Have you ever wondered what it's like to float more than a quarter of a mile in the air? If so, Willis Tower's Skydeck has got just what you're looking for. Located barely over a mile southwest of Best Western River North is the second largest building in the United States and the 16th-largest in the entire world. Willis Tower held the title of the tallest building in the world for 25 years, and its Skydeck viewing area on the 103rd floor remains one of Chicago's biggest tourist attractions, drawing over 1.3 million thrill-seekers each year. But, let me get back to that floating in the air thing I mentioned earlier. After ascending 1,353 feet, the elevator doors at Willis Tower open to the Skydeck—the observation area featuring glass-bottom viewing areas, which create the feeling of floating high above the city of Chicago. I like to think of the Skydeck like the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade—one leap of faith and you're one step closer to the Holy Grail. The leap of faith is stepping onto the seemingly non-existent glass surface, and the Holy Grail is the once-in-a-lifetime view you'll encounter. Even though you'll want to bring your phone for pictures, it would be smart to have the on-site staff snap some shots of you and your friends for a special memento from such a unique experience. Before leaving Willis Tower, pay respects to Fazlur Khan's statue in the lobby. Khan is the genius who designed Willis Tower and forever influenced modern skyscrapers. Whether it's skyscrapers, pizza, or music, the beauty of Chicago is owed to pioneers of thought who were willing to push the envelope a little further in the quest for new horizons. There's no better metaphor for this quest than the literal horizon you view at Willis Tower's Skydeck, suspended 103 floors over the streets of Chicago.
