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
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
Chicago Food Tour by Bike Through West Side Neighborhoods
Sample Chicago favorites while cycling through vibrant Near West Side neighborhoods on a fun 4-hour guided ride
Private Chicago Boat Charter to the Playpen & Museum Campus
Cruise Chicago by private boat with an experienced captain
45-Minute Chicago Skyline Helicopter Tour
Fly over Chicago landmarks with a private helicopter for up to 3
Private Yacht Charter From Navy Pier
Cruise Chicago’s waterfront with a professional crew and private gathering spaces
Chicago Yacht Charter
Make your Chicago celebration a private day or night on the water
Explore Chicago’s West Loop on a 3-Hour Food Tour
Taste your way through Chicago’s West Loop with a local guide
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
4-Hour Chicago Food & Bike Tour
Pedal Chicago’s top sights while tasting pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef
Private Chicago Skyline Yacht Charter from Navy Pier
Celebrate on the Gypsy Spirit along Chicago’s waterfront
50' Yacht Charter in Chicago
Cruise Lake Michigan with a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and skyline views
Private Navy Pier Fireworks Sailing Charter in Chicago
Sail Lake Michigan for Chicago skyline views and Navy Pier fireworks
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
Paddle a 3-Hour Chicago Fireworks Kayak Tour
Night kayak tour to watch Navy Pier fireworks
Private Chicago Lake & River Tour
See Chicago landmarks from the water on a private sightseeing outing
Private 37-Foot Yacht Charter in Chicago
Cruise Chicago waters with up to 13 guests for a flexible three-to-four-hour outing