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4.5
13,708 votes

The Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, Illinois 60606 USA

$$
Reasonable
Closed Now
Opens Tue 10a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • No Wifi
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Iconic Attraction

Our Take

It's one of the first stops Ferris Bueller makes on his day off, so you know it's an essential Chicago icon. The Skydeck really does offer great views when the weather is good, plus the glass-floored "ledge" is an unforgettable experience for those brave enough to step on to it. And yes... it will forever remain the Sears Tower in our hearts.

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“formerly the Sears Tower”

The Willis Tower (formerly named, and still commonly referred to as the Sears Tower) is a 108-story, 1451-foot (442 m) skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. At the time of its completion in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world, as well as the fifth tallest building in the world to the roof. Named the Sears Tower throughout its history, in 2009 the Willis Group obtained the right to rename the building, as part of their lease on a portion of its offices. On July 16, 2009, the building was officially renamed the Willis Tower. On August 13, 2012, United Airlines announced it will be moving its corporate headquarters from 77 West Wacker Drive to the Willis Tower. Ferris Bueller's Day Off filming location.

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Reviewed by
Greg Newkirk

  • Expert
  • 314 Reviews
  • 374 Helpful
April 14, 2014
Rated

Let's be honest, no one calls it the Willis Tower, it will always be the Sears Tower... at least until an entire couple generations die off. If you simply must get a good view of Chicago, this is the place to do it. I won't lie, the price of admission is just as intimidating as standing on the glass floor.

6 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Skinfull

  • 11 Reviews
  • 38 Helpful
October 09, 2014
Rated 4.0

Fantastic view of the city and really puts the whole thing into a scale you cant imagine from the street level.
On the 103rd floor you can step out into one of 4 glass cases that stick out past the edge of the building. Slightly unnerving at first I found it to be quite steady though I would have likes a bar to hold on to.
Though it was pretty busy when we were there the unspoken rule of not spending too long out there to make time for others seems to be working well. We took our pics standing and lying down and moved on like everyone else :)

We went on a wednesday evening at about 5pm and we were ushered straight to the top with little or no waiting. It all seemed to run smoothly enough and there was a gift shop in the top as well as two more you have to walk through to get out of the building.
ProTip - if you go see it in the afternoon, pop around the corner to Giordanos for some deep dish pizza to top off your Chicago trip!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Derek Neuland

  • Photographer
  • 297 Reviews
  • 151 Helpful
September 08, 2014
Rated 5.0

One of the most beautiful and striking buildings in Chicago! It always sends chills down my spine when I first see it on a trip to the city.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
S_Phoenix

  • 10 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
September 02, 2014
Rated 4.0

To be honest, I stop here every time I visit Chicago. The view never gets old. I highly recommend going at off-times though, as it can get VERY busy. The glass floor area is a little unnerving, but cool.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Oliver

  • 68 Reviews
  • 26 Helpful
August 31, 2014
Rated

Kind of pricey and it took 2 hrs to get to the top, but getting a view from one of the tallest buildings in the world is always breathtaking. They have some cool facts about the building as you work your way through the line though, and I'm a huge fan of standing on the glass floor and looking straight down!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Joel Schat

  • Photographer
  • 237 Reviews
  • 538 Helpful
August 08, 2014
Rated 4.0

It is definitely still the sears tower! Willis just doesn't flow as nicely!
I absolutely love being on the top of really tall buildings and looking out and just being way above everything else and the view from up here is phenomenal! I would have given it a 5/5 for sure but it seems to always be really busy.. so busy that I had to wait or get bumped constantly just trying to see out the windows! Still worth it even though its a bit expensive!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Rich Maypark

  • 8 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
September 18, 2021
Rated 5.0

Fun and magnificent views… don’t forget the tilt

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Reviewed by
KC Coake

  • 41 Reviews
  • 18 Helpful
July 09, 2015
Rated 5.0

Long lines when we were there, but worth it. Once we got through the lines we spent an hour enjoying the amazing views from the Willis Tower.

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Reviewed by
Plvogel

  • 98 Reviews
  • 46 Helpful
June 01, 2015
Rated 3.0

Beautiful building to look at from the outside, especially driving into the city from Indiana on I-90. Unfortunately when we went up to the observation deck the weather was so foggy that we couldn't see anything. Admission was very expensive also.

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Reviewed by
Ken Valuska

  • Expert
  • 594 Reviews
  • 177 Helpful
October 09, 2014
Rated 4.0

Sears Tower... awesome to do once, but I don't even think of this as a "must-see" for Chicago (no need to go to the top, do the glass floor, etc.). It's cool, but Millennium Park is a much better use of time for first-time Chicago goers

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The Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

233 S Wacker Dr
Chicago, Illinois
60606 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Pets Allowed
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
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