The Willis Tower and John Hancock Center are the tallest and fifth-tallest skyscrapers in Chicago, respectively. Trump International Hotel and Tower, St. Regis Chicago, and the Aon Center rank second, third, and fourth. Uniquely, though, the Willis Tower (which most native Chicagoans over the age of 15 still call the Sears Tower) and the Hancock (as locals commonly call it) offer special 360-degree panoramic views of Chicago from their observation decks.
Skydeck Chicago sits on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, while 360 CHICAGO, the observation deck inside the former John Hancock Center, welcomes visitors on its 94th floor. I’m going to give you a complete overview of the viewing experience at each attraction. Afterwards, you can decide whether to visit one or both. When it comes to activites to do in Chicago, these are ranked pretty high on the list.
Let’s get started!
Sky Deck Chicago at Willis Tower
Willis Tower opened in 1973 as the tallest building in the world. What made it particularly special at the time was its pioneering use of the bundled-tube structural system, which allowed it to reach monumental heights while withstanding the extreme winds of the Windy City.
THE SKYDECK EXPERIENCE
I was thoroughly impressed with the entire Skydeck experience, from start to finish. A general admission ticket includes access to the lower-level Chicago museum, the elevator ride to the 103rd floor, the observation deck itself, and, of course, The Ledge—the famous glass balconies that extend outside the building. Tickets start at just $32, which is a pretty good deal if you ask me.
Before heading upstairs, you walk through an interactive exhibition dedicated to Chicago, highlighting the history of Willis Tower and the city’s innovative architecture. The exhibits also cover local neighborhoods, food, sports, music, pop culture, and well-known landmarks. The entire pre-elevator experience is designed to take roughly 30 minutes, but you can move through it at your own pace, depending on how many photos you take. It’s very well put together.
Eventually, you make your way toward the elevators. The ride to the 103rd floor is extremely fast, and the journey itself has become part of the attraction. You’re treated to a multimedia, movie-like presentation that gives you a sense of how quickly you’re climbing through Chicago’s skyline. Then the doors open, and bam! Bada bing, bada boom—you’re 1,353 feet above Chicago.
Skydeck occupies the 103rd floor of Willis Tower and provides a genuine 360-degree view of the city through its enormous, unobstructed windows. You can see pretty much everything, including the immensity of Lake Michigan. On a clear day, visibility can reach roughly 50 miles, allowing you to see portions of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
I was completely enamored with the downtown skyline. It’s truly beautiful.
Last but not least, there’s The Ledge. The Ledge consists of three glass boxes that serve as transparent balconies, suspended more than a quarter-mile above the ground and extending 4.3 feet outside the building. Each balcony is constructed from three layers of half-inch laminated glass, with each layer weighing about 1,500 pounds. Together, they’re engineered to support up to 10,000 pounds, or five tons.
You’ll typically wait in line for your turn to step onto one of the ledges. Once you’re there, take in the vastness of the landscape and snap some photos. I’m not gonna lie: that initial step onto the glass caught me off guard, and I flinched a bit! Shortly thereafter, I got comfortable.
You or your group are allotted two full minutes on the balcony before having to step off and let the next person or group have a turn. Before you leave, a Skydeck attendant will ask you to pose for a photo on the ledge, captured by one of the cameras installed above you. Upon returning to the basement level where you started, you’re given the option to purchase a selection of photos taken throughout the experience. The total for the physical printout and digital copies comes to $45, and I honestly didn’t mind paying.
WHEN TO VISIT SKYDECK
The best time to visit Chicago, without a doubt, is in the summer. That goes without question. To avoid large crowds and long lines at Skydeck while still enjoying the good weather and summer vibes, I suggest visiting on a weekday during the final week of August or the first week of September. Around this time of year, children are back in school, and tourism generally begins to slow down. Perfect timing for you!
360 Chicago at the Former John Hancock Center
Welcome to 360 CHICAGO! General admission starts at $30 USD per adult, and there are several other ticket packages to choose from. You can see those here , on the official website. One important thing to know is that TILT, which I’ll explain in a moment, is not included with general admission.
THE 360 CHICAGO EXPERIENCE
At first glance, 360 CHICAGO is similar to Skydeck, but it offers a slightly different experience. Like its counterpart, the journey begins downstairs. You enter a multimedia exhibition that introduces you to Chicago’s fascinating history on a large screen, starting with the Great Chicago Fire. If you don’t know much about how Chicago became what it is today, the video is worth watching!
Moving onward, you pass through an exhibit detailing the city’s neighborhoods while providing information about the construction of the former John Hancock Center itself. The production is much less expansive than Skydeck’s, but the main video presentation is informative and adds a nice touch. It felt more homegrown and less theatrical or performative. I liked it because Chicago’s neighborhoods are the foundation of its identity, and the home to a lot of festivals in the summer.
Next comes the elevator. The ride to the 94th floor takes less than 45 seconds. That’s not just fast by tourist-attraction standards, either; the elevators at 875 N. Michigan Avenue have long been recognized for their speed. The elevator shoots you upward through the building, and before you know it, you’re stepping onto the observation deck, this time 1,030 feet above Chicago. On the way back down, my ears were popping like crazy!
Moving on…
Upon arrival, the first things that hit you are the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows and the views of Lake Michigan. The former Hancock Center sits almost right on the lake, while Willis Tower stands farther west. You can also see Willis Tower to the south, along with the Loop and the Chicago River.
If I had to choose which attraction offers better views overall, though, I’d definitely say Willis Tower. BUT the view of Lake Michigan from 360 CHICAGO is REALLY NICE!
CLOUDBAR
If you’d like to hang around, 360 CHICAGO has CloudBar. Located directly on the observation deck, it serves cocktails, mocktails, and locally made snacks, so you can quite literally enjoy a drink while looking out over Chicago from about 1,000 feet in the air.
TILT
If you’re looking for an experience that might get your heart rate up, that’s TILT. Unlike Skydeck’s Ledge, TILT is not included with general admission. It’s an optional add-on that you purchase separately. If you initially purchase general admission tickets and decide once you’re on the observation deck that you’d like to try it, you can pay for the extra experience then.
TILT consists of eight windows mounted on a moving platform. Up to eight people can stand inside at once, and the entire platform slowly leans outward and downward by about 30 degrees, leaving you essentially looking straight down. The whole experience lasts about two minutes. You’re enclosed inside the building, but the windows tilt downward as you brace yourself and hold on to a couple of metal handlebars, moving you beyond the edge of the skyscraper.
Similar to The Ledge, photos are taken of you throughout the experience, but this time by an actual photographer. You can see the available photo packages and prices below.
Although I think the overall views from Skydeck are better, if we’re comparing TILT and The Ledge specifically, TILT offers the better view. BUT I enjoyed The Ledge more, if that makes any sense. You’re higher up in a taller building, and the sensation of standing on a transparent floor with nothing but air beneath you is surreal. It feels a bit more dangerous—in a good way!
Skydeck vs. 360 Chicago: Which Should You Visit?
Both of these places are worth a visit in my book, but if I had to choose one, I’d go with Skydeck. It’s just better, flat out. In my opinion, you get more bang for your buck.
If you’ve found any of this information useful, I’d be happy to hear it. Till next time!
