360 Chicago: Your Ultimate Guide to the City’s Iconic Observation Deck

Sometimes you want to see the big picture. Towering buildings and stunning city skylines are best seen from up high, and someone else’s photograph doesn’t always do the impressive view justice. Most major cities have observation decks where people can see over the tallest skyscrapers and beyond. But 360 Chicago isn’t just an observation deck. Stretching 1,000 feet above Magnificent Mile, 360 Chicago is at the top of one of the tallest buildings in the country, has the fastest elevators in North America, and is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the world with 100 or more stories. From this high up, Lake Michigan and the urban architecture that surrounds it has never looked so beautiful.

More Than a View

360 Chicago isn’t just a magnificent view of the city; it’s also a celebration of Chicago history. Located on the ground floor of the John Hancock building, the Chicago Multimedia Exhibit takes you a full 360 degrees through the city’s history, culture and architecture with interactive touch screens.

The high definition touch screens educate you on Chicago’s most renowned sights from every angle. Learn the history of Chicago’s neighborhoods and dig deeper into the stories behind some of the city’s most recognizable architecture. A new interactive display, The Stories and Photos of Michigan Pete, pays tribute to Evald Peterson, the head caisson inspector during the construction of the John Hancock Building. Not only does this display provide details of the award-winning design and construction of the John Hancock Building, but it also tells the story and experiences of Evald Peterson himself and the challenges he faced when working to build one of Chicago’s greatest attractions and architectural feats .

360 Chicago Tickets

We believe the best way to see 360 Chicago is with Chicago CityPASS . With the purchase of a CityPASS booklet, you can save on admission to Chicago’s top 5 attractions including 360 Chicago. The best part is that the thrill of Tilt is only an additional $8 per person and can be purchased at the TILT desk on the 94th floor. CityPASS has a couple other perks, including coupons and the coveted express entry.

Activities in the Sky

Perched on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, 360 Chicago hosts a number of unique activities throughout the week to enhance your viewing experience. However, we’re convinced there is no wrong way to see the city from such great heights. Please note that activity availability may vary; visit 360 Chicago's website to see what's happening now.

Pint-Sized Sunday Funday

On Sundays, kids get in at half price and can enjoy the magic of Myster AJ, as well as storytelling led by Super Epic Story Time from 1pm to 3pm. With so many activities for the kids in addition to the observation deck itself, it’s a great way to make the 360 experience fun for the entire family.

360 Tripod Mondays

Finding a photo-worthy attraction that actually allows photography is difficult enough, let alone finding a place that lets photographers whip out a tripod, too. On Mondays photographers are welcome to set up shots the way they like and use their tripod to capture the stunning skyline of 360 Chicago day or night.

360 Sky Art Wednesdays

If you’ve got a creative hand but photography isn’t your forte, maybe Wednesday is your 360 Chicago day. On Wednesdays, painters and illustrators are invited to bring an easel and canvas up to the deck to capture the skyline through the artist’s eye.

360 Hoppy Hour

For a good time in the sky, head to 360 Chicago on a Thursday evening where Revolution Brewing provides local Chicago-brewed craft beer, big screen TVs, board games, and music from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Everything’s more fun when you’ve got a sea of city lights all around you!

360 Sky Yoga

Yoga enthusiasts can really take their practice to the next level at 360 Sky Yoga, which takes place every Saturday from 9am to 10am. The one-hour class is led by a professional instructor who takes participants through an all-levels yoga flow and meditation that is probably pretty similar to most other yoga classes, except for the fact that you’re 1,000 feet up in the air.

Tilt

Tilt is one of those novel features that sets 360 Chicago apart. Tilt is a thrilling attraction that literally tilts you outward from the building so you can see the city as if you were floating right above it. From the outside, the Tilt attraction camouflages with the window panes of any ordinary skyscraper, but these panels can tilt outward to gradually move 45 degrees outward above the city. Many visitors to the city of Chicago claim that 360 Chicago is one of the highlights of their trip, but the biggest highlight is Tilt. When you’ve finished the heart-pounding view, check out the Architect’s Corner Bar and Cafe, another highlight of 360 Chicago. Grab a cocktail, coffee or even some gelato to complement the gorgeous view and reward your bravery.

Tips/Tricks for a Better Visit

As one of the most popular attractions in Chicago, 360 Chicago gets pretty busy. Arrive before 10am for your best chance to beat the crowds and go straight to top. Check the weather beforehand so you can visit 360 Chicago on a clear day—you might even see the four neighboring states beyond the vast city. Also keep in mind on busy days there may be lines to take the elevator back down so give yourself some time or go during off-peak hours.

360 CHICAGO Parking

The 360 Chicago is located at the top of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and is within walking distance from most downtown hotels. 360 Chicago and Parking Panda have partnered up to make your parking experience a little easier. You can reserve parking online and view pricing and availability in real time. When you reserve your parking, enter the promo code 360CHI to receive $5 off your reservation. Non-reserved parking is also available at the John Hancock Center garage. All guests receive a $5 discount when parking at the John Hancock Center.

The John Hancock Building is also conveniently located for public transportation and is walkable if you’re staying in a nearby hotel.

Nearby Lodging

To get the most out of your stay in Chicago, we recommend finding lodging near Chicago's top attractions like 360 Chicago. Use this map to find the right lodging for you: