A review for this place was hard because what can be added that hasn't already been mentioned. It's not Chicago if you don't see this. Navy Pier is one of the biggest tourist attractions. Certainly there's some bad things about it. These would of course be the prices, but you can see a few things at no charge, like the actual pier and the views. Best time to come here depends. It's about preference. This is actually open all year. Best known as an amusement park, but it has more. There's a few restaurants and shops, and this is the launching place for many boat tours. Biggest complaint is the costs. The Ferris Wheel is too much for some fast spins. Also the drinks and food. The beer garden bites hard. Only has a few basics. They actually charge $6 for fucking Old Style. Food isn't better. They actually charge $12 for junk hot dogs and sandwiches. As for the actual pier, it's free. There's no price to walk around it. Best thing is getting some air and seeing the skyline from here. It's the only thing worth coming here for, and the only thing you don't have to pay out the ass to get some. The worst things are the prices and tourists. read more

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I always enjoy coming to navy pier, and the views are so pretty. I really enjoyed the centennial wheel ride, as it was quite long (you get to go around multiple times and it stops in several spots so you can take nice pictures). I recommend going at night so u can get beautiful night light photos The line for the wheel wasn't that long, and we were able to board quickly. I was a little disappointed that the other rides were closed though due to needing to be fixed. There's also a lot of quick bite food spots in the navy pier area inside the food court but they can be a bit pricey for being more on the fast food side of things. read more

Navy Pier - View from centennial wheel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm aware this is somewhat a tourist trap, but it was my last day in Chicago and it was the closest touristy thing I hadn't done yet near my hotel, lol. I arrived early in the morning on a Sunday and much of the shops, eateries, and entertainment venues were still closed. The ferris wheel and other rides were also closed. It was pretty much a ghost town with only a handful of people enjoying their walk/run that morning. It was so quiet, it was almost like I wasn't in a big city. Get here early if you want to avoid the crowds! I mainly came for the scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline which didn't disappoint. I was able to capture some great photos and enjoyed the views. It was a nice way to close out my time in Chicago and I would definitely come back here again to be amongst the hustle and bustle when everything is open. I was also able to rent a bike nearby and biked around where I could as I made my way back to my hotel. read more

Navy Pier - City views - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Always a must visit when I come to Chicago! Seems like there's always something fun going on here no matter the season, but summer is my favorite time to visit here! Fun to walk around the shops inside and of course ride the Ferris wheel and walk along the pier outside. Everything is well kept here too! read more

SO FUN!!! I sadly didn't get to stay for more than an hour (just enough time to ride a few things), but it looked like a lot of fun that I would absolutely do if I had the time. There's a lot to do! If you go, you should do the Centennial Wheel, as it is the icon of the pier and you get some great views out of it! Wasn't too crowded when I went, and perfect weather. Highly recommend! read more

This is a new and revised modern Navy Pier. Love it! So many events carried out here. Today we came for a free lunar new year event of dances and food and shops on 2-1-25. They had Pan Asian cultures showcased including Kpop dancing with a multicultural group of dancers including Asian, white, Latino, and African American. They set up tables with table cloth and chairs so it was comfortable. When you walk around the pier it's windy so colder than Other areas of the city since it's by the water. But it's beautiful and they have July 4 fireworks here yearly and weekly in the summer. The indoor food courts are getting better and better over time with chocolate stores, McDonalds, Te-Amo bubble tea and dessert, hot dog and hamburger places, restaurants, the Hilton Hotel which is new of about 1 year, Shakespeare theatre, mini golf course, merry go round, Garrett's popcorn, Build a Bear workshop, stained glass, tour boats, dinner cruises, bars, recycling bins, Flyover for an aerial tour of Chicago, water fountain, ofc a Starbucks, a store where you take pics of your Iris and you can take it home, gifts, clothes, free charging stations, and so much more. There are bathrooms everywhere and they are clean. There's a 2nd level where outside you have a Ferris wheel, rides, and beautiful views. There are no very close CTA stations but buses run here all the time. This place has all you need to have a fun day. read more

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Well, on one hand, it's got a pretty view of the water and watching the ships come and go was fun. There are a few only somewhat-overpriced places to eat and grab a beer amidst ones that looked much procier, and there's a tiny amusement park that looked fun for kids. It's really a nice walking experience (I did not drive and so have nothing to say about the parking horror stories). The main beer garden was closed despite it being late May. Maybe it's only open for events? There's no one in the booths that sign you up for the boat tours, so knowing where to actually find your boat after you buy a ticket seemed a bit sketch. I finally booked a ticket for the sailboat before lightning cancelled it (not their fault, of course), so maybe next time on that. So, it's both lovely and, of course, a kitschy tourist trap, enjoyable and a touch exasperating. I'd recommend it to anyone with some time to kill on foot, although it is a bit of a hike to reach it from Front Park. It is, however, very cool that Chicago recognizes their lakefront as a resource to actually bring feet into the city. Are you listening, Buffalo, NY? read more

First of all, it's free, so why would anyone give this less five stars? Unlike a typical pier which is mostly seagull poop and splinters, this 3,300-foot-long pier feels more like a mall than a pier because Instead of the bloody buckets of fishermen and rolling surf, this is 50 acres of shops and attractions. I imagine it is Chicago's second-most visited tourist attraction because of the free fireworks show, which was a highlight of our trip, following a free cover band. The pier has rides, a funhouse maze, botanical garden, Shakespeare theater, a children's museum, the Chicago Sun-Times headquarters, art installations, sightseeing cruises, special events, and, best of all, free summer fireworks. Voted by USA Today Travel Awards as best place to watch fireworks, they start Wednesdays @ 9 and Saturdays @ 10 from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It opened in July, 1916, making it the same age, within 3 months, of the Boy Scouts, the National Park Service, Piggly Wiggly (the first self-service store), the light toggle switch, the first billionaire (Rockefeller), and Boeing. Based on current events, I think Boeing still is still using their original parts. read more

Great experience! Local band was performing for a free show. Everyone had a great time because it had something for everyone. Make sure if you want to ride a bike you make a reservation for how many you need, or you will have to wait. read more

I'm not a big fan of crowds and navy pier is teeming with people! But it's on beautiful Lake Michigan, there are a ton of restaurants (even if they are chain restaurants). Best of all, there are several beer gardens and outdoor bars to get booze from (beer, seltzer, basic cocktails, frozen drinks)--so you can sip your beverage while strolling, people watching, or just enjoying the vista. There are plenty of seating options. There's also the Ferris wheel and a few other amusements. Close to Ohio street beach and what they call concrete beach. You can purchase boat tours, rent bikes. There are fireworks Wednesday and Monday evenings. It might be touristy and crowded, but it really isn't a bad way to spend an afternoon. read more

Navy Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty but boring. We came on a sunday and there isnt much happening here that day i guess. We were hoping to see some more action and people watching while here. read more

Navy Pier - Entering - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went for a yelp elite experience and it's been a while since I've last been to Navy Pier. I have to say they upgraded a bunch and added a lot of new restaurants. It's very clean and all the staff I encountered were very friendly. Everything I ate was delicious! I would like to shoutout the Ciccio's service as they went above and beyond. I also went on the ride they have and although a little cheesy for a Chicagoan, for someone visiting out of town and with kids, it would be fun! read more

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The ultimate tourist trap lol. Nah, just kiddin, it's a beautiful part of Chicago spanning into Lake Michigan. There are all types of businesses on the pier from breweries, eateries, a GREAT gelato shop and a boat ride outfit offering jet boat rides as well as a sailboat. No tourist trap would be without tons of shops to get shirts, magnets, glasses whatever type of merch to bring back home to friends and family. Finding something subtle will be tough though. If your in the Chicago area and have a day to kill walking around, I would highly recommend it! Just a heads up, there will be a lot of people and parking may be a challenge. An Uber/Lyft might be the way to go. read more

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I am always amazed at the number of Chicagoans who have never been to Navy Pier. I get it, it is viewed as a touristy place and it is, but it has such a rich history: - Built in 1916, Navy Pier opened to the public on July 15, 1916. Its original name was the Municipal Pier. Charles Sumner Frost is credited with building it, with the original purpose being to serve as a dock for freights, passenger traffic, and indoor and outdoor recreation. When the U.S. declared war on Germany, the pier was used to as barracks for soldiers and as a Red Cross station. In mid-1918, it also became 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, the pier became a training center for the United States Navy; about 10,000 people worked, trained, and lived there. The pier contained a 2,500-seat theater, gym, 12-chair barber shop, tailor, cobbler shops, soda fountain and a vast kitchen and hospital. In 1946, the University of Illinois at Chicago held classes at the pier, eventually moving to Hyde Park as the attendance at the school grew. In 1959, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, visited a tradeshow on the Pier) as part of a goodwill tour celebrating the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It was the first time a reigning British monarch visited Chicago. - In May 2013, Clinton Shepherd, Pier Park operations manager, made the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest Ferris wheel ride (officially the "Longest marathon on a fairground/theme park attraction" at 48 hours, 8 minutes, and 25 seconds. - In June 2016, the America's Cup came to Lake Michigan for its first-ever freshwater match races off of Navy Pier. I have attended some amazing events here at Navy Pier, from the recent Slow and Low car show, The Children's' Museum, to an exhibit of animated life size dinosaurs, to white parties and of course fireworks. There have been some great dinners there at restaurants long gone (Riva with a view of the fireworks), many cruises on the Odyssey (brunch, dinner, b-day celebrations, Chinese New Year with fireworks in February, etc.), some great concerts ("Weird Al" Yankovic, Alice Cooper, Tina Turner) and amazing views of the city, from land and water. So yeah, a lot of tourist hang out here and well they should because it is a fun place, with something for everyone to do, drink and eat no matter what your budget is. But fellow Chicagoans, don't let all of the tourists have the fun, come and let's us join them. read more

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I literally come here for the night views and shopping for tourist gifts for friends. read more

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Navy Pier has so many food and entertainment options. You're also able to see the dock and be able to go on a day cruise if you want! The Children's Museum and the Centennial Wheel is also right next to each in Navy Pier. It's a very cool spot, we took awesome pictures along the way as well! They have stores that sell souvenirs you wont see in other spots like 360 Chicago or Skydeck. read more

Navy Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Famous landmark for tourists and local. I suggest taking a uber/lyft here since parking might be expensive and limited. We went on a Saturday evening, it was packed with people. There are many vendors with food and shopping. Food and shopping can be expensive here. But when you gotta eat, you gotta eat. There is also a small amusement park upstairs/rooftop. During the winter time, limited rides are open. The rides are pretty expensive. We wanted to do the ferris wheel to get a nice view of the Chicago skyline, but the ride was $30 per person. Jeez, pricey. Walking along the lake is nice but it gets really cold. Nice place to check out and get some photos. read more

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Mainly in Spring and Summer time, this point of the city has a lots of attractions and festivals. If you will travel to Chicago, this place is a good venue to have fun and relax. You have another perspective of the city. It is peaceful. They have wheels and virtual view with emotions as attractive activities to do. read more

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Such a pretty area, clean, and well kept. Love the little food courts inside and the Ferris wheel is impressive (bigger than the one in KC!) loved the views and access it gave to the tours and water taxi boats. The art installations are very unique and was beautiful even on a dreary day read more

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Hey fellow Yelp users! I went to Navy Pier today on Sunday, April 30, 2023 for the 2023 Wekfest. This was my first time going to an event at Navy Pier and my first time at Wekfest. I'm not really a car person, but the cars that were there looked really cool. I would love to come again if they have it next year. After Wekfest, I also took a trip to IT'SUGAR, a candy store. I enjoy this store because you can mix and match your candy, but the prices per pound for the candy was pricey in my opinion. Overall, I had a good experience at Navy Pier. I grew up coming here. My folks & I would come here diluting the summer time to watch the fireworks at night. A lot of great memories were spent here. They definitely renovated Navy Pier over these past years. I hope this review helps Navy Pier & its current and future customers. Have a nice day! read more

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Me and my 3 men took a walk...we all thought this was pretty lame. We knew it was a tourist trap, but it was lifeless in October. Don't go unless you have run out of things to do. -Food Hall, includes lots of chains. Tourist Trap restaurants. -Touristy Chicago ouvenir shops -Basic Carnival Rides...great if you have kids? -Beer Garden at the very end...serving up mainly national beers you can find anywhere. Way overpriced -Views...pretty views I suppose read more

Navy Pier fireworks have been 20-30 minutes late every. single. time. It use to be flawlessly consistent but something about this year. The delays just arent enjoyable anymore. I am a local and spend money here but no longer until they fix it. read more

Great place to hang out with the family. Have a stroll by the water. Watch the sunset. Enjoy the cool air. Peaceful atmosphere at its best. read more

Considering I live across the lake from Chicago I have visited the city very little compared to most people who live in my same area. My husband decided it was time I finally got my first visit to the Navy Pier. Navy Pier in Chicago has events, free public programs, culture, attractions, dining, and shopping to fill your day trip with great memories. It's where fun lives large, whether you're a visitor or local, with family, friends or go solo. The magnificent Centennial Wheel, offering soaring views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, can be found here on Navy Pier. Ride costs $18 per person which isn't cheap but you can get some great photos while at the highest point. If you aren't nervous of heights the Centennial Wheel is an attraction you should consider riding simply for the photos and memories. Shopping, eating and entertainment here at Navy Pier provided us with a fantastic day trip. If you have been thinking about visiting this spot but have been thwarted by the term "tourist trap", don't let it stop you from coming any longer. This is definitely a fun spot to come in Chicago. 4 stars instead of 5 simply because anywhere in Chicago is like an "American Ninja Warrior" course for my anxiety. read more

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This was a fun area to checkout during our stay it certainly is a tourist trap but that part really depends on you. Nice area to walk around in, they have nice seating areas, the small amusement park which is not much but with the giant Ferris wheel you may feel incline to check it out, again all depends on you on how much crap you get sucked into doing. Taking a walk & checking out the views was enough for us, we didn't see anything that called our attention as far as food or drinks but overall it's a nice area to see. read more

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Second upgrade in as many weeks. I attended the national Harbor Safety committee conference at the Navy Pier the Grand ballroom is absolutely fantastic. Amazing venue. And best of all, they sponsored the national Harbor Safety committee conference and provided the space complementary to this extremely important organization. read more

Navy Pier - The Navy Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had an absolutely awful experience today at Navy Pier due to how I was treated by the security staff, not by the Seadog Cruise team, who were wonderful, but by the Pier's own guards, who were not only misinformed, but needlessly aggressive and humiliating. I purchased three adult tickets and one dog (POODLE) ticket for the Seadog Cruise, a dog-friendly tour that explicitly welcomes pets. I drove an hour, paid for parking, walked half a mile from the parking garage with my dog in almost 100° heat, and arrived at the security checkpoint only to be swarmed by guards who immediately insisted my dog wasn't allowed on the property, even after I calmly showed them my Seadog cruise tickets that included a dog pass. They said "we don't care" and "only service dogs are allowed past this point", which is completely false. After I was forcibly escorted off the property and treated like a criminal, I called Seadog Cruises, and their staff was appalled. They confirmed that ALL friendly dogs are welcome aboard and that they would be contacting Navy Pier to educate their security team, since this was entirely incorrect and discriminatory. The humiliation of being swarmed by multiple guards, treated with zero empathy, and kicked off the property, even by the supervisors while I was simply trying to go on a dog-friendly cruise that I paid good money for is something I won't forget. Me & my dog were made to feel like a problem for doing absolutely nothing wrong. The Seadog team immediately refunded me and were kind and very apologetic, but this was never their fault. It was Navy Pier security that failed to understand their own partnerships and chose bullying over basic decency. Shame on Navy Pier for treating responsible pet owners and paying customers like this. Until they train their staff and update their policies to reflect the businesses they host, I would strongly discourage any dog owner or animal lover from visiting. read more

This place is pretty awesome! You should definitely come and check it out. So, like any other pier, there is lots and lots to do and lots and lots to eat and drink. You're gonna find some individual, different cruise boats, and some cool pirate, ships, with some rides and a ton of shopping!! You can even walk along the pier in order to take full advantage of the sites! I recommend going towards the late afternoon, so you can check out all of the shops, and then head out onto the pier to get a beautiful sunset and skyline view. After the sunset, head into the mall area and check out all of the interior shops, and what they offer and can provide for the rest of the night. Super fun definitely an experience I would do again. read more

I'm so glad that I decided to visit the Navy Pier on my last day in Chicago. I feel that this is a must see stop on one's visit to Chicago. It's a tourist spot, however, well worth the visit. This is a nice place to stretch your legs and go for a walk. There is plenty of real estate to walk here. As you get to the very end where you turn back or finish the loop, the view of the lake is beautiful. There is a nice food court inside. I stopped for another Chicago Dog. Yes, I'm definitely sold on Chicago Dogs! There is also plenty of seating around the food court. It was nice to sit down and enjoy my food before walking around outside. On the day I visited it was a bit gloomy outside. I imagine this would be a great spot to hang outside when the weather is nice. After finishing my food and drink, I walked the entire loop of the pier. I enjoyed the city views and the opportunity to breathe in the air emanating from the lake. Take your time to pause every so often and take in the beautiful views of the city and lakefront. This is also a great location to people watch. Plan accordingly as far as weather goes and make sure your phone is charged to take pics. Again, I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to visit before leaving Chicago. I would visit here again the next time in Chicago. hope your experience will be as memorable as mine was. read more

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Only giving Navy Pier three stars because there marketing campaign and website was very misleading. They showed fire pits, roasting marshmallows, making s'more, drinking hot chocolate, while viewing the Chicago skyline, with ice skating, ax throwing, live music and lots of fun! From thanksgiving through January 7th 2024. So we booked a hotel for two nights to participate in the activities as part of our Christmas break. Dec 26-27 2023. Problem is they did not clearly upfront mention that the activities are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday activities. Hotel is already booked now what you gonna do. Yes the ice skating rink was open, they were having an art exhibit, yes navy pier has plenty of restaurants and bars but that was not the reason why we drove over 100 miles. We have plenty of bars and restaurants in our town too! So just saying be careful don't always believe the hype. Make sure to ask questions read more

Very nice place to chill I always visit this place when I'm in Chicago. Great restaurant options and activities. read more

Navy Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wonderful experience, beautiful views, I especially loved that it wasn't saturated with souvenir stands.

A little pricey to ride the rides. The Centennial Wheel is air conditioned, so that's a plus! Lots of shops and restaurants to choose from! read more

Navy Pier was cool. The outside is a bit boring unless you like to look at the ocean. The inside has an indoor type of mall with a ton of stores and restaurants. One of the main things here is the Centennial Wheel. That was pretty cool and you spin around 3 times. read more

Navy Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Enjoyed this little pit stop while visiting the city with a friend. Had a pretty nice view of the city and the beautiful turquoise water. Lots of cute spaces for photo ops, especially the holiday specific decorations. It was cold out, so it was nice to duck indoors and use the restrooms as well. Super clean and well maintained. They also had a mini ice skating rink outdoors. Can't wait to visit when it's warmer and less cloudy. read more

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Navy Pier in the summer is amazing and fun place to be with family and friends. Check out all the boats rides & food! read more

Navy Pier - There's no place like Navy Pier - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We took a ride share to this location and glad we did so I wasn't frustrated w/traffic and finding a park. Came on a beautiful day and was able to just walk and look at different attractions. They have a Ferris wheel and another little ride for people that goes up and drops down fast. There were different places to get alcoholic beverages and other snacks from on the pier. We found a Mexican food hut on the pier that was really good. Music was playing from one of the DJ's set-up outside a restaurant. There were dinner cruise boots getting passengers and various other boats selling tickets for different site seeing adventures. We decided to do a tour since it was nice out and sun was setting (bring a hoodie or buy one while there) we decided to take a 45 min water tour of Chicago and it was so pretty and informative. There's also an indoor complex that has restaurants and various other shops inside (food, clothing, and various other knickknacks). read more

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Nice scenic boardwalk....With plenty of restaurants, a ferris wheel, and venders. You also have a few options, for a boat excursion. Plenty of seating to enjoy the sights of the river. read more

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This was another stop on the red bus tour with city pass. We stayed the longest here. Took the Architectural boat tour here and ate at Art Smith's. Also rode the scarey Ferris wheel. The views were nice. Definitely spend some time here. read more

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Navy Pier has something for everyone. There are restaurants, shopping, entertainment, etc.; something for people of all ages.