Chicago

Spring 2012 marks the 15th anniversary of CityPASS! The idea officially launched back in 1997 after Mike Morey and Mike Gallagher came up with the great idea to bundle a city's attractions and help travelers save money. Now, 15 years later the idea has expanded into 11 North American travel destinations and created over 8,000,000 happy travelers.

In Shedd’s special exhibit, Jellies, discover the intriguing ways these pulsing, translucent animals survive—and thrive—in the world’s oceans.

Money is on everybody’s mind these days — mainly, using less of it. Of course,CityPASS users are wallet-conscious travelers anyway, but we all want more ideas on how to save some while traveling.

Historic waterfronts in many cities transitioned from gritty transportation hubs to dynamic tourist attractions in the latter part of the 20th century. These destinations display their obvious appeal in the summer — gulls squawking overhead, tantalizing food smells, cooling breezes — as the perfect antidote to a sweltering day in the city. But many urban waterfronts deserve a wintertime visit. Though an invigorating bite to the breeze can turn summer’s leisurely stroll into a brisk walk, the crowds thin to congenial proportions and the crisp air makes everything seem more sharply focused.

Few people actually appreciate fruitcake. Yet each Christmas, thousands of them crisscross the country, allegedly sent as “gifts.” Encased in a festive tin, many end up stuffed into the closet along with the holiday decorations, saved for regifting next year. There’s no need to let this dubious tradition infiltrate your holiday gift list. The advent of modern shipping methods — overnight delivery, cooled packaging — means you can send gourmet foods your recipients will want to devour the moment your present arrives.

Nothing yields a fresh perspective quite as much as an observation deck. Whether you’re the cautious person who stands back from the rail and looks far, far out or the daredevil who leans as close to the edge as possible, you can’t help but be impressed by the view from umpteen floors up.

Got a kid in college? No doubt you’ve already received your invitation to the gala event of the season: Parents’ Visiting Weekend. When your student goes to school in a major urban area, this trip is extra-thrilling. Not only do you get to reunite with your child (while reminiscing endlessly and annoyingly about your own days on campus), you get to do it in a big city! How fun is that?

Fall is right around the corner, and the mugginess of summer will soon dissipate into the crisp exhilaration of cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. Autumn is a great time to enjoy the splendor of Chicago!

Sure, you love your car – but maybe it deserves some R & R, just like you do. Leave it in the parking garage at the hotel, and take advantage of the futuristic, whimsical and earth-friendly touring options found in CityPASS locales.

CityPASS is all about showcasing a city’s top attractions at a fraction of the regular price. And, beginning March 1, 2011, CityPASS’s Chicago showcase of attractions will include yet another gem: the Art Institute of Chicago.