Smackdown winner: Skydeck, because the feature comparing your height to other famous structures is pretty cool. 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck offers breathtaking panoramic views of Chicago from 1,000 feet above the famed Magnificent Mile. The ride up is accompanied by a witty narration, mostly explaining how fast you’re going (more than 20 mph). The ride up to the Observatory takes 40 seconds to climb 1,000 feet, making these the fastest elevators in North America. The 360 Chicago elevators, while smaller, could also potentially be crowded on a busy day. It was cool to see the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower falling away as we quickly ascended, and the feature helped put into perspective just how tall the Willis Tower is. 360 Chicagos TILT is the only downward-facing enclosed glass platform that tilts. The large elevator will probably be packed, but you’ll be entertained for that minute by a flat-screen television throwing out some fun facts and explaining how high you are climbing, while comparing that height to other well-known structures around the world. The X-frames on the tower are the centers distinguishing features. Once you finally make it to the elevators that will whisk you up to the Skydeck, it takes about 60 seconds to ascend 1,353 feet to the 103 rd floor of the Willis Tower. Sunset views over Lake Michigan from 360 Chicago The Ride Up Total wait time from the front doors was quoted at about 2.5 hours for general admission. There was a line to simply board the elevator that takes you down to a security checkpoint and the ticketing counters, and then another wait to board the elevators up to the Skydeck. I visited on a sunny, Saturday afternoon in mid-March – right around Spring Break time for most high school and colleges – and again on a sunny Saturday afternoon in April a few years later. The Skydeck, being the more popular of the two options, can have some really long lines and wait times. Wait times are completely dependent on the weather, day of the week, and the season. CloudBar serves up iconic Chicago snacks, like Garretts popcorn, and neighborhood-inspired cocktails with local brewery. Both the Skydeck and 360 Chicago suggest visiting early in the morning, or in the evening (after 5 p.m.) for the shortest wait times. Unless you go up either of these towers on an overcast day, chances are you will have to wait in line to buy tickets, and then wait to get into the elevators that will whisk you up to the observation decks. Get nighttime views like this from 360 Chicago Wait Times

Tilting skyscraper chicago