360 Chicago (John Hancock Center)

360 Chicago

The 94th-floor observation deck of the former John Hancock Center, 344 meters tall at the north end of the Magnificent Mile. Its TILT glass platform tilts outward 30 degrees, offering the best angle on the Lake Michigan shoreline and the skyline.

360 Chicago occupies the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue, formerly the John Hancock Center. This black tower, completed in 1969 with huge X-shaped bracing on its exterior, is another landmark of Chicago. Standing at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, its observation deck faces the curved shoreline of Lake Michigan, Oak Street Beach, the high-rises of the North Shore and the Loop skyline to the south. Its view is more quintessentially “Chicago” than the Willis Tower's: the lake and the city each take up half the frame, and it is especially beautiful at sunset. The signature experience is TILT. A set of glass panels slowly tilts outward 30 degrees from vertical, so visitors can hold the railing and look down on Michigan Avenue from 300 meters up (an add-on of about US$10). The deck also has a bar, Bar 94, serving local craft beers and cocktails, interactive city-history screens and free telescopes. Admission in 2025 was about US$30 to US$35, including a high-speed elevator that reaches the top in 40 seconds. CityPASS includes it. There are fewer lines than at the Willis Tower, and it's open until about 22:00 to 23:00, so you can visit after exploring the Magnificent Mile to see the night views. A budget alternative: the Signature Lounge bar on the 96th floor of the same building charges no admission. You only need to buy a drink (about US$15 to US$20). The floor-to-ceiling windows in the women's restroom are well known among locals. Nearby attractions include the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue, a building that survived the Great Fire of 1871; Water Tower Place shopping center; Oak Street Beach, where swimming is possible in summer; and flagship stores on the Magnificent Mile, including Apple, Nike and Nordstrom. Getting there: it's a 5-minute walk from Chicago station on the CTA Red Line.

360 Chicago (John Hancock Center)

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