Go Chicago Card Review

Pay One Price for the Pass, then go to as many attractions as you can.

Table of Contents: Top Attractions | Good & Bad | Get your Value | Insider Tips | COUPON CODES

One price for unlimited admission to more than two dozen attractions, skip-the-line privileges, and discounts on food and souvenirs—Smart Destinations Go Chicago Card is a great choice for budget-conscious visitors to the Windy City. The biggest attractions on Museum Campus Chicago—the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium—are all included. You can also spend the day at the historic Navy Pier riding the Ferris wheel, carousel, and wave Swinger; playing miniature golf; and enjoying the sights, sounds, and people-watching.

Since so many of Chicago's biggest attractions are close together, you can plan your sightseeing and really get your money's worth from the Go Chicago Card. It also includes tours that will help you get your bearings and see as much of this architecturally stunning city as possible.

Purchase the card at the Smart Destinations Website

Top Included Chicago Attractions

Buy the card at Smart Destinations

Adler Planetarium

Shedd Aquarium (includes Skip-the-Line admission and souvenir photo!)

Museum of Science and Industry (includes Skip-the-Line admission!)

Kohl's Children's Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art

Field Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Two-day Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Pass

Skyline Cruise

Architectural walking tours

Hancock Observatory

SkyDeck Chicago (formerly the Sears Tower)

Navy Pier

See the complete list of attractions and tours in the sidebar.

 

    What's Good

  • The greatest strength of the Go Chicago Card is the sheer breadth of the included attractions. Almost everything a visitor would want to see in the Chicago area. Also the range of activities from major museums, to science- and architechtural-related attractions to observation decks, river cruise, and amusement park ensures that there is something for everyone.

    The Go Chicago Card offers good savings for travelers who are planning a fast-paced vacation and want to see as many attractions as possible. For example, you could easily go to the Shedd, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium in one day as they are all located in the same park. You would save $5 (and 2 huge lines).

    Because each person has his or her own card, families can split up and visit different attractions based on their interests. Because of this flexibility, individuals or families can easily switch gears if they change their mind about an attraction, or if Chicago's infamous weather gets in the way of an outdoor activity.

    The card also allows you to skip ticket lines at many places like the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum—allowing you to save time, especially during the busy summer season. The line at the Shedd can be several hours long on a summer weekend.

    In addition, the Go Chicago Card includes discounts to restaurants, including the House of Blues and the Goose Island Brew Pub, and retail locations such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and American Girl.

    Lastly, the 100-page guidebook included with the passes is an invaluable resource and can help visitors get the most out of their Go Chicago Card and their visit.

    What Could Get Better

  • Not too many downsides to this card. According to reviews, the only major stumbling point of the Go Chicago Card is the 5:30 time limit. See the tips section below for advice on getting around this.

Get Your Money's Worth

Generally, the more days you purchase for your Go Chicago Card, the fewer attractions per day you need to visit to get your money's worth. For example, if you buy a one-day pass, you'll need to go to three attractions; buy the seven-day pass and one attraction per day is enough to reap the benefits of the Go Chicago Card. Many people have reported that they could go to almost every single attraction on a 7 day card.

Get the latest prices on the Go Chicago Card

Insider Tips

Your Go Chicago Card is activated by the first attraction you visit. Your consecutive day passes are not counted in 24-hour increments. For example, if you activate your card at 4 pm, that counts as day one on the length of your card.

The Go Chicago Card is not accepted after 5:30 p.m. Though most attractions will close around this time, plan your days carefully. If you want to go to an attraction in the evening, you might consider getting there a little before 5:30. GIve yourself some time cushion. This works really well at the Navy Pier as you present your card at a ticket booth and receive a voucher for the 5 included rides. You can then use these vouchers whenever you want.

Don't try to rush through all the attractions to see as many as you can. You can still save money without hurrying.

If you plan well and are aware of the included extras—like dining, for example—you can save a lot of money on eating out and souvenirs. In most cases, these discounts are "show and save;" therefore you can get these discounts the day before your card is activated or the day after it expires.

Buy the card at Smart DestinationsCoupon Codes

Get free ground shipping on all Go Cards and Explorer Passes via coupon code: MAYSHIP .

I tried it out and looks like it does stack on top of sale items. Save $5.25 on your order. .

Here is the fine print: Limit 1 Coupon/Order; Must Be Redeemed Online; Not Valid for Go Select. Expires May 31, 2012

Where to Buy it

The card is available at many outlets. You can buy it at Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity or you can buy it once you get to Chicago but these are not great options as you may pay more. The best place the buy the card is at the Smart Destinations website. The 3 5 and 7day cards frequently go on sale. They also have a great return policy. If you are pressed for time, use the voucher option.

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Go Chicago Card Read more and buy this pass at the Smart Destinations website for the best prices.
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All Included Attractions

    CHICAGO TOURS

  • Chicago Architectural Foundation Walking Tours
  • Chicago History Museum Walking Tours*
  • and Museum admission
  • Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Cruise*
  • Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural River Cruise

    • Choice of one Gray Line Tour per day, per the life of the card:

  • Two-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley pass*
  • Grand Chicago Tour*
  • North Side Tour*
  • South Shore Tour*

    • MUSEUMS

  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • The Field Museum
  • The Notebaert Nature Museum
  • Chicago Children's Museum
  • Kohl's Children's Museum
  • Museum of Science and Industry (includes Skip-the-Line admission)

    • MISCELLANEOUS ATTRACTIONS

  • Adler Planetarium
  • Shedd Aquarium (includes Skip-the-Line admission)
  • The Hancock Observatory (includes Skip-the-Line admission)
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Society and Frederick C. Robie House
  • SkyDeck Chicago (includes Skip-the-Line admission)
  • Brookfield Zoo
  • Lincoln Park Zoo Train Ride
  • Lincoln Park Zoo Carousel
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Centre (includes Skip-the-Line admission)
  • Arlington Park* (includes Skip-the-Line admission)
  • Skyline Cruise on Tall Ship
  • House of Blues (BOGO Lunch, special offer)

    • Choice of five of six rides on Navy Pier:

  • Navy Pier Ferris Wheel*
  • Navy Pier Adventure Golf*
  • Navy Pier Light House*
  • Navy Pier Wave Swinger Ride*
  • Navy Pier Carousel*

 

 

Go Chicago Card is a product of Smart Destinations

 

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