360 Observation Deck Chicago Tickets: how to buy, prices and schedules

Chicago's 360 Observation Deck is located in the skyscraper 875 North Michigan Avenue, formerly known as the John Hancock Center. The building has 100 floors, but the observatory is located on the 94th floor, 314 metres above the ground. From there you can see the whole city, so I recommend you add this place to your list of things to see and do in Chicago.

However, this skyscraper is not the only observatory in Chicago. You could say that its competition is the Willis Tower Skydeck. Despite this, many prefer the 360 Observation Deck because it has a bar-café, a larger space to be more comfortable and its "TILT" attraction, in which a transparent glass platform tilts. A fascinating experience.

Tickets to 360 Observation Deck Chicago are worth every penny. General admission costs an average of €40, which gets you up to the 94th floor of the skyscraper at 875 North Michigan Avenue and gives you a 360° view of the city. It also allows you to download the Magnicity App to learn much more about the Windy City.

The "TILT" ticket, meanwhile , offers you the same as the general admission plus a ride on TILT, Chicago's tallest attraction. You also have the option of buying a ticket that also includes a drink from a selected menu. The cost can vary between €40 and €50.

As I mentioned before, you can opt to buy a tourist pass such as the CityPass. This has an average cost of €100 or more. With this pass you will save up to 50% and you will be able to visit 4 other attractions in addition to the 360 Observation Deck in Chicago. To see if this pass is worth buying or not, add up the ticket prices for the attractions you want to go to. If it's more than the price of the pass, don't hesitate to buy it!

If you're more traditional and prefer to buy your tickets at the 360 Observation Deck Chicago box office, I recommend you go early. Depending on the time of the year you travel, you may or may not encounter a long queue of people who have the same plan as you.

This is why I recommend you to arrive in time to make that queue which usually takes 1 hour or more if you buy your tickets at the box office. The wait is long as each group arriving at the observatory has 45 to 60 minutes to enjoy their stay at the heights.

On the other hand, remember that the observatory is located on the 94th floor of the skyscraper 875 North Michigan Avenue and the climb takes about 30 minutes. As there is only one lift, you must wait for the previous group to come down before you can go up.

You probably included a visit to the 360 Observation Deck in Chicago on your list of things to do in Chicago with kids. Well, the entrance fee for the youngest members of the family is approximately 20 € if the child is under 12 years old. If they are babies under 3 years old, their entrance is totally free.

On the other hand, with the CityPass Chicago you can also find a cheaper option for children under 12 years old. The average cost of this tourist pass for children is approximately €95. Youngsters can enjoy up to 5 Chicago attractions at a 50% discount.

To visit Chicago's 360 Observation Deck you don't need a guide. Your stay at the observatory is intended to dazzle you with the wonderful views of the city, relax and concentrate on the moment.

On the other hand, if you are travelling with a group of 20 or more people, you can receive a discount and better plan your visit. If this is the case, you will need to submit an application before you go. You can ask for the TILT experience, a drink or for directions on where to eat near the tower.

Depending on the experience you choose, you can learn something different about the city. On the Chicago 360 Observation Deck website you will find special plans for artists, teens and children or adults in general. If you want to learn more about the city, you can always take a sightseeing tour focused on its history, food or architecture. There are many options for all tastes and interests.

Chicago's 360 Observation Deck is located in the centre of the city. Right on the Magnificent Mile, just a few metres from Lake Michigan, where you can take relaxing cruises. All of these sites are located on North Michigan Avenue, from where you can overlook the city even if you haven't climbed the tower yet.

Fortunately, you have several public transportation options to choose from to get to Chicago's 360 Observation Deck. Both the underground and buses are run by the Chicago Transit Authority.

If you choose to travel by underground, the easiest and fastest option is to travel on the Red line, which is the busiest of all. The nearest station is "Chicago". When you get off, you'll only have to walk about 10 minutes and you can easily find your way around using Google Maps.

If you want to travel by bus, line 151 has the closest station to the observatory. This is Michigan & Chestnut, just a few steps away from the site. However, keep in mind that you'll have to do a little quick research to find out which is best for you based on your location. There are other train stations and bus stops that may be more accessible to you.

Traveller Tip
Before you leave it is advisable to write down all the addresses you will need. If you don't like to carry a piece of paper in your hand, at least highlight the places on Google Maps so you can easily locate them during your tour.

The biggest attraction of Chicago's 360 Observation Deck is, of course, looking down on the city from above. Believe me, the views are breathtaking. However, if you go, I recommend you experience the "TILT". This famous experience is not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo or are easily frightened.

The observatory staff will tell you where you need to be positioned so that a large window tilts at about 30° into the void. Just saying that gives me chills! From this angle you will be able to see the city centre, only everything will look as if it were hanging, do you want to experience it?

In addition to this well-known experience, the 360 Observation Deck in Chicago premiered in July 2022 a new 3D experience called Cloud Walk. It is a mural by artist Nate Baranowski. This interactive artwork is composed of optical illusions that make visitors feel as if they are actually walking on the clouds.

When planning your visit to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck you should consider not only your time at the observatory, but also the queues you may encounter. As I've been telling you, this is a very popular attraction, so many people queue for the experience.

At the observatory alone you will have between 45 minutes and 1 hour to admire the 360° view. However, if you are travelling in a high season like summer or December, you will probably find yourself with a long queue before going up. Some people have even spent 2 hours in the queue, which is even longer if you buy your tickets at the ticket office.

I know, nobody likes to wait, so I recommend you to choose an uncrowded time to save yourself the hassle. Also, it's best to buy your ticket online, so you can go straight to the queue where you wait your turn to go up. If all goes well, you may only have to wait 1 hour to get on the lift.

When you visit Chicago's 360 Observation Deck you can choose to see the city during the day, at sunset or at night. Depending on what you choose, you'll see a different side of the Windy City. Of course, the time you choose will also depend on your itinerary, but they're all worth it.

The observatory opens at 9am, so if you'd like to start your day off on the right foot, this is the plan for you. If you're stuck for time or this place is on your list of things to see in Chicago at night, no problem, you have until 11pm to visit the observatory.

However, don't forget that you need to set aside some time to queue and wait for the lift. Please note that the last group goes up one hour before closing time, i.e. 10pm is the last trip up to the 94th floor of the tower.

The 360 Observation Deck in Chicago is one of the best attractions you can visit in this city. In order to enjoy the whole experience with peace of mind, I recommend you to take some precautions. That's why I have prepared a small list of things that might help you:

• Tourist crowds: This is a very popular place not only among tourists, but also among Americans who travel from different parts of the country to visit. The busiest times of the year are summer and December. It is usually in the afternoon that most people visit the site. With this in mind you can avoid the crowds.

• If these are the dates and times when you can visit this attraction, the best thing to do is to arrive at least an hour ahead of schedule. This way you can wait quietly in the queue until your turn arrives.

• If this is your first time in Chicago, you may find it a little difficult to use public transport. As I explained in previous sections, you can use the underground or bus. The truth is that it is not very complicated to understand, just look at the line you have to take and the station or stop closest to the tower. You can confirm your route on Google Maps.

• So that you always have your souvenir with you, don't forget to take your mobile phone with you. Take pictures of everything you can, but don't forget to live in the moment. Remember that if you are going to live the TILT experience, it is better to pay for professional photographs that the staff will take for you. Photography is prohibited in this area, as it is not safe for you or your companions.

At the 360 Observation Deck in Chicago you can look out over the vastness of the city while sipping your favourite drink. On the observatory floor you will find Bar 94 which offers a selection of drinks and cocktails that you can enjoy to complement your visit. One of the tickets includes a drink so you can have everything ready and just go upstairs to enjoy the experience.

At the observatory you also have the option of having professional photos taken while you enjoy the TILT experience. This service is offered as photography is not allowed in this area to prevent damage to the glass. You can then order your photo virtually. The staff will let you know when your photos will be ready.

At this observatory you can also plan private business or romantic events. On the website you can see the different spaces they offer. It is also a popular venue for weddings.

Do you want an incomparable birthday present? Then you must visit the 360 Observation Deck in Chicago on your birthday because your admission will be totally free. This promotion is valid only if you present your personal ID at the box office.

At the end of your visit to Chicago's 360 Observation Deck or even before you visit, you should enjoy a good meal. One option might be to take a food tour of Chicago. These have different options and dishes that you will surely love, besides being a different way to get to know the city.

In case you don't have time for that plan or you just prefer to visit a restaurant, you have several options. The first is to eat at Bar 94, located on the north side of the observatory. There you can eat typical Chicago dishes and drink professional cocktails. Another option in the same skyscraper is just upstairs. There you will find The Signature Room. This place is ideal if you want to continue appreciating the view from the heights accompanied by an exquisite dish.

If you are interested in enjoying a dessert then you can go to The Cheesecake Factory. This restaurant is located on the first floor of the skyscraper, so the time to enjoy their desserts will be before going up or at the end of your visit. In addition to sweets, you can get a varied menu for lunch or dinner or it can even be the starting point for a great food tour of the city.

Another option near 875 North Michigan Avenue is Francesca's On Chestnut, where you can eat Italian food. Elephant & Castle Restaurant offers an English flair in both ambience and menu. If you prefer something simpler, you'll also find fast food places like McDonald's or the classic Taco Bells just a few streets away.