Tilt Above the City at 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

Are you afraid of heights? Do they make you a little squeemish? Don’t let that stop you from taking a ride to the 94th floor and experiencing 360 Chicago Observation Deck. And don’t forget to snag an experience on Tilt to look out over the edge of the building at the streets directly below.

Some of my work colleagues and I were in Chicago for a conference and turned this experience into a fantastic group activity. So if you’re looking for something to do in Chicago with a small or large group, find out what you can expect at 360 CHICAGO.

Tickets and Directions to 360 Chicago Observation Deck

The best way to get tickets is to purchase them online in advance of your visit. This allows you to pick a time and plan your trip accordingly. The starting price for tickets is $30 for adults and $20 for youth (3-11). But the price changes depending on the day of the week, the time of day you visit and if you want to add Tilt and/or a drink (Sip).

• Tilt & View packages start at $39 for adults and $29 for youth
• Sip, Tilt & View packages start at $50.50 for adults and $35.50 for youth

If you plan to visit other popular attractions in Chicago, consider getting a Chicago CityPASS. 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck is one of the options you get when you purchase the full pass. However, it does NOT include access to Tilt, so you’ll need to purchase a Tilt ticket separately.

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck is located on the north end of the Magnificent Mile. The building is located off of Michigan Avenue between Delaware and Chesnut Street. On the west side of the building, there are some stairs you can take to the lower level where you begin your visit. Follow the signs to 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck.

When it comes to parking, my advice for Chicago is… take an UBER/Lyft, public transit (bus, Elevated Train, Subway, etc.). There are several options from the hotels in and around downtown Chicago. If you have a vehicle and need to park, there are various apps you can use to book a parking spot. 360 CHICAGO recommends using the SpotHero app.

Your Experience Begins in the Lobby

Your experience at the 94th floor observation deck isn’t where your journey begins. After checking in at the front desk of 360 CHICAGO, you’ll wind your way through a few hallways. But don’t think of them as just hallways.

Along the way, you can learn about different neighborhoods of Chicago. See photos and read short blurbs about what made those neighborhoods unique. There are 77 neighborhoods in Chicago, but here are the three featured: Bronzeville, Lakeview and Pilsen.

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As you continue though the line, you’ll have a photo opportunity in front of a green screen. Have some fun with it and your group. You can purchase the photo later on.

The final checkpoint before taking the elevator is the ticket turnstiles where you’ll scan your tickets. Then it’s one last line before you’re directed into the elevator for an ear-popping ride to the 94th floor.

Explore the Views of the 94th Floor

When you step off the elevator and let your ears finish adjusting to the elevation change, you’re free to roam about the 94th floor. There are windows on each side so there is no bad view of the city. Our visit was at night, so we got to see the lights of the city.

One of the biggest challenges we had was snapping a photo of the city without getting a glare off the glass. It proved challenging, but one tip is to put your camera lens right up against the glass and snap the photo. But if you are wanting a photo with people and the view out the window, you’ll just have to a. EPR the glare.

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If you aren’t sure what the significance is of the buildings you’re looking at, find one of the large touchscreens by the windows. You can navigate through the city to identify and learn about what you’re looking at. I recommend using this to give more meaning to your visit – rather than just saying “Yep, that’s Chicago” and moving on. 😉

360 CHICAGO has things to see inside the building, too. I found a LEGO building of the tower I was standing in. There are various displays worth checking out, so don’t just focus on the views out the windows.

Grab a Drink in Cloud Bar

As noted earlier, you can snag a ticket package that also gives you a drink from Cloud Bar on the 94th floor. There are a few options to choose from, though the options at the bar themselves contain alcohol.

If you need a non-alcoholic option, grab a Gatorade or soda bottle from the fridge area. Those are included in the Sip portion of the ticket package you purchased.

If you didn’t anticipate grabbing a drink while on the 94th floor – meaning you didn’t purchase a Sip ticket with your admission ticket – that’s okay. They do accept payments at the bar for any drinks you want to grab.

Go “Over the Edge” with Tilt

Now that you’ve enjoyed the views looking out, don’t miss your chance to look straight down. Tilt is a chance to lean out over the edge and look straight down at the streets below.

Tilt is an extra cost, meaning it’s not included in your regular admission ticket. It is an unique experience, so I encourage you to give it a try. If you have a fear of heights, then maybe this will push your limits.

If you didn’t have Tilt as part of your original ticket purchase, you can add it on at a booth on the 94th floor. Then find the line and wait your turn to experience Tilt.

The wait was about 30 minutes. But with a drink in hand and great friends to chat with, it went by pretty fast.

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Once inside the Tilt room, they don’t allow photos. The photos in this article are ones I shot through the glass while waiting in line. There is a spot for you to place your backpacks or other belongings before claiming your spot along the Tilt wall.

The experience lasts about one minute, and it’s a little surprising how far out it tilts (leans). The experience may feel different during the daytime versus a nighttime view. Either way, it’s interesting to lean over the edge of a skyscraper and look at the ground below.

The Details

Address: 875 N. Michigan Avenue, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Delaware Place.

How long to spend: Plan on about one hour for your visit. Total time may vary depending on crowds.

Cost: Tickets prices start at $30 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-11). Packages for drinks and the Tilt experience are in addition to starting ticket prices.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Website: https://360chicago.com/

DISCLOSURE: I received two complimentary Sip, Tilt and View tickets to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

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