Anybody who has seen a photograph of the Chicago skyline can in all probability select town’s most well-known constructing – a 108-story asymmetrical black behemoth with two spiky antennas which are colorfully lit up at night time. Add a blazing purple eye between the antennas, and also you’d have one thing proper out of “Lord of the Rings.”
This, in fact, is the Willis Tower – generally known as the Sears Tower till July 2009.
The Willis Tower’s “Skydeck Chicago” on the 103rd flooring is definitely Chicago’s hottest vacationer attraction, drawing greater than 1.3 million guests per yr to its 360-degree views out over town.
However, whereas the Skydeck is wildly well-liked, it really has some competitors a mile and a half away on the 100-story constructing sitting at 875 North Michigan Avenue*. This constructing boasts an observatory much like the Skydeck on its 94th flooring, generally known as 360 Chicago, with views out over Lake Michigan and town of Chicago.
*This build up till a pair years in the past was generally known as the John Hancock Heart, however at present is anonymous. You may nonetheless doubtless see it known as the Hancock constructing, although.
So which tower is REALLY higher? Which one is extra value your time (and cash)?
I’m going to attempt to reply that query for you on this Chicago Tower Smackdown by evaluating varied options of every tower.
Going to be visiting Chicago quickly? Make sure to decide up a Chicago CityPASS, which incorporates fast-track admission to each of town’s well-known towers, and might prevent greater than $100 on attraction entry all through town.
Willis Skydeck vs. 360 Chicago comparability
Info/pricing final up to date Could 2024.
Right here we go! Every little thing it is advisable to know to decide on between visiting the Skydeck or 360 Chicago.
NOTE: Each towers are actually requiring timed tickets to be able to go to. Make sure to e-book your tickets prematurely if you wish to go to at a selected time!
Location
The Willis Tower is situated on Wacker Avenue, with the Skydeck entrance on Jackson Boulevard. The tower is mainly on the coronary heart of downtown Chicago, with buildings and busy Chicago streets throughout it.
The 360 Chicago is situated on well-liked Michigan Avenue, proper subsequent to Lake Michigan. You’ve got water on mainly two sides, and Chicago on the others.
Smackdown Winner: Draw, as a result of each are situated in good areas, inside strolling distance of public transport.
Tally: Skydeck — 1 360 Chicago — 1
Costs
Visiting the Skydeck will value you anyplace from $28-$36 for grownup common admission ($22-$26 for teenagers), relying on what day/time you need to go to. For $50-$55, you will get Expedited Entry, which is able to allow you to skip among the traces.
360 Chicago expenses $35 for grownup common admission ($25 for teenagers), however gives a $5 low cost in the event you e-book on-line. There are additionally a number of completely different packages you should buy, together with their “Sip, TILT & View” package deal for $57.50 that features skip-the-line admission, a drink from the Cloud Bar in a memento glass, and one experience on the TILT.
Smackdown Winner: 360 Chicago, however solely simply. In case you e-book forward and need to add on the extras, it finally ends up being a barely higher deal.
Tally: Skydeck — 1 360 Chicago — 2
Hours
It is a small factor, however nonetheless necessary.
The Skydeck is open one year a yr. From March by means of September, the Skydeck is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. From October by means of February, it’s open from 9 a.m. to eight p.m. (9 p.m. on Saturdays), with the final entry half-hour earlier than closing.
360 Chicago can be open one year a yr. Its hours are 9 a.m.-11 p.m. each day year-round, and final entry is one hour earlier than closing.
Smackdown winner: 360 Chicago, as a result of it’s open barely extra hours, it doesn’t matter what time of yr.
Tally: Skydeck — 1 360 Chicago — 3
Wait Occasions
Until you go up both of those towers on an overcast day, chances are high you’ll have to wait in line to purchase tickets, after which wait to get into the elevators that can whisk you as much as the statement decks. Each the Skydeck and 360 Chicago counsel visiting early within the morning, or within the night (after 5 p.m.) for the shortest wait instances.
Wait instances are fully depending on the climate, day of the week, and the season. However right here’s an concept of what to anticipate:
The Skydeck, being the extra well-liked of the 2 choices, can have some actually lengthy traces and wait instances. I visited on a sunny, Saturday afternoon in mid-March – proper round Spring Break time for many highschool and schools – and once more on a sunny Saturday afternoon in April just a few years later. There was a line to easily board the elevator that takes you right down to a safety checkpoint and the ticketing counters, after which one other wait to board the elevators as much as the Skydeck. Whole wait time from the entrance doorways was quoted at about 2.5 hours for common admission.
Over on the 360 Chicago, an worker mentioned that wait instances can stand up to 1 hour on busy summer time days, however often common between 10 and half-hour. I went as much as 360 Chicago twice on the identical March weekend that I visited the Skydeck – as soon as on a barely overcast afternoon, and once more on a transparent night time – and didn’t even wait 5 minutes to go up both time. On my most up-to-date go to (a Sunday morning in April), there as soon as once more was no line to take an elevator up.
Shopping for an categorical entry ticket forward of time at both tower will help keep away from a few of these traces. In truth, I might say it is a should on the Willis Tower on busy days!
(Shopping for a Chicago CityPASS consists of Expedited Entry to the Skydeck, and skip-the-line entry to the 360 Chicago!)
Smakdown winner: 360 Chicago, as a result of it’ll in all probability at all times have shorter wait instances.
Tally: Skydeck — 1 360 Chicago — 4
The Trip Up
When you lastly make it to the elevators that can whisk you as much as the Skydeck, it takes about 60 seconds to ascend 1,353 toes to the 103rd flooring of the Willis Tower.
The big elevator will in all probability be packed, however you’ll be entertained for that minute by a flat-screen tv throwing out some enjoyable information and explaining how excessive you’re climbing, whereas evaluating that top to different well-known buildings around the globe.
It was cool to see the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower falling away as we shortly ascended, and the function helped put into perspective simply how tall the Willis Tower is.
The 360 Chicago elevators, whereas smaller, might additionally doubtlessly be crowded on a busy day. The experience as much as the Observatory takes 40 seconds to climb 1,000 toes, making these the quickest elevators in North America.
The experience up is accompanied by a witty narration, largely explaining how briskly you’re going (greater than 20 mph).
Smackdown winner: Skydeck, as a result of the function evaluating your top to different well-known buildings is fairly cool.
Tally: Skydeck — 2 360 Chicago — 4
Chicago Tower Views
This explicit part might be the one everyone seems to be most fascinated with — which Chicago tower has the perfect views? Effectively, the reply is totally depending on private perspective and style. However I’ll offer you my tackle it.
The Skydeck has nice views on all 4 sides of the constructing. You possibly can see out over downtown Chicago, look down onto the Chicago River, and see all the best way to Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. The Willis Tower is the tallest constructing within the metropolis, so nothing stands in the best way of your view. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to actually see for miles.
The 360 Chicago additionally has nice views on a transparent day. It sits proper on Lake Michigan, and you may see throughout the lake to different states on good days. You may also look proper down on Navy Pier, and see out over downtown Chicago. You possibly can’t see the river from right here, however you CAN see the Willis Tower within the Chicago skyline, which is fairly cool.
I felt like 360 Chicago has a extra “open” feeling to it, with bigger glass panes on its home windows and mirrors on the ceilings. You might be additionally capable of get nearer to the home windows on the 360 Chicago to take pictures.
After darkish, I additionally really feel like 360 Chicago has the benefit. True, one facet of the constructing will simply be darkish since there aren’t any lights on Lake Michigan, however seeing the Chicago skyline (*together with* the Willis Tower) lit up at night time is fairly particular.
Smackdown winner: I believe I’ve to go along with the 360 Chicago, as a result of I favored having the ability to see the Willis Tower within the skyline, in addition to the attractive coloration of Lake Michigan on a sunny day. However this one was actually shut.
Tally: Skydeck — 2 360 Chicago — 5
Each of the towers supply some “extras” on the high to try to entice extra guests.
The Skydeck boasts “The Ledge,” that are a set of glass packing containers that reach roughly 4 toes out from the facet of the Willis Tower that overlooks Wacker Avenue. The packing containers – added in 2009 when the Skydeck underwent a renovation – have glass bottoms, so you’ll be able to look down and see the road 1,353 toes beneath.
In case you stand in a single field and have a good friend stand within the subsequent field over, you’ll be able to take some cool pictures of one another.
The glass-bottom function is the true draw right here, as a result of the packing containers sit on the facet of the constructing with the least spectacular view (for my part).
Simply bear in mind that there WILL be traces to get into these packing containers, so be ready to attend your flip. In addition they ask that teams solely spend a minute or two inside to ensure that extra individuals to maneuver by means of.
The 360 Chicago used to have the “Skywalk,” which was an open-air walkway alongside the facet of the John Hancock constructing that confronted Willis Tower. When it was re-branded as 360 Chicago, although, they added TILT.
TILT is a row of 8 big glass home windows that tilt out 1000 toes over the Chicago streets beneath. The cool half is which you can hold onto handrails inside because the home windows tilt out, supplying you with an actual rush as you are feeling such as you’re hanging out over town.
It is a tremendous distinctive new function, regardless that it does value an additional $9 to attempt. (And whereas it would not look tremendous dramatic in these pictures, I can promise that it *feels* fairly dramatic as you are doing it!)
The 360 Chicago additionally gives some particular occasions like yoga courses on Sunday mornings, and sip-and-paint courses.
Smackdown winner: Draw, as a result of each towers supply extras which are actually cool.
Tally: Skydeck — 3 360 Chicago — 6
The Facilities
Each towers have primary facilities like restrooms, and each even have partitions with enjoyable information about Chicago as a bit of additional leisure.
The Skydeck has slightly memento store, multimedia reveals in regards to the tower, and a theater presentation referred to as Reaching for the Sky, which focuses on Chicago’s distinctive structure.
360 Chicago additionally has a memento store, in addition to a brand new bar (the CloudBar) with tables and chairs on the south facet of the constructing. Each towers have full-service eating places on separate flooring, however the bar here’s a good contact. It suggests that you’re welcome to only sit for some time and benefit from the views.
Smackdown winner: 360 Chicago, as a result of I like the truth that you’ll be able to seize a snack (or a drink!) and a seat. The Skydeck has no seating in any respect, which might be good in the event you simply stood in a line for two.5 hours!
Tally: Skydeck — 3 360 Chicago — 7
Picture Ops
Each towers will supply to take skilled pictures of you in entrance of a inexperienced display screen earlier than you board the elevator. You possibly can then buy these pictures afterward, with a wide range of Chicago backgrounds to select from.
The Skydeck gives one of many inexperienced display screen pictures on the backside of the tower. It additionally has a photographer on the high of the tower at The Ledge, who will take a photograph of you (for buy) standing in one of many glass packing containers, with town far beneath.
360 Chicago additionally has an expert photographer on the backside of the tower. On the high, it’s also possible to get skilled pictures taken in the event you select to do the TILT. And there is a new 3D mural by artist Nate Baranowski referred to as CloudWalk that makes for enjoyable pictures up right here.
Smackdown winner: Draw, as a result of each towers supply related photograph ops. (The costs are slightly cheaper at 360 Chicago, although.)
Tally: Skydeck — 4 360 Chicago — 8
Getting there
Each towers are simply accessible utilizing Chicago public transportation. There’s an “L” (elevated prepare) station only a block from the Willis Tower, and the Purple Line metro will get you inside strolling distance of the Hancock constructing. CTA buses additionally make stops close by each, or you’ll be able to at all times catch an Uber or Lyft.
In case you’re already downtown, it’s additionally fairly straightforward to stroll to both constructing.
Smackdown winner: Draw, as a result of each are comparatively straightforward to get to.
Tally: Skydeck — 5 360 Chicago — 9
Last Outcomes: 360 Chicago wins!
The Skydeck on the Willis Tower is iconic in Chicago, which suggests it’s additionally dearer and could have longer traces.
So, if you’d like an awesome view however don’t need to look forward to it, go to the 360 Chicago.
(Or, you’ll be able to at all times do what I did, and go to each! That manner you may make up your personal thoughts.)
Chicago CityPASS
It can save you on admission to BOTH of those towers with a Chicago CityPASS (in addition to admission to the Shedd Aquarium, the Area Museum, The Adler Planetarium, and extra).
RELATED: 3 Reasons Why Buying a CityPASS in Chicago is Worth It
Or take a look at these Chicago excursions:
Disclaimer: I used to be given free, quick go entry to each the Skydeck and (former) John Hancock Observatory on my first journey to Chicago, and obtained a complimentary CityPASS on my second journey to re-visit each towers. As at all times, although, all opinions are 100% my very own.
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Have you ever visited both the Skydeck or the Hancock 360 in Chicago? Or each? If that’s the case, which one was YOUR favourite?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!
