Title says it all - first time visiting in October, only want to pop for one tall building. Thoughts on which is better?
Reported for forum change. :). (Not really…but you might get better answers if you post this in the Chicago forum.)
Oh, and I lived there years ago. The Sears (I can’t bring myself to say “Willis”) is in a less touristy neighborhood – grittier, plus business people, and some great old buildings nearby like the a Rookery – while the Hancock is itself a nicer building architecturally, and is in a more touristy, upscale-businesses neighborhood – not as “real” a neighborhood, perhaps, but closer to things like Navy Pier.
I was there in February and chose Hancock, purely on the basis of queue length. At Willis there was a bit of a wait to get into the lifts and go up. At Hancock I walked in and went straight up.
I can’t imagine the view from either one is appreciably better.
The Hancock tower is $1 cheaper, will probably be less busy (although depending on the day and time, both might be busy or both might be relatively empty), and is on the Magnificent Mile. Both have their “gimmicks” if you’re into that sort of thing: The Willis the “glass boxes” hanging a few feet over the edge, and Hancock the “Tilt”. Tilt costs $5 extra, while the glass boxes at the Willis are included in admission.
If you wanted to explore the Magnificent Mile, then the Hancock’s the obvious choice. If you’re just going to the tower, I’m not sure that it matters too much. The Willis is pretty close to the train station, so I’ve done that during a layover there, but that doesn’t sound like your situation.
I’m not sure I’d call the area around the Willis tower “Gritty”. It’s a business district, and not as touristy as Michigan avenue, but it’s still safe and clean.
Actually, I fly in Friday morning (7:30), and then take the train to New Orleans Saturday night (8:00). Have Museum of Science and Industry tickets for Saturday day, probably done by 3PM, but other time is unplanned.
Any other thoughts on stuff to do, or comments on the buildings appreciated.
The view from Willis is better, mainly because you don’t have to look at Willis. 
Yeah, I’d just mostly call it a business district.
Personally, I’d pick Hancock. It’s got the better of the two views IMO and the queue is usually shorter. Don’t bother with the “Tilt” there, I hear it’s pretty lame. What Willis (Sears) has going for it is the “Sky Walk” where you can stand in the glass boxes. They’re pretty cool and absolutely terrifying if you have a fear of heights.
Both buildings are worth a visit, but I’d give Hancock a slight edge.
Exactly!
As for “gritty” – around the Sears Tower, it’s true that if you stay in the Loop, it’s not so gritty…but you’re only a block or two away from grittiness, and it turns up in the Loop as well. But that’s just a personal feeling (on a poorly-defined concept), so whatever.
Hancock; for starters there’s no security search. Don’t bother with the observation deck, either - stop at the lounge level, buy a drink to thank them for the lovely free view (only need to pay if you go to the observation deck), and grab a seat by the window.
And yes, the Sears Tower (ahem) is only a couple blocks from Union Station, which IIRC is where the Amtrak to New Orleans departs from. Never taken it personally but I do commute from the suburbs to Chicago and back daily via Union Station.
We visited the Hancock (rebranding itself as 360 Chicago) in June and enjoyed it overall. Very touristy, but that’s to be expected. A friend and I did the “Tilt!” experience (extra $5) just to say we’d done so - minor thrill. They currently offer a “Sun and Stars” package for $7 above their basic price that gets you 2 visits within 48 hours. We did our second visit right around sunset and it was worth it.
We thought the Chicago Cultural Center was worth the visit. It’s the former City Library & has some lovely architectural elements. There’s also the Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier - some **gorgeous **pieces on display.
Hancock is “free” if you just go to the Signature Lounge. It’s on the 96th floor and free to get into. Seems sort of tacky to at least not order a drink while you’re there but at least you’re getting a drink out of it. And for cheaper than admission to the observation deck on either building (at 96 floors up, another couple floors seems pretty academic in my opinion).
There’s a Signature Room which is the pricey restaurant and the Lounge which is the bar area and you’ll find all manner of casually dressed people there for the view. I’m speaking for daytime use, too. At night it gets fancier and probably has a cover charge.
If you can wait to go until the first weekend in Nov, you can go up the Sears (I won’t call it Willis) Tower w/o using the elevator.
Quoting to highlight this. That’s my vote. Go to the Signature Room for a drink. Usually no line, you get a nice drink, and the view is below the observation deck by one floor. Who cares?
Guy de Maupassant would like a word with you.
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Have Museum of Science and Industry tickets for Saturday day, probably done by 3PM…
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Done by 3? Does MSI have a new running tour? :eek:
No cover charge that I’ve seen at the lounge. I’ve been up there about a half-dozen times, all but once at night. I’ll add the caveat that I have yet to go up to the top of the Sears Tower, as a long line plus charge plus having to deal with security put off our visitor at the time.
You’ve obviously never done a museum with me 
Last time in London, I managed to do the V&A, Science, and Natural History in one day, with a lunch break. Walk fast, read fast! Short time, much to see.
Looks like booze at the Hancock for the win on the Friday night. Thanks all, and still open to suggestions for stuff to do during the day Friday.
MC
Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour along the Chicago River. Fantastic look at the city’s architectural history.
Do both, but Hancock’s better.
What do you like? Architecture? Stained glass? Fine art? History of television?