360 Chicago vs Skydeck: A Guide To Chicago’s Observation Decks!
So you’re in Chicago, yay! What better way to see the city than from a bird’s eye view from up one of the two observation decks!? (If you’ve flown into Chicago O’Hare over Lake Michigan, you’ll probably agree it’s a pretty impressive approach!) You may be a little pushed for time and only want to go up one, but which Chicago observation deck is better? 360 Chicago or Skydeck? I’ve now been to both and hopefully can provide you with a little insight which may help you in your decision making!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission on purchases made after clicking the link. For more information see the Privacy & Disclosure Policy.
360 Chicago vs Skydeck?
Updated: Feb 2024
Chicago are on point with their observation decks, both have equally cool features. Unlike New York City where I have an obvious favourite (Rockefeller Centre is better than the Empire State Building), with Chicago, I’m really not so sure!
Quick Links
Skydeck at the Willis Tower
🗺233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606 (entrance on S Franklin St)
🚞Nearest CTA train stop: Quincy (Brown, orange, pink and purple line)
Skydeck is located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), making it the tallest observation deck, not only out of the two in Chicago, but it’s the highest in the whole of the USA at 1353ft. The Elevators have a fun video that tells you the current height as you’re going up and what world landmarks you’d be overtaking!
For me, what makes Skydeck ridiculously cool, is The Ledge. These are 4 glass boxes that stick out the side of the building and by glass, yes I mean even the floor is glass, giving thrill seekers the chance to stand on a see-through floor and see 1353ft down to the miniature cars and people travelling the streets below!
It doesn’t feel natural in the slightest, but I’ve been on it twice now and I’m still living to tell the tale!
If you’re in Chicago because you’re starting Route 66, it’s quite cool because the Willis Tower is partly on Adams Street, where the Route 66 begin sign is located. You can stand on The Ledge and literally look out in the direction of Route 66.
On a good visibility day, you can see in a 50 mile radius…a minuscule distance in reality when you think that the length of Route 66 is 2451 miles! It feels like an epic challenge!
Crazy Fact: The building can sway 6 inches in the wind but is designed to be able to sway 3 FEET, WHAT?!
Tips for visiting Skydeck
If you are planning on visiting Skydeck, here are my tips. The first time I went was July 2011 in the height of the summer season. We bought our tickets online in advance and started lining up before it opened.
We were told that the visibility at the top was 0% but as we were in Chicago for only a day, we took the chance and by the time we got to the top it was clear…and we had the place to ourselves as a couple of people in the line around us bailed out.
We were first up the elevator so meant we were first on The Ledge and were able to take several photos in the various boxes, with absolutely no one else in them.
My 2nd visit was in March 2014, it was cold, we hadn’t planned on visiting, so rocked up in the middle of the day and had to wait over an hour to buy tickets and go up in the elevator, IN WINTER. There was definitely no chance of getting The Ledge to yourself.
So:
- Buy tickets in advance
- Start lining up before opening time
If you really wanted the best chance of an empty ‘Ledge’. The best bet would be to book the earliest time slot AND pay $55 for the fast pass ticket.
Alternatively, if you really want a photo in an ’empty box’ you can PAY for a professional photo. I really like the one that we had taken…it’s certainly better than the tacky fake green screen photos!
Bucket List Photos to get at Skydeck The Ledge
- Looking down at your feet
- Sitting on the floor with the huge drop below you!
- A photo taken from another box which shows the Ledge sticking outside the building
💰Ticket Prices
(Correct Feb 2024)
General Admission – from Adult $32/Child $24
If purchased online, you do have to book a day and entry time…worth bearing in mind if it really is a 0% visibility day.
Fastpass – from $55
🕖Sky Deck Opening Hours
Open 365 days a year
March to September: 9am – 10pm (from 8.30am at weekends)
October to February: 9am – 8/9pm
For more information, visit the Skydeck Chicago website.
John Hancock 360 Chicago
🗺
🚞Nearest CTA train stop: Chicago (red line)
875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) is home to the 2nd of Chicago’s public observation towers! It’s slightly ‘lower’ than Skydeck, with the observation deck being on the 94th floor at a height of 1030ft.
It does however have an elevator speed of 20mph, making it one of the fastest elevators in the USA! Previously known as the John Hancock Observatory, it has now been renamed as 360 Chicago. For me, I preferred the views that 360 Chicago offers. It’s closer to Lake Michigan so you can see more of the shoreline and Navy Pier, as well as the typical city views.
Related Reading: Visiting Lincoln Park Zoo, a Free Attraction in Chicago!
Tips for visiting 360 Chicago and the BEST way to SAVE MONEY!
Sky Yoga at 360 Chicago
Now Skydeck charges $55 for its early bird weekend ticket which is obviously a lot more than the regular general admission price. For the same price at 360 Chicago, you can get early access to the observation deck AND an hour long YOGA CLASS. It’s a really fun way to experience the city.
Yoga tickets are limited and they do SELL OUT. I booked a week in advance (for the 2nd weekend in September). Classes run every Saturday from 7.45am-8.45am. I ordered my tickets on the Sunday before and 4 places had been filled, by Wednesday they were all gone. You will need to take your own yoga mat/towel.
The class focused on relaxation, balancing and breathing so nothing too strenuous. The instructor does a great job of talking you through the positions too, making it easy if you (STILL) don’t know the names. She’ll also include taking in the views as part of the relaxation techniques and the building rooftops make great ‘stationary’ objects to focus on during balancing poses!
A coffee or mimosa is included in the price of the yoga ticket.
Related Reading: Practicing Goga (Goat Yoga)! Coco’s Ranch, IA
360 Chicago TILT
After the class you are free to enjoy the observation deck with interactive information screens, Bar 94 where you can grab a drink or pay $9 extra to then experience Tilt! Tilt is 360 Chicago’s answer to Skydeck’s The Ledge. Essentially 8 people stand in a window with hand rails and then the window tilts 30 degrees out of the side of the building.
It’s over quite quickly but then you are expected to hold your body weight up (a bit like a push up), after an hour of planking and downward facing dogs, I know that my arms were starting to feel the burn half way through the experience!
As you are expected to hold on at all times, you therefore can’t take any photos, you have to pay $25 for the professional ones. You do however get a free sticker to say you completed it (yay free stuff!).
By 11am when we had finished up on the 94th floor, there was still no line for ticket desk or the elevator and this was on a Saturday only just outside of peak season.
💰Ticket Prices
Adult: $30 (Chicago residents receive 50% off)
Child: $20
Tilt: $9-$10
360 Yoga including 94th floor entry: $55
Drink Package: $43.50 (beer, wine or cocktail from package menu)
🕖360 Chicago Opening Hours
Open 365 days a year
9am – 11pm
For more information visit the 360 Chicago website.
Conclusion: Which is better? 360 Chicago vs Skydeck?
If you want better views – 360 CHICAGO.
If you don’t want to spend all time waiting in a line – 360 CHICAGO.
THE LEDGE at the Willis Tower Skydeck is BETTER than Tilt at the John Hancock 360 Chicago and possibly the reason that I would pick Skydeck over 360 Chicago…so if you are a thrill seeker, I’d pick Skydeck for the adrenaline.
If buying early bird/fast pass tickets, 360 Yoga at 360 Chicago gives you a more unique experience for the same price.
360 Chicago admission with Tilt – $39 ($30 without)
360 Yoga with Tilt – $64 ($55 without)
Skydeck with The Ledge experience – $35
Save Money With Chicago CityPASS
If you are looking at visiting more attractions while in Chicago, both 360 Chicago and Skydeck are part of the Chicago CityPASS. With CityPASS you can save up to 49% on entrance fees to 5 Chicago attractions! Click the image below to find out more.
The pass includes entrance to:
- Shedd Aquarium
- Field Museum
- Plus 3 attractions from: Skydeck Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 Chicago, Adler Planetarium
Other Chicago Posts You May Enjoy
- 🏙️Route 66 Chicago: A Guide To The Start Of The Route & Seeing Chicago In A Day!
- 📍Where Does Route 66 Start And End? | Everything You Need To Know – USA
- 🚙Route 66 Chicago to St Louis – 9 Must See Stops in Illinois USA
- 🚗Chicago To Galena Road Trip: Must See Stops in Illinois USA
Which Chicago observation deck would you pick? 360 Chicago or Skydeck?
About the Author – Kylie
My travels have taken me to over 40 countries worldwide (& I lived in USA for 4yrs). I hold a BTEC National Diploma in Travel & Tourism (triple distinction) and have been writing on Between England & Everywhere since 2015.
Expert in: Adventure travel🎢, beach destinations🏖️, and packing light (mid-budget backpacker)🎒
Which one is better? 360 Chicago vs Skydeck? Pin It For Later!
Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Very timely article! I am taking my son to Chicago this December for his birthday. We have been to the Hancock Building, but we plan to give the Skydeck a try. Thanks for the tips!
Yay! Glad I could be of use! The Ledge is really fun!
Living in Chicago (ok, the ‘burbs, but still), I get asked about this when people visit. I’m just going to refer everyone to this post from now on! Great comparison info. Thanks for saving me the work Kylie! 🙂
Haha thanks! I definitely think it depends on what you are after as they are both more than just a floor high up in a tower!