Navy Pier is Chicago’s free-to-enter waterfront destination on Lake Michigan, open daily with no admission charge to walk the pier, browse the shops, and take in the skyline views. Summer hours run Monday-Thursday 10 AM-10 PM, Friday 10 AM-11 PM, Saturday 10 AM-midnight, and Sunday 10 AM-10 PM; it closes only for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Centennial Wheel offers sweeping lake and city views year-round, while FlyOver Chicago, a 65-foot spherical-screen flight simulator that opened in 2024, has become one of the pier’s most talked-about experiences. The Chicago Children’s Museum, boat tours, and a rotating lineup of restaurants round out the pier’s attractions.
During the Memorial Day-to-Labor Day summer season, fireworks light up the lake every Wednesday at 9 PM and Saturday at 10 PM, drawing crowds along the pier’s full length. Individual attractions charge separate admission even though entry to the pier itself is always free.
