visited 360 Chicago years ago as a tourist and had a wonderful experience. Since becoming a proud resident of the Windy City two years ago, I’d been eager to revisit. When I learned about their free admission week for Chicago residents (March 1–7), I was excited to finally return and familiarize myself with the attraction ahead of my friends’ summer visit.
Unfortunately, Chicago’s harsh weather made weekday visits impractical. On Friday evening (March 7), I decided to brave the cold and arrived at the Hancock Tower around 8 PM—three hours before closing. To my surprise, there were few visitors, and staff informed us that free tickets had run out by 6:30 PM. While I understand the need for capacity limits, this was the first time I’d encountered a free admission event with such a strict, unadvertised quota. Disappointed, my group left without even reaching the ticket counter.
Afterward, I revisited 360 Chicago’s website, social media, and local news outlets but found no mention of daily ticket limits. The promotion emphasized only that residents needed a valid ID and zip code, implying guaranteed access during the event dates. While a small note in the FAQ section mentioned “first come, first served” tickets, this critical detail was buried and easily overlooked.
Had I known about the cap, I would have adjusted my plans to avoid wasting a Friday evening in freezing weather. While I appreciate the gesture of free admission, the lack of transparency turned what should have been a nostalgic return into a frustrating experience. Clear communication about ticket limits would have spared many residents time and effort.
360 Chicago remains an iconic destination, but this oversight in managing expectations was a letdown. I hope future events prioritize clarity to ensure all visitors leave with positive memories.