Chicago CityPASS vs Go City: Best Pass for Top Attractions & Free Museums

Big $avings in Chicago With “Go City” or “CityPASS” Attraction Discounts

Planning a much-needed vacation is an exciting time, especially after you’ve picked your destination and travel dates. And if you’re reading this article, we can assure you that Chicago won’t disappoint you in the least. A world-class city with endless places to see and things to do, if this happens to be your first trip here it surely won’t be your last.

Long hours and demanding work make it possible to take a vacation, so spending your vacation money wisely and efficiently is a goal of everyone. The Travelated hotel website is the best place to find the largest selection of Chicago hotels at the most competitive prices, with hundreds of Chicagoland properties available in all price ranges.

Then, when the time comes to decide which popular attractions are on your must-see list, be sure to consider purchasing a discount ticket package from Go City or CHICAGO CityPASS. Both discount programs offer savings and conveniences that you won’t find by purchasing admission tickets individually.

“Go City” Offers a Wide Selection of Chicago Sightseeing Discounts

Go City Chicago offers the Explorer Pass where you have the flexibility to choose from two to seven specific attractions you plan to visit, and the All-Inclusive Pass with discount savings at 39 attractions and activities for one, two, three, or five days in the Windy City.

The Explorer Pass, which starts at $84 for adults and $59 for children aged three to 12, is for visitors who know what their plan is, while the All-Inclusive Pass, starting at $139 per adult with varied discounts for kids, is best if you are a first-time visitor and want to see as much as possible in a given number of days. The Explorer Pass does not include the Shedd Aquarium but does allow for a slower pace without the pressure of cramming as many attractions as possible into your allotted time frame.

With 39 total attractions to consider, Go City Chicago offers exclusive discounts to the following popular tourist venues:

Money Saving “CityPASS” Discounts at Major Chicago Attractions

CHICAGO CityPASS offers two different passes for shorter and longer stay visitors. If you are planning to be in town for more than a couple of days so that you can take in as much as possible of what this amazing city has to offer, the original CityPass, which allows for one-time admission to your choice of five top attractions is the way to go. Each customer automatically receives admission to the Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, and then gets to choose three additional attractions from the following options:

(The Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium share the Museum Campus located on Lake Shore Drive southeast of the Loop, so you can park in one central parking lot if you have a car, or take an Uber or Lyft rideshare to one drop-off/pick-up point. Unless you are driving to Chicago, we don’t recommend renting a car for visitors staying in downtown, The River North, or North Michigan Avenue areas.)

At the time of this article’s publication the expanded CityPASS for Chicago with two automatic admissions and three others to be chosen by each customer costs $142 per adult and $112 for children aged three to 11. Kids under three are admitted without charge, unless noted otherwise. Estimated savings per person with the standard CHICAGO CityPASS ticket can be as much as $134, (49%!) per adult and $121, (52%!) for each paying child.

The Chicago CityPASS C3 Option Also Offers Big Savings

Just because you’re not going to be in Chicago long enough to visit five top attractions doesn’t mean you can’t save money too. Or maybe you have been here before and have fewer sites of interest planned for your upcoming return visit? The folks at CHICAGO CityPASS still have a deal for you.

Priced at $106 per adult and $79 per child aged three to 11, the C3 ticket option allows you to create your own itinerary without the inclusion of the Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago admission. Instead, you get to choose which three attractions you want to visit, i.e., “C3”, and your admission to each will be discounted.

For example, let’s say that you’d prefer to visit the 360 Chicago Observatory Deck high atop 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly the John Hancock Tower) instead of the Chicago Skydeck. No problem with the C3 ticket.

Estimated savings per adult or child may be as much as 30 percent depending on the specific attractions that you choose to visit.

Chicago Discount Passes Are Easy to Purchase and Use.

Imagine purchasing admission tickets for all of the attractions you plan to visit all at once. That’s the real beauty of the Chicago Go City and CHICAGO CityPASS options. With expedited Premium Admission at many venues, you won’t have to worry about waiting in line just to get in the door. And believe us when we tell you that especially on weekends and holidays the waits can sometimes be lengthy.

By purchasing the Chicago Go City or CHICAGO CityPASS you will also be advised about which attractions recommend advance reservations and those where it is required. Both company’s apps are available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for android phones. Then, with your entry tickets downloaded, all you need to do is the entry point of each attraction, show your mobile tickets and you’re in! It’s as simple as that.

The standard CityPASS and the C3 ticket are valid for nine days from the first day that you use it, and if your travel plans change or are cancelled, there is a 365 day risk-free return policy. Chicago Go City passes are refundable for 30 days after being purchased.

Keep More of Your Money for Dining and Shopping

Vacations are expensive enough without overpaying for things unnecessarily. When you shop early for airfare deals and rely on Travelated to offer the best prices and widest selection of hotel properties in Chicago, you will have a head start toward creating a memorable and affordable getaway.

Chicago is known worldwide for great restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, and incredible shopping opportunities. Of course, these all cost money, too, but with the purchase of a Chicago Go City or CHICAGO CityPASS discount package, you will enjoy tremendous savings that you can put toward that special meal or outfit that you have been wishing for. Or tickets for the theater, a concert, or a professional sporting event.

As we always recommend, make your plans as far in advance as possible, paying close attention to change and cancellation policies. Book early for the best savings and your vacation will be far less stressful, allowing for more fun time.