Willis Tower Vs Hancock Tower

Chicago has two earth-class observation decks – 360 Chicago and Skydeck Chicago – making it difficult for a visitor to choose.

Since both are excellent modernistic observatories, visitors are dislocated – from where should they run into the metropolis'due south skyline?

In this article, we compare 360 Chicago to Skydeck Chicago so that you lot can make an informed determination.

Tabular array of contents

Visit 360 Chicago and Skydeck Chicago
Location of observatories
Height of both observatories
Cost of tickets
Waiting times
Opening hours
TILT vs. Ledge
- 360 Chicago's Tilt
- Skydeck Chicago's Ledge
Our recommendation

Visit 360 Chicago and Skydeck Chicago

If time and money permits, we propose you visit both the observatories.

Both are historic buildings – 360 Chicago observatory has been around since 1969, while Skydeck Chicago opened its doors to its first company in 1974.

Both the decks offer stunning views of the Chicago skyline, and the experience is very different.

You lot tin either purchase the 360 Chicago ticket and Skydeck Chicago ticket individually or opt for the combo ticket which gets yous entry into both the observatories at a 5% discount.

If you are holidaying in Chicago for a longer catamenia, buy the Chicago CityPass, which gets yous admission to both the observatories.

Now, let's compare Willis Tower Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago on six parameters.

Location of observatories

Despite the reasonably different views from their observation decks, the ii buildings are not very far from each other.

Location is of import because based on the tourist attraction y'all are visiting or the hotel yous are staying in, i observatory may exist closer than the other.

360 Chicago is located on Michigan Avenue, and Skydeck Chicago is on Wacker Avenue (entrance is on Jackson Boulevard).

Nonetheless, if you won't be staying in the city center, the location won't affair much because they aren't that far autonomously.

360 Chicago observatory is just 3.2 Kms (ii Miles) from Skydeck observatory.

Tiptop of both observatories

Guest in Skydeck Chicago enjoys the height — Image: Girlin3a

Skydeck Chicago's observatory is higher than 360 Chicago's observatory.

Skydeck is on the 103rd flooring of the Willis Tower, at the height of 412 meters (1353 feet).

360 Chicago is on the 94th-floor of the John Hancock Building, at the height of 305 meters (1000 feet).

Just the views from 360 Chicago's observation deck aren't annihilation less.

Cost of tickets

Too the observatories, both the Chicago attractions likewise offer interesting exhibits and experiences as part of general access.

Skydeck Chicago's standard ticket costs $xxx for guests 12 years and above, while those betwixt 3 to eleven years pay a discounted toll of $22 for entry.

The price of 360 Chicago tickets depends on the time of visit – early morn slots are the cheapest, and the sunset time slots are the costlier.

From 9 am to 2.30 pm, guests older than 12 years pay $30 for entry, while kids 3 to eleven years pay a discounted rate of $20.

The sunset rates boot in from 3 pm to 6 pm, and adults pay $35 for entry while kids pay $23.

From 6.30 pm onwards, the regular rates apply.

At 360 Chicago, you must pay actress to experience the TILT, while at Skydeck Chicago, their Ledge experience is function of the entry ticket.

Waiting times

The Tilt at 360 Chicago — Image: 360Chicago.com

The average waiting time at Skydeck Chicago is double the waiting fourth dimension at 360 Chicago – during peak times.

This is because Skydeck Chicago gets almost double the number of visitors 360 Chicago gets.

This is why if you are traveling with impatient kids (or elderly adults) information technology may be worthwhile to opt for 360 Chicago.

Whichever observatory you opt for, exercise purchase your tickets in advance to avert waiting in lines.

Opening hours

Sometimes the opening times of the observatories may help y'all decide on which ane to visit.

360 Chicago is open daily from 9 am to eleven pm, and the concluding entry is at 10.30 pm.

Skydeck Chicago is open daily from nine am to 10 pm.

However, during the lean months – October to Feb – the Skydeck's hours get reduced to x am to 8 pm.

TILT vs. Ledge

What differentiates Chicago's 2 observatories is their unique feature – 360 Chicago's Tilt and Skydeck Chicago'south Ledge.

360 Chicago's Tilt

Access to 360 Chicago's Tilt is non included in the standard ticket.

You can purchase 360 Chicago tickets with the Tilt experience beforehand, or yous can decide to upgrade at the venue.

Skydeck Chicago's Ledge

Skydeck's Ledge is glass boxes extending out 1.iii meters (4.3 feet) from the skyscraper'due south Skydeck on the 103rd floor.

The Ledge is different considering instead of looking through glass windows (every bit in other observatories), you look through the glass floor.

There are 4 such boxes, and access to The Ledge is part of the regular Skydeck tickets.

Our recommendation

Both Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago have their advantages and disadvantages.

What is best for you depends on what you lot look from your visit to the superlative.

If the height of the observatory is crucial for y'all, opt for Skydeck Chicago, which is 107 meters (351 feet) taller than its counterpart. Book Tickets

Visitors who adopt shorter lines and lots of drinking glass windows will be happier visiting 360 Chicago. Volume Tickets

If you are still stuck on Skydeck Chicago or 360 Chicago, opt for the Chicago CityPass and see fantastic views from both decks.

Whichever observatory y'all cull, delight remember to:

Buy your tickets online in accelerate. Information technology helps y'all save money, and too avoid long queues at the venue
Bank check the conditions and ensure the day is clear before booking your tickets

If y'all have time on your hands, you can read up more on Skydeck Chicago and 360 Chicago earlier deciding.

Observatories take a sure romance after nighttime, which is why some tourists visit Skydeck Chicago after dark.

Popular attractions in Chicago

# Chicago Architecture Tours
# Art Institute of Chicago
# Field Museum
# SkyDeck Chicago
# 360 Chicago
# Gangsters and Ghosts Tour
# Crime and Mob Motorbus Tour
# Legoland Discovery Center
# Chicago Architecture Center
# Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
# iFly Chicago
# Chicago History Museum
# Medieval Torture Museum
# Museum of Contemporary Art
# BlueMan Group Chicago
# Museum of Surgical Science

Other observatories in USA

# Empire State Building
# One Earth Observatory
# Top of the Rock
# The Border at Hudson Yards