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Navy Pier, Chicago

600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Description

Navy Pier extends 1km on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It opened in 1916 with a mixed purpose: freight, passenger traffic, and recreational. Today it is all about the latter with 20ha of shops, restaurants, attractions, and gardens. Highlights include a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, the Chicago Children's Museum, an IMAX theatre, and a carousel.

Access & Transport

The pier is immediately to the northeast of the Chicago River, projecting into Lake Michigan. The closest metro station is 'Grand' (Red line), 1.5km away (20mins walk) The CTA provides five bus lines serving Navy Pier daily. These are #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, #124 Navy Pier (serving Metra lines from Millennium Station, Ogilvie and Union Stations) and #2 Hyde Park Express (during weekday morning and evening rush hours only). Directions: https://navypier.org/plan-your-visit/getting-here-and-parking/

Instructions & Recommendations

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Meta review

Lots of places to grab a drink or eat a bite and entertainment options for children but nothing is cheap and it is quite crowded. Although travel websites consider this as a must see, not everybody seems to be on that page and many online reviewers find it to be overrated: worth a quick walk but nothing that special, and overpriced.

Environmental & Social

The amusement park, stores and other attractions are energy hungry. Socially neutral.

Conclusion

Our standard opinion about this type of commercial pier is that it really isn't for everybody. Those interested in outdoors or cultural pursuits might want to take a quick look but are unlikely to be held for long whereas those keener on fun, entertainment, and shopping will enjoy Chicago's Navy Pier.

Key positive

Family-friendly venue

Good views and diversity of attractions

Key negative

Crowded and commercial only

Overpriced F&B and attractions

Suitability

Suitable for all ages. The pier is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility but not all attractions.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in October 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Those are the park operating hours; the pier may close later. Closed on Thanksgiving and 25 Dec.

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:1h 45m

Regulated hours

Monday11:00 - 20:00

Tuesday11:00 - 20:00

Wednesday11:00 - 20:00

Thursday11:00 - 20:00

Friday11:00 - 21:00

Saturday11:00 - 21:00

Sunday11:00 - 20:00

Pricing
Attractions within Navy Pier may have admission prices
Free

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