360 Chicago was our third CityPASS attraction, after Skydeck and the architecture river cruise. Ninety-fourth floor of the John Hancock Center, 875 N Michigan Avenue, right on the Magnificent Mile.
The thing to sort out before you go is TILT — because it costs extra, it isn’t in your pass, and standing at the counter deciding with two children watching is the worst place to make that call.
Quick verdict
If you’re only doing one observation deck with kids, Skydeck gives you more for the money. More on that below.
From $30 adult online, from $20 child — $35 if you buy at the gate.
TILT is not included in CityPASS. It’s an add-on, and for a family of four it’s a meaningful extra.
Allow about an hour.
Go near sunset — you get the daylight view and the lit-up view for one ticket.
What it costs
| Price | |
|---|---|
| General admission, adult (12+), online | from $30 |
| General admission, adult, at the gate | $35 |
| General admission, child | from $20 |
| TILT & View combo (bought up front) | from $45 adult / $35 child |
| TILT added on-site with a CityPASS | $18 per person |
Two things worth knowing from that table. Buying online is cheaper than walking up — the gate price is $5 more per adult. And if you know you want TILT, buying the combo up front is usually better value than adding it at the top, which is where we paid $18 a head.
Prices checked September 2026 — 360 changes them by season and time slot.
TILT — is it worth it with children?
TILT is a moving glass platform that leans you outward from the 94th floor, so you’re looking straight down at Michigan Avenue at an angle.
For a family of four, adding it on-site is $72. That’s more than the price of four general admissions. It is a genuine thrill, it lasts a short time, and it is the thing children will remember — which is exactly what makes it a hard call rather than an easy no.
Decide before you arrive. If TILT is a yes, buy the combo online. If it’s a no, be ready for the conversation at the top, because your kids will see other people doing it.
In our case, only Damian was ready for the TILT, Marc decided to wait for us 3.
360 Chicago or Skydeck? We did both
| 360 Chicago | Skydeck (Willis Tower) | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | 94th | 103rd |
| The attraction | TILT — window leans you out | The Ledge — glass box you stand in |
| Included in the ticket? | No, TILT costs extra | Yes, The Ledge is included |
| Admission | from $30 / $20 | $32 / $24 |
| The view | Straight down Michigan Avenue, the lakefront | The street grid, the lake, four states on a clear day |
On the numbers, Skydeck is the better single choice for a family: it’s higher, and the thing children queue for is in the price rather than $18 extra a head.
360’s advantage is the location — it’s on Michigan Avenue, so it slots into a shopping-and-walking day without a detour, and the bar at the top makes it a more relaxed hour than Skydeck’s.
Kids enjoyed Skydeck more.
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What else is up there
- A bar and café — coffee, cocktails and snacks with the view, which makes this the observation deck you can sit down at
- Interactive displays on Chicago’s history and architecture
- A photo zone, sold separately
You can see Navy Pier, Willis Tower, Lake Michigan, and on a clear day into Indiana and Wisconsin.
Tips
- Go near sunset. One ticket, two views — daylight and the city lit up.
- Book online, not at the gate. It’s $5 cheaper per adult and you’re choosing a slot rather than queueing.
- Have your CityPASS barcode open before you reach the desk.
- Allow an hour, more if you’re using the bar.
- Check the weather that morning. Haze and low cloud cost you the whole point of the ticket.
- Split your two observation decks across different days if you’re doing both — one bad-weather day then doesn’t ruin both.
Would we go back?
We would go back only for the sunset.
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A Bit of History: The John Hancock Center
The John Hancock Center, home to 360 Chicago, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.
- Construction began in 1965 and was completed in 1970.
- Designed by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan, it was once the second-tallest building in the world.
- The building stands 1,128 feet (344 meters) tall, including its twin antennas.
- It houses offices, luxury apartments, and restaurants, along with the observation deck on the 94th floor.
The tower’s X-shaped bracing is not just a design feature — it provides structural strength, allowing for wide-open spaces and the ability to withstand strong winds from Lake Michigan.
360 Chicago With Kids: FAQs
How much does 360 Chicago cost?
General admission starts at 30 dollars for adults aged 12 and over and 20 dollars for children when booked online, rising to 35 dollars per adult at the gate. The TILT and View combination ticket starts at 45 dollars for adults and 35 for children. Prices vary by date and time slot, so check before you book.
Is TILT included in CityPASS?
No. CityPASS and the C3 pass cover general admission to the 94th floor observation deck only. TILT costs an extra 18 dollars per person added on site, which is 72 dollars for a family of four. If you know you want TILT, buying the TILT and View combination directly is usually better value than adding it at the top.
Is TILT scary for children?
TILT is a glass platform that leans you outward from the 94th floor so you look straight down at Michigan Avenue. It is a short, genuine thrill and it is the part children remember. Some refuse, which is fine, because the main observation deck has the same view through floor to ceiling windows with a solid floor underneath.
360 Chicago or Skydeck — which is better with kids?
Skydeck gives a family more for the money. It is higher, at the 103rd floor against 360’s 94th, and its glass floor attraction, The Ledge, is included in the ticket, while TILT at 360 Chicago costs 18 dollars extra per person. 360 Chicago’s advantage is its location on Michigan Avenue and the bar at the top, which makes it a more relaxed visit.
How long do you need at 360 Chicago?
About an hour covers the observation deck, the interactive displays and time at the windows. Allow longer if you plan to use the bar or do TILT, and go near sunset so you see the city in daylight and lit up on the same ticket.
Where is 360 Chicago?
On the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center at 875 N Michigan Avenue, on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. It is walkable from Millennium Park in about 25 minutes, or a short bus ride up Michigan Avenue.
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