Skydeck Chicago

Great views from here. The ledge, which is included, is a fun experience, key is to not look down, take all your pictures and look down in the photos! Great perspective from up here, great views. Both towers (this and John Hancock 360) offer great views and great perspectives. We visited during slow season, so it took 3 elevators from the street to the top, and 4 going back down, the regular elevators were undergoing some sort of maintenance apparently. Perhaps a discount on tickets since we missed out on part of the experience (elevators) may have been nice. Lots of opportunities for staff to take photos for you, which are rather pricey, but the ledge photos at night came out better than any we took.

$ 22/​adult for a grand view… totally worth it!
My boyfriend and I decided to come right before sunset. That way we could see the view during sunset and the view during nighttime shortly after. We came in mid-​December, and to my surprise, there wasn’t a long line! We got in the elevator quickly, and the ticket line moved fast at the top. You take a green screen picture right before you enter, and there are photographers on a couple of decks as well. You collect multiple cards and can check how your pictures turned out when you come back down. They’re available in both hard and digital copies.
The decks are relatively small, and there are three lines for each one. Remember to be patient and courteous because some people certainly take their time with photos. If you’re worried about people getting in your photos or just don’t want to deal with the crowd, there are decks (there were 2 when we came) with photographers that only allow one party on the deck at a time. The staff is also so friendly! Thank you to the guys who encouraged my boyfriend and me to jump! Honestly had a great experience with a superb view. I would definitely come back!

I must say this tour was awesome!
You start by watching a video talks about the building and history.
As you go the elevator is quite an experience, as you go thru the floors and reach 103^rd in 1 minute yes! Your ears pop! Quite exciting. Once you reach the top is awesome view of Chicago you get is above and beyond amazing! Specially when you go to the view window where it makes you feel like you are falling, so awesome! Little shops there for souvenirs! Staff is friendly and security is well organized. I will return.

An adventurous and an amazing place to explore. While waiting on the line to get tickets, there are questions about Chicago and the sky deck. It is a place that try to guarantee safety to their visitors, thus they do safety scan. I absolutely loved this place. When I went in the elevator to go to the top floor, it gave me this sensation like I was flying up to the sky. I can feel the pressure in my air and they do show the speed and floor as it rises.
It is just a beautiful place. Every window people are able to see the view of Chicago from high above. Not only are you able to see Illinois, but you can see Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. After exploring every aspect of each part of Chicago, people are able to take pictures of themselves standing on a glass floor! It may be terrifying at first sight, but definitely worth standing on and its pretty cool. They skydeck also offers a clip of Chicago before exploring the scenes.

I really wish I could give Skydeck more stars but for the price in comparison to my experience, it wasn’t worth the trip.
We waited in line almost an hour before we reached the elevator. Once the doors opened, we quickly proceeded to find the deck. There was about 5 people ahead of us but the line took forever! 3 decks total; 3 lines on each deck for the two corners and middle for pictures. Skydeck needs some supervision that allows each party only so much time and pictures! I noticed two girls on the line next to us take about 20 pictures, holding up the line for almost 10 minutes. Please be considerate!

A definite must-​see when visiting Chicago!
On a clear day, apparently you can see up to 4 states. On a foggy day, you’re gonna be going on a hit or miss. Gladly, when I went, the rain stopped and the fog started clearing out. IMO the best photos are the clear ones tho. Although the foggy ones do look pretty artistic and cool.
103 floors up! But only around a 1 minute elevator ride.
When I went, they closed 2 of the 4 decks so that patrons could take a professional photo for money. So only 2 were open. If you go on a weekday right when it opens, lines are not long at all. Best decision ever.
The ticket to the skydeck comes with the CityPass — recommend buying if you are a museum person. 1 entry only though… don’t expect to be able to come back if you are not satisfied with the view.

Skydeck Chicago is very much a tourist trap, but a necessary one for first-​time visitors. The price is a little steep, but the views are astounding. Definitely face your fears and step onto the ledge! Although there are four, one of them is reserved for paid photos taken by the establishment, so there’s technically three you can access.
The line can get long… There was a field trip so a bunch of screaming children were running around leaving fingerprints on the glass.
Besides the view, I personally enjoyed the informational short movie and history lesson on the way up. I recommend going there once and that’s enough.
Most people prefer clear days so you can see 4 different states but I actually was hoping for fog and rain for dramatic photos!

We went when it was sunsetting but waiting in line to go up and everything so by the time we got up the sun setted but the night lights came out and it was a beautiful sight to see!
We were lucky and didn’t have to wait too long to go up the elevators. The elevators are super fast! You reach 103 stories in no time! You ears will be popping!
They have 3 windows to look out of. Each 3 window you make 3 lines.
Some became 2 lines which a bit better cause you have more room for your pictures.
But if you get the 3 lines get the corners so you wont have people standing in your pictures as if you were in the middle lines.
If you go in the evening use another phone for flash and the other phone to take your pictures with no flash. Since if you take it with just flash you will get the glare and it isnt nice!
Totally worth $ 19.50! Amazing views!

A big group of friends went to the SkyDeck after climbing all 103 flights of stairs in the Willis Tower. It was a charity race, and so the version of the SkyDeck that I saw — filled with a huge number of people — may not be truly representative of what it’s like as a normal tourist.
Suffice to say, though, I had a great time up here with the glass bottom alcoves. They’re probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but apparently that’s what you do when you’re on top of the Willis Tower. They had plenty of photographers there to take pictures of you and all your fright.
However, beyond that, this is just a normal observation deck. There’s a store at the top, and then an even bigger store at the bottom when you get off the elevator. It’s very commercialized.
Good views.

Skydeck Chicago (in the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower) is definitely a must-​see when you go to Chicago. You get a 360 view of the city and there are various maps around that tell you exactly what you’re supposed to be looking out at.
The main attraction though, is probably the Ledge. It’s a 4-​feet glass box that juts out from the tower that you can stand on and see 1,353 feet below you. The great thing is that it’s actually pretty organized. There’s no pushing or shoving to get on the ledge because there are three boxes, and each box has a line. There’s no time limit as to how long you can be on there but just be mindful of the rest of the tourists — ain’t nobody got time for you and your 50 million selfies.
Tickets to Skydeck are $ 19.50 but if you get discounts through your company like I did, I believe it’s about $ 15 or so. You should definitely buy your tickets in advance because I heard the line can be hours long, especially on the weekends.
I probably wouldn’t come here again. It was more of a one time thing to cross it off my Chicago bucket list type of situation but if you’ve never visited, make sure you go!

Well of course when you go to Chicago you must stop here to fulfill your bucket list of being at the tallest building in the US. That being said just know it is also on the bucket list of every other tourist in Chicago at the same time as you.
Gripes: the other tourists, crying babies, a ridiculous number of children and babies that will never remember being here bit but yet there parents feel the need to bring along the biggest strollers they can find, several of the staff members had horrible hygiene and bad body odor, long lines (took me 2 ½ hours and to get to the top and I had pre-​purchased tickets), without fast pass you have to watch a 10 minute video on the tower, not enough staff available to answer questions or catch line cutters. No staff or ropes outside the building to guide individuals. Be prepared to wait 30 minutes to get on an elevator to go back down.
What I liked: the view (not as beautiful as Paris or New York but Chicago does have a beautiful skyline). Great gift shop with souvenirs. staff taken pictures were excellent but pricey.
Tips: definitely pre-​buy the Fastpass (a must you have been warned). The Go Chicago card does not give you this but it is included in the Chicago City Pass. Get there early (before 11am) or late in the day. Have your picture taken on a skydeck by a staff member: the pictures look great and you don’t have a 10 other tourists taking selfies in your shot and being alone you can better feel the magnitude of being that high. Go on a clear day if possible you can see a beautiful view for miles.
Note: I enjoyed my experience at the Chicago 360 observation deck exceedingly more than the Willis tower and I went back twice but you still should go to the Willis tower to complete you Chicago visit experience

The SkyDeck is located on the 103^rd floor on the Sears Tower. The elevator ride up is a quick one. I wish the elevators were towards the outside of the building and made out of see through glass. That would have been an amazing, yet scary view! Once you reach the top, there are several viewing areas that let you look at different parts of the city. There is also a map so you actually know what you are looking at. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and overpriced snacks.
Let us not forget why we are here in the first place though. The SkyDeck is home to the infamous ledge where one can step see through glass and not fall 103 stories to their death. For those fearful of heights, this place is not for you. Below, you can see everything, and is an excellent photo opportunity. But beware, there are only four ledges, one of them reserved for people who want to take professional pictures by employees to be purchased. I am not sure whether you have to buy them though. You get the whole ledge to yourself, whereas the others, you have to share with other people at the same time.
There are three lines for each ledge. The space that you have to yourself is quite tiny. Don’t be that person and take a thousand pictures. People are waiting behind you. They should add more ledges, because that is what people are here to see in the first place.

They’ve got a bunch of trivia about the Willis Tower on the walls while you’re waiting in line to get to Skydeck. One of the questions should be: How many lines do you have to wait in during your experience at Skydeck? The answer is 6.
1) A line to take an elevator down at the entrance.
2) A line to get through security
3) A line to buy tickets
4) A line to to check your tickets
5) A line to get on the elevator
6) A line to take the elevator down from Skydeck
You might even want to count another line at the ledge. Be ready to do some waiting. We made the mistake of going on a Saturday night because it fit into our schedule best and I think the view is better at night. Don’t make the same mistake as us. Go during the week. It definitely wasn’t a mistake to get a Citypass. We got to jump ahead in all the lines with the Citypass. Our wait was still 35 minutes, but it was a lot better than the two hours non Citypass guests had to endure. Expect a crowded observation area also. Normal ticket price is $ 19.50, $ 12.50 for kids ages 3 – 11. Enter through the Jackson Blvd side of the building.
If it’s your first time, the view is stunning. The Willis Tower is definitely an architectural wonder and one of those things you should experience at least once.

4.5 stars
If you are in the Chicago Downtown area, this is one of the tours you MUST do (Unless you are affraid of Heights).
I purchased a Go Chicago Pass (1 of 10 stops thru 2 day visit) which includes a fast pass (saves you at least 1 hr of waiting in line). You go to 103 floor and you get to view a 360 degree of Chicago land. It’s pretty enough to see from the top, but ALSO scary to step into a glass and when you look down and enjoy a better view and the excitement feeling.
There is nothing much to see but aside from great Architectural buildings, The water, and breathtaking view during Sunset.
If you are just thinking of coming here ($ 19 General Admission). Well expect to wait at least 1 — 2 Hrs to get up there.

Ok so I’m not the most daring when it comes to heights, but this isn’t as bad as being in open air looking over a ledge. It still is pretty frightening to step onto one of the ledges at the Skydeck though –never got any easier to set foot in each deck, even though I took countless pictures.
If you want to surpass all the lines, just arrive early. My girlfriend and I got to the building about an hour before opening time, so we were second in line. That allowed us the opportunity to take as many pictures as we wanted in each deck before any real lines began forming.
There are only three decks in which you are allowed to take pictures at your leisure, there’s another that’s strictly for professional pictures. But there are plenty of windows all around the building from which you can get a different vantage point of Chicago. You basically get a 360 view of the city.
Skydeck is a nice experience for out-​of-​towners. It’s mainly one of the touristy things that must be marked off the list when you’re visiting Chicago. Go experience the breathtaking views and stop by the souvenir shop downstairs to get something for remembrance.

Visited: 06/​26/​2015.
Though I’m terrified of heights, the views of the city from the Skydeck were amazing! Even though I visited during not so great weather, fog due to all the rain, you could still see the beautiful Gold Coast and Chicago in all its splendor. I’m pretty sure it was due to the weather that the wait wasn’t long at all, took no more than 10 – 15 minutes to go up. The line was super quick and there was plenty of space when you got to the top to explore. Highly recommend visiting this famous «Sears Tower» now «Willis Tower» if you’ve never been. And of course, you must take a picture here, even if you’re afraid of heights ;)

The line. Okay, multiple lines.
But the view.
Expensive.
But the view!
The overcrowding.
But the VIEW!
… was not worth it.
Having just moved to Chicago I grabbed my first willing tourist and we checked out one of the most touristy spots in Chicago: THE SKYDECK. With great anticipation we waited our turn, were subjected to the awkward/​forced photos that you would later be asked to purchase, and we then paid for our overly-​expensive tickets to see the top of this building, nay, this monument of Chicago history.
Nope.
Once you’re to the top you have about 20 seconds of time to sit in the skybox area before you feel uneasy about taking too much time in there. The views were nice to be sure, but the other detracting factors easily win out.
Now, instead of being awed by the prospect of visiting the Skydeck again, I’m dreading requests from friends and family to visit it over and over and over again. Ah to be a Chicagoan.
Synopsis: grab your selfie stick and head elsewhere.

I pre-​ordered my tickets online for the same price of $ 19.50 for adults. You just need to print it out and bring it with you and skip the lines, but when we arrived there wasn’t a line to buy tickets at all. If I had known, it would’ve been nice to get a physical Skydeck ticket as a memory token, oh wells.
You enter through a set of elevators to security check. Then you take a picture in front of a green screen, which you will get as you exit if you wish to purchase. This brings you to the ticket booth, or go ahead and get your ticket scanned if you purchased beforehand through a little walkway of Chicago history. You enter a small theatre that further explains Chicago’s history and how Sears Tower was built into today’s Willis Tower where the Skydeck brings in millions of traffic.
The final elevator leads you up 103 stories to the skydeck. There’s a 360 view of Chicago atop, but only one side offers the ledge. There’s four ledges to line up for with the one more for professional use only. The line took maybe 5 – 10 minutes on a Monday morning as everyone took their turns posing. It’s an amazing view to be in an invisible box making you feel like you’re standing in mid-​air at such great heights. I was honestly pretty damn freightened to go on the ledge, but I didn’t realize it until I looked down. It’s scary, but worth it. If you’re really afraid, keep looking straight ahead instead of below and you’ll be fine. Be sure to check for the weather before deciding to come out here!

As they say get out on the ledge… if you dare! The skydeck is 103 floors and more then 1,353 feet above the streets. The two ledge glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the floor. What an amazing experience this is. To be standing on glass looking down at the street below… well worth the $ 20.
Make sure you bring your camera for the great views from the 103 floor, they say you can see four states on a clear day. I could see many attractions such as the Field Museum, Soldier Field, Shedd Aquarium, Millenium Park, Navy Pier, and Wrigley Field to name a few.
Biggest tip is to order your tickets ahead of time. This allows you to skip the long lines!
Admission
Adult — Ages 12 and up $ 19.50
Youth — Ages 3 to 11 $ 12.50
Or
Fast Pass admission gives guests the option to bypass the interactive exhibits and the «Reaching For The Sky» theater presentation and be within 2 – 4 elevator rides from the Skydeck. $ 45.00
You will not regret this!

So — depending on if you’re from Chicago or visiting… if you’re visiting get the CityPass. You’ll thank me later. Plus since you’re visiting, the CityPass is pretty useful for other places you can go see. Did I mention that it can also help you skip the regular lines?
My friends and I were able to skip the long lines and only wait 10−15ish mins to get on the Elevator/​103^th floor. Pretty neat! My ears popped on the way up. We went during the day/​evening, so it was pretty crowded. Like… the regular line could have taken at least an hour.
There are only 2 elevators to take people up; therefore, be patient! Skydeck is a great place to go see especially if Chicago has beautiful weather. you can see the beauty of the city!
As for the ledge — I did see they had 4 sections of it. I was glad. So many people were on them. Kind of crazy to see yourself sitting on the glass and looking down to see how far the drop is… ha.
Worth a visit.