USA Northern view from John Hancock Center, Chicago
The John Hancock Center offers a beautiful view over the city of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The best time to be there to get a good shot is probably about sunset and blue hour.
There are no tripods allowed at the observation deck, but you can use the heaters at the windows to get a sharp shot or even do a long exposure. Mondays seem to be the exception though, so you should ask if you are allowed to use a tripod on this day.
There are no tripods allowed at the observation deck, but you can use the heaters at the windows to get a sharp shot or even do a long exposure. Mondays seem to be the exception though, so you should ask if you are allowed to use a tripod on this day.
Photography Tips
This tower has glass windows at the observation deck, which makes it a little bit harder to get a clean shot. The easy trick to avoid the reflections you get from all these light sources inside the building is a dark blanket, a towel, a scarf or something like that, which you should hold around your lens while taking the shots. It makes a huge difference in terms of getting a reflection-free and clear shot!
Travel Information
The John Hancock Center is pretty easy to find as one of the highest buildings in Chicago. The best way to get there is probably by subway. Admission currently costs about 22$ and you can enter this building from 9 am until 11 pm.
Insider trick: If you don't want to pay the admission you can also get up there to a restaurant, which is just below the observation deck. The entrance is free, but if you want to take pictures, the observation deck seems to be the better alternative.
Insider trick: If you don't want to pay the admission you can also get up there to a restaurant, which is just below the observation deck. The entrance is free, but if you want to take pictures, the observation deck seems to be the better alternative.
Spot Type
Indoor
Crowd Factor
A decent amount of people
Best Timing
Sunset
Sunrise & Sunset
06:37 - 16:32
| current local time: 22:37
Photo Themes
Beach
Lake
observation deck
Skyscraper
streets
traffic
Locations
Chicago
Lake Michigan
The John Hancock Center
Spot Comments (8)