No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower Skydeck. One of the 10 Places to See Before You’re 10 on TravelandLeisure.com. See 360-degree views spanning 50 miles and 4 states. Coming summer 2009: The Ledge, experience the world below your feet from glass floors 1, 356 ft. high above Chicago!
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Landmarks:
Chicago
Other Details
Advance Arrangements:
Open 365 days. See website for hours.
Reservations needed for groups of 20 or more. Call 312.875.9447 for group rates.
Parking:
Public parking available at Tower Self Park. Garage entrance on Franklin between Jackson and Adams. Call 312.782.5570 for parking rates.
a little pricy but we all had fun. love the pictures that we took while we were there. had some cool facts up there as well. i liked that it was truely a learning experience for my older children. they still talk about it.
My 4-1/2 year old looked out the first window and exclaimed "The town is a map!". Wow, what a learning experience for her! We were there on an extremely crowded day, but had a great time. The Ledges scared the daylights out of me! I couldnt walk on it! But go to the end one, that's the one where your picture gets taken. Everyone lived up for the first ledge and the workers kept telling people to move down, all 4 ledges were open. Loved showing the kids the ledeges from the outside once we were back on the ground. it put the height in better perspective for them.
This was really cool! Note: We went on a weekday (CPS day off) and it wasn't very busy. We took the Metra down and it was a breeze, just had to walk one block. All part of the experience. (Enter the building on the south side.) $15 a head, no matter if it's children or seniors, but it was worth it. Watch the movie; it's short and informative. Very organized and quick lines. Bring your camera, but also pay for the professional photo on the ledge ($22) because you can't get that view yourself. I posted the photo at work and everyone stops to look! Go to Luke's Beef for lunch; good kid-friendly food and a decent price, just east of the tower when you leave through the south entrance where you came in.
the 1--2 hour wait is not worth the ledge or view go to john hancock have a meal enjoy the view with no lines just not worth the amount of time involved also very expensive
Amazing! A little freaky but totally worth it. Get a few really great pictures up there - they are sure to be classic "kid in Chicago" pics in the coming years....
The view from the skydeck is amazing on a clear deck. The elevator ride to the 103rd floor is excitement enough for my little ones. And once the elevator doors open they can't wait to check out the skyline of Chicago. You'll find a Corner Bakery and Starbucks on the main level if you want to grab something to eat/drink on your way out.
We love going here with out of towns guests. It never gets old to be able to look out at our beautiful city on a clear day. We usually do not eat here. We just go for the view. It is all about the view.
This is a great place for your kids to take in the view of the beautiful chicago skyline. The wait is really pretty long on the weekends (especially since the new "ledge" has become a big attraction) so the kids can tend to get a bit ancy, but they usual marvel when they finallly reach the top. They should actually have a sign with the estimated wait time so you know what to expect. My kids also love the elevator ride. The leadge was a bit too scary for me but my kids loved it.
Another must see for tourists, out of town guests and even locals on those nice "Chicago" vacations downtown. Such a view, and a good restaurant (if expensive) but especially at night it is an amazing view. A must see for everyone.
It will be hard to get used to calling it the Willis Tower, but regardless, we always make sure out of town guests see the view. I personally have air pressure problems and my ears are unable to take the elevator ride to the top, but everyone else enjoys the thrill:)
So now that it is the Willis Tower and you can walk out on the sky deck, we must go back for a new visit. Of course, this is a must once, for any out of town guests but now it just because a must for every Chicagoan again!
This is great, but know that there can be a long wait on weekends. It is an awesome experience to ride the elevator and see the magnificent view of Chicago. Great for any out of town visitors.
