Home > Destinations > North America > USA > Illinois > Chicago > Attraction > Sears Tower Skydeck
Frommers.com Frommers.com
Most Recent Chicago Forum Posts
Most Recommended Articles
Most Commented Articles

Sears Tower Skydeck Frommer's Recommended

233 S. Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL

Frommer's ReviewMap It
Hours Apr-Sept daily 10am-10pm; Oct-Mar daily 10am-8pm
Location Enter on Jackson Blvd,
Transportation Bus: 1, 7, 126, 146, 151, or 156. Subway/El: Brown, Purple, or Orange line to Quincy, or Red or Blue line to Jackson; and then walk a few blocks west
Phone 312/875-9696
Web site www.the-skydeck.com
Prices Admission $17 adults, $11 children (3-11), children 3 and under Free

Review of Sears Tower Skydeck

First Sears sold the building and moved to cheaper suburban offices in 1992. Then the skyscraper got an ego blow when the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, went up and laid claim to the title of world's tallest building. (The Sears Tower has since put up a 22-ft. antenna in an attempt to win back the title.) Tallest-building posturing aside, this is still a great place to orient yourself to the city, but I wouldn't put it on the top of must-see sights for anyone with limited time (and limited patience for crowds).

The view from the 103rd-floor Skydeck is everything you'd expect it to be -- once you get there. Unfortunately, you're often stuck in a very long, very noisy line, so by the time you make it to the top, your patience could be as thin as the atmosphere up there. (Come in the late afternoon or early evening to avoid most of the crowds.) On a clear day, visibility extends up to 50 miles, and you can catch glimpses of four surrounding states. Despite the fact that it's called a "skydeck," you can't actually walk outside. Multimedia exhibits on Chicago history and Knee High Chicago, an exhibit for kids, are additional attractions. The 70-second, high-speed elevator trip will feel like a thrill ride for some, but it's a nightmare for anyone with even mild claustrophobia. Allow 1 hour, more if there's a long line.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


Back to Top


Related Features
Deals & News


Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Frommer's Chicago, 17th Edition Destination Guide Frommer's Chicago, 17th Edition

Author: Elizabeth Canning Blackwell
Pub Date: January 10, 2012

Learn More
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide Related Titles:
AARP Badlands National Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota: ShortCuts
Destination Guide
AARP Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota: ShortCuts
Destination Guide
Badlands National Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota: Frommer's ShortCuts
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destinations
Destinations
 
 
Home > Destinations > North America > USA > Illinois > Chicago > Attraction > Sears Tower Skydeck

Frommer's Star Ratings

Frommer's Recommended 0 stars Frommer's Recommended
Frommer's Highly Recommended 1 stars Frommer's Highly Recommended
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended 2 stars Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Frommer's Exceptional 3 stars Frommer's Exceptional

About Our System

Frommer's ranks every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment it reviews for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating scale, an expression of the strong compare-and-contrast opinions that are a brand hallmark.

Other ratings provide stars based primarily on price and amenities; the Frommer's star rating is meant to quantify the kind of intangible, experiential elements that help travelers make informed decisions.

The "baseline" recommendation is zero stars--every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment that Frommer's chooses to review is recommended; otherwise, we simply wouldn't include it.

Close Window