Standing at 1,450 feet tall, the Willis Tower was once the tallest building in the world. I was a child in the \u201880s when this skyscraper was a known recordholder. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands at 2,717 feet tall (holey moley) and is the current reigning champion. Can anyone say \u201cNOSEBLEED?\u201d Many other buildings around the world have been built and are also an impressive height. With each new building, the Willis Tower has dropped down the list. Currently, it sits as the twelfth tallest building in the world and the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Not too shabby!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was a child in the \u201880s, Willis Tower was known as \u201cSears Tower.\u201d It was a topic of discussion during my childhood visits to Chicago. My older cousins spoke of it with pride and as a \u201cmust see\u201d with trips to the downtown area. They weren\u2019t wrong. I remember craning my neck upward to catch a glimpse of this Windy City Icon as a relative escorted us via car through the heart of Chicago. Many times, I mistook the John Hancock for the Willis Tower, as it is similar with the black architecture, impressive height, and the two antennae at the top. However, the Willis Tower stands over the John Hancock, casting a mighty shadow. Having both skyscrapers in view, there is no mistake which building is which. The John Hancock is much smaller in stature, very symmetrical, and in my opinion, a better-looking building. The Willis Tower is markedly taller with step-wise projections in the outer appearance, as if a giant could walk his way up a staircase to top of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observing the tower from afar is one thing; going inside of it is a whole other experience. It was on one of my trips to Chicago in the 1980s that our gracious hosts arranged for us to visit the viewing room on the top of the Sears Tower. There were multiple parts of this excursion that were super fun and memorable, starting with the elevator ride. There were no stops, just a high-speed ride to the top with quick acceleration, like that of an airplane takeoff. When the doors opened, the viewing room was impressive with large windows covering all angles of the tower, allowing for million-dollar views of greater Chicago. You can\u2019t beat it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By far, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the viewing room was watching my mom\u2019s fearful eyes. She had, and still has, a fear of heights. Children love to see fear in their parents. It makes them more human, more real. I don\u2019t recall how close my mom got to the windows, but I do remember her being very thankful when we boarded the elevator for the return to the ground floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The viewing room today is called the \u201cSkydeck.\u201d When I was a child, patrons could walk up to a banister and look out. There is a scene in Ferris Bueller\u2019s Day Off, where the actors in the movie pressed their heads up against the windows while standing on the handrail. My experience was similar. To look up and down and all around, we all hinged our bodies over the railing until the glass contacted our foreheads. I\u2019m sure this was a safety concern as well as a cleaning nuisance for the employees of Sears Tower at the time. So, I appreciate the fact that there has been a major upgrade to the viewing area since I was a child: \u201cThe Ledge.\u201d Basically, there are multiple reinforced glass boxes that jet out four feet from the viewing room. At 1353 feet above the ground, those with steel legs and a solid gut can stand on the glass, feeling like they are suspended above the void below them. This architectural enhancement makes the experience to the Skydeck of Willis Tower even more memorable and interactive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was a child, we walked right up to the main desk to buy tickets, and I don\u2019t recall any crowds in the viewing room. Today, advanced ticket purchase is recommended. For specific information for ticket purchase and hours for visiting, please reference the main website at https:\/\/theskydeck.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My thoughts on this experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. If you have a friend or family member who is familiar with Chicago, take them with you. It\u2019s fun to have them point out important sights and assist you with visualizing what\u2019s what in the Chicago area. This may give you ideas for touring during the rest of your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Take your children. Life experiences are more important than physical items. The tower itself is memorable. Standing on glass over the world will likely be seared into their memory and talked about for a long time. And let\u2019s be real: the elevator ride will also be a rehashed topic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Check out the Special Events on the website. You can dine on the Skydeck with pizza: \u201cPie in the Sky.\u201d How cool is that??! And Santa will be there before Christmas…..<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Consider making it a tower-visiting day. The John Hancock has an observation level, just like the Willis Tower. Its viewing area is called the 360 Room and is situated at 1,000 feet: https:\/\/360chicago.com\/<\/a>. For thrill-seekers this room also has a ride called \u201cTilt,\u201d where the glass wall tilts outward with YOU on it. Yikes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Willis Tower is one of the best places to visit with family. This is a kids friendly venue, but with some limitations. Be aware that children aren\u2019t too excited about \u201cviews.\u201d They are excited about speed, height, and adventures. While you stare out the window, you may lose your child as they run from window to window, pressing their greasy palms and faces against the glass. Visiting with multiple adults will allow busy parents to have their own chance to soak up the atmosphere while still keeping eyes on the precocious little ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the KidsFriendlyVenues App on this website for more information on star ratings and amenities at the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Building!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura D<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Standing at 1,450 feet tall, the Willis Tower was once the tallest building in the world. I was a child in the \u201880s when this skyscraper was a known recordholder. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands at 2,717 feet tall (holey moley) and is the current reigning champion. Can anyone say \u201cNOSEBLEED?\u201d Many other buildings around the world have … <\/p>\n