Navy Pier: Hours, Tickets and Getting There

Navy Pier stretches more than 3,000 feet into Lake Michigan and covers over 50 acres. Its mix includes parks, gardens, dining, shopping, theaters and entertainment, so you can combine an outdoor stroll with an attraction or meal.

Built in 1916 as Municipal Pier #2, the pier was part of Daniel Burnham’s Plan of Chicago. It began as a working dock and naval training center. Today, Pier Park brings together the Centennial Wheel, a carousel, seasonal rides, games and family-friendly amusements, with views of the lake and city.

The current Centennial Wheel debuted in 2016 for the pier’s 100th anniversary. It stands nearly 200 feet tall, and its enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas make it an option in different weather.

For a walk rather than a ride, the Northwestern Medicine Wellness Way is a 1.5-mile fitness trail around the pier. At the east end, the Compass Rose offers views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

For indoor attractions, the Chicago Children’s Museum and Chicago Shakespeare Theater are both at Navy Pier. You can also find boat excursions, including City Cruises, Seadog Cruises, Shoreline Sightseeing and Tall Ship Windy.

Navy Pier is open to the public year-round, but general operating hours vary by season and may change. The pier is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Its posted public hours apply to most shops, food-court eateries, attractions, the Centennial Wheel and outdoor amusement rides.

Some venues keep different hours: full-service restaurants, boats and theaters may stay open later than the pier’s general schedule. The Centennial Wheel operates daily, while other Pier Park attractions do not run during winter.

Seasonal rides such as the Carousel, Tea Cups and Light Tower Ride operate weather permitting from late spring through early fall; rides other than the Wheel are listed as weekend-only, weather permitting.

Weather can also affect attraction hours. If you have a particular ride, restaurant, boat or performance in mind, check its schedule before you set out.

Entry to Navy Pier is free. Individual attractions and public shows may charge admission, and ticket prices are set by each attraction. Navy Pier recommends buying event and attraction tickets online before arriving to skip ticket lines; you can also check prices with an attraction’s box office or website.

Choose what you want to do before deciding whether to buy a ticket: the pier itself is open to the public, while rides, museums, theater performances and cruises are separate experiences. Attraction options include the Centennial Wheel, Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, City Cruises, Seadog Cruises, Shoreline Sightseeing and Tall Ship Windy.

For mobility access, all levels of Navy Pier are reachable by elevator. Wheelchairs are available at the Guest Services Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid driver’s license, state ID or military ID is held as a deposit.

Navy Pier is at 600 E. Grand Avenue, between Illinois and Grand Avenue. From FOUND Hotels Chicago Series by Marriott, it’s about a 6-minute drive over 1.7 miles.

CTA buses provide several ways to reach the pier: routes #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, #124 Navy Pier and #2 Hyde Park Express serve the area. Route #2 runs during weekday morning and evening rush hours only.

Bus #124 connects the pier with Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and Millennium Station; #29 connects it with LaSalle Street Station and Millennium Station. These buses have bike racks and are ADA accessible.

Water taxis serve Navy Pier seasonally, but schedules are not year-round. If you’re driving, East and West parking garages connect to the pier. Together, they accommodate 1,500 vehicles and are open 24 hours.

Dining is part of the pier’s mix, from food-court eateries to full-service restaurants. Their hours may differ from the general pier schedule, so check with the restaurant if you’re planning a meal around a specific activity.

For a view, walk toward the Compass Rose at the east end of the pier, where Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline come into view. If you’re planning more time downtown, pair the visit with a walk on the Chicago Riverwalk or use the one-day Chicago itinerary to connect Navy Pier with other city stops.

Outdoor rides and some attraction hours depend on weather, and seasonal schedules can change. The Compass Rose is also a viewing location for summer fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays; check the current event schedule for specific dates and times.

Before you go: check the official Navy Pier site before you go for current hours, attraction availability, ticket details and event schedules.