Navy Pier

There’s a place in Chicago where the skyline melts into the horizon, where the buzz of the city softens into waves, laughter, and carousel music. That place is Navy Pier—a 3,300-foot-long stretch of joy, perched right on the edge of Lake Michigan.

 

It’s not just a pier; it’s a playground, a performance stage, a garden, and a gateway to the water. From morning joggers to families chasing bubbles in Polk Bros Park, from art lovers to wide-eyed kids at the Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier captures something timeless: the way a city unwinds when it touches the lake.

 

What to Know

Navy Pier is one of the most iconic destinations in Chicago, and for good reason. It offers a bit of everything—rides, restaurants, shops, theaters, public art, and some of the best lakefront views you’ll find in the Midwest.

 

Once a humble freight dock and military training center, it’s now a vibrant public space visited by millions each year. It’s free to enter, open year-round, and perfect for any age or energy level. Whether you’re strolling with coffee in hand, riding the towering Centennial Wheel, or hopping on a water taxi down the Chicago River, Navy Pier is your launchpad to a different side of Chicago—fun-loving, breezy, and full of unexpected corners.

 

 

How to Get There

Reaching Navy Pier is part of the experience. You can drive, walk, bike, or take public transportation. If you want to make a grander entrance, the water taxi from Union Station or Museum Campus along the Chicago River offers a scenic approach with skyline views.

 

Public buses, especially the CTA #29, #65, and #66, stop right at the entrance. Cyclists can follow the Lakefront Trail, while pedestrians enjoy a leisurely walk east from Michigan Avenue. For drivers, parking is available in Navy Pier’s on-site garage, though it fills up quickly on weekends and during summer events.

 

Best Time to Visit

While Navy Pier is charming year-round, summer is when it shines brightest. The waterfront breeze cuts through the Chicago heat, boats fill the marina, and fireworks light up the sky on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Spring brings tulip blooms, fall brings golden leaves and lake mist, and winter turns the pier into a snow-globe wonderland with indoor gardens and light displays.

If you prefer fewer crowds, weekdays in late spring or early fall offer that perfect mix of pleasant weather and open space.

 

Highlights & Features

 

Centennial Wheel:

Soaring nearly 200 feet above the lakefront, this Ferris wheel offers unbeatable views of Chicago and Lake Michigan—especially at sunset.

 

Chicago Children’s Museum:

A haven of play and discovery, perfect for curious little ones. Climbing towers, water tables, and creative exhibits keep kids engaged for hours.

 

Polk Bros Park:

Located at the entrance, this beautifully landscaped park features fountains, open-air art, and a stage for free concerts and performances.

 

Crystal Gardens:

A lush, indoor one-acre garden filled with palm trees, fountains, and sunlight—ideal for a peaceful moment away from the crowds.

 

Pier Park:

Mini-golf, carousel rides, remote-control boats, and more make this outdoor play area a hit with families.

 

Live Music & Theater:

Navy Pier is home to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and frequently hosts live jazz, pop-up bands, and cultural festivals.

 

Boat Tours & Cruises:

Hop on a sightseeing cruise or a romantic dinner boat. Or take a speedy architecture tour up the Chicago River.

 

Dining with a View:

From deep-dish pizza to lakefront seafood, the food scene here matches the scenery.

 

Fun Facts

- Built in 1916, Navy Pier was originally called “Municipal Pier.” It was renamed in honor of the U.S. Navy personnel (those who served in World War I).

- During WWII, the pier functioned as a naval training center—aircraft carriers even docked here to help train pilots.

- The Centennial Wheel was built in 2016 to celebrate the pier’s 100th anniversary, replacing the previous wheel from the 1990s.

- More than 9 million people visit Navy Pier each year, making it one of the top-visited leisure attractions in the United States.

- In the 1950s, the pier briefly hosted classes for the University of Illinois at Chicago—yes, students actually attended school with a view of Lake Michigan.

 

History 

Imagine a pier that’s lived many lives: cargo port, military base, college campus, and now, a cultural hub. That’s the journey of Navy Pier. When it opened in 1916, it was a marvel of engineering and civic ambition. But the decades brought change, decline, and reinvention.

 

By the 1990s, Navy Pier was reborn—not as a working dock but as Chicago’s open-air living room. Over time, the city added green spaces, public art, performance venues, and attractions like the Centennial Wheel and Chicago Children’s Museum.

 

It didn’t try to become a theme park or a shopping mall. It became something uniquely Chicago: bold, welcoming, and perfectly perched between city and lake.

 

Final Thoughts

Navy Pier is where Chicago goes to relax, celebrate, and remember that the best parts of a city aren’t always in its skyscrapers. They’re in the way sunlight glints off the Chicago River, in the sound of kids giggling at Polk Bros Park, in the slow spin of the Centennial Wheel at dusk.

 

Whether you spend a few hours or a full day here, Navy Pier offers something you can’t buy in a guidebook: the feeling of being in the right place, at just the right time, by the water, in the heart of Chicago.