Willis Tower in Chicago: One of the World's Tallest Skyscrapers

Willis Tower has stood as one of Chicago’s defining landmarks since it was completed in 1973, offering remarkable panoramas from its observation deck. Originally known as Sears Tower, the skyscraper reached an extraordinary height of 1,729 feet and held the title of the world’s tallest building for roughly 25 years. Today, it has become a major visitor attraction, drawing more than 1.5 million people each year.

Begin your visit with a meal at one of the many city eateries inside The Catalog before making your way toward the breathtaking heights of Skydeck Chicago. The elevator carries visitors 103 floors upward in only 60 seconds. You can stop for a drink at the bar to steady your nerves before exploring the engaging interactive displays. Those looking for an extra thrill can venture onto The Ledge, a glass attraction that can make even confident visitors feel uneasy. Whether heights are your thing or not, Willis Tower offers a memorable experience combining history, dramatic scenery and an impressive example of modern architecture.

A brief history of Willis Tower

The story of Willis Tower reflects remarkable accomplishments in architecture, construction and creative engineering. During the late 1960s, Sears, Roebuck and Company needed a new central headquarters capable of accommodating its approximately 350,000 employees. The company commissioned a Bangladeshi-American architect with the ambitious task of creating the tallest building on Earth. The completed structure became a steel-framed architectural achievement featuring an innovative bundled-tube system designed to withstand the powerful winds for which Chicago is famous.

Viewed from outside, Willis Tower appears to consist of nine irregularly arranged tubes grouped together into a single structure. This configuration gives the building considerable stability, particularly during severe weather. Its distinctive dark appearance comes from black aluminum cladding, while bronze-colored glass windows help shield the more than 100 businesses inside from strong sunlight. Skydeck Chicago experienced few significant changes from the tower’s opening until 2009, when the famous glass Ledge boxes were added by construction crews willing to work at extraordinary heights.

What are the highlights of Willis Tower?

The biggest attraction for most visitors is the sweeping scenery from Skydeck Chicago, located on the 103rd floor. At an elevation of approximately 1,353 feet, the observation area provides views extending up to 50 miles in every direction. Across the waters of Lake Michigan, visitors can even identify parts of four Midwestern states. Those who are uncomfortable with heights may want to focus on the distant horizon, since the floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide an unobstructed sense of the enormous drop below.

For visitors seeking an adrenaline rush, The Ledge is an essential stop. Its transparent glass boxes project four feet outward from Skydeck Chicago, giving guests the opportunity to stand above the city and look directly toward the streets far below. The location is especially popular for dramatic photographs, with handstands being a favorite Instagram pose. Beyond the views, guests can enjoy a beverage at the onsite bar and restaurant and explore attractions including an interactive digital floor that recreates the experience of Wrigley Field.

For something more unusual, groups can book experiences such as Breakfast on the Ledge or Pie in the Sky, where meals are served on transparent glass floors high above Chicago. Before leaving the tower, visitors can also stop at The Catalog, the constantly changing food, retail and entertainment complex located at the base of Willis Tower.

Good to know about Willis Tower

Skydeck operates throughout the year, although its hours change depending on the season. Visitors should arrive no later than 30 minutes before closing to make sure they can enter. Early morning is a good time to visit if you want to experience fewer crowds, while arriving shortly before sunset provides an opportunity to see Chicago illuminated by changing evening colors.

Parking is available conveniently within Willis Tower itself. Buying discounted admission tickets online ahead of time can also help with planning and save money. For those who would rather skip the car, which is generally recommended, Chicago’s L-train system provides convenient access, with the Brown, Orange, Pink and Purple lines all stopping close to the tower.

After finishing your visit, walk about half a mile north to the Chicago Riverwalk, where you can explore the waterfront and visit its bars while unwinding after the nerve-racking experience of being hundreds of feet above the city.