Navy Pier, Chicago: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Navy Pier extends 1,010 meters into Lake Michigan from the mouth of the Chicago River, originally built in 1916 as a combined shipping facility and public recreation space. The pier's Centennial Wheel, installed in 2016, stands 60 meters tall and features climate-controlled gondolas. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater operates a 500-seat courtyard-style venue at the pier's eastern end. The Chicago Children's Museum, a Crystal Gardens indoor botanical park, and seasonal fireworks displays on Wednesday and Saturday evenings draw roughly 9 million visitors annually, making it Illinois' most-visited attraction. is just one of many options in Chicago. Major attractions worth considering include 360 Chicago Observation Deck (Formerly John Hancock Observatory), Adler Planetarium, and Chicago River.