Sears Tower

In Brief: Soaring at 110 stories tall, the Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America and remains a huge tourist attraction, namely due to its Skydeck observatory offering a view of Chicago at 1,353 feet (412 meters).

The Skydeck is included with the purchase of a Go Chicago Card. (Buy Direct)

Address: 233 S. Wacker Drive

Phone: 877-SKY-DECK (759-3325)

Getting There By Public Transportation: CTA Brown Line train to Quincy/Wells stop, walk one block west

Driving From Downtown: Adams Street west, turn left on Wacker Drive, turn left on Jackson. Public entrance is on Jackson between Wacker and Franklin

Parking at the Sears Tower: The parking garage is located across from the Sears Tower on Franklin Street.

Current garage rates:

• 1 Hour - $18
• Up to 6 Hours - $26
• 6-12 Hours - $28

Sears Tower Skydeck Hours: April - September: 10am - 10pm
October - March: 10am - 8pm

Sears Tower Skydeck Prices:

• Adults (age 12 - 64): $12.95
• Youth (age 3-11): $9.50
• Children under 3: Free

The best time to avoid crowds is to visit after 4 p.m., which in my opinion is preferred anyway, as you get to see a magnificent sunset and all the lights start to turn on in the city.

The Sears Tower Website

Buy Sears Tower Skydeck tickets online

About the Sears Tower and Skydeck:

Built in 1973, the Sears Tower held the title of the world's tallest building for 25 years. It lost that designation in 1998, but unless you're taking a little trip to Taipei or Kuala Lampur any time soon, the Sears Tower is certainly the tallest skyscraper you're likely to visit.

But regardless of its architectural stature, there's one thing without a doubt -- the Sears Tower Skydeck offers the best and most amazing views in Chicago. On a crystal clear day, you can see into four states -- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin -- as the range of view is 40 - 50 miles (65 - 80 kilometers). It's absolutely breathtaking. Do you remember the first time you looked out the window of an airplane, and your mind could hardly process the idea that you were that far up in the sky? The Skydeck is a similar experience.

As if the view weren't enough of an attraction, the Sears Tower Skydeck went through a $4 million renovation, and added the following:

• Interactive Chicago history exhibits
• Multi-language (English, French, German, Japanese, Polish and Spanish) kiosks that guide you through a tour of Chicago landmarks
• Knee-High Chicago, a "kid-level" display that teaches kids about Chicago sports and history
• High-powered telescopes

If you truly want a bird's eye view (actually, I don't even know if birds get up that high!) of the Chicagoland area, then pay a visit to the Sears Tower Skydeck, you won't regret it.

Make sure to visit our Architecture guide for more Sears Tower architecture facts.

The Skydeck is included with the purchase of a Go Chicago Card. (Buy Direct)