Since its completion in 1916, the Pier has been instrumental in both World Wars, served as an exhibition space, host of a summer music festival, and home to one of the most famous Ferris Wheels in history, finally becoming the nationally known destination it is today.
The United States Coast Guard and the Chicago Police Marine Unit provide vigilant protection and response to the waterways surrounding Navy Pier. Water flotation devices are strategically placed along the perimeter of the Pier and are immediately accessible during emergency situations.
Navy Pier is home to many of the most beloved Chicago attractions, including the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Chicago Children's Museum. For your first visit, you won't want to miss hidden gems like the festive Polk Bros Park, too!
Experience Excitement. All Year Round. Navy Pier is where you go in Chicago for events, free public programs, attractions, culture, dining, shopping and more. It's where fun lives large, whether you're a visitor or local, with family or friends.
Plan your visit to Navy Pier! Navy Pier is free and open to the public year-round. Before you visit, be sure to familiarize yourself with our hours and admission policies, directions, and parking information.
The Pier experienced a name change this year! Municipal Pier was officially renamed Navy Pier in 1927 as a tribute to the Navy personnel who were housed at the Pier during World War I.
The Lake Point Tower is one of the most distinctive skyscrapers on the Chicago skyline, largely because it's detached from the rest of the city's tallest buildings. The magnificent building is located on a peninsula that leads to Navy Pier.
Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Along the way you'll discover intimate coves, breezy cafes, wineries and bars, public art, monuments, museums, and a boatload of excursions on the water.
What are two interesting facts about the Navy Pier?
In mid-1918, the pier was also used as a jail for draft dodgers. In 1927, the pier was renamed Navy Pier to honor the naval veterans who served in World War I. In 1941, during World War II, the pier became a training center for the United States Navy; about 10,000 people worked, trained and lived there.
Navy Pier is home to one of Chicago's most iconic attractions: the magnificent Centennial Wheel, offering soaring views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Come enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience, as well as a wide variety of other rides in Pier Park, games and amusements for all ages.
Is it safe to walk from Navy Pier to Millennium Park?
If you are walking with someone else I think it would also be safe in the evening hours. My husband & I feel secure walking this area in the evening, but I would say that it's best to do this before 10:00 or 10:30pm. It is a fair distance between Millenium Park & Navy Pier.
Navy pier is great, and safe at night. Skydeck is not on navy pier though. I don't like walking around in the loop after dark unless you are with a group moving through after an event.
Soar to heights of nearly 200 feet on the iconic Centennial Wheel. Navy Pier's Centennial Wheel is an iconic part of the Chicago skyline and a treasured piece of Chicago cultural history. Soaring to heights of nearly 200 feet, the Wheel offers visitors unparalleled, 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Navy Pier, Chicago, is a popular destination for both residents and visitors! The Pier, renovated in the early 1990s, has something to offer for all ages. It is expansive and has a wide variety of entertainment, including the Children's Museum, Rides & Games, Restaurants, Live Events, and Great Views of Lake Michigan!
It is such a big and rich city that you need at least a week to discover all the most interesting parts of it without rush. However, in three days you can get a good taste of it, see the most beautiful and unmissable, the most famous things, discover the heart of the city and… fall in love with it.
Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive (North Ave. @ Lake Michigan). As one of Chicago's most popular beaches, the beach features a unique and popular beach house that contains 22,000 square feet of space that features something for everyone and is permanently docked along this popular beach.
But when WWII struck and the U.S. joined the war, Navy Pier was once again called upon for a national cause. The Navy re-converted the Pier back into a massive training facility, utilizing Lake Michigan as a secluded and protected environment for new recruits at the suggestion of Commander Richard F. Whitehead.
The Navy Pier Centennial Ferris Wheel is an attraction that offers a fantastic view as it rotates 3 times and 1,080 degrees from a dizzying height of about 200 feet. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, you can feel complete comfort with air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
The Brighton Pier Group PLC (the 'Group') owns and trades Brighton Palace Pier, as well as five premium bars nationwide, eight indoor mini-golf sites and the Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in North Yorkshire.
