Skydeck
Formerly the Sears Tower skydeck, the visit includes a timed elevator ride, exhibits on the way up, and the Ledge glass balconies. Clear days show Lake Michigan and four states; sunset timed tickets are the most popular.
Formerly the Sears Tower skydeck, the visit includes a timed elevator ride, exhibits on the way up, and the Ledge glass balconies. Clear days show Lake Michigan and four states; sunset timed tickets are the most popular.
Glass boxes cantilevered from the 103rd floor; photographers line up for the straight-down shot.
On clear days you can see across the lake and into neighbouring states; haze and weather matter more than the marketing photos.
Tickets are timed; security screening is airport-style. Late afternoon light is the favourite slot.
Buy timed tickets on the official Skydeck Chicago site. Hours and prices change by season and event nights. Confirm before you go, and check visibility forecasts if the view is your main goal.
Golden-hour tickets sell out first, especially on weekends and summer.
John Hancock's observatory (360 CHICAGO) is a different building and ticket; some visitors do both, many pick one.
A cheap ticket on a foggy day is a wasted view. Flexibility helps in winter.
Is Skydeck the same as Sears Tower?
Same building. It was renamed Willis Tower; the deck is branded Skydeck Chicago.
How long do I get at the top?
Enough for photos and the Ledge queue; typical visits are about an hour including security and elevators.
Are the Ledge boxes safe?
They are engineered glass balconies used by millions of visitors; staff manage the line.
Night tickets?
Often available and dramatic for city lights; lake views are better in daylight.
Willis Tower opened in 1973 as Sears Tower and was the world's tallest building for more than two decades. The Skydeck has long been one of Chicago's main paid viewpoints.
The Ledge glass boxes opened in 2009. The attraction is privately operated as a tourist experience separate from office access in the tower.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering Skydeck Chicago and the building owners.
