360 CHICAGO vs SkyDeck Chicago: comparing the differences between the two observation decks

From panoramic views of unique skyscrapers to the Chicago River, SkyDeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO both offer incredible views of the Windy City.

Published: July 18, 2024
360 Chicago View

So, how do you decide which to visit on your trip? We're breaking down the differences between the two popular observation decks in Chicago so you can choose between them. Of course, you could always visit both!

SkyDeck Chicago

view-skydeck-chicago-il-usa
  • Entrance to the observation deck
  • Unbeatable views of the city and beyond - see parts of four different states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana & Michigan), Soldier Field, Chicago River, and more
  • A chance to step out onto The Ledge - an all-glass balcony that extends from the side of the building
  • Access to Reaching for the Sky, all interactive exhibits and displays

360 CHICAGO

aerial-image-chicago-illinois-skyline
  • Entrance to the observation deck
  • Panoramic views of the city - see Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, Magnificent Mile and more
  • Discounted admission to TILT - experience Chicago in a whole new dimension as you're tilted forward away from the building and over the Magnificent Mile.
  • Access to all interactive exhibits and displays

Location

Sometimes when choosing between SkyDeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO, it simply comes down to the logistics of getting there or what fits your sightseeing schedule. Luckily for you, both of these decks are located in prime locations full of other great Chicago attractions and sights.

SkyDeck Chicago

The Bean Millennium Park

SkyDeck Chicago is located just blocks from Millenium Park and the Museum Campus and is very easy to get to by car or public transportation.

Millenium Park is home to the famous Cloud Gate (aka "The Bean") sculpture. You can't take a trip to Chicago without snagging a picture in front of it. Aside from housing one of the city's most famous works of art, the park is also a lively greenspace with plenty of other installations and things to see.

Journey a bit further down into the park and you'll find the best museums in the city. Explore the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, and more.

360 CHICAGO

Navy Pier

360 CHICAGO is located between Oak Street Beach and the famous Navy Pier. Also easily accessible by car or public transportation, you'll find plenty to do in the area after your trip to the top of Chicago.

Navy Pier is another famous Chicago landmark. Stretching far out into Lake Michigan, the pier is full of shops, restaurants, and attractions. Ride the Centennial Wheel or pop into a store while enjoying beautiful views of the water.

The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Chicago Children's Museum are also located close by. Whether you're traveling with family or you're a major art-lover - or both - checking out these two institutions is a must.

Comparing the Views

360 CHICAGO

Skydeck views

Here you'll find unparalleled views of the city and Lake Michigan. From the 94th floor, you can take in the sheer beauty of the coastline, Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and beyond. Make sure to have your camera at the ready - from 1,000 feet up you can just see just about everything in the Windy City.

SkyDeck Chicago

View from Skydeck Chicago

From 1,353ft up there's very little you won't see up at SkyDeck Chicago. The 103rd floor provides panoramic views through all-glass windows and The Ledge, a glass balcony that extends from the side of the building. Take in the architectural style of the skyscrapers, look for Navy Pier and other landmarks, and see if you can spot the four different state lines visible from the top!

Upgrades & Other Experiences

In addition to observation decks and interactive displays, one of these offers even more to do...

SkyDeck Chicago

Your SkyDeck Chicago tickets already include all that there is to see at this observation deck! Enjoy taking a step onto The Ledge, learn more with the interactive exhibits, and see the entire city atop the all-glass floor. Before visiting, check their website to see if any special events are happening when you're there.

360 CHICAGO

While your 360 CHICAGO tickets already include admission to the observation deck and all interactive exhibits, there's even more to see here.

Tilt Chicago

TILT is 360 CHICAGO's moving all-glass balcony. It is the first of its kind and extends from the building, offering never-seen-before views (if you dare!) The balcony can hold up to 8 visitors at a time and moves around to give you different vantage points. 

Can't choose? Visit them both with Go City®

We can make it even simpler for you - don't even choose! With Go City® you can visit both observation decks and more top Chicago attractions. Use your pass to visit both, and compare the two for yourself. You'll enjoy completely unique experiences at SkyDeck Chicago and 360 CHICAGO.

Save on admission to top Chicago attractions with Go City®  

Discover our full line-up of Chicago attractions including the Adler Planetarium, Skyline Lake Tour, Robie House, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

So pick the Chicago pass that suits you and get our there!

Powered by AI

This article was generated with the help of AI to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Go City team has reviewed and curated the content to ensure it meets our quality standards for accuracy and relevance.

Continue reading

Male lion at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
Blog

Lincoln Park Zoo vs. Brookfield Zoo Comparison of Chicago Zoos

Love animals? Well, of course you do! After all, you’re not some sort of monster, right? Right? Why else would you have landed up on a blog comparing two of Chicago’s best animal attractions? Unless, of course, you’re planning some sort of Madagascar-style breakout. In which case, there’s nothing to see here. Move along, you’ve come to the wrong place. For the rest of you – lovers of adorable aardvarks, cute crocs and bewitching bears – we have exactly what you’re looking for. Take a walk on the wild side with us as we take a look at what to expect from Chicago’s Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos… Lincoln Park Zoo Name. This one’s fairly self-explanatory: it’s named after the President-referencing Chicago park in which it’s located, a huge tract of parkland on the shores of Lake Michigan that’s also home to a nature museum, a history museum and a conservatory. Age. Lincoln Park Zoo was established in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in North America. What to expect at Lincoln Park Zoo. At the risk of stating the obvious, Lincoln Park Zoo is perhaps best known for its animals. Many animals. Big animals. Little animals. Hairy animals. Scaly animals. Animals of all stripes, in other words. We’re talking over 1,000 critters across 200 species, including critically endangered eastern black rhinoceroses, dangerously cute American black bears, lovable two-tailed sloths, ultra-rare Jamaican iguanas, and a chimp named Optimus Prime, to name just a few. Lincoln Park zoo is also an accredited arboretum, boasting 850 plant species, including the only perennial herbaceous hibiscus collection in the United States. There are multiple exhibits to explore and regular activities like penguin-feeding, polar bear care and giraffe training. Best of all, it's free. That’s right: entry to Lincoln Park Zoo costs nothing. It’s free, it’s gratis, and it won’t cost you a dime! Getting in. Opening hours are generally 10AM-5PM with late opening until 7PM on weekends. The zoo is open 365 days a year and… entry is always freeee! More info here. Vital Statistics Size. A relatively diminutive 35 acres. Number of animals. Around 1,100 animals representing 200 species. Number of exhibits. There are around 15 exhibits, including an Arctic tundra for the polar bears, a macaque forest, a seal pool, a reptile enclosure and a petting zoo. Places to eat and drink. Four. Annual visitors. Around 3.4 million. Why Choose Lincoln Park Zoo? It's centrally located, just 20 minutes north of downtown. Its relatively small size means you can combine a trip here with other nearby attractions – among them the beautiful Lincoln Park Conservatory and North Avenue Beach. Penguin feeding! Giraffe training! Cute miniature train! Endangered species carousel! It’s one of few places on the planet you can encounter critically endangered eastern black rhinoceroses and the stately Jamaican iguana, believed to be extinct in the wild. Did we mention it’s FREE? Brookfield Zoo Name. Brookfield Zoo Chicago (to give it its full Sunday name) is also known as the Chicago Zoological Park. Or just plain Brookfield Zoo to its friends. Age. Brookfield Zoo is officially a nonagenarian: it first opened its gates on July 1, 1934. What to expect at Brookfield Zoo. One thing’s for sure: you’ll do a lot more walking at Brookfield, so wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. Located out in the ‘burbs west of the city, this huge expanse of parkland is home to thousands of animals, from cute and cuddly koalas to showboating frilled lizards, Andean cock-of-the-rocks, and colorful butterflies. Say g’day to wombats, kangas, kookaburras and other Antipodean animals in the Australia zone, get up close to endangered black rhinos at the pachyderm exhibit and ogle Day-Glo pythons and poison frogs in the reptile enclosure. The zoo also has several fairground-style rides including a Ferris wheel, a hand-carved menagerie carousel, and virtual reality wildlife experiences. You can also rest weary legs aboard the motor safari and enjoy various up close encounters with animals (playtime with the macaws, shark-feeding and so on). Extra charges apply for all rides and animal encounters. Getting in. The zoo is open 9.3AM to 6PM daily. You can buy tickets for general admission, plus parking, special events and rides, here. Vital Statistics Size. At a whopping 235 acres, it’s somewhat larger than Lincoln Park Zoo.  Number of animals. Unsurprisingly, a space this size also houses more critters. About three times the number, in fact, at 3,500 animals and more than 500 species.  Number of exhibits. Eighteen zones, including wolves in the woods, a seasonal butterfly enclosure, a rainforest where clouded leopards are stars of the show, and a penguin pool. Places to eat and drink. Twelve: everything from burgers and tacos to gourmet popcorn and snow cones. Annual visitors. Around 2.2 million. Why Choose Brookfield Zoo? Despite its suburban location, Brookfield Zoo is a fairly easy 20-30-minute drive from downtown Chicago. With more than 3,500 critters to meet, plus rides, add-on experiences and more, there’s plenty to keep kids and grown-ups entertained here for a whole day – or longer! Cute koalas! Beautiful butterflies! Immersive virtual reality wildlife experiences! A Ferris wheel! Multiple restaurants and snack bars mean even the most bear-like appetites can be satisfied with ease. Save on Chicago Tours, Activities and Attractions Did you know you can save up to 50% on dozens of bucket-list Chicago tours, activities and attractions with a pass from Go City? Well, now you do! Choose from an Explorer or All-Inclusive pass depending on your sightseeing style and unlock access to the 360 Chicago observation deck, Navy Pier Ferris wheel and rides, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and many more. Find out more about the Explorer and All-Inclusive options and bag your Go Chicago pass here!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.