Willis Tower Skydeck & The Ledge Tickets Chicago
- Duration45 minutes
- Open onSee time slots in the booking calendar
- Meeting pointThe Skydeck entrance on South Wacker Drive between West Jackson and West Adams streets
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This ticket takes you up Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the United States, to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor and out onto The Ledge, the glass balconies that project from the tower. Your default ticket is a timed entry, so you choose a slot in advance and avoid the ticket line, and an expedited-entry option is available if you prefer the fastest route to the lifts. You also see the interactive exhibits and a short presentation about Chicago. Entry is self-guided, with no hotel pickup.
Highlights
- Timed-entry access to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower
- Step onto The Ledge, a glass balcony above the city streets
- Views on a clear day across four states and up to fifty miles
- Interactive exhibits and a presentation on Chicago's history and skyline
- Choose a standard timed entry or an expedited-entry option
- In the Loop, close to Millennium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk
Full Description
Willis Tower in the Chicago Loop
Willis Tower, still known to many people as the Sears Tower, opened in the early 1970s and stands more than 1,400 feet high in the Loop, the historic centre of Chicago. For decades it was the tallest building in the world, and it is still the best-known skyscraper in the city. People planning a trip often search for Willis Tower tickets because it is one of the top things to do in Chicago.
The building is on Wacker Drive and is easy to reach on foot from Union Station and by the elevated trains that circle the Loop. If you are asking how to get to Willis Tower, allow a few minutes for the security check at the entrance, then follow the signs to the Skydeck lifts.
The Skydeck on the 103rd floor
The Skydeck occupies the 103rd floor, more than 1,300 feet above the street, and the high-speed lifts reach it in about a minute. On a clear day the view stretches for around fifty miles and can include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, with Lake Michigan filling the horizon on one side and the grid of the city on the other.
Interactive exhibits tell the story of Chicago, from the Great Fire and its architecture to the L trains and the food and music that define the city. The Skydeck opening hours change by season, so pick your slot in the booking panel.
The Ledge glass balconies
The Ledge is a set of glass boxes that extend a few feet beyond the face of the tower, so that you stand on a clear floor looking straight down at the street far below. It is the most photographed part of a Skydeck visit and the reason many travellers book this ticket.
To keep waiting times manageable, each group receives a short time on The Ledge for photos. Bring a phone with plenty of battery, and ask the staff for advice on the best angle. Guests who dislike heights are welcome to enjoy the view from the solid floor instead.
Planning your Skydeck visit
The best time to visit the Skydeck is shortly after opening or in the late afternoon and evening, when queues are shorter and the light over the city and lake is at its best. Your timed-entry ticket lets you skip the ticket line, but you still pass through security and wait for the lifts and The Ledge.
If you would rather spend less time queuing, choose the expedited entry option in the booking panel. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so travel light. After your visit, Millennium Park and the Art Institute are within an easy walk.
Itinerary
- Arrive and pass securityEnter Willis Tower on your chosen slot and go through the security check, allowing 10 to 15 minutes.
- Ride to the 103rd floorTake the fast lifts up to the Skydeck in about a minute.
- Explore the Skydeck exhibitsSee the interactive displays and short presentation about Chicago's history and architecture.
- Step onto The LedgeQueue for the glass balcony, take your photos and enjoy the view straight down.
- Finish your visitAllow around 45 minutes to an hour in total before heading down.
What's included
- Timed access to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor
- Access to The Ledge
- Museum-quality exhibits
- Theatre presentation
- Downloadable Skydeck app with viewfinder
- Free Wi-Fi
Not included
- Express entry to the lifts
- Priority access to The Ledge
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
- A short visit — about 1 hour
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.6/5 by past travellers
Not suitable for
- Guests with a strong fear of heights (the solid-floor viewing area is available)
- Visitors carrying luggage or large bags, which are not allowed inside
- Anyone who cannot be at the tower at the chosen time slot
Meeting point
There is no hotel pickup. Go to Willis Tower at 233 South Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago and follow the signs to the Skydeck entrance. Arrive a few minutes before your chosen entry time, and present your ticket on your phone at the security check.
Important information
- This is a timed-entry ticket: arrive at your chosen time so you can enter as scheduled.
- Timed entry saves you the ticket queue, but you may still queue for security, the lifts and The Ledge.
- Luggage and large bags are not allowed inside the tower.
- Visibility depends on the weather and no changes are made because of clouds or haze.
- Opening hours change by season; late afternoon and early morning are usually quieter.
- Wheelchair access is available; the Skydeck floor is on a lift level.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Willis Tower Skydeck ticket cost?
The price depends on the option and age category. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children for each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. This is an entry ticket only; you make your own way to Willis Tower in the Loop.
How long does the visit take?
Plan on about 45 minutes to an hour, plus time for security and the lift queue.
Is the Skydeck suitable for children?
Yes. Children enjoy the exhibits and The Ledge, and age categories are listed in the booking panel.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable clothes and a phone with battery for photos. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if your date and time slot are available in the booking panel.
What is the difference between the options?
The standard ticket is a timed entry that saves the ticket queue. The expedited option gives a faster path to the lifts and The Ledge.
How high is The Ledge?
The Ledge is on the 103rd floor, more than 1,300 feet above the street, and extends a few feet from the building.
How far can I see from the Skydeck?
On a clear day up to about fifty miles, and parts of four states.
Is the Skydeck worth visiting?
Yes, for the height, the view over Lake Michigan and the glass balcony experience, especially in clear weather.
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