Skydeck Chicago
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I thought I came here after few years ago, but that must have been the 360. My son and I had go city passes and we took the big bus here. We didn't have reservations on time but she just added us. They had cute chicago food displays. My son and I took pictures and walked to the ledge for pictures. I did splurge and bought the $35 photos they took too. The views of Chicago from up high at 103rd floor were awesome. Highly recommend!
I've been to many observation decks, and this one, in my opinion, isn't as impressive. It's just a short walk around one floor with nothing much besides a gift shop and the glass ledge where you can take pictures standing on the see-through glass. We finished walking around in about ten minutes. We got our tickets through the CityPASS, which gave us expedited entry (definitely worth it since the regular lines were long). Expedited entry also includes fast access to the ledge, and you can go back in line as many times as you want for photos. The regular line looked like a 1-2 hour wait--totally not worth it!
If you do nothing else somewhat touristy while in Chicago you simply must do this (but clearly only do so if you are NOT afraid of heights). I was a little anxious about going out onto the ledge but am so very glad I did. It was so breathtaking and memorable! Being it was near Christmas there was also a LOT of fun photo ops all along the way up.
"Do one thing every day that scares you", Baz Luhrman sang. Visiting the Skydeck checked that box. (Acrophobia is REAL!) We got there in broad daylight and stayed until it was dark. Both were sensational in different ways. We saw some amazing things, in more than one sense! Plus, visiting on 9/11 made it extra special. Chicago, we were really impressed. Never forget! Just for the record, the name should have stayed "Sears Tower".
I'm honestly confused on the 3.5 rating. The first time I visited Chicago, my friend and I went to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck and I prefer this experience. Being able to go through a bit of history before getting to the gift shop and the ledge is such a nice touch. If you're visiting out of town, I definitely recommend you do this prior to going on a boat architecture tour. Learning more about the architecture around the city, then seeing it in person is a nice sequence. We went at night and we maybe waited 20 minutes in line? I didn't think it was an extensive wait. It's two parties per box and you both get a photo before your 60 seconds start for your own photos. It was a little rushed but you feel grateful when you realize how much longer you would have to wait in line if this wasn't enforced. We really liked the photo they took of us and thought it was worth buying. If you buy any prints, you get all the digital photos.
Great views. A trip to the ledge will set you back $54/person plus a processing fee. Exhibits leads you to a line to queue for the elevator which takes you to the 103rd floor. Another queue to get to the ledge. Timers are set for 90 seconds once on the ledge to keep the line moving. Great views and less scary than you'd think. On a clear day it's definitely worth a visit. Several food options in the main level including shake shack and a sushi bar.
At the time of our visit (August 2022), the interactive museum was new. It was really cool to walk through and see the highlights of Chicago. We probably spent 20-30 minutes going through the exhibit. I liked the mock L-train ride and it felt like you were really riding the train. The museum featured things like the Chicago culinary scene, architecture, sports, and local celebrities. There were lots of photo ops too. Once we got to the 103rd floor, we didn't have to wait long to get on the deck (less than 5 minutes). It was a bit foggy and rainy so the views weren't as great, but it was still cool to be up there. The glass deck wasn't that scary (the elevator ride was more scary to me than the views from the glass floor lol). They allow 90 seconds for each party to hang on the deck so take all of the photos that you can. We did end up paying for the professional photos as a keepsake. Once you get your photos on the ledge, you can roam around and take in the views. They have a few information panels that point out other landmarks depending on the direction that you're facing. There's also a gift shop that sells Chicago themed merchandise. Even though the weather wasn't great, I still enjoyed our visit.
The Willis Tower is a cool spot in Chicago as it's home of the SkyDeck, the viewing spot on the 104th floor. Here you can walk around and embrace the skylines, and you can also wait in line to stand in one of their glass boxes for a free photo op included in your ticket. We visited right before close at night so there were long lines to visit the glass boxes. They only give you 90 seconds to take photos--good for line management, rushed for enjoying. You also had to walk through a "museum" type features before hitting the elevators. It was cool but we didn't take our time through it since we went through so late at night. It took us about 10 minutes to walk through with very little stops. After you finish that, you get to the elevators Overall it gave a cool perspective of the city. It's on opposite ends of the other tower that offers this, so you see different views.
Had a great time on Monday up high! The line to get up and down moved quickly but still could have been managed a little better. The museum aspect was really cool and loved getting to learn more about Chicago and the area The sky deck itself is so cool! I love the mechanics and experience. It's thrilling and a great memory to make
I love a good view and Skydeck certainly offers good views. I got tickets through CityPass Chicago and booking a timeslot was pretty easy via the CityPass app. I went on Memorial Day and booked 9:30AM, one of the earliest time slots. Since we went so early there wasn't really a line and it wasn't so crowded up top. On our way down it was definitely getting more packed. You walk some halls that play videos and have little blurbs talking about the history of Chicago and the history of the building. I enjoyed that a lot. This all leads up to an elevator to the 104th floor. The walls of the elevator play a cool video as well which I appreciated. Once you're up you walk around and take in the views. One of the sides has "The Ledge" which is part of the experience that allows you to walk out into a glass box to get a different perspective. Honestly, it feels pretty freaky looking down and stepping into the box, but I'm also afraid of heights. You're limited to 90 seconds in the box and they're pretty tight with it; I heard a timer go off regularly. Apparently, you're allowed to rejoin the queue after your turn so I can see the line getting pretty long. All-in-all it's a good experience. Staff is friendly and the place is clean. Skydeck is definitely worth a visit, just try to go early. I also visited 360 Chicago during my trip to Chicago and I think 360 has better views. However, I think Skydeck was a better experience leading up to the observation deck. I don't think there's a clear-cut answer to which one is better, maybe you can do both and decide for yourself. If I HAD to pick just one though, I'd probably go 360 Chicago.
Come for the view, stay for the 90-seconds you're allotted! So the downside -- which is understandable -- is the quick, rushed time, literal 90 second you get on the ledge. But let's focus on the up side... not much to compare this to in terms of views. And once you've made it up to the sky deck, you can take your time at each of the South, East, North sides of the tower with awe-inspiring views. There is a gift shop at the top, but, really what better souvenir would you need past the amazing portrait from 103 floors above the city. There's an immersive experience on your way to the elevators, and then of course there's "The Ledge," which really does give you a view; STRAIGHT. DOWN. It's rather intense, but we got everyone on the ledge, and the house photo was probably one of the best. Even the elevator rides up to and down from were immersive... instead of wall or windows, they're screens that present just the right amount of narrated context on each trip to (almost) make you forget you're sardine'd into an elevator with 15 other people traveling 24 ft per second. Overall it was well worth the price of admission.
Had to check out the iconic skydeck Chicago and take some photos at the ledge! The tickets come with sticker shock - a whopping $43 per person (plus fees it came out to be over $90 for 2 people). We learned a lot about Chicago history/architecture, the photo ops and facility were all nice. They're a bit aggressive while trying to herd the crowd through security check, but rest of the staff were friendly. Overall would recommend you check this out if you want to do something touristy in Chicago!
In recent years another great excursion to do while in Chicago is to the Skydeck which is located in Willis Tower. I had the pleasure of going a couple of years back & wanted to revisit for another great experience. There are two tickets you can buy: general admission or expedited entry. You will have to go through a couple of security check points before going up. A staff member escorts you to the elevators which is like a ride in itself. The elevator takes you up to the 157 floor to see the incredible views. I wouldn't advise anyone who has acrophobia to partake in this excursion. One of the famous aspects of this excursion is the glass chamber that gives you a 360 view of the city. It's breathtaking and nerve racking at the same time. They take professional photos of you which you can purchase once you leave the Skydeck area downstairs.
Touristy, but definitely a Chicago must visit! The view is second to none and they even have an exhibit you can walk through that displays Chicago's history. The wait to get onto the glass floor decks can be long (about a 45 min wait) and you only get 60 seconds to take pics. They let you re-join the line in case the first pics aren't to your liking though which is great. read more
Listen, I'm scared of heights! I'm gonna have to work on that cause I despise being fearful but until then, I don't let it stop me from doing the things! Idk how much expedited entry costs but it's worth it. I purchased the citypass and this was one of my excursions and thankfully, it came with expedited experience. Comparing the expedited line for the ledge to the regular admission, IT'S WORTH IT! There's also an expedited line for the elevators going in. They don't give a damn about it when you're leaving though lol so that line was annoying. Anyway, I had to share part my ledge with a party of two which initially I didn't like but they were cool (talked to them while in the line also) and left before me so I could enjoy it alone a few seconds. Cynthia helped me out on the ledge, again I was scared af! She was super motivational and supportive and literally I locked elbows with her and she walked me out. She was a doll! Couldn't have done it without her support. The key was to not look down the whole time. I know, I know but it helped til I got more comfy. But you don't get but a minute or two so all that has to happen quickly. She took pics with their camera and mine. Of course theirs was lovely but I opted not to pay $40 for 2 pics that will end up in a drawer. read more
6 months ago
Early in the morning there is no wait. The view of the city is amazing. They have updated the lobby as you are going up to the sky deck and its really nice. read more
SkyDeck which is inside the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) was part of our Chicago agenda. My boyfriend bought the CityPass tickets for us and this was one of our stops. We went early on a Sunday morning and in total we were there for about an hour. They kind of make you go through a maze with picture opportunities before you get in the elevator to go up to the SkyDeck and once you're on that floor you have to wait in another line to take photos on the actual deck. You get a set amount of time to take photos, but you can go back in line again if you want to. The SkyDeck is just ok in my opinion. The view is not the nice part of the Chicago. Not sure why they placed the deck on that side. If you've ever been to the top of the Empire State Building, that one has a better view and photo op. read more
2 years ago
The one thing I wanted to do while in Chicago the last time was to make my way to Willis Tower and go to the Skydeck. But that wasn't in the books back then, but I made sure to do it right this time. I booked my visit ahead of time so that way I didn't have to mess around with getting a ticket when I arrived. We can circle back around to this a bit later, there is so much more to say. When I arrived, I was so confused as to where to go. GPS only takes you so far and I was so lost when I got to the tower. I followed the signs around the building and literally ended up a half block from where I started. Then inside I just kind of guessed where I had to go by following people around me. Then there is the entrance area, it was so confusing. Do I do the kiosk or not? There really is not signage to tell you what to do and on top of that, there was no one around to ask. I just say screw it and headed to the next area. Checking in was easy. I was early but they allowed me to enter. See, no one was really around here this time of day and I think that they just didn't really care at that point. Before heading up to the Skydeck you are treated to a brief history of Chicago, surrounding area, the tower, and a few other things. Think mini museum. Once you make your way through the many turns and exhibits that are meant to thin out the crowd to no overwhelm the upper portion, you make it to the elevator line. Have fun on there, you never know who you might be with on the elevator. My luck, going up, I was on with a whole family who were visiting. I think I may have made their elevator up picture a bit awkward. But, hey, no one said you had to take a group family picture in the elevator. The elevator ride, even though it wasn't as long as I expected it to be, was intriguing. I was really impressed by the amount of thought put into this. And it totally tricked my mind into thinking that I was flying through the air at one point. Then you get up to the top and finally get to see the whole entirety of Chicago. I was floored by the views. You basically get a 360 of the area. Such great views, get scenery, and depending on the time of day you visit, the best picture you will take in Chicago. I went as the sun was setting and it allowed for a great array of pictures. The one I got looking out over the lake even had a rainbow in it. The one looking towards the sunset was almost postcard worthy. Now, the Skydeck itself is an amazing feeling. You feel as if you are suspended in the air overlooking the city yourself. I've done this also in Paris and London where you are high up and walking on glass. It's a bit intimidating here as you are much higher up than most places. You can get lost in the moment and definitely take all the selfies you can while here. Now, the circling back. The pricing here is what really nagged at me. I knew there was going to be a price, but it felt a little steep for all that this is. A very small museum, an elevator ride, and a view of the city. Not only that, but they also seemed to think that you would part with your money on top of paying an admission fee. When you make your way through the museum they want to take one of those gimmicky tourist photos. Then when you finally do get to one of the Skydeck pods they try to get you again with another gimmicky photo there. Listen, we are living in a world where people are not going to pay for your photos, especially when you have not only a camera, but a video camera, in your phone. I did enjoy this, as I doubt I would be back in Chicago any time soon. But I felt a bit underwhelmed with it all. I got my photos, I took in the view, I learned something new, but it just felt underwhelming. To top it off, check out the gift shop on your way out. read more
This is one of those must-do activities when in the Chicago area. There are two different high-rise skyscrapers the compete against one another for ideal views of the city, and I selected skydeck. We went on a Monday morning, so there was no line whatsoever at the opening. The walkway between the entrance and the elevator provides great opportunities for photos along the way representing various Chicago landmarks and popular Chicagoans. What's on the elevator, it's a quick ride up to the 103rd floor where the photo opportunities are boundless and the views are wonderful. The "Ledge" gives yet another opportunity for a unique perspective, and of course those photos are for sale after the event. The activity is a bit pricey - we paid about $45 per person, but for a once-in-a-lifetime view, great photos, and an overall fun activity this was well worth it. If you're going on a weekend or an otherwise busy time, you should definitely book a pre-planned arrival time online. read more
More than 1.7 million people make their way to Willis Tower's Skydeck Chicago each year, and it's easy to see why. (I have been to both Skydeck and 60 Chicago and I guess, I will choose this). Occupying the 103rd floor - (that's nine floors higher than 360 CHICAGO) of the 110-story Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago boasts breathtaking views of the city It is the third-tallest building in North America after One World Trade Center and Central Park Tower and is home to the highest public viewing area in the United States. cool! Long lines quickly form for Skydeck Chicago, so plan on arriving early or purchasing a Chicago City PASS, which covers expedited admission into the attraction. If you'd like to enjoy the sunset from the tower, plan on arriving 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to ensure you have enough time to get through the elevator line and up to the top. Coming to "The Ledge" Queue: I suggest going there as early as possible. I bought the 10 AM slot and straight away we hit for ledge, not many people in the line and we got 90 secs to experience it. after that, we were exploring the city, Lake View, and spent around 30 minutes. wife suggested, can we go again one more time (yes, we went to the ledge 3 times) - but it was too crowded, and they were accommodating 2 couples in one ledge. 45 secs - one couple at one side and then switch for the next 45 seconds. They keep a timer and will be rude sometimes if you don't follow the rules. some facts: The Ledge's glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor. Each box weighs 7,500 lbs. and is comprised of three layers of half-inch thick glass and is built to withstand five tons of pressure and can hold 10,000 lbs.! I found it cooler than TILT. in tile, you can't carry a camera for safety reasons and your friends/relatives can't take pics. they are outside the room. here in Ledge, I can go banana and do anything. read more
A fun way to see Chicago from above, SkyDeck at the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower provides visitors with a 360-degree view of the Windy City from 103 floors up. The glass balconies jutting out over Wacker Drive and the other surrounding streets add an element of adrenaline to the experience, and make SkyDeck slightly more interesting than the overpriced TILT attraction at the John Hancock tower across town. Buy tickets online ahead of time if you can, and don't rush through the fascinating history exhibit on the lower floors. A must for anyone visiting Chicago for the first time. read more
3 months ago
We have done this 2x now. It's definitely a cool photo to look up into their camera in the ledge and see Chicago beneath you but it's definitely crowded with lines and waits and they hurry you along when you're on the edge taking your photos. We purchased the City Pass which expedites the lines and did help with the wait and had a nice time helping our friend face her fears and stand in the ledge for photos. It's awesome to see the city like this and everyone should try and do it at least one time. read more
It was my second time at Skydeck but my boyfriend's first, tell me why I was more scared this time around?! There was no line for the photo ops and wasn't crowded when we reached the top either. We ate our breakfast at the top while we admire Chicago's beautiful view. We then lined up to take a multitude of pictures while we sit, stand, jump on the glass ledge. I was so scared! But everything was worth it. My boyfriend was very well braver than me and even pushed me to the very edge while I was shaking my legs doing it. No regrets! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Lame. Long lines, expensive and crowded. Lame. Long lines, expensive and crowded. Never again. 2 stars read more
Quality/Quantity - We had more fun touring the bottom "The Skydeck Experience" with all the city backgrounds. Somewhat interactive. And just like the London Tower Yelp review, I think I cleaned your floor glass with my back, LOL. Willis Tower, but I still call it Sears Tower. 1353 feet and 103 floors in the sky. Atmosphere - A main tourist attraction. We just did this in Norway and Tower of London (way cooler) and will do something like this in Australia later this year (also will be way cooler climbing a bridge). But when in Chicago... Open 7 days a week. See Yelp or website for specific hours. Keep in mind hours are seasonal. Available for events also. Service - Just okay. Super strict with a 1 minute limit on the sky deck. And there was almost no one here today, well at least when we were here. Btw - website says 1-2 minutes per party. The photographer was cool though. Actually, took so many pictures within the minute. Price - $33.50 per person. Prices vary with demand. Discounts for advanced purchases. Same prices in person or online. Check out the Chicago City Pass for potential more discounts. Owner comment - Congrats on all your successes since 1974. read more
It's an experience however it is $36 for adults and $28 for kids. At the end they try and sell professional photos for an extra $35-$45. There is a history of Chicago before you head to the Skydeck and also restaurants and a shop if you need to kill time before your reservation. The entire experience was about 45 minutes. Once on the Skydeck you have 90 seconds to take your photos. We went at 4:30PM on a Monday and there was no wait. The views are great and the Skydeck 90 seconds photo opportunity was nice. read more
3 years ago
If you plan to visit Skydeck Chicago, I'd recommend arriving about an hour before your assigned time to enjoy the walk-through portion. The overall experience is cool, with breathtaking views of the city, and makes use of great social media pics However, I have to admit that my experience was marred by the behavior of the employees. Unfortunately, they weren't as nice and welcoming as I had hoped. There was a fair amount of yelling, hollering, and making demands towards visitors, which I found to be quite rude. It made the experience less enjoyable. I believe they should work on implementing a better system to ensure a more pleasant and organized experience for visitors. While the views are undoubtedly worth it, the atmosphere could use some improvement to make the visit more enjoyable. Just my thought. read more
3 years ago
Checked out Skydeck for the first time last week as it was part of our CityPASS. We got expedited entry with it and I'm so glad we did- otherwise we would have waited awhile...and it didn't even appear to be that busy. I think we probably spent a half hour or so walking around up top and then we got 2 minutes on the actual ledge- yes they time each party and you get 1 or 2 minutes depending on your group size. It was cool and definitely thrilling to be up so high and I'm glad we did it once but I don't think we'll do it again. read more
3 years ago
Any Ferris Bueller fan who goes to Chicago will probably end up here. Loved that they had vendors on the ground floor (shake shack, sweetgreen, donuts, sushi, tacos??!) making it a nice destination for ppl on lunch in the area but also patrons who might have a grumbly stomach as they wait for their time slot or after they've exited the attraction. They offer timed tickets that instruct you to arrive 15 mins prior but I was on time and was still allowed up with no wait. You will go through security giving me airport flashbacks and they take a photo before you go up ($30 ish dollars and you get 3). The real treat is the immersive experience. You learn Chicago history as you walk through scenes showing it's architecture, landmarks, and it's origin story. Great photo ops honestly better than the pics they may give you lol. The ride up the 103rd floor is the most annoying part. They will pack you in like sardines. They have 2 elevators but only one working. The views are amazing once you get there. You'll see east, south, north and west views and they tell you on a sign what you are looking at. Definitely try going on a sunny day so you can see for miles. They also have "the ledge" where you can step out and get a more thrilling experience and more photos. There's a line for this. I opted out lol. A great treat especially for the iconic scene that was filmed here. Gen admission prices do vary based on what I saw and they do offer expedited admission but I don't see the need to pay extra for that. Lines moved quickly except for the ledge experience. read more
The experience was meh. The view was GREAT, but we ran across some issues. The line to go up to the Skydeck after the first part of the attraction (a bunch of exhibits about the history of the tower) was very long. The lines were also very long for the "ledge" was very long as well and you only get 90 seconds. We had some very rude foreign tourists behind us, and they cut in front of us and blocked us while we were trying to take pictures and got in our personal space doing their own things which no social awareness which was very uncomfortable and left a bad taste in our mouths. The worker just let it happen when I complained and didn't give us extra time so we had to get all the way back in the super long lines which we didn't want to so we just left. They worker also took some horrible pictures of us :( which I don't blame since they're not photographers but still a con. Honestly, we stood around for really long just for a few pictures. I'll put some of the decent pictures we got below. There are also a lot of people walking around and they get into the reflection of the glass when you're trying to take pictures of the view through the glass which I didn't like, but that's just what happens which public exhibits. Note: My review is based on my experience from all aspects as whole, and I may have just gotten unlucky with certain things like running into assholes and unhelpful workers. read more
7 months ago
3 years ago
A must visit if you're visiting Chicago! Our ticket is for 7pm and going at that time gives you a chance to see the sunset from the sky deck and the nice city lights after. The line to get to the sky deck wasn't very long, and there were a lot of photo ops on the way to the elevator so you can just enjoy the displays as you walk through. Just a warning that they pack as many people possible in the elevator so it's a little awkward. I found that the line for the photos at the ledge (once you're at the top) is the part where you'll have to wait a bit, probably took us 15-20min to wait. The workers there time each party that's taking photos so you can't take too long. Overall it was a good experience and recommend it to people who are Chicago tourists :) read more
I got to sit on glass, 103 floors up! To paraphrase a certain commercial, 'the view it's gotta be the view'! Heck I even got to stand by the windows with the south view and throw my "305" up for Miami :) Similar to the other high rise observation deck, this is a panoramic penthouse of an office building. Since it is not X-braced and a little taller, I certainly felt a little more sway than the other tall building I visited. The employees took the picture for sale (I got the printed copy at the gift shop #banksy) as well as some on my cellphone. The elevator ride up is pretty cool, as you get a recording comparing what other tall structures you pass on the way up. There's also a food court / hall on the ground floor. Definitely another must see if you're in Chicago! read more
3 years ago
What can I say that hasn't been said? If you go to Chicago, you gotta do this. Is it overpriced? Yes Is it crowded? Yes Is it worth the wait? Yes Should you miss the opportunity? No Crack open the wallet and get the best view of Chicago....or any city...that you will ever get. It is pretty incredible. read more
2 years ago
Highly anticipated and well worth it. I loved this. We did this at night and the lights were awesome. On a Saturday I was glad we opted for expedited tix. It was busy(good thing!!) I will do this again in the daytime read more
1 year ago
Cloudy for zero visibility. The did offer a voucher for a future visit, but we were visiting from out of town. A refund would have been better. So since we paid for it, we went ahead and confirmed that there was zero visibility in the 103rd floor. Had to walk through a maze like a rat to get to the elevator. Skydeck staff was chopped. Bro all up in us, Staff had us posing for a photo we never wanted. 2 steps to the left, 2 steps to the right. We needed up in the original place were we started. Then bro botched the photo and we did it all over again. The sold us a photo-shopped picture with the city skyline. In reality. We saw nothing but clouds and staff member that stalked us. I'm sure it's amazing in clear weather. Photo is our actual view from Skydeck. read more
I visited Chicago for the first time and got the City Pass which automatically included this experience. Of course going into this, I already knew that this was your typical tourist trap, but it's one of those things that you kind of have to do as a first time tourist to get that bird's eye view of the city...and get those instagram-worthy pictures of course. I put in a reservation for 8:30am on a Saturday. There was a good group of people there but we were all able to fit into one elevator ride up so it was pretty quiet and empty. When you get to the top, you kind of go at your own pace to take in the view from all the windows around the floor. Whenever you're ready, you can go to one of the infamous ledges and take your photos, but they also time you so work quickly to get all those good pics. After the ledge, you can choose to walk around the floor some more or you can head back down the elevator to finish the experience. I spent around 40 minutes here. The City Pass gets you into the faster expedited line. Since we went early, it didn't make too much of a difference for us, but it would be really nice for those busier times. Skydeck as our first activity on our itinerary was a nice scenic introduction to the whole city. It was nice to have that opportunity, but it's not too big of a deal to skip it. read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
I didn't think this was overrated at all! Do the expedited tickets, sooooo worth it! We zipped in! It really is an incredible experience experience if you stop to take in what you are really looking at. Views as far as the eye can see. Loved it! 4 stars instead of five because of all the tourist trappings and ridiculous prices. read more
We were visiting Chicago for my friends bday. This is a must when coming here. FYI: this isn't the location where you do the box and lean over the city Reasonably priced, no line, and great for photo ops! My only opportunity is, you have to take so many elevators to get up to the top. We had a great time! read more
Date of visit: July 24, 2023 Despite living 90 minutes from Chicago my entire life, I've never visited the Sears/Willis Tower and finally took an opportunity to correct that oversight! The price is the main reason for the loss of a star; $40 to visit the top of the building is a pretty--wait for it--tall order. You can likely save a few dollars if you get a City Pass and combine this visit with seeing some other Chicago landmarks at the same time, but that wasn't in the cars for us, unfortunately. Thankfully you can buy tickets online for timed entry to at least save yourself some time when you go to visit. We were able to take our online tickets and essentially walk right in, no need to pay for the whole VIP experience which seems overpriced and unnecessary. There is a fair amount of Chicago history to see and experience on your way to the main event, which I did appreciate. Staff is friendly and pleasant, which helps make the $39 admission fee a bit easier to swallow. There are some photo opportunities, but they are not pushy and you can still take your own pictures wherever you would like. Also a demerit is that they print out all of the pictures and then try to guilt you into buying them--what a waste! All that being said, it is a cool experience that everyone should do at least once. read more
2 years ago
Rude staff misleading photos on socials They advertise certain pictures only to tell you, you can't take that picture because it's for promotion only even if you ask to use your phone Lower expectations read more
I had lots of fun in this experience. I got the general admission ticket (around $41) and went through an exhibition/explanation about Chicago. The amount of detail and information was fantastic. After the exhibition you walk up to the elevator that takes you up to the 103rd floor in a minute (super fast). Once upstairs there's 360 views for days. Such gorgeous views that can only be appreciated if you're present. The you walk up to the ledge, which are several super thick glass areas which allow you to look through is all directions. Looking down makes your brain trip. Such a wonderful experience. The staff was super helpful and nice throughout the whole experience. read more
This was fun! Tourist-y but you get what you make out of it. Before you get to the elevators to go up you walk through different exhibits that tell you information about different Chicago staples, landmarks etc. it was fun and can be great for some fun photo opportunities. We really didn't have long wait times or long lines. When you purchase tickets online you can see by color coding which ticket times are the busiest for that day. We rode 2 elevators up and got to the top. We walked along the normal windows to look at views and take some pictures. Then we did the sky deck boxes. Sky deck boxes: Your group gets 90 seconds in the "box" they will take a picture with their camera but will also take pictures for you with yours if you ask them. Sometimes you may have to share the box with another group pending wait time/ and group size. We did not have long waits (we got back in line after the first time). We got the box to ourself one time and then had to share with a super awkward couple that literally hogged most of the box. We had a blast! We went at 5:30 pm. It would be cool to go back and do it at night too. We did not purchase any pictures from sky deck. read more
We walked out of the Color Factory and figured since we were there we would go over and get tickets for the Skydeck. Tickets were a bit pricey, about $75 for the both of us. We did really like the whole history of Chicago part before you even get to the elevator to go to the Skydeck. Lots of information and great displays there and it takes about 10-15 to get through if you're interested. We went on a Tuesday around 4PM so it wasn't too bad as far as the amount of people. The elevator ride was very quick and the employee gives you some quick info about the tower and how tall it is. The Skydeck really gives you great views of Chicago and the ledge gives you the feeling like you are floating 100+ floors above the city. Not a big line to get on the glass ledge and you get a few minutes to get your photos and photos taken by an employee. It just feels different up there. It might be worth it if you're looking for something to do and get a great view of the city but again, it's a little pricey so keep that in mind for big families. read more
A great experience for my first day in Chicago. Skydeck takes you to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower and take in the amazing view of the city. There is an area to take pictures over the ledge of the building - you have 90 seconds to take photos and if you want to take more you can simply get back in line. A recommendable activity for whoever visits Chicago. read more
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Ask the Community - Skydeck Chicago
Can you make dinner reservations here?
Only if you want to eat Doritos - there are no dining options on the Skydeck.
What is the best(cheapest) parking near Willis Tower?
There are parking garage 's down there but it's best to catch the bus it lets you off right in front
Has anyone ordered Skydeck general admission off of Tiqets site? It's asking for us to pick a time to visit, will we still wait in line?
Yes, you will. I went this past weekend, and asked two different workers to confirm but you still have to wait in the general admission line even if you prepurchase a time slot. Hope this helps!
How bad are the wait times first thing in the morning on a Sunday?
It was about 30 mins if you get there right away. People always get there and wait in line before the restaurant even opens. I recommend a reservation for guaranteed seating!
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Skydeck Chicago - observatories - Updated May 2026
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