Visiting Navy Pier is a can’t-miss Chicago experience. An iconic landmark on Chicago Harbor for more than a century, the pier brings together locals and visitors alike year-round to enjoy food, Lake Michigan views and entertainment for all ages.
Now, the latest must-see attraction has arrived at Navy Pier. Flyover uses state-of-the-art technology to recreate the unmistakable feeling of flight, all while allowing riders to explore familiar sights like never before.
Ahead of your visit, discover the stories that have made Navy Pier iconic — from its historic origins to its essential eats.
Over a century of history
Navy Pier has attracted visitors to Chicago’s lakefront for over 100 years. The public pier was designed by Daniel Burnham — one of the top architects of the era — and completed in 1916. The port, which was one of the world’s busiest, served as a canvas for the architect to create a space that fostered a sense of community for Chicago’s diverse population. Burham’s passing in 1912, however, meant he never saw his vision come to fruition.
Then known as Municipal Pier No. 2, the destination was a bustling hub of cultural and commercial activity until the 1940s when it fell into disuse. It was transformed into a training ground for the US Navy and eventually a university campus post-war. When the university moved downtown, the “People’s Pier” was reborn. Historical elements remain, but it’s once again become a lively gathering place — just as Burnham intended.
A tale of two Ferris wheels
Did you know the first Ferris wheel ride happened in Chicago? Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., the original Ferris wheel was built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The 1893 expo was a watershed event for Chicago and the world beyond, and was largely led by Navy Pier’s eventual designer Daniel Burnham.
The now-iconic Centennial Wheel continues Chicago’s Ferris wheel tradition on Navy Pier. The modernized ride was built for the pier’s 100th birthday in 2016 — replacing Pier Park’s original wheel that opened in 1995 — and soars nearly 200 feet in the air. It’s equipped with climate-controlled cars so that you can take a ride any time of year. You can also kick it up a notch with the VIP Centennial Experience, which includes a gondola with plush seating and a glass-bottom floor.
Flavors of Chicago
Navy Pier is a one-stop-shop to indulge in the best of Chicago’s signature foods, like stuffed deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s or a Chicago-style hot dog at America’s Dog and Burger. Chicago dogs are typically topped with mustard, onions, bright green relish, peppers, tomatoes, a dash of celery salt and a dill pickle spear. Just think twice before dousing that dog in ketchup, though — many Chicagoans see it as a cardinal sin.
Have you ever heard of Chicago-style popcorn? Grab a bag at Garrett Popcorn Shops. Anyone with a sweet tooth will also love The Original Rainbow Cone — it’s a Chicago tradition nearly as old as the pier itself. You’ll find all of the pier’s restaurants in the 200,000-square-foot Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion.
Year-round activities
There’s something happening at Navy Pier nearly every day of the year. Catch fireworks displays (yes, even in the winter), live music, outdoor movie screenings, festivals, art exhibits and countless other free events and activities for all ages. The pier’s official events calendar is where you’ll find all the latest info.
A museum just for kids — and kids at heart
It’s not often you find a museum that caters specifically to kids, but the Navy Pier’s Chicago Children’s Museum is exactly that. The exhibits are all interactive and include activities like digging for dinosaur bones, creating in the Tinkering Lab, going on adventures in Storyland and climbing the Cloud Buster. The Chicago Children’s Museum has been fostering creativity and imagination for more than three decades and is an inclusive space for all children, from babies and toddlers to tweens. Adults may catch themselves joining in on the fun, too.
World-class theater performances
Navy Pier is also home to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater — an international company that boasts an impressive year-round season with more than 650 performances. The troupe performs classic pieces, new works and even family programming to attract theater buffs and newcomers alike. Chicago Shakespeare Theater also offers educational programs to encourage the next generation of thespians.
Excitement for all ages
The Centennial Wheel may be the most famous ride at Navy Pier, but there’s much more midway fun to be found at Pier Park. Drop by in the summer and hop aboard a carousel that depicts the history of Navy Pier and the Wave Swinger, one of the pier’s most popular rides, or one of the other action-packed rides open during peak season.
Of course, you’ll also find sky-high thrills and wonder year-round at Flyover. Join us for an escape right on the pier. First, you’ll immerse yourself in the history and spirit of each destination with a scene-setting pre-show. Then, you’ll sit suspended in front of a 65-foot-wide spherical screen and take a stunning journey that creates the true feeling of flight. Sensory elements along the way, like scents, sea mist and wind, make for a truly immersive experience. See Chicago from a new perspective, thanks in part to stunning drone footage — a first for any Flyover ride — and take flight to destinations around the world, all without leaving the city.
Flyover’s Chicago location is now open. Book your tickets today and explore at Navy Pier like never before.
