Chicago Marathon Attractions

The Chicago Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, a huge event for the city of Chicago, and it’s just around the corner. On Sunday, October 13, 2013, 40,000 runners from every state and over 100 countries will take the streets to complete the 26.2-mile race to which they’ve committed sweat, determination, and long hours. Whether you know someone running or not, being a spectator at the marathon is an unique and inspiring experience. The camaraderie among fans and participants creates an animated and welcoming atmosphere that’s a pleasure to be a part of. Along the route, there’s plenty of entertainment to keep amused. Join one of the designated cheer zones, be on the lookout for Nike Race Weekend events, or participate in the Charity Block Party at Mile 14. Throughout the weekend, you can also pick up official marathon merchandise and souvenirs at various Nike retail locations or at the Bank of American Chicago Marathon Fitness Expo on the Friday and Saturday before the race. If you’re in Chicago to see the marathon, you likely have a whole weekend to spend in the “Windy City,” so why not explore the Chicago attractions that make Chicago the hub of culture, entertainment, education, and the arts that it has become. The easiest and most affordable way to do this is to use one of our Chicago discount attraction packages, designed to offer you the best of Chicago’s attractions based on your interests. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Chicago or a local, there’s an ideal package to optimize your weekend. You can take a look at a few of the Chicago discount attraction packages below:

Chicago Kid’s Pass

Perhaps you’re looking for a way to entertain the younger kids in your crowd in between race-day activities. As a way to reward your kids for all that standing around, give them the gift of a Chicago Kid’s Pass, which includes entry to the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. For a kid, it’s hard to beat 30,000 square feet of LEGOS and adventure!

Chicago Family FunPass

The Chicago Family FunPass is a best seller at Smart Destinations, and for good reason. These top Chicago attractions were handpicked to delight everyone in the family, no matter how young or old. The iconic Navy Pier, the world-class Shedd Aquarium, a thrilling view from SkyDeck Chicago (on top of the former Sears Tower - now the Willis Tower), and a relaxing skyline lake tour are all on the itinerary with this pass.

Best of Chicago

If you’re a first-timer to Chicago and you want to experience it all, the Best of Chicago Pass is your best bet. This 6-attraction pass features admission to all the top museums and the SkyDeck Chicago observatory for unparalleled 360-degree views of the city. The Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago will fill-up your Chicago weekend.

Chicago Museum Campus Pass

If you’ve heard all about Chicago’s world-class museums and are dying to see what the hype is all about, the Chicago Museum Campus Pass won’t disappoint. The aptly named Museum Campus location is home to three of the most beloved Chicago museums: The Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium. With the convenience of this pass and the favorable location, you can easily see all three! You can choose from all ten Chicago discount attraction packages or build your own custom package with Go Select Chicago. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Chicago marathon, and make the most of an exciting weekend in Chicago.