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Best Things To Do In A Skyscraper

Chicago is home to some of the tallest buildings in the world. With so many things to do in the city, we've rounded up a list of some of the best activities, tourist attractions, dining and shopping in the sky!
Sears Tower To Unveil New Glass Ledge On 103rd Floor
(credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Willis Tower

‪233 South Wacker Drive‬
‪Chicago, IL‬
‪(312) 962-7400‬
www.theskydeck.com

The iconic structure is the tallest building in Chicago (and the United States), encompassing more than 4.5 million square feet, including its Skydeck and 103rd floor glass viewing platform, The Ledge, which attracts more than 1.3 million visitors every year.

SKYDECK

The Skydeck experience is all new from the ground up. Discover the best of Chicago as you make your way up to the 103rd floor.

The Tower
• Have your picture taken with the enormous 103 sculpture and capture the memory forever.
• Challenge yourself with an interactive Chicago trivia game.
• Marvel at the sheer scale of it all.

Chicago
• Explore Chicago with interactive touch screen activities and exhibits.
• Breathtaking 1,353 ft simulated Ledge views from atop six of Chicago's biggest attractions, like Wrigley Field.
• Must-have, signature photo highlights of Chicago's top locations.

Skydeck Theater
• Experience "Reaching for the Sky", a fascinating 9-minute movie telling the story of Chicago's rise to the top of the architectural world. Learn how the tower went from dream to world icon.

Skyscrapers
• Compare heights with the tallest structures in the world.
• See just how many of you it would take to measure up to the height of Willis Tower.
• Sneak a peek at the stunning views from The Ledge.

John Hancock Skating Rink
Skating rink at the John Hancock building (Credit: Julie Mann)

John Hancock Building

875 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
(312) 751-3681
www.hancockobservatory.com

The John Hancock Building is a 100-story mixed-use complex. With over 171,771 square feet of retail space, 896,980 square feet of office space and 49 floors of residential condominiums, the John Hancock Building is the 4th tallest building in Chicago and the 6th tallest in the United States.

JOHN HANCOCK OBSERVATORY

Views
The breathtaking 360° views stretch across 4 states –Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois– including stunning views of Lake Michigan and a beautiful night cityscape.

Interactive Telescopes
There's always something spectacular to see. Choose from a night, day or live view, and even on those low visibility days you'll still be able to see for miles and miles... and miles! And don't worry about bringing a pocket of change: just slip your credit card in the machine or pay for a single-use card on entry (Now that's high-tech).

Signature Room
(credit: www.signatureroom.com)

Sky Walk
Find out why this is the Windy City, when you step outside the open-air sky walk.

Photo Op
Fool your friends and family with a photo opportunity to be a John Hancock Center window washer.

Events
Events include: Winter Wonderland, Skating in the Sky, Navy Pier's summer fireworks, the Chicago Air & Water Show. Check the website for current events.

SIGNATURE ROOM

Get dinner and a cocktail in the sky at the Signature Room and Signature Lounge. Seasonal drinks, great food, breathtaking views and a dining experience like no other!

Water Tower Place
(Credit: CBS)

Water Tower

835 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
(312) 440-3166
www.shopwatertower.com

At the pinnacle of Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place is Chicago's premier shopping destination, featuring the largest number of stores exclusive to Chicago. Its stunning eight-level atrium features Macy's, American Girl Place, the new Broadway Playhouse, and more than 100 stores.

FEATURED STORES & DINING:

Forever 21
adidas Performance Store
Billabong
Tourneau
Sephora
Pandora
Abercrombie & Fitch
Bare Escentuals
Teavana
Wow Bao
Mity Nice Grill
Freshii
foodlife

Trump Hotel & Tower

Trump International Hotel and Tower

401 N. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 588-8000
www.trumpchicagohotel.com

This 98-story condo-hotel is located on Chicago's River Walk. With amazing views of the Chicago River, Michigan Avenue, Lake Michigan and the Loop, this skyscraper is at the height of elegance.

Hotel

Inside this four star Chicago, Illinois hotel, impeccable style and spectacular four star services define the experience. Guests will enjoy a higher level of luxury with unrivaled hospitality and detail-oriented amenities, including personal attaché service. 339 graciously appointed Chicago hotel suites and guestrooms and suites await, with custom designed furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows and fully equipped kitchens. Our signature restaurant, Sixteen, features elegant, modern-American cuisine, complemented by sweeping lake, river, and city views. For an important occasion, the sophisticated surroundings of the Grand Ballroom or Conference Rooms will offer the perfect venue to make a lasting impression.

Spa at the Trump

The Spa at Trump, a tranquil haven located within the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, offers a peaceful setting to calm, balance, purify, revitalize, and heal.

Trump Chicago
(credit: www.trumpchicagohotel.com)

Dining

The Trump Hotel & Tower Chicago offers a 5 star restaurant experience. From the elegance of our signature restaurant Sixteen, to the energy of Rebar, the Trump Chicago Hotel offers imaginative cuisine, festive cocktails and an unmatched sophistication. With the expertise of acclaimed Executive Chef Frank Brunacci at the helm, your dining experience at the Trump Chicago Hotel is destined to be unforgettable.

Rebar

Rebar at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is a chic and sophisticated lounge. This classy bar and lounge located on the mezzanine level offers a vibrant atmosphere and gorgeous views of the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue Bridge. Linger over a drink in the lounge with a Chicago sunset in the background; it's a perfect end to any day in the city.

Marina City
(Credit: CBS 2 Chicago )

Marina City

300 N State Street
Chicago, IL 60610
www.MarinaCityOnline.com

Located at 300 North State Street and set on the beautiful Chicago River, Marina City opened in 1962 as the first mixed use highrise. It includes not only the usual amenities, such as a grocery store, dry cleaners, package room and valet parking, but also a concert venue (the House of Blues), a hotel (Hotel Sax), a bowling alley (Ten Pin), two cocktail lounges (one at Ten Pin and Crimson Lounge at Hotel Sax), five restaurants (Bin 36, House of Blues, Dick's Last Resort, Subway and Smith & Wollensky), and of course, a boat marina!

House of Blues
329 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 923–2000
www.houseofblues.com

House of Blues Chicago opened in 1996 and is located in the historic Marina City complex on the Chicago River. Modeled after the spectacular "Estavovski" Opera House in Prague, the spectacular views from the exclusive Opera Boxes are a unique and unforgettable experience. From legendary acts such as The Who and Al Green to contemporary artists such as Pearl Jam and Jurassic 5, House of Blues Chicago has been host to some of the world's most renowned musicians. In keeping with tradition, the House of Blues Chicago displays the "Crazy Quilt" and keeps a metal box of mud from the Delta Mississippi underneath its stage.

Dick's Last Resort Chicago
315 N Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 836-7870
www.dickslastresort.com

Dick's Last Resort located in Chicago's Marina City Towers, overlooks the Chicago River. Dick's is the perfect place to grab a drink and some of the best food in town. Fun servers, entertainment and an iconic location makes Dick's a Chicago legend for over 20-years.

Hotel Sax
333 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 245-0333
www.thompsonhotels.com

Sax Chicago, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is a different luxury hotel experience: inviting and warm, offering luxury with a unique, Chicago point of view. The hotel features a fusion of design influences that is both traditionally elegant and bohemian. The hotel serves as hub to the pulsing Marina City playground.


--Lauren Wulf, CBS Local Chicago
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