sears tower tour

Session is expired

Skydeck Timed Tickets

Tickets are selected based on date and time. Select your date and then the time to gain admission into the line to access the elevators to reach the Skydeck, floor 103. Spaces are limited per 30 minute periods.

See amazing animals, incredible views, fascinating science, world-class art and more with Chicago CityPASS tickets.  One single purchase with 9 consecutive days of validity with line-skipping privileges at select attractions and instant delivery with convenient mobile or printable tickets.

Willis Tower/Sears Tower/Skydeck

Formerly known as Sears Tower, Willis Tower has been a critical part of the world-renowned name that Chicago has made for itself on the architectural scene. Located on the 103 rd floor in one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Willis Tower Skydeck offers incredible views from the highest point in the city of Chicago. From this vantage point you’ll see not only the beauty of the city and the lakefront, but on a clear day you can see up to 50 miles out—possibly seeing four other states!  

Skydeck Chicago – Willis Tower

Skydeck Chicago is one of the most popular attractions in all of Chicago. An observation deck found all the way up on the 103 rd floor of Willis Tower (still best known to many people as Sears Tower), Skydeck Chicago is the highest public viewing area in the entire United States. Situated a whopping 1,353 feet in the air, Skydeck Chicago provides visitors with unforgettable views of Chicago’s stunning skyline—all while hosting a variety of informative exhibits and interactive displays that offer up fun facts about the city and its beloved Tower.

This attraction is included on several money saving tourist passes. The Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower is included on the Chicago CityPASS, Go Chicago Pass and Explorer Pass. Buy the CityPASS if you just want to got a few of the most popular attractions. Choose either Go City Card if you are seeing many sites and a tour or two. Save an additional 10% on either Go City Card using the green booking link and Coupon Code: CLICK10CHI. The discount stacks on top the current sale prices! Promo expires on February 29th.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Skydeck Chicago History and Background

Skydeck Chicago occupies the 103 rd floor of Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower. When the construction of Willis Tower (which was then known as Sears Tower) was completed in 1973, the building was the tallest building in the entire world. Willis Tower would retain this distinction for the next 25 years, becoming one of the most famous structures anywhere in the world. Willis Tower stands some 1,450 feet tall—approximately 1,730 feet tall if you include its distinctive antenna towers. This height is significant enough that even today it remains the second-tallest building in the whole Western Hemisphere.

Skydeck Chicago has itself been a part of the Willis Tower experience ever since 1974. In a typical year, nearly 1.7 million visitors flock to Skydeck Chicago. It’s said that, on a clear day, from Skydeck you can see over 50 miles in any direction, and even get a glimpse of four different states!

What’s at the Skydeck Chicago

Guests to Skydeck Chicago will enjoy a variety of features throughout this popular facility, but perhaps nothing so much as the stellar views on display. Skydeck Chicago is acclaimed for the unique perspective it provides visitors. No matter how well you think you know the city of Chicago—whether you’re brand-new to town or you’ve lived there your whole life—you’re bound to be left breathless when taking in the Windy City from this height.

The Ledge is one of the most recent exciting innovations to be found at Skydeck Chicago. The Ledge is an enclosed glass box that extends nearly five feet out from the Skydeck over the Chicago River and Wacker drive. From this incredible vantagepoint you’ll be able to experience Skydeck Chicago’s 103 rd floor location like never before; it’s a can’t-miss photo opportunity for sure.

Even as you’re soaking in the remarkable range of views on display at Skydeck Chicago, you’ll want to take time to check out its additional features. In the Skydeck Theater you can catch a showing of Reaching for the Sky . This nine-minute film covers some of Chicago’s rich architectural history, and discusses the planning, constructing, and legacy of Willis Tower. A gallery of interactive displays and exhibits is also worth checking out; with fun facts and trivia about Chicago, Willis Tower, and a number of the world’s other tallest skyscrapers, you’re sure to learn something new while having a good time!

Multiple dining options are available near the exit/entrance to Skydeck Chicago at ground level. There you’ll find a coffee shop, bagel shop, and a couple different restaurants that serve up a variety of snacks and lunches. These establishments, however, are typically only open Monday through Friday, so if you’re visiting Skydeck Chicago on a weekend you’ll need to plan to make other arrangements.

Tips for Visiting the Skydeck Chicago

• A great way to save money is to buy a Tourist Pass . Go Chicago Card, a Chicago CityPASS or a Chicago Explorer Pass . With each you get to skip the ticket line though there are several other lines that you will still have to wait out.
• Skydeck Chicago’s hours vary depending on the time of year and the day of the week. For specific details, check their website in advance of your visit—and remember that last admission to the attraction is 30 minutes before the posted closing time.
• Admission for children under the age of 3 years old is free.
• In order to snap the best possible picture of you and/or your group standing in front of one of the windows at the top of Willis Tower, the friendly staff at Skydeck Chicago recommends using the “backlight function” on your camera. It’s also a good idea to shut off your camera’s flash, and turn on a polarizer filter.
• All of Skydeck Chicago’s offerings are accessible, including The Ledge. There are also a number of wheelchairs available for complimentary use during your visit.
• Given Skydeck Chicago’s immense popularity, it is frequently quite busy and crowded. For that reason, if you want a more private visiting experience, it is recommended you either arrive at the attraction in the morning just prior to its opening time, or much later in the evening.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Visit Skydeck ↗
• Experience →

• Retail Leasing

Willis Tower Chicago to the World

Experience an icon from street to sky.

Above and Beyond The newly redesigned Willis Tower brings a whole new meaning to office space. Come see how Willis redefines the workplace by delivering world-class experiences to the people of Chicago.

Elevate your expectations

The future of work is flexible — our spaces are designed to suit your every need. From short-term workstations to traditional leases, flexibility is at our core.

Pictured above: Accessible lobbies for breakout meetings and personal time

Expand Your Reach

Elevate your brand, bring your business to new heights by joining the vibrant collection of retailers defining the future of retail.

Pictured above: The newly-added urban destination know as Catalog

The Tower Experience

Unmatched Offerings Top-tier dining and retail, accessible outdoor spaces, and exceptional experiences from top to bottom.

Committed to Our Community

We build economic health in communities by regenerating urban spaces, preserving local culture and bringing humanity into our workplaces.

The Making of an Icon

An American icon with a rich history.

Work-Life, Balanced

TONE is a 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, tenant-exclusive fitness center on the 33rd Floor, offering a full suite of classes and services.

• → In-Person Group Fitness Classes
• → One-on-One Personal Training
• → Complimentary Fitness Consultation

Outdoor yoga on the terrace by TONE Fitness instructors

Tower House is a casual work and meeting place for tenants, complete with morning and lunchtime grab-and-go food options, and a café with a variety of coffee offerings.

Tower House Lounge on Willis Tower’s 33rd floor is now available for private and semi-private events.

Accommodating up to 150 guests, this sophisticated, yet casual atmosphere, provides the elegant flexibility perfect for any event.

Delivering the quintessential Chicago experience, the ideal space to inspire and impress.

A sophisticated tenant lounge and café with truly stratospheric views on 66 and 67.

With ample space for quiet contemplation or collaboration Altitude will become a valuable part of your day.

Following transformative $500M redevelopment, Willis Tower celebrates milestone with series of community programs

Fifty/50 Group and EQ Office welcome first full-service restaurant in Willis Tower's Catalog.

Find Your Space

• Willis Tower App
• Tenant Resources
• Accessibility
• Health + Safety

World’s Tallest Towers

Timeline of Skyscrapers Holding the Title of Tallest in the World From 1890 to the Present

G.F.A.: 4.5 million ft2 Location: Chicago, U.S.A. Height: 1,454 feet (443.0 meters) Stories: 110 stories Original owners: Sears Roebuck and Company. Architect: Bruce Graham, design partner, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Engineer: Fazlur Khan of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Constructed: 1970-1974 Status: Extant

Sears Tower

In the late 1960s, Sears Roebuck and Company, then the world's largest retailer with $8.9 billion in sales, decided to consolidate its administrative operations in downtown Chicago. The company determined it needed 3 million ft2 of office space with floors of 50,000 ft2 to accommodate its 13,000 employees in their major departments.

The first designs were for a boxy structure exclusively for Sears, but the architects and real estate advisors pressed for a taller tower with upper floors for tenants. The building slowly stretched to 4.5 million ft2 and 110 stories, and in July 1970, Sears trumpeted its plans for the world's tallest building. At 1454 feet, its height surpassed the World Trade Center by 100 feet and was, according to Sears "as tall as the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) will let us go." For more than twenty years after its completion in 1974, Sears Tower remained the tallest skyscraper, and it is still the largest.

As designed by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Khan of the Chicago office of Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM), the structure was a "bundled tube" system of nine squares with sides of 75 feet (for an overall 225 x 225 ft), sheathed in a curtain wall of dark tinted glass. Above the fiftieth floor, some squares dropped away as the tower rose to create smaller floor plates and a distinctive stepped silhouette.

The Tower is fronted by a separate tourist entrance, the Skydeck Pavilion added in 1985 by Skidmore Owings and Merrill. The Sears attracts some 1.5 million tourists each year, despite the loss of its title to the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur in 1997. Though no longer the tallest building in the world, the Tower is still title to the world's highest occupiable floor and the highest roof deck, and an elevator ride. On a clear day, it is possible to see four states from the top.

Today at CAC

Wednesday apr 24 previous next, current exhibitions.

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

Experience why we're the #1 rated boat cruise in Chicago, tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season!

Learn More Buy Tickets

Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center, focusing on construction elements and their impact on the city’s built environment.

Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age

Learn about the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street. The 40 years between 1890 and 1930 saw the creation of some of Chicago’s the most memorable buildings, many of which are featured on this tour.

Modernism: Reviving the Loop

Previously titled Mid-Century Modern Skyscrapers, this tour takes a look at iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture in Chicago and its triumvirate of modern architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg and SOM)

Art Deco Outside of the Loop - Part 2

A continuation of last year’s popular program that looked at Art Deco buildings outside of downtown Chicago, Part 2 showcases surprising sites on the city’s far north and northwest sides.

Learn More Register

Must-See Chicago

Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis (Sears) Tower, and more!

Reliance Building

Marvel at the original marble, mahogany doors and decorative wrought iron found throughout the two lobbies and uppermost floors of this 1895 building, designed by John Wellborn Root and Charles Atwood.

Chicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time

Want a quick introduction to Chicago’s magnificent architecture? This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural history by viewing buildings in chronological order, from early skyscrapers to new supertall high rises.

Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront

Tour the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers built near the banks of the Chicago River during the business boom of the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.