An Afternoon at Willis Tower: Color Factory and the Sky Deck

The Color Factory

I really wanted to visit the Color Factory when we were in New York City, but the schedule just didn't allow it. When I heard there was a Color Factory in Chicago, I knew it was going to be on my list the next time we went. It is a self-guided interactive art experience, and each visit includes complimentary digital photos, sweet treats, and surprise giveaways along the way.

A few of the rooms really stand out. The confetti room was one of the most memorable. Confetti falls from the ceiling the whole time, and there is already plenty covering the floor, so the room feels chaotic in a fun way the second you enter. I am still finding pieces stuck in my chair. I also loved the balloon room. The giant balloons floating in the air all around us made it feel playful right away, and all the color made it even more fun. It was definitely one of the most Instagram-worthy spots.

Color Factory says most visits take about one to one and a half hours, which felt accurate to me and is exactly why it works so well if you only have part of a day. You can move through at your own pace, stop for photos, and enjoy the rooms without needing to carve out your entire afternoon. If you want to keep exploring afterward, they also offer a free digital Color Map at the end of the visit with more colorful stops around Chicago.

From an accessibility standpoint, it is also worth noting that Color Factory says the experience is ADA compliant and that most installations are ADA-friendly. They also participate in EnChroma’s Color Accessibility Program, so guests can borrow special glasses designed to help some color-blind visitors see a broader range of colors more vividly. The one caveat they note is that the ball pit may not be accessible for everyone.

Go Up to Skydeck

After Color Factory, we headed up to Skydeck. I had done it years ago and was not sure whether it would feel exciting the second time, but it ended up being better than I remembered.

Before you even get to the elevator, you walk through the Chicago Experience, which is a series of exhibits about the city’s history, architecture, neighborhoods, food, and culture. It was surprisingly quiet for a Sunday afternoon so we took our time. You can move through it quickly if you are short on time, but it is worth slowing down if you can.

The View Is Still Worth It

Once you reach the 103rd floor, the views are the reason you came. On the day we visited, the weather kept shifting between rain and sun, which made the skyline even more interesting. From that height, you could see different parts of the city under completely different skies.

And yes, The Ledge is touristy, but it is still worth doing. Rolling out onto the glass and seeing the city directly below is not for people who are afraid of heights, but it's cool to feel fully immersed in the city.

How to Do Both in an Afternoon

Since both attractions are inside Willis Tower, it is easy to pair them into one outing, no matter which one you choose first. Plan on about three hours total for both, plus time to eat. If you want something quick and easy, there is a food court on the main level where you can grab lunch. If you want to make more of a meal out of it, we ended the day at Giordano’s just down the street for deep-dish pizza.