Ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier

Extending out onto Lake Michigan, Navy Pier offers plenty in the way of family-friendly entertainment.

Highlights

Attractions for Kids

The first thing you'll spot once you set foot on the pier is the towering Ferris wheel (which stands 196 feet tall); you'll also find a drop tower and a carousel. Once the kids have had their fill of thrill rides, you can spend some time cruising the Chicago River on a sightseeing or speedboat tour or spend a few hours exploring the Chicago Children's Museum, which features hands-on exhibits ranging from treehouses to fire trucks.

Attractions for Adults

But you don't have to be a kid to enjoy a visit to Navy Pier. Grown-ups can catch a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, flex some credit card muscle at a variety of shops, or grab a drink at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. Be sure to check Navy Pier's website for a list of events: Concerts are often held here, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day (as well as New Year's Eve), impressive fireworks displays light up the skies on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Many of the city's top Segway tours offer special summer evening tours to the pier to catch the semiweekly fireworks show.

Money-saving Tips

Many visitors bemoan the cost of individual attractions at Navy Pier. To save some money, consider purchasing a Go City card, which covers the cost of a ride on the Ferris wheel, plus three other Navy Pier attractions.

Hours and Tickets

Operating Hours

The Navy Pier complex is located a few blocks east of The Magnificent Mile and is open daily year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 11 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the day. You don't have to pay to enjoy the pier (or its evening fireworks), but individual attractions along the pier charge $6 to $20 per ride. An attractions pass is also available.

Facilities and Accessibility

In addition to the pier's rides, shops, and eateries, visitors will find restrooms, a parking garage, and a cruise dock (where travelers can climb aboard one of the city's sightseeing and dinner cruises) available on-site. An L station is not situated within walking distance, so visitors should plan on driving, taking a bus, Uber, Lyft, or taxi. BigBus Chicago's hop-on, hop-off double-decker sightseeing tours stop at Navy Pier, as well as numerous other Chicago landmarks.

You can find out more on our list of the best Chicago tours. Seasonal water taxis also provide rides to and from Navy Pier; visit the Shoreline Sightseeing website for more information.