Discovering Chicago’s Icons with CityPASS®

The Shedd Aquarium looking east. Credit: Sea Cow on Wikimedia (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sea_Cow). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.For many residents at Optima Lakeview® and Optima Signature®, living in Chicago comes with a deep appreciation for the city’s vibrant energy and cultural treasures. But even longtime Chicagoans can benefit from taking a fresh look at the iconic tourist destinations that draw visitors from around the globe. Whether you’re new to the city or a longtime resident seeking a weekend adventure, exploring these world-class attractions is a perfect way to deepen your connection to Chicago—and CityPASS® can make the experience more convenient, cost-effective, and fun.

Why play tourist in your own city?

Moving to or living in Chicago doesn’t automatically mean you’ve checked off every must-see destination. Between work, social engagements, and day-to-day life, it’s easy to postpone visits to the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, or Shedd Aquarium. Yet taking a purposeful day or weekend to rediscover these spots can bring fresh perspectives on what truly makes Chicago remarkable. Not only are these museums and observatories packed with awe-inspiring exhibits, but they also reflect the city’s architectural grandeur and its tradition of innovation. For many Optima® residents, an outing to a major museum can be as simple as hopping on the L or taking a short bike ride—making these iconic institutions easily accessible for a spontaneous cultural excursion.

Astrolabe-Quadrant: Universal Horizon/Azimuth from the collection of the Adler Planetarium, Chicago. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

CityPASS®: The Key to Streamlined Exploration

If you plan to visit several major attractions, CityPASS® bundles admissions into a convenient ticket package that grants significant savings and skip-the-line perks. Participating Chicago destinations typically include:

• Shedd Aquarium
• Skydeck Chicago
• The Field Museum
• Adler Planetarium (or Art Institute of Chicago as an alternative option)
• Museum of Science and Industry (or 360 CHICAGO as an alternative)

By paying once for CityPASS®, you gain access to multiple museums and experiences without juggling separate tickets. Plus, you avoid some of the longest queues—a bonus if you’re squeezing these explorations into a busy weekend. For families or friend groups planning a day of museum-hopping, CityPASS® adds a layer of ease to the journey—especially if you’re inviting out-of-town visitors to see the city’s best.

Iconic Stops on Your Cultural Journey

1. Shedd Aquarium: With its mesmerizing oceanarium and beloved penguin colony, Shedd remains a top-tier aquatic showcase. Younger visitors—and the young at heart—are drawn to everything from the vibrant coral reefs to the soothing beluga whales.
2. Field Museum: Home to SUE the T. rex and countless natural history treasures, this museum provides ample opportunity to delve into our planet’s past. If you enjoy dynamic cultural exhibits, keep an eye out for rotating displays exploring global civilizations.
3. Museum of Science and Industry: Housing a real German U-505 submarine and interactive exhibits on space travel, weather phenomena, and more, MSI is a dazzling monument to human innovation and curiosity.
4. Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower: For those craving a literal high point, the glass-floored Ledge on the Skydeck offers breathtaking vistas of the skyline and Lake Michigan.
5. Adler Planetarium: If you swap in the Adler instead of the Art Institute as part of your CityPASS®, you’ll find immersive sky shows and enthralling exhibits that transport you to distant galaxies.

Enhancing the Optima® Lifestyle

Chicago’s cultural offerings reflect the city’s innovative spirit—an energy that resonates with Optima®’s modern design and focus on community-building. Residents often find that a weekend “staycation” to local landmarks revitalizes their sense of place, infusing everyday life with awe-inspiring discoveries. And after a day spent marveling at dinosaur bones, Monet paintings, or solar system wonders, you can return to an Optima® residents’ club or rooftop to relax, share highlights with neighbors, or plan the next museum-hopping adventure.

Whether you’re stepping onto the glass ledge at Willis Tower for the first time or getting reacquainted with Impressionist masterpieces at the Art Institute, re-exploring Chicago’s classic sights can spark new appreciation for the city you call home. CityPASS® offers a streamlined way to embrace that tourist mindset—making it easier to check off major attractions without feeling rushed or overspending. So pick a day, gather your sense of curiosity, and set out to rediscover Chicago through the lens of its most iconic destinations. You’ll likely come away reminded of just how dynamic, creative, and welcoming the Windy City can be.

For more information about CityPASS®, visit their website here.