wright options are a clean way to experience it.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (2 hours)

This tour covers Wright’s personal and professional spaces—his primary residence and workspace for the first 20 years of his career. The pass description even connects the sites to major works like Robie House, the Larkin Building, and Unity Temple.

This is the more intimate, “how the artist lived and worked” angle.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust: Frederick C. Robie House tour (1 hour)

Robie House is designed for Frederick C. Robie and is described as one of the most important buildings in American architecture. Time here is shorter at about 1 hour.

How I’d choose: if you like deeper context about Wright’s life, go Home and Studio. If you want the signature building experience with less time, go Robie House.

Chicago Theatre marquee tour: behind-the-scenes legend

The Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour is about 1 hour and gives a history-filled guided look at the building, from its 1921 construction to its modern role as a concert and theatrical venue.

If you love classic architecture or old-school performance spaces, this is a fun contrast to science or skyline days.

Chicago by stories: history, writers, and a ghost tour option

These picks help you shift from buildings to people and narratives.

Chicago History Museum (2 hours)

This is positioned as a first-stop introduction to Chicago’s rich, local story. It’s about 2 hours and can anchor your trip if you want context before you chase neighborhoods.

American Writers Museum (1 hour)

For book lovers, this is interactive and focused on genres of writing. Your pass includes about 1 hour here.

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum (45 minutes guided tour, listed as 1 hour)

This is specifically the guided visit portion of the birthplace home, outside downtown in Oak Park. It’s a historic 45-minute guided tour, wrapped into a 1 hour slot on the pass schedule.

Lincoln Park Hauntings ghost tour & ghost hunt (1 hour; advanced reservation required)

This one is on-foot with an investigation feel, including chances to spot spectres with the expert guide. The pass data says it’s tied to Lincoln Park’s connections to the Great Fire of 1871, and it mentions lost graves and the secret of the Suicide Bridge.

Important: it requires advanced reservation. It’s listed at about 1 hour.

If you want it: treat this like an evening event and keep your daytime plans flexible.

Adler meets art: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is listed as about 1 hour 30 minutes. It’s described as a major institution focused on living artists and rotating exhibitions.

If you want a mid-length cultural stop that doesn’t require you to read every wall text, this fits well between other timed activities.

Quirky indoor fun: LEGO, illusions, and the Butterbeer break

These are great “off-peak hours” picks, especially when the weather is doing something unpredictable.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago (2 hours)

Indoor LEGO exhibits, construction demos, and interactive areas. It’s aimed at kids ages 3–10, which also makes it a good family choice.

Museum of Illusions (1 hour)

This museum is built around immersive rooms and mind-bending exhibits, with about 80 immersive rooms listed. The time estimate is 1 hour, and it works for adults and kids.

Harry Potter Shop Chicago (1 hour; free entry)

The Butterbeer Experience at Harry Potter Shop Chicago is listed as included and marked as free. It’s about 1 hour.

This is the easiest add-on when you want something fun without committing to a full museum or a big tour.

Active Chicago without hauling gear: bikes, bowling, and adventure parks

Not every day needs a lecture or a view. These options give you motion and entertainment.

Bike and Roll Chicago (Millennium Park) (2 hours)

Bike rentals with no-hassle pickup. The pass description says there are two convenient pickup locations, and Millennium Park is one of them. It’s listed at about 2 hours.

This is ideal when you want to cover more ground along green spaces without getting stuck in transit.

Bobby’s Bike Hike: kayak rental at Ohio Street Beach (1 hour)

This one is listed as a kayak rental included (about 60 minutes hire) at Ohio Street Beach. It’s a simple way to add lake time if you don’t want a full cruise.

10pin Bowling Lounge in River North (1 hour 30 minutes)

Bowling with a reserved lane and shoe rentals, plus a pizza lunch included, all in a 1 hour 30 minutes block.

It’s a good plan when the day starts to feel like too much walking.

The Forge Adventure Park & Ziplines (2 hours; climbing/zipline not included)

This includes access to Explorer Activities such as axe throwing, archery, laser tag, kayaking, canoes, padal boats, and a kids adventure zone. The pass clearly notes that climbing and zipline adventure is not included.

This is a strong “activity day” option if you want Chicago that’s not all sightseeing.

Flyover in Chicago (1 hour)

Flyover in Chicago is listed as an immersive flight-style attraction lasting about 1 hour. It’s a clean add-on if you want something futuristic when the day’s already packed.

Food that fits the pass: Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street

Included dining is often where people feel surprised, because food costs can quietly grow. Here, you have a defined option: Chicago Pizza and Drink Combo at Bacci Pizzeria on Taylor Street.

It’s listed at about 1 hour and it’s an included meal-style stop, not just a snack. If you want to keep your budget tight, this is an easy place to lock in one “paid-for” meal.

Price check: when $84 feels like a win

If you’re debating whether to buy, I’d ask: what will you realistically use?

The pass is strongest when you pick a mix that includes:

• at least one “big ticket” attraction with reserved entry (Skydeck Chicago and/or 360 CHICAGO),
• one of the architecture or speedboat tours (because it changes how you see the city),
• and one major museum stop.

If your plan is only two quick activities, you might find the math doesn’t feel as great. One buyer described spending more than buying individual tickets after choosing only two sites. That’s the danger zone.

There’s also a usage reality you should plan for: observatories require reservations, and the pass depends on you having the pass on your phone (or a printed version) ready to scan. A few negative notes focused on pass loading or QR scanning problems, especially when bought through a middle platform. My advice is simple: after booking, test your QR in the app and make sure it’s usable before the day you need it. Don’t wait until you’re standing at a ticket scanner.

Also, one person reported an on-site $10 upcharge at Willis Tower once they reached a daily crowd threshold. That’s not something you can plan precisely from the pass description alone, but it’s a good reminder to leave a little financial buffer for day-of surprises.

Should you book the Chicago Explorer Pass?

Book it if you want a choose-your-own set of Chicago hits, especially if you’re aiming to see the skyline from both Willis Tower (Skydeck) and 360 CHICAGO, then add one cruise and one museum.

Skip or reconsider if:

• you only want one small activity (two picks can be a weak value),
• you hate reservation headaches and don’t want to manage timed entries,
• or you’re traveling on a super tight schedule where a reservation slip would ruin the day.

My best call: if you’re the kind of person who likes planning with flexibility—pick your main “anchors” first (observatories and one museum), then fill in the rest with cruises, Navy Pier, and indoor fun.

FAQ

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

Your pass includes digital entry for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions, selected from more than 35 options. You can choose which ones based on what you want to do during your trip.

Where do I find the pass and ticket for attractions?

After purchase, your pass is available as your ticket. You can save it on your mobile device or print it at home, then display the pass at designated ticketing areas to scan for entry.

Do I need to pre-select attractions before I arrive?

No. You can choose attractions after booking using the Go City digital guide. You can also change your mind based on your plans and timing.

Is the pass valid for only one day?

No. The pass has 30 days of validity from the date of activation, so you can spread your chosen activities across multiple days.

Do Skydeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO require reservations?

Yes. The pass data says reservations are required for both Skydeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO, and the digital guide or Go City app instructions explain how to access the reservation process.

Is food included with the pass?

Food and drink are generally not included unless stated for a specific activity. One clear example listed is 10pin Bowling Lounge, which includes shoe rentals, bowling time, and a pizza lunch, and Bacci Pizzeria includes a pizza and drink combo.