Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower) Tours and Tickets

One of the Windy City’s most popular tourist destinations, Skydeck Chicago is an observation deck located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) that offers views overlooking the city, Lake Michigan, and four states. Its glass floor balcony is called The Ledge.

The lofty Skydeck Chicago is the tallest observation deck in Chicago, located a whopping 1,353 feet (412 meters) up the Willis Tower. In comparison, the next-tallest observation deck in the city, the John Hancock Center’s 360 Chicago, tops out at 1,030 feet (314 meters) high.

Yes, you can purchase advance tickets to the Skydeck Chicago online—and you should. The observation deck remains one of the city’s top tourist attractions, making pre-booking wise. You also can book an evening dining experience at the landmark: Enjoy deep-dish pizza at Skydeck for a high-altitude, only-in-Chicago dining experience.

The Ledge is one of the key attractions at Skydeck Chicago. This enclosed glass balcony extends 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) outside the SkyDeck and invites you to look down and see the city spread out beneath your feet, as well as enjoy unimpeded views of the skyline.

Yes, Skydeck Chicago is completely accessible to visitors traveling via scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers and is certified ADA compliant. Its elevator is large enough to accommodate wheelchairs, and there are wheelchairs available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Even The Ledge—Skydeck Chicago’s glass balcony and signature attraction—is wheelchair-accessible.

Visitors typically spend between 1–2 hours at Skydeck Chicago, which is enough time to ascend to the observation deck, walk onto The Ledge (the landmark’s glass balcony), and pose for photos. However, you may need more time if you haven’t pre-booked tickets, as lines to get in can be long.