The Hancock Observatory, Chicago

The Hancock Observatory may not be the tallest building in Chicago - that accolade belongs to the Sears Tower with the Hancock Observatory coming in third. It does however offer the best views of the city with it proximity to Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile.

The Hancock Observatory is to be found on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Centre on Michigan Avenue. Completed in 1970 and renovated in 1995, the John Hancock Centre ...
...and steel cross-bracing exterior design. The John Hancock Centre, which has 96 floors (or storeys), stands some 1127 feet tall and is affectionately called Big John by Chicagoans. Obviously then, the Observatory isn't on the top floor of the building. The 95th and 96th floors house a restaurant - the Signature Room.

So why pay entrance fees for the Observatory when you can sit, eat and take in the view for a little bit more? Well, ... more

The Hancock Observatory may not be the tallest building in Chicago - that accolade belongs to the Sears Tower with the Hancock Observatory coming in third. It does however offer the best views of the city with it proximity to Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile.

The Hancock Observatory is to be found on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Centre on Michigan Avenue. Completed in 1970 and renovated in 1995, the John Hancock Centre is one of the most recognized landmarks in Chicago. It was designed and engineered by Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan. Its most distinguishing features are its bold tapered shape and steel cross-bracing exterior design. The John Hancock Centre, which has 96 floors (or storeys), stands some 1127 feet tall and is affectionately called Big John by Chicagoans. Obviously then, the Observatory isn't on the top floor of the building. The 95th and 96th floors house a restaurant - the Signature Room.

So why pay entrance fees for the Observatory when you can sit, eat and take in the view for a little bit more? Well, the Observatory offers a few unique experiences including a skywalk, soundscopes and sky tours covering a 360 degree panorama.

Tickets are available from the reception desk situated on the ground floor - costs for adults is $15.00, children $9.00 and seniors $13.00. For a few dollars more ($4 dollars for one and $5 dollars for one handset and two sets of earphones), you can get a Sky Tours headset with audio commentary about what is below.

Sky tours are available in English, Spanish and German. Numbers emblazoned on the windows, inform you when to start each of the pre-recorded commentary. The commentary lasts 30 minutes from start to finish but of course you can stop and start as you like. We opted for the one handset and two earphones - somewhat a mistake. We were literally tied together!! No lingering if the other didn't want to and no going off to look at something that catches your eye!! Just a word of warning - don't forget a photo id! They ask for this in exchange before giving out the handsets! And OK they give it back at the end but there are some photo ids which I wouldn't like to leave.

A super-fast all-talking elevator whisks you up to the 94th floor at a staggering rate of 20 miles an hour. Entrance is fully accessible for wheelchairs. But before anyone is allowed to get in, they have to pose for a photograph in front of a blank screen. Your photograph is then superimposed in front of the Hancock Centre as well as a few other Chicago sights and presented for you to purchase at a cost of $20 at the end of your visit.

The highlight of the Observatory is the Skywalk. A closed-off corridor in which all the windows have been removed so that you can hear the sounds of the city below and feel the full force of the elements from up high! Chicago's nickname as the Windy City really rings true up here! It was very cold! Yes I know that's not the reason for the nickname - it was a radio presenter that coined the phrase when listening to some long-winded politicians - but it was very windy on the Skywalk! Oh don't worry about falling out! A steel mesh is in place where the windows should be.

The other attraction boasted by The Hancock Observatory is its collection of Soundscopes - telescopes that don't just show you the sights but play sound effects from the area you are viewing. Crowds cheer at The Wrigley Baseball field. Narration is available in English, Spanish, French and Japanese.

An eighty foot information board displays the "History Wall" with 100 photographs which trace Chicago's history from marsh to metropolis detailing the great Chicago fire, the birth of the skyscraper, the 1933 World fair and some of the city's musical heritage. Informative and interesting

A small shop sells a selection of tourist trivia including postcards, sweets, t-shirts and knick-knacks.

I do recommend a visit to the Observatory. The views alone are worth it. On a clear day, you can supposedly can see four states: Illinois (of course), Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. It wasn't a clear day when we visited but the view of Chicago's dramatic and contrasted skyscape was remarkable.

The Sears Tower may be better known but The Hancock Observatory is far better for views of the city and in particular the vies of Lake Michigan. 

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