I remember the first time I visited Navy Pier. It was 1990, and I was driving up to Chicago from Indianapolis with a bunch of former locals.
Technically, we were driving to Schaumburg, but during that long weekend, we headed downtown to go to a nightclub.
On Navy Pier.
From what I remember (which admittedly isn’t much, considering it was 30 years ago), there wasn’t a whole lot going on at the Pier during those days.
All I can think is it must have been one heckuva nightclub for that group to not only drive downtown, but to go to Navy Pier.
A lot’s changed since then.
While today’s locals might state, rather loudly, that Navy Pier is a tourist-trap -one article from 2022 labeled it “Chicago’s Most Unbearable Tourist Trap” – it’s still one of the most popular and fun attractions in Chicago, drawing millions of tourists – and locals – each year.
Navy Pier is open year-round, with lots of free public programs, although some of the outdoor attractions are seasonal.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity or the perfect Chicago date night, Navy Pier has you covered.
Ready to find out what to do at Navy Pier? Explore this Chicago landmark and all its rides, games, and cultural attractions.
Best Things to do at Navy Pier
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A Brief History of Navy Pier
When Navy Pier opened in 1916 as Municipal Pier #2, it quickly became known as the People’s Pier.
Originally designed to be both a commercial shipping pier and a recreational space, Navy Pier’s purpose has morphed several times since then.
That would make Daniel Burnham proud. It’s the only one of five piers from the Plan of Chicago that came to fruition.
For the full story of Navy Pier’s past, check out Living Landmarks of Chicago.
Top 5 Things to do at Navy Pier
- Ride the Centennial Wheel No visit to Navy Pier is complete without taking a spin on the iconic Centennial Wheel.
- Explore the Chicago Children’s Museum The Chicago Children’s Museum is a must-visit for families.
- Catch a Show at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Don’t miss this world-class theater which stages over 600 performances a year.
- Ride the Carnival Attractions With thrilling rides, Navy Pier Park offers an outdoor carnival playground for visitors of all ages during the summer months.
- Take a Lake Cruise What better way to experience Chicago than from the water?
In addition to those top things to do at Navy Pier, there are lots of other attractions to keep you entertained.
Let’s explore more of the best things to do at this iconic landmark.
Start Your Navy Pier Visit Here
Begin exploring Navy Pier Chicago attractions with a stop at the People Energy Welcome Pavilion.
There are public restrooms and comfy seating. There’s also a giant digital screen that broadcasts information in multiple languages to honor the diversity of Navy Pier’s visitors.
Polk Bros Park
Located at the entrance to Navy Pier is a beautiful park named for one of the most generous of Chicago families.
In 2013 alone The Polk Bros. Foundation, which was established back in the mid-1950s, donated $20 million to more than 350 Chicago nonprofits.
The next year, in addition to their normal largesse, the foundation gave another $20 million to Navy Pier to fund the redevelopment of the pier itself and of its gateway park.
Two lawns offer performance spaces featuring unique arts programming and cultural events.
Polk Bros Fountain
At the center of the 13-acre park is 12,500-square foot Polk Bros fountain. Designed to be experienced, visitors are encouraged to walk through the fountain itself as its 150 programmable jets mimic waves, fish, and birds.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Since 1995, the Chicago Children’s Museum has offered kids and families a place to play and learn at Navy Pier.
The museum is filled with interactive exhibits that help children exercise and expand their knowledge and imagination.
They can climb a three-story schooner, dig for dinosaur bones in the Dinosaur Expedition, fight “fires,” and unleash their inner artists, just to name a few.
Save on admission to the Chicago Children’s Museum with GoChicagoCard.
Want to explore more of Chicago? Save up to 50% on Chicago attractions with Go City passes.
Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion
Inside this 200,000 square foot space are restaurants and Chicago-centric businesses. It’s where you’ll find Harry Caray’s Tavern, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and access to the Chicago Children’s Museum and The Crystal Gardens.
And shopping. Lots of shopping!
Crystal Gardens
Need a break? Step into this indoor oasis and its one-acre botanical garden. The “Crystal” refers to the six-story glass atrium that towers fifty feet above the palm trees.
Sprinkled throughout the space are dancing fountains that leapfrog spouts of water.
TLTip: Crystal Gardens is a popular location for weddings and private events so it’s often unavailable.
Rides and Games at Navy Pier
Navy Pier Park
With the Centennial Wheel as its centerpiece, Navy Pier Park is an outdoor playground with carnival rides located on the second level.
The park is open during the summer months from May through Labor Day.
Centennial Wheel
Have you even been to Chicago’s Navy Pier if you don’t ride the Centennial Wheel?
The very first Ferris wheel was unveiled at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Navy Pier’s original was installed in 1995, and the new Ferris wheel opened in June 2016 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the public pier.
It’s an iconic part of Chicago’s skyline.
Nearly 200 feet tall, there are 42 gondolas that can carry over 400 passengers.
The cars are climate controlled so visitors can now get those amazing views all-year round.
Worried about that infamous wind? Don’t be. The wheel is the same model as the one in Hong Kong, which is built to withstand typhoon-strength winds.
Get tickets to ride the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel
Carousel
Designed specifically for Navy Pier, the carousel features 36 hand-painted animals that represent carousel styles throughout the years.
The rounding boards at the top are also hand-painted, and they tell Navy Pier’s history.
Light Tower
This thrilling ride will have you soaring up and down at high speeds while surrounded by dazzling lights and music.
Tea Cups
This classic carnival ride will have you spinning right round baby right round.
Wave Swinger
You’ll fly through the air with the greatest of ease on the Wave Swinger. It’s one of the pier’s most popular carnival rides.
S&S DoubleShot Drop Tower
Your stomach won’t know which way is up with this ride, that starts with a G-force launch to the top, followed by a free fall to the ground.
Virtual Rush: Chicago
Strap in for this 4D Virtual Reality ride in Navy Pier Park. Virtual Rush: Chicago goes beyond just a visual experience to become an interactive game where you compete with your fellow riders.
Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze
This 4,000 square foot attraction wants you to get lost – but don’t worry, they’ll find you!
Weave your way through the Rainbow Tunnel, skip over the Funny Floor, find your way through the Mirror Maze, and get dizzy in the Spinning Light Tunnel. There are also games.
Amazing Chicago’s Time Freak Game
Don’t freak out – it’s just a game! You’ll race against time, pushing as many buttons as you can.
Chicago Flyover
Experience Chicago like never before with this virtual tour that takes you over, around, and through the Windy City.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a 500-seat courtyard-style theater plus a more intimate 200-seat versatile venue upstairs.
The theater stages classic performances, new twists on the Bard’s tales, guest troupes from around the world, and shows that the whole family will enjoy.
With over 600 performances per year, there is always a chance to experience live theater at Navy Pier.
Speaking of stages, CST has created a whole theater experience called The Yard. Consisting of mobile towers with three levels of seating, the space can be configured differently based on the needs of the production.
Navy Pier Beer Garden
Head towards the lake to find this outdoor beer garden, offering free live music during the summer. You can get something to eat and drink craft beer while listening to local bands and dueling pianos.
Formerly the Miller Lite Beer Garden, it now serves craft beer from locals Tangled Roots brewery.
East End Plaza
Head to the end of Navy Pier for unfettered views of the lake at East End Plaza. This is the perfect place to catch some of the cool breezes off Lake Michigan.
Festival Hall
Heading to a convention at Navy Pier? It’s most likely in this grand hall, which is the location for many of the city’s most popular events, including Navy Pier Light Up The Lake.
Fireworks at Navy Pier
Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier
One of the most popular reasons to visit Navy Pier in the summer is the weekly fireworks.
Taking place Wednesday and Saturday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, these free fireworks displays light up the night.
TLTip: If you see a free concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, you’ll be able to see the fireworks.
Winter Fireworks at Navy Pier
Navy Pier’s free dazzling award-winning fireworks display are also on Saturday nights in winter. Get cozy on the Pier and enjoy the spectacular winter display.
Navy Pier Cruises
There’s nothing like viewing the Chicago skyline from a boat, which makes a cruise on Lake Michigan one of the best ways to experience the city.
Several of the cruise ships dock at Navy Pier and there’s a diverse selection from which to choose.
Whether you’re looking for dinner cruises or a fast – literally! – tour of the lakefront these cruises have you covered.
Mystic Blue
Mystic Blue is comprised of three enclosed decks with the largest picture windows of any ship on Navy Pier.
They offer lunch cruises and dinner buffet cruises. You can also catch the fireworks and there are craft beer-themed cruise nights and moonlight cruises for the night owls.
Odyssey Cruises
For a more upscale cruising experience consider Odyssey Cruises. The recently renovated luxury vessel has a sophisticated rooftop lounge and an elegant interior, suited for the three-course dinner you’ll enjoy with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop.
They have a DJ for those who enjoy dancing, and you’ll even have the opportunity to visit the Captain’s Bridge.
Get your dinner cruise tickets here.
Seadog Cruises
No time? In a hurry? Or do you just like to go fast? Then Seadog is your speed. With 2,000-horsepower engines you’ll feel the spray of the lake on your face as your guide shares fun facts about Navy Pier and Lake Michigan.
It’s a 30-minute adrenalin rush!
If you’re looking for a more involved experience, they’ve also got a combination architecture tour on the river followed by the thrilling race on the lake.
Shoreline Sightseeing
Shoreline has been showing off Lake Michigan since 1939. Since then they’ve grown to a fleet of ten touring boats and nine water taxis.
You can take an architectural tour on the river, a lake tour, or just use their boats for transportation.
Shoreline water taxi can take you both to the Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, and Adler Planetarium) and down the Chicago River to Willis Tower.
Food and drink is not included unless you’re taking one of their specialty beer- or wine-themed cruises.
Note that the Water Taxis are not wheelchair accessible!
Spirit of Chicago
Sister ship to Mystic Blue, Odyssey, and Seadog, Spirit of Chicago offers buffet-style dining with a menu from Chopped champion Chef Eric LeVine.
Whether you choose a brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise you can kick your heels up on the dance floor. It features a large winding staircase and an open ceiling, creating a festive party atmosphere.
Their unique specialty cruises include a series of comedy cruises, gospel lunch, senior cabaret, and cocktail cruises, to name a few.
Tall Ship Windy
For a unique cruising experience, set sail on the Tall Ship Windy. The 148’ schooner is the first certified four-masted traditional sailing vessel built in America since 1921.
Up to 150 people can choose from three decks, making for a more intimate cruising experience.
Find a Chicago boat tour and book it in advance
Tours at Navy Pier
If you prefer to stay on land, consider renting a bike from Bike and Roll Chicago or hopping on the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-Off Tours to explore the city at your own pace.
Bike and Roll Chicago
The 28-mile lakefront path rolls right by Navy Pier, so you can head either north or south with a bike from their kiosk in Polk Bros. Park.
You can rent bikes by the hour, day, or week, or you can join guided tours of Chicago.
The lakefront path will take you north to Lincoln Park Zoo or North Avenue Beach and south to Northerly Island and the Museum Campus, and several miles beyond in either direction.
You can also take a Segway tour, those fun two-wheeled contraptions that glide with the greatest of ease. Open seasonally.
Big Bus Hop-on Hop-Off Tours
This hop on – hop off tour has fourteen stops in downtown Chicago, including Navy Pier. Big Bus Tours’ distinctive double-decker buses take you to the top attractions.
Because you can get on and off at any stop you can use this service as transportation and get a tour along the way.
Book your Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Navy Pier FAQs
What is Navy Pier known for?
Navy Pier is known for its Centennial Wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. It’s also the site of several popular events and there are free fireworks shows nearly year-round.
Is Chicago Navy Pier worth it?
With all these Navy Pier Chicago attractions, it’s definitely worth visiting.
Why is Navy Pier in Chicago famous?
Chicago’s Navy Pier is famous because it was important as a military training ground during World War I and World War II. It was also the site of the University of Illinois for many years in addition to its status as a popular tourist attraction.
How much does it cost to ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier?
Get current pricing and tickets to ride the Centennial Wheel here.
What else is there to do near Navy Pier?
Navy Pier is just east of the Magnificent Mile, which is known for shopping, but it also has several museums and restaurants. It’s also near Chicago’s Museum Campus as well as Grant Park.
Is Navy Pier indoors?
Parts of Navy Pier are indoors.
Is Navy Pier free to get in?
Yes! There’s no admission to Navy Pier, although several rides and attractions charge fees.
Where can I find out more about Navy Pier?
You can visit their website for upcoming events and current information.
Where is Navy Pier
Navy Pier is at 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
Is there parking at Navy Pier?
Yes! Check out this guide to Navy Pier parking.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Navy Pier offers endless opportunities for entertainment, culture, and breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
Plan your visit and get ready to experience one of the city’s most iconic attractions.
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