Things to do nearNavy Pier

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.