- Scubabartek
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 18
- Reviews
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57
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Stockyards Have Nothing on This!
- August 13, 2009
- Rated 1 of 5 by
derekh from conyers, Georgia
Imagine standing in line for an hour, only to see another hour ahead of you in the next room - and then AGAIN??
I got my money back -- and I will never return to Chicago now that I know there is a company there that treats humans they way they learned to keep the cows in line for slaughter.
Never Will Go Again
- July 30, 2009
- Rated 1 of 5 by
zebra2177 from Chicago, Illinois
I expected the long wait (1.75 hours, the sign said 1 hour), and I knew the high cost ($50 for family of 4) but after paying that much and waiting so long, I did not expect to CRAMMED into the elevator like sardines. The attendant kept telling us to "take a baby step back". My 77 yr old mother was with me, being smashed, and I finally yelled back to the attendant that there was no more room and maybe some people needed to wait for the next elevator. It was a horrible experience. I am a Chicago native and had been up to the Skydeck before, but this was ridiculous and I will not go again.
Ok but Not Worth the Wait and Cost
- October 19, 2008
- Rated 2 of 5 by
mrjones99 from Memphis, Tennessee
I visited the Skydeck out of the obligation that I was in Chicago for the first time and it needed to be seen. It was a clear day and the views were nice but not worth the wait and price I paid. Even if you have the citypass you'll still have to wait. The citypass gets you past a couple of the checkpoints that you must go through. I particially didn't like the fact that I had to watch a film about the tower before going to the skydeck. If you go to the skydeck plan accordindly. Kids will love it, adults, its ok. Find discount tickets if possible. Get ready for to wait in lines. Lines to buy tickets, security lines, lines to get on the elevator, then the movie, then another line to get on the elevator then another line to get back down. Plus the deck is crowded without a lot of room to move around.
Editor Pick
Sears Tower Skydeck
- April 4, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
frequentflier from South Jersey, New Jersey
I have visited the STS both before and after 9/11 and aside from the huge increase in security, the wait still isn't astronomical; There's usually a sign that will tell you how long the wait is to reach the skydeck.
You have the option to purchase an audio/"skylights" tour in addition to your SkyDeck admission, but if you're budgeting and thinking about it, i'd pass, its not vital to the experience. Either way you decide to go, buy your tickets online (the URL is at the bottom of the review.). They're good for a week around the day you select. (3 days before, the day you select, and 3 days after they can be used.) This way, you avoid the lines that get long very fast.
Once through security, tickets in hand, you'll get to watch a short movie on the history and fact about the Sears Tower. Its only about ten minutes long, and is interesting if you can contain your excitement to get to the SkyDeck.
The last and longest (ear-popping) elevator takes you to the SkyDeck. Its truly beautiful and is kept very clean. Usually it isn't too crowded because the attendants control how many people are allowed up at one time. There are views from all four sides and neat set up of history and important events in Chicago on the 103rd floor for those who can only look out a window for so long. On your way down there's a gift shop where you can purchase all sorts of "Chicago" stamped goodies.
Overall, if you've never been to Chicago, its a fun experience, especially if you're the type of tourist who likes exploring, but its the kind of thing you can only do once or twice.
Editor Pick
Sears Tower Skydeck
- October 16, 2007
- Rated 2 of 5 by
VA_traveler from Dumfries, Virginia
Our vacations are rarely restful - they are more the "see-it-all-on-foot" kind of trips. So sometimes, I admit, we get a little cranky. We were tired when we got to the Sears Tower Skydeck entrance in the afternoon of a day with lots of walking. The line didn't look too bad - maybe 50 people, waiting for the elevator. No big deal.
So we got in line.
Then we realized that this was NOT the line for the top. No. This group of stroller-pushers and high school field-trippers was merely waiting for one harried and hassled young lady to allow us access to the down elevator - to take us deeper into the building, into longer lines for security checks and ticket purchases. It was at the moment of that realization that the crankiness kicked in. We finally resigned ourselves to the fact that it wasn't going to be a quick stop, promised we'd find some food right afterwards, and got on with the waiting. But still, I remember my visit to the Skydeck as a series of lines. Here's what you can expect:
Line #1 is the line for the elevator. This starts in the lobby on Jackson. It wasn't too bad for us, but I imagine this one might snake out onto the sidewalk on really busy days. According to their website, the best way to avoid long lines is to arrive after 5; the Skydeck opens at 10 am, and closes at 10pm April-October (8pm October-March).
Once downstairs, we stood in line #2 for security. As I remember, you could bring in small bags. It moved pretty quickly, but still provided us with plenty of time to review our guidebook for Sears Tower trivia.
After exiting security, most folks stand in the ticket line (line #3). DO NOT stand in this line! Instead, buy your tickets on the web ahead of time. This is a great time saver, especially because an eticket is good for one visit in a seven day window, which gives you a great amount of flexibility.
So, skipping the ticket line, scoot over to line #4, which wraps back and forth and finally dumps you in a movie theater. You'll see a movie about the construction and history of the Sears Tower. It lasts about 10 minutes, and is pretty interesting - I think it was a History channel production.
Once the movie's over, exit the theater for (you guessed it) line #5. This was the money line - it ends at the long awaited "up elevator", a ride which is extremely fast, and pretty cool. Views from the top are great, although crowded. Yes, you will probably have to stand in some short lines to get to the best viewing spots.
There's also a somewhat interesting display around the center of the viewing floor, providing historical information about Chicago. I had lots of time to look at this while I was waiting in line#6 - the line for the elevator out.
From journal Three Days in the Windy City