Navy Pier juts more than half a mile into Lake Michigan just east of downtown and has been a Chicago landmark since 1916. It's free to walk, with the views and the lake breeze as the main draw, but it's also a hub of ticketed attractions: the 196-foot Centennial Wheel, sightseeing and architecture boat cruises that depart from its docks, the Chicago Children's Museum, an indoor botanical garden, and seasonal fireworks over the water. It's touristy and proudly so — and a near-mandatory stop for families.
Navy Pier opened in 1916 and has been one of Chicago's most-visited destinations for generations. Stretching more than half a mile into Lake Michigan just northeast of the Loop, the pier itself is free to walk, lined with gardens, restaurants, and wide-open views back at the skyline and out over the water.
The signature attraction is the Centennial Wheel, a 196-foot observation wheel installed in 2016 to replace the pier's original Ferris wheel — itself an homage to the very first Ferris Wheel, which debuted at Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. Enclosed gondolas make it a year-round ride with skyline and lake views. The pier is also the main departure point for lake and river sightseeing cruises, including some architecture tours and the high-speed thrill boats.
For families, the Chicago Children's Museum on the pier is a major draw, and the indoor Crystal Gardens botanical conservatory is a pleasant all-weather stop. In summer, the pier hosts free fireworks over the lake on select evenings. It's unabashedly a tourist attraction, but the lakefront setting and the range of things to do make it an easy, flexible outing — walk it for free, then pick the ticketed pieces that suit your group.
What to expect
The experience
The pier is free to walk. Individual attractions — the Centennial Wheel, boat cruises, the Children's Museum, the conservatory — are ticketed separately. Self-paced.
Best time
Summer evenings for the lake breeze and fireworks on select nights; weekday afternoons are calmer. The Centennial Wheel runs year-round thanks to enclosed gondolas.
How long
2-4 hours depending on how many ticketed attractions you add.
Tips
Pick your ticketed pieces rather than paying for everything — many visitors just ride the wheel and walk the pier. Boat cruises (including some architecture tours) depart from here, so you can combine a cruise with a pier visit. Summer weekends are very crowded; go early or on a weekday if you can.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and first-timers wanting an easy, flexible lakefront outing with options for all ages.
- Families
- A go-to. The Centennial Wheel, the Children's Museum, and the open space make it one of the most kid-friendly stops in the city.
- Couples
- An evening walk with the wheel and the skyline lights — and summer fireworks — is a low-key date.
- Pair with
- Boat cruises depart from the pier, so it pairs naturally with a lake or architecture cruise. It's also an easy add-on to a Museum Campus or downtown day.
- Time needed
- A half-day at most; less if you're just riding the wheel.
Good questions
Is Navy Pier free?+
Walking the pier itself is free. Individual attractions — the Centennial Wheel, boat cruises, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Crystal Gardens conservatory — are ticketed separately.
How tall is the Centennial Wheel?+
About 196 feet. It opened in 2016, replacing the pier's earlier Ferris wheel, and runs year-round with enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas.
Can I take a boat cruise from Navy Pier?+
Yes — it's a main departure point for lake sightseeing cruises, some architecture tours, and high-speed thrill boats. You can combine a cruise with your pier visit.
Is it good for kids?+
Very — the Children's Museum, the observation wheel, and the open lakefront space make it one of the most family-friendly destinations in Chicago.
When are the fireworks?+
Navy Pier hosts free fireworks over the lake on select summer evenings. Check the current season's schedule before planning around them.
