Willis Tower Skydeck
103rd-floor observation deck with 'The Ledge' glass boxes cantilevered over the city.
The call
Worth it if you are traveling with kids and you are traveling as a couple.
Why
- 01
The view is the highest in the city and The Ledge — stepping onto a glass floor 1,300 feet up — delivers a real jolt.
Our read - 02
The catch is the experience around it: long queues, a corralled museum-style approach, and a price that stings if the sky is hazy, so check visibility before you commit.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to Chicago
The definitive top-of-Chicago moment if you only do one observation deck.
You are traveling with kids
With kids, Willis Tower Skydeck works.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Willis Tower Skydeck works.
You care about the visual experience
For beauty & photography, Willis Tower Skydeck delivers.
Think twice if
You are watching the budget
On a budget, weigh it — Willis Tower Skydeck isn't cheap for what it is.
You only have one day
Willis Tower Skydeck is a real time commitment — fit it in only if it's a priority.
You are traveling solo
Solo, it depends on the day.
You want something active
For adventure, Willis Tower Skydeck is hit or miss.
Plan it well
- Cost
- $33–43 adult
- Timing
- Go on a clear day; check visibility first, and aim for sunset or early to dodge the worst queues.
- Booking
- Buy timed-entry tickets online to skip the standby line.
- Allow
- 1–1.5 hours
- Accessibility
- Elevators throughout; the Ledge and deck are wheelchair accessible.
- Getting there
- Wacker Drive entrance in the West Loop; Quincy and LaSalle 'L' stops are close.
Consider instead
Sources and method (2)
- The Ledge glass balconies sit 1,353 feet up on the 103rd floor and extend ~4.3 feet from the building; general admission starts at $32 (expedited from ~$55) theskydeck.com ↗
- Admission includes elevator access to the 103rd-floor deck and entry to the Ledge theskydeck.com ↗