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John Hancock Tower - Observatory

Chicago, Illinois, United States

A daytime view of the Chicago downtown from the Hancock Observatory

A sunset view from the Hancock Observatory

A night-time view of the Chicago downtown from the Hancock Observatory

The John Hancock Tower is currently the third tallest building in Chicago (behind the Sears tower, and the Aon Center), but arguably offers the best view of the city. There is also a lounge area on the 95th or 96th floor, but we did not visit that during this trip.

If you time your visit to the Hancock Observatory just right, you can go just before sunset and see the city in the daytime, during the sunset, and all lit up at night.

The Hancock Observatory is located on the 94th floor of the building. It is a short elevator ride up. At the top, there are restrooms, a few indoor informational exhibits, and a "caged-in" outdoor viewing area. In my opinion, the exhibits at the Sears Tower - Skydeck are more impressive, although the Hancock Observatory provides a better view of the downtown area (because it is set back slightly from the rest of the tall buildings).

Cost

The cost of admission is currently $10.25. If there are multiple attractions you want to see in Chicago, you may be able to realize cost savings by purchasing a Chicago CityPass.

Dress

Casual (shorts/t-shirt) is fine.

Estimated Visiting Time

You can spend as much or as little time at the top of the tower as you like. At the top, you will probably want to allow 30 minutes to walk around, appreciate the view from all sides, and read the exhibits. Allowing an additional thirty minutes to wait in lines and go up and down the elevators is also a good idea.