Quick Information

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

1500000

TICKETS

From $29

Plan your visit

Did you know?

Fasttrack to the top: The elevators at 360 Chicago are some of the fastest in the United States. You will speed up to the observation deck at 20 miles an hour!

It’s not only an observation deck: 360 Chicago hosts various events throughout the year, including yoga sessions, live music performances, and seasonal celebrations, offering unique experiences beyond standard sightseeing.

Viewing past state lines: From the 94th floor observation deck at 360 Chicago, you will be able to see, not one or two, but four states on a clear day! Spot other parts of Illinois and the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan from here on a clear day.

What is 360 Chicago?

Located 1,000 feet above Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, 360 Chicago is an attraction you must experience if you find yourself in the Windy City. Perched atop the iconic former John Hancock Center, the observation deck gives you unparalleled views of Chicago city.

Don’t miss out on TILT, an exhilarating and unforgettable feature available at 360 Chicago.

Quick facts about 360 Chicago

View from 360 Chicago observatory overlooking Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago skyline.
  • Official name: 360 Chicago
  • Address: 875 N Michigan Avenue, 94th Floor
  • Date of opening: In 1969 as the John Hancock Observatory
  • Timings: 9 AM to 11 PM
  • Last entry: 10 PM 
  • Number of visitors: 4,000 to 5,000 visitors a day during the peak seasons
  • Function: Observation Deck

Things to do at 360 Chicago

Opening hours

General timings: 360 Chicago deck is open from Monday to Sunday between 9 AM and 11 PM. Entry closes at 10 PM every day.

Closed: The observation deck 360 Chicago is open throughout the year.

Location

Address: 875 N Michigan Avenue, 94th Floor | Find on Maps

Nearest subway station: The closest subway station is on Chicago Avenue.

Nearest landmark: John Hancock Center

Plan your visit to 360 Chicago

360 Chicago observation deck

To experience breathtaking views of Chicago's skyline, there’s no better place than the 17,000-square foot observation deck at 360 Chicago. It offers 360-degree views of the Windy City’s skyline and the majestic lakefront.

TILT

This thrill ride gives you the opportunity to lean over Chicago at a 30-degree angle from over 1,000 feet in the air. TILT is a moveable glass and steel platform that tilts down to give you an exhilarating downward-facing view of North Michigan Avenue.

CloudBar

It’s not only about the views at 360 Chicago. Head over to CloudBar, where you can indulge your senses with delightful beverages while enjoying the pristine views of the Windy City from the 94th floor.

CloudWalk

Experience CloudWalk, 360 Chicago’s new 3D mural by artist Nate Baranowski. The mural’s optical illusion tempts you to step into the artwork, onto a crane platform in the clouds for a gripping adventure during your trip to Chicago.

Elevated Gallery

360 Chicago puts local photographers and artists in the spotlight with its Elevated Gallery. The gallery aims to showcase local voices which, it believes, are an inherent part of our Chicago’s identity. All print sales from the work on display benefit the artists directly, with a portion going towards a local non-profit of their choosing.

Brief history of 360 Chicago

1965: The building that houses the observation deck was originally conceived to be the second tallest building in the world.

1967: Construction of the tower was interrupted because of a flaw that was discovered in an innovative engineering method used to pour concrete in stages.

1969: After an engineering problem and a credit crunch, the building was finally completed. Its first resident, Ray Heckla, was the original building engineer.

1999: Originally known as the John Hancock Observatory, the 360-degree observatory has won various awards for its distinctive style, including the Distinguished Architects Twenty-five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects.

2012: A Paris-based company Montparnasse 56 Group purchased the John Hancock Observatory.

Who built 360 Chicago?

The building that houses the 360 Chicago Observation deck was originally financed by the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. But its engineering issue in 1967 resulted in a credit crunch that pushed the owner to go bankrupt. John Hancock took over the project, which retained the original design, architect, engineer and main contractor. The project was completed in 1969.

Architecture

The exterior of 360 Chicago with its two antenna sprawling in the sky during a rainy weather.

Christened the John Hancock Center, the building has a height of 1,500 feet while including its two antennas. It is the fourth highest building in Chicago and the thirty-third tallest building in the world when measured to pinnacle height.

At the peak of construction, more than 2,000 people worked on the project.

The building’s unusual design required innovative construction methods. The architects even used "creeper cranes," previously used only in bridge construction, to hoist steel beams into place.

The observation deck on the 94th floor was originally known as the John Hancock Observatory when it was first opened in 1969. Renamed the 360 Chicago Observation deck, the observatory enthralls hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Frequently asked questions about 360 Chicago

360 Chicago is an observation deck on the 94th floor of what was formerly called the John Hancock Center.