This pass saved us $48, and encouraged us to complete at least the 5 activities purchased.
This pass did cause some stress though.
The company does not do a good job of explaining how and where to use the pass. We were worried some of the activities would be sold out, but we made all activities at the times desired.
We did the Architecture boat tour from the Riverwalk, which was our favorite. There is a kiosk to convert the Go pass to a ticket across the street from the Wriggly Building.
We went to the Navy Pier and took the Classic Lake Shoreline tour. There is a kiosk on right side of the pier with a separate (shorter) line to convert your Go pass into a ticket. This tour was entertaining, but not nearly as nice as the Architecture Tour. If you are at the pier and interested in an adult beverage, there is a hidden gem near the far end of the pier on the 3rd floor. (Great views, pool tables, corn hole, sometimes live music, and expensive drinks).
We used the Chicago Explorer pass to go to the Art Institute of Chicago. At the Art Institute there is a separate line for Chicago Explorer holders that is faster (ask for it). The cost at the museum the day we went was $25. The rate shown on the Explorer advertisement was much higher. We primarily went to the Art museum to re-live the Farris Buller’s Day Off movie (If you would like to do so, look online for the videos then check out sections 240-242, the 3rd Floor modern, and 1st floor - stained glass).
We also went to the Willis Tower (Sears) with our pass. After getting through security, it saved a little time, since we did not need to get a ticket. The Explorer pass was the ticket. We went later in the afternoon (4:30). The line was 20 minutes to go out on the Skydeck see-through platform. Too fun! Our pictures came out great, but we saw the professional ones....they were really good. I wish we had asked about the cost to have them done.
While visiting Chicago we also went to the Signature lounge on the 95th floor of the John Hancock tower. You don’t need a ticket to go up. There was very little wait to get a table by the window. We had a bottle of wine for $54, and nachos for $20. Both were good. Since there was no fee to go up, I felt like it was its own excursion. We went twice, once during the day and again at night. Both were great.
We also went on the night time Big Bus bus tour. It was amazing! You go to 98 E Upper Wacker Dr. to pick up the bus. Show your ticket to the bus driver, and they will give you a ticket on the bus. We had perfect weather. This was a highlight for us.
If you are looking for a restaurant we highly recommend Trattoria #10. You need to make a reservation. The food is reasonably priced. It has a small menu, but everything from the bread with yummy cheese dip, dinner (our meals: grilled white fish and orecchiette), and dessert (summer fruit cornucopia) was GREAT. We were sad we could not eat there every night of our trip.
We wanted to check out Cindy’s (Resteraunt), which is by Millennium Park, but you need to book a reservation far in advance. It was booked the full trip we where there.
Hope this was helpful!