Two high points of Chicago

A pair of animated pigeons talking on a 50-inch flat screen monitor divert our attention for the one-minute elevator ride to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower.

	Sears Tower, Chicago

Having already inspected the visitor center in the building's basement, with its airport-style security checkpoint, displays of local history and short video on the construction of the 110-story building, we have been well prepped on what to expect when the doors slide open a quarter-mile above the streets of Chicago.

The morning is overcast, but the sweeping perspective through the building's glass walls is mighty. Mighty flat, that is. On a clear day, the 360-degree panorama from the Skydeck can extend 50 miles to the horizon line and include parts of four states -- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin -- not to mention a huge swath of Lake Michigan.

This is one impressive view point, but though the distances are distracting, the main attraction is the cityscape that unfolds below us, with its instantly distinctive features -- Millennium Park, Soldiers Field and a thicket of other skyscrapers. The Chicago River winds past on the west side, and the tracery of highways impart geometric patterns on the tapestry of the city.

For nearly a quarter century, the Sears Tower held the undisputed title as the world's tallest building. In fact, although several buildings now have more floors, it still claims supremacy in three categories: tallest to the highest occupied floor, tallest to the top of the roof and tallest to the top of the spire.

Given that reputation, it's no wonder the Skydeck attracts 1.3 million visitors each year who come from around the world to peek, point and let their imaginations soar. The touchscreen displays along the windows offer narratives in six languages: English, German, Spanish, Japanese, French and Polish.

		If you go... Chicago The Sears Tower Skydeck, 233 S. Wacker Drive, is open May through September from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and October through April from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $9.50 for adults; $7.75 for seniors; $6.75 for students; and youth 4 and older; under 3 is free. The main entrance is on Jackson Street. Although the crowds tend to peak during the day, the evening views are more spectacular. For information, call 1-312-875-9696 or visit www.theskydeck.com. The Hancock Observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave., is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adult admission is $10.25, seniors $8, children 5 to 12 $6.50, younger children free. For information call 1-888-875-8439 or www.hancockobservatory.com.

Even on this Monday morning maybe a 100 people were milling around the floor. There were adults sharing their enthusiasm with their children, young German backpackers inspecting the historic panels, a clutch of Cubs fans enjoying this high view of Wrigley Field, a knot of men in business suits watching jets slide into O'Hare Airport. Everyone seems to be engrossed in the panorama.

Any city would be fortunate to have such a magnificent vantage to offer; but Chicago boasts two. The Skydeck's cross-city competition is the Hancock Observatory on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center on the magnificent mile of North Michigan Avenue.

Entrance to the observatory is gained through the visitor center on the lower level of the indoor mall that occupies the first four floors of "Big John," as the building is known. The visitor center includes historical panel displays, and a short video presentation. Interestingly, there was no security checkpoint, as in the Sears Tower.

Although 323 feet lower in stature than the Skydeck, the perspective is impressive. Hancock Observatory also seems more interactive, offering several interesting features. The history wall details Chicago's rise from marsh to metropolis. Its "Windows on Chicago" display offers push button peeks inside various city attractions and a sound scope provides an array of sound effects from various venues. A trick photography exhibit lets visitors picture themselves as a 1968 construction worker or window washer hanging from the side of the building.

But for me, the observatory's most interesting feature was the Skywalk, an open air viewing corridor with nothing separating the visitor from the city buzz but a veil of screen. I found the open air a refreshing change from the otherwise decidedly indoor experiences offered by most high-rise viewing platforms. There's a huge difference between watching the wind through a window and feeling it whip in your hair.

As far as comparing the two experiences, the city panoramas are essentially the same from the two towers, albeit from different positions.

Set back half a mile from the lake, the Sears Tower offers a distinct midtown perspective in the thicket of city towers, while the Hancock Observatory, situated just four blocks from the lake, provides dramatic vistas along the shoreline, both to the north, including Chicago City Beach, Wrigley Field and Lincoln Park Zoo, and to the south to Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium and McCormick Place.

Another difference will appeal to those less inclined to sightseeing than dining with a view. The Hancock Center boasts the Signature Room at the 95th, an up-elevator restaurant offering full menus for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, with entrees no more expensive than those at ground level. Or you can sip a cocktail at The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor. Other than the cost of refreshments, neither puts a surcharge on the superior scenery.

There's one final difference between the two I feel compelled to mention: At the Hancock Observatory, I was lucky enough to find a metered spot on a residential side street, where an hour's parking was just a dollar. Compare that to the $18 I paid to park in the municipal lot across the street from the Sears Tower for an hour and 10 minutes.