"The ledge" at Sears Tower, Chicago's new attraction

[Steven_Draker]

It opened last week, July 1st and you can enjoy a view looking straight down 1,353 feet from the Sky deck at the Sears tower.

 

The Ledge--actually enclosed glass boxes--extends about 4.3 feet from the building, according to the Skydeck Web site, and is touted to provide "never-before-seen" views of Chicago.

 

For those who like heights ...

 

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/skydeck-heights-sears-tower-chicago-tourist.html

 

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/searstowerledge1.jpg

[Romann]

I heard about this on CNN and have every intention of checking this out while I'm in Chicago next week though just looking at the picture is kind of scary. While I love to fly and am an avid fan of sky scrapers and towers, I must admit that getting on that may be a bit of a challenge for myself.

[+ sf westcoaster]

Will definitely visit the ledge on my next trip to Chicago. Not sure what my reaction will be, but I want to experience the view from that angle. My guess is that I'll do it once and never do it again.

[KMEM]

I will probably try it but I won't tarry marveling at the view. You might be interested to know that most of the pilots that I know have acrophobia, to include me. Although I have flown myself from below sea level (Death Valley) to 45,000 feet without thinking twice about how high I was or how far (or not) the ground was, I still have a problem looking over the edge of a building. I can overcome the feeling but not defeat it.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Guest AndrewJames]

I will probably try it but I won't tarry marveling at the view. You might be interested to know that most of the pilots that I know have acrophobia, to include me. Although I have flown myself from below sea level (Death Valley) to 45,000 feet without thinking twice about how high I was or how far (or not) the ground was, I still have a problem looking over the edge of a building. I can overcome the feeling but not defeat it.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

I am so with you. I cannot look over the ledge of a building without reflexively jumping back. I have a photo of myself dangling my feet over the edge of the Cliffs of Moire, it gives me goosebumps to see that photo.

[+ Charlie]

I have terrible acrophobia, in the open air, but no problem in a plane or other enclosed space. The problem is that on the edge of a cliff or on a hi-rise balcony, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to leap. I did stand--very briefly--on the glass floor of the observation deck on the Calgary Tower, and I could probably do it on the Sears Tower, but I couldn't do it on the open one at the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

[Steven_Draker]

When I was much younger, as a kid, I remember that I had acrophobia, however later I managed to overcome this fear and now I love to climb on top of whatever tower and cliff I visit and enjoy the view. For instance I visited the observation deck of the Twin Towers in NYC (before 9/11), the Empire State building (NYC), the Space Needle in Seattle, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Kuwait Towers. Also, I climbed the Harbor Bridge in Sydney and went on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Also I had my first hang gliding experience and the sensation of flying like a bird was the most amazing of all.

 

I'll definitely go and visit the "Ledge" on my next trip to Chicago.

 

Cheers, Steven ~

[Guest zipperzone]

I'm OK so long as there is a barrier/railing/parapet between me and the great beyond. But if there is no barrier, I can't even go close.

 

I have a friend in Toronto who likes to go up to the roof of his high-rise (about 30 stories) walk over to the edge (there is no railing), sit down and dangle his legs over the side and enjoy the view. I asked him how he can do this. He asked me if I could sit down on the edge of a dock at a cottage and dangle my legs towards the water. Sure, I said - no problem. To which he replied, "Think about it, it's the exact same thing." I DON'T THINK SO.

 

If I even look at those old photographs of high steel workers sitting on a beam, eating their lunch, while building The Empire State, or Chrysler building, my testicles immediately scrunch up inside of me......

[Guest greatness]

Wow

 

I am visiting Chicago next week and have already arranged to go here with my friend. My friend is an amateur photographer. If we get good shots I will post them here.

I am afraid of heights so we will see.

 

I'm OK so long as there is a barrier/railing/parapet between me and the great beyond. But if there is no barrier, I can't even go close.

 

I have a friend in Toronto who likes to go up to the roof of his high-rise (about 30 stories) walk over to the edge (there is no railing), sit down and dangle his legs over the side and enjoy the view. I asked him how he can do this. He asked me if I could sit down on the edge of a dock at a cottage and dangle my legs towards the water. Sure, I said - no problem. To which he replied, "Think about it, it's the exact same thing." I DON'T THINK SO.

 

If I even look at those old photographs of high steel workers sitting on a beam, eating their lunch, while building The Empire State, or Chrysler building, my testicles immediately scrunch up inside of me......

[whipped guy]

Scary, but hopefully safe.

 

I love to fly and if I don't get a window seat I feel somehow cheated... and I have always enjoyed visiting the Empire state Building... However, as others have stated this is scary. It reminded me of years ago when I visited the Silvestri crater which is on the slopes of Mount Etna. You were allowed to get as close to the opening as you wished and were even encouraged to throw a bit of lava into the opening... of course you never heard the stone hit bottom. I would assume that the "looking down into a bottomless black hole and God help me if I slipped and fell" feeling I felt would be similar to the Sears Tower Ledge... Hopefully the spectacular view from the Ledge will somehow enhance the experience and make it feel more rewarding... and hopefully a bit less scary. Also, with any luck the Ledge's designers adequately reinforced it so it would be safe!!!

[KMEM]

I am sure that all of those things are as physically safe as any thing man made can be, but here we are mainly discussing "mental safety". And, I think they are NOT.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[david]

I will probably try it but I won't tarry marveling at the view. You might be interested to know that most of the pilots that I know have acrophobia, to include me. Although I have flown myself from below sea level (Death Valley) to 45,000 feet without thinking twice about how high I was or how far (or not) the ground was, I still have a problem looking over the edge of a building. I can overcome the feeling but not defeat it.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

Interesting,so do i . I've been jumping for over four years now have a little over 200 jumps and love it...but i get shaky on rooftops,bridges,etc:

[KMEM]

So, you are one of those people who jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[TruthBTold]

I live in Chicago. I decided to walk to the building and just look at the outside of the building, not actually use the new ledges. I have to say that the boxes really screw up the integrity of the outside of the building. I thought they would be far less intrusive (extrusive?) than they are. They are very visible. Before you eye would be pulled up the building from one section to another. Now they are pulled up, but then Pow!, they run into these boxes. Too bad.

[seaboy4hire]

Here is a video of the glass box. I am so excited about my trip next month and can't wait to check out the view. Been up in the tower once before and it was really cool but this will be like the icing on the cake

 

Hugs,

Greg

[KMEM]

Greg-

 

I hate to tell you this but I fear that you will never be a pilot. You obviously don't have acrophobia.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[seaboy4hire]

Greg-

 

I hate to tell you this but I fear that you will never be a pilot. You obviously don't have acrophobia.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

And add to that I would purposely try to fly into turbalance just to scare the poo out of the passangers & on take offs I have the sudden urge to throw my arms up & scream wheeeeeeeeeeeeee like folk do on roller coasters lol. I can't help it I'm still a big kid deep inside

 

Hugs,

Greg

[KMEM]

And add to that I would purposely try to fly into turbalance just to scare the poo out of the passangers & on take offs I have the sudden urge to throw my arms up & scream wheeeeeeeeeeeeee like folk do on roller coasters lol. I can't help it I'm still a big kid deep inside

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

I do that all the time but I try to not let them know. Usually I provide alcoholic drinks which are 2-3 times as potent at altitude, then cut them off in time before we land so they can sober up and not be illegal for the drive home. A win-win situation.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[seaboy4hire]

I do that all the time but I try to not let them know. Usually I provide alcoholic drinks which are 2-3 times as potent at altitude, then cut them off in time before we land so they can sober up and not be illegal for the drive home. A win-win situation.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

And what do I need to do to get you to piolet one or all 4 of my flights to MKE? The fun I could have!

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Romann]

I tried to visit this most impressive ledge but the lines were absolutely horrid! That said, I will try this attraction the next time I'm in Chicago when the novelty of it isn't so fresh and new.

[Guest greatness]

Good

 

Well I couldn't make it to Chicago today because of a lot of work had to be done. Taking a long sick leave was not a good idea. It was good for me but bad for you that the lines were long.

 

I tried to visit this most impressive ledge but the lines were absolutely horrid! That said, I will try this attraction the next time I'm in Chicago when the novelty of it isn't so fresh and new.

[Guest zipperzone]

I tried to visit this most impressive ledge but the lines were absolutely horrid! That said, I will try this attraction the next time I'm in Chicago when the novelty of it isn't so fresh and new.

 

Once you get onto the ledge, are you limited as to the amount of time you can spend on it? I can see some people staying on it for hours - if allowed to - and that could cause the line-ups you experienced.

[Guest AndrewJames]

Once you get onto the ledge, are you limited as to the amount of time you can spend on it? I can see some people staying on it for hours - if allowed to - and that could cause the line-ups you experienced.

 

I can see some people going catatonic with fear and unable to get themselves off the platform.

[Steven_Draker]

The Ledge at the Willis Tower

 

Finally, I managed to get to the Willis tower (formerly Sears) and see "the Ledge". I highly recommend it to everyone who is not afraid from heights. On a clear day you can see 4 different States and the view is really amazing. I've been on the top of the Willis tower long time before the ledge was built and I concur that this a the "icing on the cake".

 

http://www.worldhum.com/images/images2009/sears_615.jpg

 

A tip: the Chicago CityPass allows you to save time and get into the fast line.

[doitb4ugo]

No Way for me

 

The views are probably spectacular and I could certainly look at some pictures with fascination but I definitely am afraid of hights. when I visited the Grand Canyon, I almost had to view it from the parking lot....

 

Something I would like to get over but have given up trying...Even closed in elevators frighten me.

 

I'm only relieved that a comfy bed is not too tall for me to climb on.

 

;)