The John Hancock Observatory - Planning Your Visit

Overview:

The John Hancock Center is currently the third tallest completed building in Chicago behind the Sears Tower and the Aon Center. When the Trump Tower is completed and should the Chicago Spire see completion, they would "trump" the Hancock in height as well.

The observatory is located on the 94th floor.

Related Reading: John Hancock Center - Architecture, Facts, and Figures

Location:

John Hancock Center, 94th Floor
875 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(888)875-8439
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Hours :

Every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Last ticket sold at 10:45 p.m.)

Good to Know:

Before the addition of the ledge over at the Willis (aka Sears) Tower, I preferred and recommended this observatory. I've yet to see the new ledge, but here are some of the reasons I have historically preferred the Hancock:

• The Hancock has an arguably better location in the heart of the Mag Mile shopping and restaurant district and next to the Water Tower. That means it’s easier to make a visit to this observatory during an outing to Michigan Avenue rather than trekking over to the (arguably) less interesting business district where the Willis Tower is located.
  
  
• Its proximity to Lake Michigan allows beautiful, closer views of the water and beaches.
  
  
• Its proximity to Lake Shore Drive allows great north and south views of that wonderful avenue.
  
  
• It has an outdoor viewing area so you can feel the brace of the wind. (Okay, so it’s all caged in, but it’s still outdoors and you wouldn’t want it not to be caged in way up there anyway.)
  
  
• I think you can appreciate the Willis Tower’s height from here maybe even better than you can when you’re actually in the Willis Tower.
  
  
• I love that there is a cafe and snack area.

Neighborhood:

Streeterville

Notes:

John Hancock Observatory Home Page and Tickets

Audio Tours of the Observatory are available in English, Spanish, and German for an additional fee.

The most convenient parking is in the spiraling Hancock parking garage just east of the tower. If you have kids, they'll think the ride starts there.

This is a great activity in the winter as well as the summer. The lines are short to non-existent in winter months and the views are just as splendid.

Oprah Winfrey lives here. That is, when she's not at one of the other homes she owns.