Is Go City Chicago Worth It? An Honest Local Review Before You Buy

Is Go City Chicago Worth It?

If you’re planning a Chicago trip then you must have heard about Chicago attraction passes. And I am sure you’ve probably asked yourself this exact question:

Is Go City Chicago worth it?

As a Chicago local and the blogger at Go Visit Chicago, I get this question constantly. Friends visiting from out of town and readers always email me about it. And honestly, before I ever recommended it I asked the same thing to myself.

I must clarify first that this is not a sales pitch.

This is a real, practical numbers-based Go City Chicago review written from local experience and real traveler behavior far away from brochure promises.

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By the end of this post, you’ll know following:

• Who Go City Chicago is actually worth it for – You will understand whether Go City Chicago pass is appropriate for your or not.
• When it saves serious money (and when it doesn’t) – You will understand the actual savings compared to purchasing admission tickets for attraction for your travel itinerary.
• Common mistakes travelers make with the pass – plus, you will get details about tips and tricks to avoid common mistakes that travelers make with this pass.
• Whether you should buy Go City or pay per attraction – At the end you will be ready to decide whether Go City Chicago pass is right for your or not.

Let’s break it down in a simple, human way.

What Is Go City Chicago?

Go City Chicago is an all-inclusive sightseeing pass that bundles 30 plus city’s most popular attractions into one digital pass.

Instead of buying individual tickets, you have following options:

• Choose a number of days (usually 1–5) – You can choose pass for days between 1 to 5 maximum days.
• Get access to 30+ Chicago attractions – All-inclusive pass includes over 30 plus Chicago attractions, tours and activities.
• Scan your phone at each attraction – It is very easy to use as all you need to do is scan the pass at the attraction.
• Skip buying tickets at the door – You do not need to purchase separate admission ticket at the attraction. All admissions are included with the pass.

I really like that fact that you really do not need paper tickets or paying at every stop.

The real question isn’t how it works but it’s whether the value is there.

What Attractions Are Included in Go City Chicago?

In my opinion this is where the pass starts to make sense.

Go City Pass includes some of Chicago’s most expensive attractions such as following:

• Architecture river cruise
• Skydeck Chicago
• 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
• Shedd Aquarium
• Field Museum
• Adler Planetarium
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Hop-on hop-off bus tour
• Navy Pier attractions
• Bike rentals

I have compared the admission tickets for above mentioned attractions and I can tell you that if you decide to purchase admission tickets individually then many of these attractions cost $35–$55 per person.

That’s the main reason why I highly recommend Chicago attraction passes and of course why people even consider Go City Chicago in the first place.

Real Cost Breakdown: Is Go City Chicago Worth the Money?

I am number person so let’s get into more details by explaining real numbers to make sure that it is not marketing claims.

Example: Typical 2-Day Chicago Trip

If you are planning 2 days in Chicago and planning to visit following attraction without a pass by purchasing admission tickets at the door then at the time of writing this post you will be paying following amount for admission:

• Architecture boat tour: ~$46
• Skydeck Chicago: ~$53
• Field Museum: ~$46
• Hop-on hop-off bus tour: ~$58

Total: ~$200+ per person

Now let’s say someone who is planning 2 days in Chicago itinerary with a Go City Chicago 2-day pass will cost around $189 or with Go City Explorer pass same set of attraction will cost $134.

• I recommend to check deals as these options are often priced significantly lower, especially with seasonal deals

In this scenario, yes Go City Chicago is clearly worth it.

I would say that this isn’t an aggressive itinerary. This is usually what most first-time visitors naturally do.

When Go City Chicago Is Worth It

Based on my personal experience and real visitor behavior Go City Chicago works best for following scenarios:

If You’re Visiting for 2–4 Days

During a short trip naturally your itinerary will be packed with sightseeing days and I confidently tell you that it increases pass value.

You’re a First-Time Visitor

Visitor planning to explore Chicago first time always want the iconic experiences including observation decks, museums, river cruises and many similar all high-value inclusions.

You Like Well Planned Experience

Like me if you are always into planning your itinerary for travel instead of wandering randomly then Go City Chicago pass is your perfect choice.

You Want Predictable Costs

Chicago trip can be expensive if you do not plan it right way. With Go City Chicago pass all you do is pay once and avoid constantly pulling out your card.

When Go City Chicago Might Not Be Worth It

This is very good question and being honest matters here.

Slow Travelers

If you prefer one attraction per day with lots of downtime at your own pace then the math may not work for savings and attraction pass.

Neighborhood-Focused Trips

If your plan is to explore Chicago mostly for neighborhood food, walking neighborhoods, parks and free attractions then I recommend to avoid Go City Chicago pass.

Repeat Visitors

If you have already visited Chicago before and explore major attraction previously then paying individually for one attraction may make more sense.

A Local Perspective: How Visitors Actually Use the Pass

Here’s what I’ve noticed as a Chicago local:

People think they’ll take it slow…but in real world once they’re here in Chicago they naturally stack attractions.

Chicago’s downtown attractions are located very close to each other at walkable distance. Also, you can easily combine them in one day.

That’s why Go City Chicago often works better in reality than people expect.

Go City Chicago vs Buying Tickets Individually

Here’s a clean comparison that I have come up with for your understanding.

Go City Chicago Pros

• Saves money when visiting multiple attractions – You will be saving lot of money on admission tickets combined.
• No ticket lines – Yes, you get privilege to skip the line and get entry immediately.
• Flexible scheduling – There is no fixed time to enter attraction. With pass you can go to attraction at any time.
• Mobile-friendly – You do not need to carry paper tickets. You can access it on your mobile phone.
• Simple planning

Buying Individual Tickets Pros

• Better for slow travel – If your goal is to relax and explore Chicago at your own pace by visiting only one or two attractions.
• No pressure to “maximize” the day – You are not looking to extend your trip to cover more attractions.

If your itinerary includes three or more major attractions then you have to trust my recommendation on utilizing Go City Chicago pass.

You may also like my Chicago weekend itinerary to plan your visit.

Tips to Maximize Go City Chicago Value

To help you save money and use pass efficiently I have summarized following.

Start Early on Day One

Your pass is time-based so I recommend to start early.

Group Attractions by Location

My typical downtown day for first time visitor = river cruise + observation deck + museum.

Use Expensive Attractions First

You must maximize value early then use smaller experiences later to get the most benefit.

Check Reservation Requirements

Some attractions require advance booking so plan ahead.

So, Is Go City Chicago Worth It?

Here’s my honest answer:

Yes – Go City Chicago is worth it for most first-time visitors who want to see the highlights and save money.

It’s not about hype but it is all about planning.

If you want to explore major attractions, have limited time, prefer simple pricing and do not want to buy tickets individually then the Go City Chicago pass value is real.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Go City Chicago

Is Go City Chicago worth it for first-time visitors?

Yes. I have seen that first-time Chicago visitors typically visit multiple high-cost attractions and which is where Go City offers the most savings.

How many attractions do I need to visit to break even?

Usually I recommend three to four major attractions per day make the pass worthwhile.

Does Go City Chicago include the architecture river cruise?

Yes. The architecture river cruise is included and is one of the highest-value attractions and my highly recommended boat tour in Chicago.

Is Go City Chicago cheaper than buying individual tickets?

Honestly, for travelers visiting multiple attractions Go City Chicago is often cheaper than buying tickets separately.