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SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower

A $15.95 value, included in the Go Chicago Card!

 
4.8 stars
SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower
Skip the Line!

No trip to Chicago is complete without experiencing what Chicago Tribune readers voted one of the "7 Wonders of Chicago"! Treat yourself to unparalleled, 360-degree views of up to four states from the top of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the Western Hemisphere’s Tallest Building. Skydeck Chicago’s interactive exhibits showcase the city’s rich history and bring Chicago’s spectacular skyline to life.

Dare to experience The Ledge, four enclosed glass balconies extending four feet OUTSIDE the building, offering unbelievable views – 1,353 feet straight down!  Admission to The Ledge is included in your admission.

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Included Extra(s)

Express Entry! Skip the Cashier lines. Look for the Go Chicago Card express entry sign. There may be a line for the elevators on busy days. Upgrade to a Fast Pass and save time with express line to elevators ($22 adult and $24.25 child).
  • Not seasonal
  • Good for families
  • Parking available
  • Restaurant or snack bar
  • Restrooms
  • Disabled access
  • Reservations not required

Hours

April–September, 9:00 am–10:00 pm, last arrival 30 minutes prior to closing;
October–March, 10:00 am–8:00 pm, last arrival 30 minutes prior to closing. The Go Chicago Card is valid until 5:30 pm.

Closed

Skydeck Chicago is open 365 days a year with the exception of severely inclement weather which is posted on the Skydeck Chicago website. They occasionally use the 99th floor instead of the 103 Skydeck Chicago when maintenance is required.

Redemption Instructions

Please present your Go Chicago Card to any ticket taker. They will validate it, return your card, and let you in.

Note

Skydeck Chicago is the observation deck of Willis Tower, the building formerly known as Sears Tower.

Address

233 S. Wacker Drive
enter on Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60606

Public Transportation

Take CTA: From the brown, purple, and orange lines exit at Quincy stop and you're right at Willis Tower. From the blue and red lines exit at Jackson Blvd. and walk just a few blocks west to the Jackson Blvd entrance west of Franklin St. By Bus: Buses 1, 7, Express 28, 37,126, 129, 134, 135, 136, 151, and 156 all stop within one block of Willis Tower. Take Metra: Union Station's Metra and Amtrak trains are 1 1/2 blocks from Willis Tower. Exit the station from Jackson Blvd. walk east across the river and the Skydeck entrance is on your left just east of Wacker Dr.

For those looking for Sears Tower, you've found it. Skydeck Chicago is the name of the observation deck of the former Sears Tower, now renamed the Willis Tower. In 2009 a London insurance firm Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. bought naming rights to the building as well as leasing space on three floors of the building. Previously, it carried the name “Sears Tower” for the Sears retail company that has occupied the space since 1969. The name has changed but the view from the Western Hemisphere's tallest building is not only the same, it is actually even better with the addition of "The Ledge."

Kids can also enjoy the breathtaking views with the “Knee-High Chicago” with a special kid-friendly display. Cut-out windows allow kids to learn about the sports, history, and culture of Chicago in a cool way, as well as about Lake Michigan. Elevators take only a minute to ascend the entire 1,353 feet up and high-powered electronic telescopes provide detailed views of the city. The Skydeck offers interactive multilingual exhibits for all of its tourists. On a clear day with high visibility, visitors can even see views of Illinois’ bordering states, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Well, what are you waiting for? Grab your Chicago Go Card and let’s go!

Product Rating
 
4.8 stars
 (4 Ratings)
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4 Reviews
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Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4.8 stars
(based on 4 reviews)
0% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
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Reviewed by 4 Customers Sort by:
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[5 of 5 customers found this review helpful]

 
Great view
By World Traveller Verified Reviewer from Ontario, Canada on 4/4/2011
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower:

My son insisted on going up the tower to stand on the famous skydeck. He didn't find the preadmission "tour" interesting as it was quite over his head for a 9yr old. But once we took the fast (and nauseating) elevator ride up the view of the city was all I cared about. It was a wonderful view of the lakeshore and the downtown. Just fantastic. My son was a bit disappointed in the "skydeck" as he was expecting it to be a bit bigger, more dramatic, but he still was quite fascinated with being out away from the building, "floating" above the street. It wasn't a big day filler, only about an hour of our time was spent there, but it was a good experience

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[3 of 6 customers found this review helpful]

 
Why isn't it still called Sears Tower?
By Rob0ny Verified Reviewer from Brookline on 7/29/2010
Pros:
Views
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower:

So they changed the name from Sears Tower to Skydeck and/or Willis Tower. Guess someone bought the rights, but it's a pain when everyone still thinks of it as Sears Tower! But either way, amazing views!! The Ledge is very cool.

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[11 of 13 customers found this review helpful]

 
graduation trip for son
By mom the trip planner from near Erie, PA on 7/16/2010
Pros:
View
Cons:
Lines
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower:

Couldn't figure out why a 2hr block of time should be alloted. Brief break down for you: line to get into the elevators, brief ride, another line to check in (we went in the evening, so not bad)for tickets or clearing your pass(we had Explorer, so no line advantage given), then time incriment of wait due to a intro-movie, watch intro-movie (was interesting), another line, brief elevator ride(packed in), finally reaching the deck. Great view on the whole floor no matter where you stand, brief lines for the "glass rooms", a bit creepy at first, but then you relax a little and can enjoy the amazingness of what you are experiencing. You do not have a time limit once you are up there...history stuff to read on the inside walls, restrooms, and a candy/souvenier spot.

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[13 of 14 customers found this review helpful]

 
Easy entry and great time!
By Kimberly from New England on 4/27/2010
Pros:
Easy, Fast
Best Uses:
Time saver,
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower:

The Go Chicago card just made it so much easier to navigate our entry into the sky deck attraction. We were hesitant about skipping the line, but that's really what you are meant to do. Your card acts like a ticket to the attraction and you hand it to the ticket collector. Fantastic.

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At a Glance

Address

233 S. Wacker Drive
enter on Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: 312-875-9696

Website: SkyDeck Chicago - Willis Tower

Adult Gate PriceChild Gate Price
$15.95$11.00
 

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