Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower
Tickets, The Ledge & Visitor Guide to Chicago's Highest View
⏱ 1-1.5 hours👤 All ages$$
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Get Willis Tower Skydeck Tickets
Skip the line · mobile tickets accepted at the door
Willis Tower — completed in 1973 and known as the Sears Tower until 2009 — rises 1,450 feet to its roof and held the title of world's tallest building until 1998. Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103rd floor at roughly 1,353 feet, the highest publicly accessible vantage point in the city.
The Ledge, added in 2009, is the reason most visitors come: a set of all-glass boxes cantilevered four feet out from the tower's west side, floored and walled in glass so you stand suspended over Wacker Drive far below. Reactions range from delight to outright refusal to step on — both are common. On a clear day the panorama stretches across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
The visit begins with a ground-floor exhibit on Chicago's history, its people, and the engineering of the tower itself, followed by a fast elevator ride to the top. The deck is enclosed and climate-controlled, so it works in any season. Sunset and clear winter days after a cold front deliver the sharpest views; hazy summer afternoons the worst. Queues are long in peak season — timed entry and early or late slots are the way to manage them.
What to Expect
Format
Timed-entry ticket. Ground-floor history exhibit, fast elevator to the 103rd floor, then self-paced time on the deck and The Ledge glass boxes.
Best Time
Clear days after a cold front are sharpest. The hour before sunset is the most spectacular and the most crowded; late morning on a weekday is the quietest. Skip hazy summer afternoons.
Duration
About an hour on the deck; add queue time, which can be significant in summer.
Tips
Book a timed slot ahead in peak season — walk-up lines can stretch an hour. The Ledge has its own short line at the top; go straight to it on arrival or right before you leave. Bring a real camera if you can; glass reflections frustrate phone shots, so shoot close to the glass.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
First-time visitors who want the highest, most iconic view in the city.
Families
Kids love The Ledge — though some freeze at the glass floor, which is part of the fun. The history exhibit holds attention on the way up.
Couples
Sunset on the deck is a classic. Pair it with dinner in the Loop or along the river afterward.
Pair With
360 Chicago for the comparison — different end of downtown, different angle on the skyline. Doing both in a day is a fun "battle of the decks."
Time Needed
1-1.5 hours including the queue.
Ready to book Willis Tower Skydeck?
Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Ledge?
A set of all-glass boxes that extend about four feet out from the 103rd floor, floored and walled in glass so you can stand suspended over the street roughly 1,353 feet below. It's the deck's signature feature.
Is Willis Tower still called the Sears Tower?
Officially it became Willis Tower in 2009, but many Chicagoans still call it the Sears Tower. It was completed in 1973 and was the world's tallest building until 1998.
Skydeck or 360 Chicago — which is better?
Skydeck is higher and has The Ledge glass boxes. 360 Chicago is on the Magnificent Mile end of downtown and has the TILT feature plus a closer view up the lakefront. Both are worth doing; if you pick one, Skydeck is the taller, more iconic choice.
How far ahead should I book?
In summer and over holidays, book a timed slot a few days ahead — walk-up waits can reach an hour. Off-season is more flexible.
Is the deck good in winter?
Yes — it's fully enclosed and heated. Clear, cold days right after a front pass through have the sharpest visibility of the year.
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