John Hancock Center, Chicago

It is voted "the best view" in Chicago. The observatory is on the 94th floor (more than 1,000ft above Chicago). Come & have a look for yourself - the spectacular 360 degree views spanning up to 80 miles & 4 states!! Walk on the Skywalk (Chicago's highest open-air viewing deck) and feel the wind & air of Chicago!

Hours:
9am-11pm daily

General admission prices (last ticket sold @ 10:45pm):
US$9.75+tax Adults
US$6+tax Children (5-12 years)
US$7.50+tax Seniors (62+)
Use your Chicago CityPass which will save you about 50% and also at other attractions. If you haven't got one, it's worth getting one if you plan to visit more attractions listed on the pass. See General Tips for more details.

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A visit to Chicago is not complete without visiting the John Hancock Observatory. The view is just incredible and spans for about 80 miles seeing 4 states from the top.
Entrance is $9.50 for adults, $6.00 for children and Senior Citizens pay $7.50.

The Sears Tower had a long line, so we decided to go uptown and shop a little and came across the Hancock Observatory. We were whisked up to the observation level and were stunned by the gorgeous views. You can see four states and up to 80 miles in all directions. There's an open-air breezeway on the observation level, and the obligatory telescopes you feed a quarter into. Neat exhibitions too, such as one about Al Capone (our dog's namesake). Great fun!

Rather than wait in line with the other tourists for the John Hancock observation deck. Make reservations or have a romantic cocktail at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building. The views are spectacular!

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Seen from everywhere, and (in my opinion), more striking than the Sears Tower, the John Hancock Center towers over Michigan Avenue and, as its website says, "defines Chicago's skyline."

Before you run up to the observatory, take a minute to look at the architecture, its design and flow. Even better, have some cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory in the lower plaza, and just stare upwards.

The John Hancock Center Tower is maybe not Chicago's most beautiful building but is one of the most recognizable. After the Sears Tower, and the Aeon Building, the Hancock is the third tallest building in Chicago and in the US. While the Sears Tower is a place of business, the Hancock is a place to do business to but also to live. Yes, that 100 floors and 1,127 feet tall building has year-round resident. And I understand the prized appartement are the one where the windows are crossed by those X beams so characteristical of this building. It has everything you need too (Post office, dry-cleaning, newstand... even a grocery store! The ground floor has restaurants and business. But people come here for the view, the best view in town. You have the choice, you can either pay the admission price for the observation deck (open from 9 am to 11 pm): Adults pay $9.50, Seniors (62+); $7.50 and children under 12 years-old; $6.00. The alternative is enjoying a drink or a meal at the Signature room on the 95th and 96th floor and 96th-floor (restaurant on the lower floor and lounge on the upper floor) . It's not cheap (more than 6 bucks for a beer) but you can have a drink with a view! On the other side, if you really want a 360 degrees view, then the observation deck will be your pick. You may also notice that the building is... yes... swaying. Especially if the wind is strong. Don't worry though, the worse thing you can get is maybe a little motion sickness.
I recommendto go at sunset when the sun disappears and the Chicago lights are coming on, it's really, really a sight to see!

Go to the top of the tower to see the best view of chicago ,it is better than the sears tower as you can see the beach and the town.
Downstairs is worth popping into as well it has The cheesecake factory.

Yes, I know it is not Chicago’s tallest building. That honour goes to the Sears Tower, but when it comes to sightseeing the John Hancock Center has what it takes: Location, location, location, stupid. In contrast to the Sears Tower, the Center is based right next to Lake Michigan and the views it offers from its 360* panorama observatory are absolutely unbeatable. Also: Queue time at the Sears Tower can often last an hour and a half, whereas the less popular Center cuts the wait time down to a more acceptable length. When we accessed it, it took less than 5 minutes for us to pay for the tickets and make it to its 94th floor.