Things to do nearNavy Pier
Navy Pier is Chicago, Illinois's most-visited landmark, drawing millions with its sweeping Lake Michigan views, family attractions, and year-round festivals.
Navy Pier opened in 1916 as a commercial and recreational dock along Chicago's lakefront, originally serving cargo ships and later welcoming the public for leisure. During World War II it functioned as a naval training facility, which is how it earned its enduring name. After decades of varying uses, a major redevelopment in the 1990s transformed it into the cultural and entertainment destination it is today, and subsequent renovations have kept the pier modern and accessible.
Visitors can ride the 196-foot Centennial Wheel, which offers sweeping views of both the lake and the city skyline, or explore the Chicago Children's Museum, a hands-on favorite for families. The Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier stages professional productions throughout the year in an intimate venue that feels worlds away from the bustling promenade just outside its doors. Dining options along the pier range from casual waterfront spots serving deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs to sit-down restaurants with panoramic lake views.
Street performers, public art installations, and rotating seasonal festivals fill the outdoor spaces with life across every season. In winter, an outdoor skating ribbon and holiday markets give the pier a festive atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the frozen expanse of Lake Michigan. Navy Pier remains a genuine crossroads of Chicago life, where locals and travelers share the same waterfront and the city reveals itself from a uniquely open, unhurried vantage point.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Navy Pier
Visit on a weekday morning to enjoy the promenade and attractions with noticeably smaller crowds than weekend afternoons bring.
Try a lake architecture cruise departing from Navy Pier for one of the best ways to see Chicago's celebrated skyline from the water.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as the breeze off Lake Michigan can make the open-air areas cooler than the city streets inland.
Check the seasonal event calendar before you go, since Navy Pier hosts regular outdoor fireworks displays on Wednesdays and Saturdays during summer months.
Walk to the far eastern tip of the pier for an unobstructed panoramic view of the Chicago skyline that makes for an outstanding photograph.
Top tours & experiences near Navy Pier
Chicago Bike Tour with West Side Food Tastings
Sample Chicago favorites while cycling through vibrant Near West Side neighborhoods on a fun 4-hour guided ride
Explore Chicago’s West Loop on a 3-Hour Food Tour
Taste your way through Chicago’s West Loop with a local guide
Private 37-Foot Yacht Charter in Chicago
Cruise Chicago waters with up to 13 guests for a flexible three-to-four-hour outing
Fly Over Chicago on a 40-Minute Helicopter Tour
See Chicago landmarks by helicopter with a 5-passenger twin-engine aircraft
Chicago Family Food & Bike Tour
Bike 10 miles as you sample Chicago staples and see top sights
2-Hour Bike Rental in Chicago Near Navy Pier
Rent a bike by Chicago’s Lakefront Trail with maps, helmet, lock, and easy access near Navy Pier
24-Hour Bike Rental in Chicago Near Navy Pier
Rent a bike for 24 hours near the Lakefront Trail and Navy Pier
Full-Day Bike Rental Near Navy Pier in Chicago
Rent a bike near the Lakefront Trail and Navy Pier—return it by shop closing
4-Hour Bike Rental Near Navy Pier in Chicago
Rent a bike for 4 hours steps from Navy Pier and the Lakefront Trail
Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
Cruise Lake Michigan on a historic fireboat for Navy Pier fireworks views
45-Minute Chicago Skyline Helicopter Tour
Fly over Chicago landmarks with a private helicopter for up to 3
6- or 8-Hour Private Salmon & Trout Charter in Chicago
Private 6–8 hour fishing charter for up to 6 on Lake Michigan
Cruise Chicago on a Private Yacht Charter
Private Sea Ray yacht charter on Lake Michigan with 3–8 hour options
Ride a Speedboat on Lake Michigan in Chicago
Speed across Lake Michigan with your own music and skyline views
Private Vintage Motorboat River Cruise in Chicago
Private 1962 vintage motorboat cruise on the Chicago River for up to 6 guests
Explore Downtown Chicago on a 3-Hour Pizza Walk
Taste four pizza styles on a 3-hour downtown Chicago walk
Watch Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
Cruise offshore from Navy Pier for fireworks and skyline views
Paddle a 3-Hour Chicago Fireworks Kayak Tour
Night kayak tour to watch Navy Pier fireworks
Drive a 2-Hour Chicago River Fireworks Pontoon Rental
Self-drive pontoon on the Chicago River with Navy Pier fireworks
Cruise Chicago for Navy Pier Fireworks
Private 3-hour sail to view Navy Pier fireworks with a USCG-certified captain included
Watch Navy Pier Fireworks On A 90-Minute Cruise
Cruise out for Navy Pier fireworks with skyline views and bar service
Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
90-minute group sail for Navy Pier fireworks and Chicago skyline views
Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
Sail Lake Michigan for Navy Pier fireworks views on a private charter
Parasailing Flight Over Lake Michigan in Chicago
Parasail up to 500 feet above Lake Michigan for skyline views