The Sears Tower in Chicago

Written by Julie Greiner

From the Skydeck atop the Sears Tower you will see the best view and best overview of Chicago. At 1,353 feet, the Skydeck is the highest observatory in Chicago. From this amazing view, on a clear day, you can see 40 to 50 miles. You can see Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin just by walking around the Skydeck. Thanks to the $4 million transformation - there is now more to see and do. Even the elevators are exciting. They are equipped with 50-inch flat screen monitors that make you feel like you're blasting off through the top of the Sears Tower and into space. These video views are compliments of NASA and the Space Shuttle Endeavor!

Exhibits Atop the Sears Tower Skydeck

Museum-quality exhibits are painted on the Skydeck walls. They represent Chicago's past and present depicting Chicago's history and historic characters. There are hands-on state-of-the-art computer information terminals accessible in 6 different

Photo Courtesy of Sears Tower

languages. Everyone can see more of Chicago in detail with the high-tech, high-powered telescopes. There are maps provided in 9 different languages English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish and Spanish. Big or little, every child gets the best view and overview of Chicago with the child-level display that extends all the way around the Skydeck and is known as the Knee-High Chicago display. There are cool cut-out windows put children eye-to-eye with Chicago history, sports and more.

Visitor Tips for Family Visits to the Sears Tower Skydeck

The best time to visit is after 4 pm for great sunsets and twinkling night-scape viewing. Remember to turn the flash off on your camera before taking a picture through

View of Skydeck Wall Murals in Sears Tower

Photo Courtesy of Sears Tower

a window. Or have the Skydeck take a photo for you and it will be ready when you leave. There is parking available in the Sears Tower garage. Sears Tower is handicapped accessible and prepared for wheel-chairs, strollers and scooters.

Dining at the Sears Tower

Mrs. Levy's Delicatessen is located on the Sears Tower restaurant level. This is an upbeat 90's deli with New York favorites and an ice cream parlor. Mia Torre is also located on the Sears Tower restaurant level. Authentic regional Italian cuisine with a festive flair is featured. Dos Hermanos, located on the Sears Tower restaurant level serves mexican and Tex-Mex specialties in a spirit of fiesta. Eadies Kitchen & Market, located on the Sears Tower restaurant level is an upscale food court market offering a wide variety of fast and convenient favorites and daily specials.

Facts and Trivia About the Worlds Tallest Building

The Sears Tower is 1,454 feet high, 1,808 feet including twin antenna towers. The combined weight of the building is 222,500 tons - 445,000,000 lbs. The cost of the Sears Tower building was in excess of $150 million. The Sears Tower opened in 1973 and took 3 years to build. The building has 4.5 million gross square feet of floor space. The average sway of the building is approximately 6 inches from true center. The Sears Tower has approximately 16,100 bronze-tinted windows and has 6 roof-mounted robotic window washing machines. The Sears Tower was designed for more than 12,000 occupants, approximately 25,000 people enter the building each day and approximately 1.5 million tourists visit the Skydeck each year. For more information on tours and visiting times call: (312) 875-9696.