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#SkydeckChicago A Top Chicago Attraction the Skydeck!

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Powered by Mom Blog stepped out onto the ledge at this top Chicago Attraction!

The Skydeck ledge in Chicago that is, it's one of the top attractions in Chicago!

Top Chicago Attraction

A big THANK YOU to you my readers! I asked you all what you recommended as "must see or do" while I was in Chicago and you all gave me some wonderful ideas. I wish I could name the person who had suggested the Skydeck  because that was definitely a highlight, it is indeed a top Chicago attraction that is not to be missed! Thank you to that wonderful reader it's because of you that I and a group of my blogger friends went to the skydeck. I had shared this suggestion in with a group of bloggers who were all attending the same conference as I and they LOVED the idea so we contacted the folks at skydeck and made the arrangements!

This was my second trip to Chicago in three years but I didn't even know about the Willis Tower (formerly called the Sears Tower and still referred to that by many Chicagoans) where the skydeck is located let alone go visit it so I am so happy that I did learn about this from my wonderful readers. For me this was an amazing experience! My blogger friends and I were given a personal tour by the General Manager Mr. Randal Stancik so we felt quite special even though we are part of the media it was just a nice touch. Mr. Stancik must have known that the skydeck would not disappoint it us as it is an amazing experience, it wows you is the best way I can describe it.

Top Chicago Attraction

I know I'm going on and on about this so let's get down to business here's what it's all about. The Skydeck is open daily and the views are nothing short of stunning. On a clear day you can actually see up to four states Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan!  Visibility from the Skydeck is approximately 40-50 miles (65 – 80 kilometers).The Ledge is a glass balcony that extends four feet outside the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower! For many years when it was called the Sears Tower it was the tallest building in the world, however it has been surpassed for that title but it gets the honor of holding the title of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, standing 1,450 feet and 110 stories tall. To give you an idea of how tall that is here's a few comparisons:

The Willis Tower is taller than 46 of the Space Needles, 40 of the Great Pyramids, and 24 of the Statue of Liberty!  Darn tall right? As you can see in the picture below there are four awe inspiring ledges that you can step out onto on the 103rd floor.

skydeck13

I thought I would be nauseous or hesitant to go out onto a ledge but that was not the case. I was so excited and amazed by the views I was ready to jump on! It's simply stunning and as the ledge is rock solid I was quite comfortable. It's such a unique experience that you don't want to miss out on and who can resist going out there and snapping some photos of the fantastic views?

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You can also have the Skydeck folks take professional photos of you and your group while at the skydeck. I personally think this is worth it as the pictures come out great and it's a wonderful keepsake. As you can see I'm quite happy to be out on a ledge 🙂

Michelle skydeck resized

I also have to give kudos to a team member of the skydeck whose name I wish I had thought to ask for as she was AMAZING! One of my good blogger friends is not fond of heights. In fact the thought of stepping out on the ledge terrified, she said that nothing anyone said could get her onto that ledge and we didn't want to force her of course. However come time for our group shot the lovely skydeck photographer when she heard our friend say that she would not go on she was determined for her not to miss out on having her picture with her friends. She was kind not pushy and with the right amount of coaxing, kindness and obviously experience she put her arms around our friend from behind, and walked her slowly onto the ledge backwards! Darn if she did not get her onto the ledge and we got this fabulous group shot below!

group skydeck shot

See group shot and you might not even be able to tell who was afraid of heights :). Thank you to that fabulous team member give that woman a raise! Besides the amazing views the staff are quite amazing themselves. Thanks to them for capturing this wonderful moment of friends from all of the country well countries since the US & Canada are both represented in this picture.

 

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In addition to the fabulous views on the ground floor there's interactive stations about Chicago, the skydeck and even a nice quick but informative film. There are also some fun photo ops to be had on the ground floor too!

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We aren't the only people who think that the skydeck is a top Chicago attraction because approximately Approximately 1.3 million tourists visit the Skydeck each year. Even their elevator has to be an experience as the  Willis Tower elevators go as fast as 1,600 feet (488 meters) per minute – among the fastest in the world. Yet it was a smooth ride, they wouldn't want to scare anyone before getting to the top 🙂

If you're planning to go to Chicago at any time a visit to the skydeck should be a must do on your list of things to do in Chicago! For all those Chicagoans if you yourself haven't gone there why the heck not? You've got a jewel of an attraction in your city, heck if it's good enough for the Man of Steel, Heath Ledger and many many other celebrities both for filming and for personal tours there you definitely want to see what all the fuss is about. I'm so happy that on my second visit to Chicago I was lucky enough to experience the skydeck, it is a memory of a lifetime especially since it was shared with my friends.

If you want to find out more (and why wouldn't you?!) go HERE and follow Skydeck on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Skydeckchicago

By on August 20th, 2013

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Nyx and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

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46 thoughts on “#SkydeckChicago A Top Chicago Attraction the Skydeck!”

  1. I used to work for a company that was headquartered in Chicago, so I was there quite often. The Skydeck brings back memories. I did get a little dizzy when I looked down, but it is certainly a great way to see the city. I would love to take my daughters to see this. I went to something very similar in Las Vegas.

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  2. That is a cool idea and looks like you had an amazing time, but i would not have been so brave as to go out on the ledge...Unless I was sure I had a change of under garments..lol!!!

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  3. OMG I dont know if I would like this or not. For one thing I dont like heights and seeing out like that would freak me out. Im sure it fun but at my age I dont think so . But thanks for the pictures tho.
    Aughhhh.....................

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  4. I am extremely impressed at your bravery! I live in Chicago, and just had company from Canada here. They insisted on going up to the skydeck and into the glass box! I just couldn't do it!! They all did so I applaud YOU for doing it, too! Yikers!

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  5. I get dizzy just looking at the photo. A few years back my husband and I were in Chicago to see a taping of the Jerry Springer show. It is so windy there. I'd be terrified being that high up!

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  6. I work across the street from the tower and I see those step outs. There is no way I would want to go out on one of those ... I am too chicken. LOL However, I have been up in the skydeck several times. It is an experience I think everyone should try!

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  7. I am taking my grown son by train to Chicago for his first trip ever I'm scared of heights. It i have to do this the pictures are amazing

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  8. We used to live near Chicago and went there a number of times, but I didn't know about those ledges then. But my daughter recently posted on FB a photo of her standing on that ledge while she was on her honeymoon. I'm afraid of falling but not of heights, so if I ever get back to Chicago I am definitely going there!

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  9. I've been here! I had such a headache from being so high up I couldn't stay for long. The pressure was too much...but it was beautiful. Heights terrify me now!! LOL Great experience though!

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  10. That looks like something i would love to dol. heights dont bother me, i find them fascinating and i love photography. that would be a sweet angle!

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  11. You are so BRAVE!! I don't think I could do that without my knees knocking and passing out. I am terrified of heights but the views are amazing!!

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  12. Your pictures are amazing. My brothers are horrified of heights so I would LOVE to see their reactions up there, LOL. I'm a horrible sister, LOL! 🙂

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  13. Wow! That looks really cool! I went to Chicago one time when I was really young, but we didn't get to see a whole lot of stuff, so I would like to go back one day.

    Reply

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