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!

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A walker takes in Chicago's fall color
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Chicago in November

Visit Chicago in November and you’ll discover a city preparing itself for the depths of winter but not quite done with fall. Temperatures are generally healthy enough to allow you to still spend plenty of time outdoors, where it’s usually possible to see the last of the fall color or the first flurries of snow. As the days get shorter towards the end of November, there’s also the start of the Christmas festivities to look forward to as well as the celebrations around Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of the month. Wondering how cold Chicago is in November and what there is to do? We’ve brought together all the top tips so you need to look nowhere else. Enjoy the end of the fall color Chicago weather in November sees average daily temperatures rise to 50°F, equivalent to a cool spring day. Whilst you’ll want to wrap up warm, do so properly and just eight days of rain will mean you can get out amidst the city’s green spaces to take in the final days of reds, oranges and gold with the turning of its leaves. Should you choose, you could traverse Chicago’s shores on Lake Michigan without ever leaving parkland. A popular pick with those looking to get into the saddle of the city’s rental bicycles – but welcoming to walkers, joggers and skateboarders too – the Lakeshore Trail covers 18.5 miles. Starting at Edgewater Beach in the northern suburbs, it then runs south past many of the city’s top attractions. The first is the free-to-visit Lincoln Park Zoo, whose residents include great apes, big cats, a burr oak older than the city and the Lionel Train Adventure and Endangered Species Carousel rides. Further south lie other major things to do in Chicago in November including the magnificent Field Museum. As one of the largest natural history museums around, it is simply stuffed full of stuffed animals, cultural artifacts from across the globe and the famous skeleton of Sue the T-Rex – one of the most complete and best-preserved examples yet discovered. A short way across the state border, alternative vistas can be sought out at Indiana Dunes National Park. Situated close to the southernmost point of Lake Michigan, the park’s impressive dunes offer a wealth of walking trails, albeit without the fall color. Kick off the festive season Thanksgiving focusses very strongly on Chicago’s downtown areas. Taking place on the grid of streets which form immediately south of the fork in the Chicago River, the annual Thanksgiving Parade is a family-friendly affair which sees State Street taken over by giant helium balloons, dance troops and marching bands. Thanksgiving is also closely associated with the Black Friday sales. Still on State Street, there are a great number of smaller stores, whilst the Magnificent Mile boasts higher end boutiques, department stores including Marshalls and Nordstrom and several shopping malls. If you prefer the artisan touch, look no further than the Chirstkindlmarket that appears in front of Daley Plaza’s 50-foot tall steel Picasso sculpture towards the middle of the month. Its German-style wooden chalet-like stalls are awash with beautiful ornaments, jewelry and tasty treats. Alternatively, you might want to try your hand at another winter staple – ice skating. The city’s largest outdoor rink is the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink that sits beneath the gaze of Anish Kapoor’s Bean, although the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon provides an attraction that’s a little more unusual, with a track winding through the tree cover twice the length of a lap around the Bean’s rink. Savor the views With such a long list of things to do in Chicago in November you shouldn’t forget to stop for a moment or two and take in the windy city in all its glory. One way to do this would be to give your feet a rest by opting for the Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus instead. Taking in sights you might otherwise miss, it also connects up many of Chicago’s top attractions, including the Willis (Sears) Tower. Entering the history books as the world’s tallest building from its topping out ceremony in 1974 until 1998, it continues to host the highest observation tower in the United States – the Skydeck. From its 103rd floor vantage, visitors are able to take in no less than four states whilst feeling the building move in the wind at almost 1400 feet up. Giving the Willis Tower a good run for its money is 360 CHICAGO at 875 North Michigan Avenue. Although its views come from nine stories below the Skydeck, its wrap-around glass windows still have extraordinary panoramas over the city. Get better acquainted with the city’s art Art lovers don’t need to look far in Chicago in November to get a fill of their passion. For one, the city has a huge array of public artworks. As well as the giant sculpture by Picasso in Daley Plaza and Anish Kapoor’s Bean, Chicago also has outdoor works by Joan Miro, Marc Chagall and Magdalena Abakanowicz. The immense Merchandise Mart building comes to life with the world’s largest video installation, projected annually onto the side of the structure from September through November. There’s also an impressive array of murals covering the ends of buildings throughout the city. West Town Street has developed into a mile-long open-air gallery, with other works including the mural of local photographer Vivian Maier in Wicker Park and an unforgettably bright 100 foot image of American singer-songwriter Muddy Waters on North State Street. The pick of the galleries includes the Art Institute of Chicago. One of the largest museums of its kind, the 300,000 objects in its permanent collection spans the genres, ranging from native American textiles to contemporary photography. Making the most of Chicago in November With so much to see and do in Chicago in November you won’t want to waste a second. Skip the lines and save big on admission to many of the city’s top attractions with Go City. Then the only thing left to do is have an incredible time in one of America’s greatest destinations!
Ian Packham

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