Nearby

Willis Tower, near the West Loop.

Willis Tower — formerly the Sears Tower — is the 110-story skyscraper just east of the West Loop in the Loop business district. Its Skydeck observation deck on the 103rd floor is Chicago's most-visited tourist attraction; the building itself is the West Loop's next-door neighbor across the Chicago River.

What it is

Willis Tower opened in 1973 as the Sears Tower; it was the world's tallest building until 1998 and remains one of the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. The Skydeck observation experience on the 103rd floor includes the Ledge — glass boxes that extend out from the building for floor-to-ceiling views straight down. The building also houses corporate offices including United Airlines, and ground-floor retail at Catalog (the renovated atrium).

Getting there from the West Loop

Willis Tower is about a 10-minute walk east from the heart of the West Loop. Cross the Chicago River at Adams or Jackson, and you're at the base. Both Union Station (one block south of the tower) and Ogilvie Transportation Center (across Madison) put you within walking distance of West Loop hotels for a 0.5-mile commute. The CTA Quincy and Brown Line/Pink Line/Orange Line stops are right at the building.

Why this page exists

If your trip combines a Skydeck visit with West Loop dining or hotels, the proximity makes either base practical. Many tourists do a morning Skydeck visit and walk into the West Loop for lunch on Randolph, or vice versa. For business travelers in West Loop hotels visiting tenants in the tower, the walk is shorter than any rideshare.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Willis Tower from the West Loop?

About 0.5 miles east — a 10-minute walk from the heart of the West Loop. The Jefferson corridor hotels (Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites) are even closer, at about 0.5 miles. The Holiday Inn & Suites on Harrison is the closest West Loop hotel to Willis Tower at about 0.4 miles.

Can I walk from the West Loop to Willis Tower?

Yes. Walk east on Adams or Jackson across the Chicago River; the tower is at 233 South Wacker Drive. The walk is well-lit and well-trafficked, and many West Loop visitors do it as part of a Skydeck day.

Where should I stay near Willis Tower?

The Loop proper has hotels at the tower's base, but the West Loop is the next-closest cluster and gives you a less corporate dining scene in the evening. The Jefferson corridor hotels (Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites) and the Holiday Inn & Suites are all within a 10-minute walk.

Where to eat near Willis Tower from the West Loop?

The closest West Loop restaurants are along Madison and Washington — Yolk for breakfast, Bocaditos and Black Barrel Tavern for casual lunch/dinner, Bar Siena and Bisous for a more substantial meal. For a Randolph Restaurant Row marquee dinner, walk 15 minutes northwest into the heart of the West Loop.

Is Willis Tower in the West Loop?

No — Willis Tower is in the Loop business district, east of the Chicago River. The West Loop is the neighborhood immediately west across the river. The two are walkable to each other (about 10 minutes), which is why many visitors choose a West Loop hotel for a Willis Tower visit.

What's the difference between Willis Tower and Sears Tower?

They're the same building. It opened in 1973 as the Sears Tower and was renamed Willis Tower in 2009 when Willis Group Holdings became the building's lead tenant. The "Sears Tower" name is still in common Chicago use.