Sears Tower

Went in November 2007, it was a good experience, sure it's a tall building and I went to the top, but that's about all, wouldn't really place it in my top 100 things to do before you die.

Now the Willis Tower, never heard of that department store. A real bad storm rolled through Chicago while I was there a couple days ago. The strong winds knocked a few windows out of this behemoth. Good thing nobody was standing right below.

I don't remember the lines being that long when I came here nine years ago, and I visited in the middle of the day. The view from the top was great, but it was nothing I couldn't've gotten from an airplane or other tall buildings. I recommend doing a tour for the sake of doing the tour, but don't expect anything life-changing.

Amazing views! This building is gigantic, but amazing. The ride to the top is a little long, but that's ok because you see all of Chicago from the top. However, there are long lines to get to the top! I don't know if you can buy tickets in advance, but if you can this would be the thing to do! Either way, check it out when you are in the windy city!

a. The Sears Tower can be described as a city in and of itself. There are over 25,000 people who work in the building and visit it each day. It’s the tallest building in North America at this time, and definitely one to visit.

Ok, I went last November.  The view from the top was amazing, doesnt feel like you're 1400 feet off the ground.  A couple of negatives to point out first.  There are long wait lines.  I recommend coming around 9:30 AM, that way you will be at front of the queue (Tower opens at 10AM).  When you enter the building, you go down to the basement via elevator.  Walk thru a security checkpoint, watch a history channel movie, wait in line to get a ticket, then finally get in line for the elevator to the top.  In the elevator, Your ears will pop several times, and the ride is about 45 seconds.  Overall, it was worth the visit though.

Awesome. Just awesome. Especially the elevator ride up.

Breathtaking, awe inspiring, the symbol of Chicago.

When I went up to the Sears Tower, it acually didn't take that much time. The only time I had to wait was when we were waiting for the other group to get done, which was like 5- 10 tops. Plus, you don't have to wait in line to get on the elevator to get down.

Man I figured you can get up to the Sears Tower, look around, and get out in a half hour. What happens though is you wait in one line for a half hour to get through the metal detector. Then 45 minutes you are waiting in a line to get on the elevator. Then you are looking at another 45 minutes to wait to purchase your tickets. Then another 20 minutes waiting in line to watch a movie about the Sears Tower. Then another 20 minutes waiting in yet another line to get on the elevator to get up to the Sears Tower. Then you look around for a half hour and wait in line to get back down, then another line to get to the main floor where you must exit. Nonetheless, it's one of those things you have to do if you're there, and the view does look pretty good from the 106th floor.

Overpriced, but everyone needs to see this excellent view at least once in their life.

Amazing view. It is more interesting at night. You can see city lights for miles and miles when you look to the South, West, and North. Look to the East, you see about three city blocks of lights, then it is pitch balck for as far as you can see. It is a mind-blowing view.

A very impressive view and nice historical exhibits about Chicago, but you have to endure a silly video presentation about the city before going up the building. In a way, the view from the observatory atop the John Hancock building is actually better - you can see more of the Loop, Michigan Avenue, and the sweep of the lakefront, and get a feel for how big the Sears Tower really is in comparison to the rest of the skyline.

The view was good but, the Hancock buildings view is so much better. Its closer to the lake and your able to see more of the city.

If you're pressed for time and cannot see the whole city because you're waiting for your train, this is your best shot to see the Windy City at a bird's eye view.

Excellent attraction.....The skyview is awesome, you can see the whole city...What is not to like about that.

It's neat, but not worth the twenty dollar fee.

i find it a very ugly building. so what if it's the largest building in the usa, there are far more interesting sights than this sh*t

I didn't go up the Sears Tower because I was told that John Hancock is better (has a better view because it is closer to the lake and has shorter waiting lines). The John Hancock building was great, consider it instead of the Sears Tower.

It was absolutely great. You could see all around Chicago, and even though it was foggy the day I went, I could still see Wisconsin and Indiana, which means that the building must be pretty darn high if you can see it through some fog. Also, the lines werent a problem with me, but I was a part of a group, so that may have made it better for me to avoid lines.

I'll give it a 5, because the view I think would be very spectacular, but I always end up there on a day when you can't see 5 feet in front of you! The lines are a major problem though...

Really good view of area from here... but go early a little before they open for tours so you can get up and down without the waiting lines.