Now the cheaper observatory, (Read my Hancock Observatory review), the view from Skydeck is awesome, day or night. Travel books and a lot of people say Hancock has a better view, I completely disagree. I've been to both several times at day and night, and for me, Sears has the better view at day and night. Here's why it is so for me. Sears is located in the southwest loop. South view has Grant Park, new development on South Lakeshore Drive (name?), west has good expressway views, east has good Milennium Park views and lake, and north view has a better view of Chicago's dense and numerous highrises. I think because it is closer to the loop's core that you get a closer and better view of some better buildings that you really can't see that well from Hancock. Just my opinion. With recent Hancock price hike, I will always choose Skydeck for my skyline view every year. Skydeck does take longer overall than Hancock, time investmest can be sustantial if you go at the wrong time. I gave four stars instead of five because for some moronic reason, they took down the visibility rating. What? The dude said nobody really understood it. I DID! And it's important to your view. Two clear days can be completely different, because of haze, etc. so bring back the rating sign. If you are going to do Skydeck on any given day, look at top of Sears Tower, if you can see top of building and complete antennas, then go! If any clouds obscure it at all, even passing clouds, I would pass. One more thing, there are bathrooms on the 103 floor Skydeck, and from what I've read, they are the highest in the world, so use it, so you can say you did. read more

My wife and I visited Willis Tower on a Monday midday and chose the Skydeck Expedited Entry option. This turned out to be a fantastic decision because it offered the fastest path to the Skydeck elevators and The Ledge. We had no wait time at all, which made the experience even better. Booking our tickets in advance was easy and highly recommended since spaces are limited per 30-minute period. The express lines were efficient, and we were quickly on our way up to the Skydeck. Once at the top, the views were absolutely breathtaking. The Ledge was a thrilling experience, especially for my wife, who was initially terrified but ended up being a great sport about it. The unique perspective of the city from the Skydeck is something we'll never forget. The only downside of our visit was the photo taken by their crew. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out well, so we didn't purchase it. Given the $55 per person price, the overall experience was worth it, but the quality of the photos needs improvement. Pros: No wait time with expedited entry Spectacular views from the Skydeck Exciting experience on The Ledge Cons: Poor quality of the photo taken by the crew Overall, we had a wonderful time and would recommend the Skydeck Expedited Entry to anyone looking to enjoy Willis Tower without the long waits. Just be prepared for the possibility of not-so-great photos. read more

This is an absolute disgrace. I do my best to avoid tourist traps, but when I have to go, I hope for at least a little respect to human dignity. These people treat their customers like sardines with absolutely no consideration for comfort or wellbeing. It would alleviate the problem if they had some kind of timed entry system, or at least a counter of how long the wait is. But no - we arrived at 11 am and only now reached the top - at 2PM. 3 hours standing in line to look out a window. Oh and that's not all - once you reach the top - you get to wait ANOTHER 30+ minutes for the actual skybox if you want to pay for a photo, and if you don't want to pay - well you have to fight through a crowd of 20-30 non moving tourists to get your minute in the box. Oh and that's not all!! There's a line to leave! You can't just enjoy the views and leave - you get in a line that could take as long as an HOUR! Waste of my time, my money, and ruined my last day in Chicago. Do not go to this place until they get their sh*t together. I am honestly not only annoyed, I am insulted that some fat rich suit decided humans could reasonably be treated this way and charged money for the experience. read more

Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, has been a Chicago icon since its completion in 1973. Once the tallest building in the world, it remains an architectural marvel and a symbol of the city's skyline. You won't regret putting this on your visit list! The Skydeck is the star attraction, and it's just a quick 18 mph elevator ride to the top, making the journey as thrilling as the destination. Once there, you're amidst a 360 view of stunning panoramas of Chicago, Lake Michigan, and beyond. Visiting during the Christmas season at sunset is especially magical, the transition from daylight to the glittering city lights creates an enchanting atmosphere. A visit to the Skydeck isn't complete without snapping some photos. While the staff offers professional photos for purchase, they typically take only two, so you'll want to have your own camera or phone ready to capture additional shots, especially while standing on The Ledge. Whether you're a Chicago local or a first-time visitor, Willis Tower offers an incredible experience that blends history, architecture, and unbeatable views. It's a must-see for anyone exploring the Windy City! read more

I live nearby and was really excited to see catalog open along with more dining options in the loop. The security people on the first level are awful. I have lately been visiting the Starbucks along with Shake shack along with the other restaurants in this exciting space but the security people are rude and sometimes they don't even allow you to come into the building. It's really sad that they spent all of this money to develop catalog, which by the way they've marketed as a 'neighborhood', and they don't even let you in. Today I was coming in to order food and the security person pointed and told me to leave. Once inside I was harassed by a lady security officer asking why I was there. I understand this is a high profile building and security is needed- but they need to be courteous and allow people to come into the space to enjoy it. Tell your security officers to be courteous! I don't think the buildings retail tenants would be happy with the security company sending away business. I watch it happen all the time. Sad! read more

Every one who visits Chicago must make this a part of their itinerary. Before even getting into the elevator, you are surrounded by information about the building and even famous people of Chicago. Chicago is a proud city and they have every right to be. I loved learning about the history and the background of the building and its people that built it. You get a mini movie that provides more great visual slew of information. Even the elevator was an event of itself. You ride up to the 103rd floor in literally less than a minute while providing some fun facts along the way. And now finally the sky deck. Wow what an amazing experience. It's 360 degrees view as far as the eye can see. The new see-through sky deck is an exceptional addition. It allows you to walk on the edge and you can see all the way down. It's not for the faint of the heart. I just wished it wasn't so busy. The lines were so long and one couldn't take the time to take pictures and really enjoy the view. But still it was worth the wait. read more

Victory Auto Wreckers Well, I have to say, as much as I disliked having to junk my very lovable and 'loyal' Subaru Loyale '1992, it has been the best part of this week, so far! First of all, I was able to go online, send them my information, which was followed up by a phone call about when and where to pick up my car. Second, Mike the tow truck driver contacted me the day of the tow and was as pleasant, and nice and understanding as they come. In fact, I don't think he could have been nicer and made the junking of my beloved car any easier. Cheers to you, Mike! :) And finally, it was all said and done within 15 minutes, so we did not have to hang out in the cold! It was only 10 degrees that day, so getting it done in as fast and easy a way as possible made everything a lot more comfortable for me having to part with my old friend. 5 stars, and my hat off goes to Mike, (you're lucky to have him), and Victory Auto Wreckers! Thanks, Leslie read more

Visited Willis Tower during our trip to Chicago and it was absolutely worth the stop! Pros: They offer a military discount, which was very much appreciated. The views are incredible, you really get a full panoramic shot of the city and Lake Michigan. So many awesome photo opportunities, especially from the Skydeck. The interactive displays and exhibits leading up to the top were surprisingly fun and informative. The glass ledge experience was both thrilling and unforgettable. There's also a gift shop with cool souvenirs that weren't too overpriced for a major tourist spot. Cons: Some areas had long lines, especially for photo ops on the ledge. At one of the windows, staff only allowed us one quick picture, even though we had waited a long time in line, it felt rushed and a little disappointing. Overall, it's a must-see attraction in Chicago, just be ready to wait a bit and have your camera ready when it's finally your turn! read more

Visited July 2014: I will always call it Sears Tower...I mean really? Who changes the name of a world famous landmark? Who is Willis? NT Who. I visited the Sears Tower, for the first time since I was a little girl, with my son and several girls from my mentoring group. We had such a good time. While I had to stop the children and make them read the history, once they started they became more interested. The day we went it was a beautiful partly cloudy day. We had the most fun taking pictures in the 'glass cube' as my 5 year old son called it, certainly not for the faint of heart. I got lots of cute pictures of the kids and we had fun trying to find places that we know well. A must visit for Chicagoans and visitors alike. 4 stars for the high price, which is what I call tourist rates, versus the time we were there. Maybe 30 minutes. read more

We visited around one o' clock. This was the same time there were two major groups of students getting off buses. It was a little crowded. I think things could have gone more smoothly had they spent more time in figuring the best way to navigate people around. I hated that we were squished into the elevator and on the next floor up after watching a movie we were squished into what I would call a "Glass torture chamber." However, all of this was easily forgotten as soon as we got up the next elevator to the Sky Deck. It was amazing up there. I loved looking at all the different views. The 360 degree bay of windows was spectacular. My boyfriend and I enjoyed this immensely. Of course we had to go back down the stuffed elevators and out through the literal maze of two shops before we were back out onto the main street. read more

To me, it'll always be the Sears Tower. And while some places in the world have built skyscrapers a few feet higher than this one, it still lives in many people's memories as the long-time tallest building on the planet. The Skydeck is not something you'll want to visit a billion times, but I would say anybody that visits Chicago as a tourist or lives here owes it to themselves to come up there at least once. You can see a lot, and the view is breathtaking. A guy looking to propose to his girl would do well to consider this place to do it: "I am at the top of the world" is a literal here, not a figurative. If you do something like that, though, plan to get here when there's not too much crowding. Admission's like 19 dollars. Considering the experience, it's not a bad deal at all. Look it up, and then look on down! read more

Visiting Willis Tower was an unforgettable experience that easily merits a five-star rating. From the moment you enter the building, you're treated to a blend of architectural marvel and top-notch hospitality. The Skydeck offers breathtaking views of Chicago, stretching far into the horizons, and The Ledge brings a thrilling perspective that's hard to find elsewhere. Every staff member I interacted with was helpful and enthusiastic, enhancing the visit with their professionalism and courtesy. Whether you're a first-time visitor to Chicago or a longtime resident, Willis Tower provides a uniquely spectacular experience that stands tall amidst the city's rich skyline. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an unmatched urban adventure! read more

When you visit the Sears Tower, you'll be on top of the world (literally)! It's the tallest building in America (and in the world, if you don't count the antennae on the Petronus towers...maybe I'm just a biased Chicagoan, but they made the antennae taller for the sole purpose of beating the Sears Tower!!). Standing over 1300 feet in the air, this is the building of choice to see the great city of Chicago. The newly renovated sky deck is an awesome addition to a timeless classic. It offers history exhibits, multi-language kiosks, high-tech telescopes, and more. Just make sure you don't go on a foggy day; it's like sitting in an airplane, but you have more room to stretch out your legs. read more

Absolutely loved my experience at Willis Tower! The views from Skydeck are breathtaking -- you can see the entire Chicago skyline and even a few neighboring states on a clear day. The glass ledge was such a thrill -- definitely a must-do if you're not afraid of heights! The staff were friendly and helped make the experience smooth and enjoyable. The lines moved quickly, and the exhibits leading up to the top were interesting and full of Chicago history. Whether you're visiting for the first time or coming back to relive the view, Willis Tower is a Chicago landmark that never disappoints. Highly recommend going right before sunset for the best photos and skyline glow. read more

Was here in late October, and I want to warn everybody away from it. A picture of this building should be next to the definition of tourist trap in the dictionary. Waitin line, to wait in line, to wait in line, to wait in yet another line. My friends and I were there for about 3 hours, 2 hours and 45 minutes of which were all spent waiting in line. We were at the top for maybe 10 minutes, and then we had to wait in line to go back down. They trap you in there its terrible. Go the Hancock building, same view, free, no wait and a bar at the top. Sounds way better then lines, $20 entrance fee, loud third grade field trips and no alcohol. read more

All I can say is wow!! When we got to the Willis Tower, we were told that there was Zero visibility. Since we came all the way from North Carolina, we decided to go up anyway. We were so happy we did. It was a foggy day but we could see a little at first. Then the wind blew and pushed some of the fog away. The view from the top was spectacular. We could see the lake as well as most of downtown. The other cool aspect of the tower was the clear box off the side of the building so you can look straight down with a clear view. It definitely was really scary stepping out for the first time but it was an experience that I will never forget. read more

Let's face it... The Willis Tower is the most iconic building in the Chicago skyline... If not for just the fact that Ferris Bueller looked down from the edge years before the glass blocks were installed and years before it lost its proper name (Sears Tower). But if you're a tourist, and you can only drop money for the pleasure of looking down at skyscrapers once, the Hancock building has a much better view... Because you can see the lake and the Willis tower from there. Plus, my attorney's office is in the Willis tower, and he may or may not be a scumbag. Avoid, avoid, avoid. read more

For tourists or other people interested in going to this attraction and want a short concise review, this is it. Going to visit the Skydeck in the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) is a must. You get to see a short film about the history of the building, and walk through a gallery with historic facts including other tall buildings and well-known people related to Chicago. The glass balconies, called The Ledge, is a great addition to this observatory. I wish the price would be cheaper (maybe $10 adult/ $8 children), but I will definitely go again. read more

I think for the price its well worth it. I would give it a 5 star for that reason. The only reason I give it a 3 is because you cannot enjoy it. People are there to just take photos so they can post it on Facebook to show off to other people. You can't get in the skydeck and experience it because you are being pressured to hurry up. I suggest there should be a "wait behind this line for your turn" and add two lines. Because people have no consideration for others. read more