Chicago views: Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO, cruises, Navy Pier

The short answer

Pick by where you want to see Chicago from. From above, there are two observation decks with different extras. From the water, there is an architecture cruise on the Chicago River and a cruise that also goes out onto Lake Michigan. At Navy Pier, the Centennial Wheel and Flyover are two separate tickets. For getting between all of these, the Big Bus ticket covers a loop with named stops but no admissions.[11]

Skydeck Chicago or 360 CHICAGO

The Skydeck Chicago and The Ledge Ticket has one option: entry to the enclosed Skydeck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, including The Ledge and the museum.[1] The operator puts the deck at 1,353 feet, says The Ledge extends 4.3 feet from the building, and says views can span up to four states on clear days.[2] The voucher is redeemed at Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Dr.[1] See the Skydeck Chicago page on XTOUR.

The 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Ticket is on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue, which the operator calls the former John Hancock Tower, 1,030 feet above the Magnificent Mile.[4] It has two options: General Admission, which includes CloudWalk and CloudBar access with child and infant tickets, and the Sip and View Combo, which adds one drink from CloudBar's Sip & View menu and is for adults aged 21 and over only. SkyGate's listing says the TILT ride is not included and needs an upgrade on site, and the operator says TILT riders must be 42 inches tall.[4][3] See the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck page on XTOUR.

XTOUR's reading: Skydeck is the higher deck with the glass Ledge and a museum in one ticket, in the Loop; 360 CHICAGO is the choice if you want a drink with the view or the option of TILT, on North Michigan Avenue near the lake.

On the water: architecture cruise or lake and river cruise

The Chicago Architecture River Cruise is the river-only, architecture-led choice. Its highlights are all three branches of the Chicago River, the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building and Marina City, seen from the boat. It has five options, and they differ by length and dock: a 75-minute cruise from the Michigan Ave Dock at 401 N Michigan Avenue, a 75-minute Saturday option with no address given, a 75-minute cruise from Navy Pier, and 45- and 90-minute cruises from 400 North Michigan Avenue. The 45- and 90-minute options add a climate-controlled lounge and a professional captain-guide, while the three 75-minute options list live English commentary.[5] The listing does not name the operator of any option.

The Lake Michigan and Chicago River Cruise goes out onto the lake as well as the river. Its two options are a Sightseeing Cruise and a Night Sightseeing Cruise, both described as 90-minute cruises with live English commentary, the night one for the illuminated skyline. The page highlights the Chicago Harbor Lock between the lake and the river and names the Willis Tower, the Aon Center and the John Hancock building as passed, not visited. The page address is 112 East Wacker Drive; the options give no dock, and the listing says cruises go rain or shine and strollers are folded and stored.[6]

Navy Pier: the wheel or the flying theatre

The Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket is a ride on the pier's wheel.[7] Navy Pier describes it as nearly 200 feet tall with enclosed gondolas and 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan, and says rides may close temporarily for lightning, high winds or extreme cold.[8] SkyGate sells two options, both titled Admission with the same text and ticket types; the calendars XTOUR read differed only in date range.[7] See the Centennial Wheel page on XTOUR.

The Flyover Chicago Ticket is a flying-theatre ride with a pre-show, sold as a Monday to Thursday option or a Friday to Sunday option.[9] Navy Pier describes motion seats, scents and mists, and places Flyover inside the pier at 600 E. Grand Avenue. SkyGate's listing says riders must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall and that pregnant women are advised not to ride; the Navy Pier page XTOUR read gives no height rule.[9][10] See the Flyover Chicago page on XTOUR.

The Big Bus loop

The Big Bus Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is sold as a 24-hour Discover Ticket or a 48-hour Essential Ticket, both on the red Big Loop route with a multilingual audio guide. SkyGate's page lists 11 stops, including the Chicago Riverwalk, Skydeck Chicago and Willis Tower, Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower and The Magnificent Mile, and 360 Chicago. Those are places to get off, not admissions; the bus is a way to link the tickets above.[11]

How to choose

• The highest view, with a glass ledge and a museum: the Skydeck Chicago and The Ledge Ticket.
• A view with a drink, or a TILT upgrade: the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Ticket.
• Architecture from the river, with a choice of length and dock: the Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
• The river and the lake, by day or by night: the Lake Michigan and Chicago River Cruise.
• A wheel ride at Navy Pier: the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket; a simulated flight: the Flyover Chicago Ticket.
• Getting between the sights for one or two days: the Big Bus Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour.

Before you book

• The 360 CHICAGO Sip and View Combo is for adults 21 and over only.[3]
• Check the dock in your architecture-cruise option before you set out.[5]
• Flyover has a 40-inch minimum height, according to SkyGate's listing.[9]