As a parent always on the lookout for unique and memorable ways to celebrate my child's special moments, hosting my child's birthday party at Skydeck Chicago turned out to be an absolute stroke of genius! From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary, delivering a great time for both kids and adults.
The breathtaking views of the Windy City from the Skydeck are simply unparalleled. Watching the kids' faces so intent, and amazed, as they looked out at Lake Michigan and the iconic cityscape was a joy in itself. The observation deck and The Ledge provided a fantastic backdrop for capturing unforgettable memories with family and friends.
| The Skydeck team hosted our daughter and friends in exchange for providing honest feedback and a parent POV review about the new Kids Party Package. I am sharing my experience with my readers and the Skydeck team. All thoughts and comments within this article are 100% mine. |
What truly stood out was the impeccable organization and attention to detail by the Skydeck Chicago team. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of the party was seamlessly executed. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly and guided through the entire process, making us feel like true VIPs. Who doesn't want to feel like a VIP on their special day?
After all of our guests had arrived our host first took us to the party room, which was set up with oversized games such as Jenga and Connect Four, plenty of tables for eating, a place to put strollers, coats, and anything else that we didn't want to carry through the Skydeck experience with us. There was also a very large '103' fixture which was a quick favorite for the kids to sit in, climb around on, and pose for photos. The Skydeck team had placed a pencil, scavenger hunt card, and little party favor for each child at the tables.
| *Good to Know: The party room is a flexible blank canvas and now that I have seen it in person I can tell you that you will definitely have space to add your own theme or touch to it with decorations and balloons. Discuss with your coordinator when you book! |
Our party was ready for some fun so when your amazing host told us it was time to get rolling we all lined up and made our way past the gift shop to where all visitors to Skydeck have the chance to take a photo before beginning the journey up to the 103rd floor. The kids gathered together and gave the photographer their best "CHEEESE" face before moving along.
| *Good to Know: This photo, along with one up on THE LEDGE is a keepsake included with your party reservation! I had forgotten this detail and now I wish I had gotten all of the grown-ups and kids in the shot! It makes for such a great memento! |
Now the next part of the party is one of our family favorites and the kids even ask if we can "just go to the Skydeck Experience" which in 2021 was reimagined with interactive exhibits to add an educational and fun twist to everyone's visit to the Skydeck. As you walk through these exhibits you get a history of the city and what makes it so special. There are things to touch, hear, and even fully immerse yourself into like the giant Chicago-style pizza or Second City Stage. This was our first time having a host to guide us through and it was so worth it! He was able to help us move together as a group, get some great photos, and share more about the exhibits. This was another moment of feeling 'VIP', but definitely not our last. After making our way through the exhibits we got more VIP treatment as our host whisked us straight to the next elevator to take us, along with a few other Skydeck visitors, up, up, UP to the 103rd-floor observation level. This is where more magic happened.
Our party didn't stay all together as we took in the sights before us. It was a great day, only a little overcast, and we could see so much! We got to take our time searching for things that were included in our scavenger hunt card and just appreciating the skyline from a rarely seen vantage point. Lake Michigan was especially appealing to most of us as were the trains on the south side and the boats moving along the river. After some time exploring the south, east, and north views, our host gathered us back together to make our way to the west side of the floor for another photo opportunity on The Ledge. The kids, and most of the adults, were thrilled to stand on the Ledge, a glass-floored balcony jutting out from the building, giving the feeling of floating 103 stories in the sky.
| *Good to Know: I recommend taking advantage of the restrooms here before heading back down in the elevator. While there are restrooms on the same floor as the party room, because of the security required to get into the "behind the scenes" area which includes the party room, it will require asking your host to get you to and from - which never felt like a problem - but as a parent "easy access' is always a plus when kids are involved. |
 |
As if on cue, our host suggested we head back to the party room just as our stomachs were starting to rumble. Now fully accustomed to the VIP treatment we were ushered back to the next elevator returning to the ground floor as a group and led straight back to the party room, which now smelled like delicious Giordano's thin-crust pizza. Pizza and a generous selection of beverages are included in the party package and you are able to bring in your own sweet treats. We had the most amazing cookies from Folkmade Cookies and I can't recommend them enough! After plenty of pizza, more games, laughter, and catching up with friends, we wrapped up the fun with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday". All in all it was great morning spent celebrating a special kid in a special venue.
What I appreciated most was the ability to host a party that could accommodate a variety of ages and entertain them as well. Not all venues are able to entertain the parents AND the children. In the end, seeing my child and our friends have the time of their lives, laughing, exploring, and making unforgettable memories against the stunning backdrop of Chicago's skyline, warmed my heart. The experience was nothing short of magical, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
If you're looking for a truly remarkable and unique way to celebrate your child's birthday, I wholeheartedly recommend considering Skydeck Chicago. The combination of breathtaking views, top-notch service, and VIP experiences will undoubtedly make it a celebration to remember for years to come.
Kudos to the entire Skydeck Chicago team for elevating my child's birthday celebration to new heights!
Kid's Birthday Party Package includes:
Tickets to the Skydeck Experience and the Ledge
Lower Level Party Room
Day of party host
Giordano’s Pizza & Beverages
Scavenger hunt
One printed photo and one digital image on The Ledge
You can start planning your own epic birthday by visiting www://theskydeck.com/ or by contacting Sam Krause at skrause@theskydeck.com.
