Explore things to do at Navy Pier
From recreation to relaxation & entertainment to education, Navy Pier offers activities & experiences for all.
The Community Rides program exemplifies Navy Pier’s unwavering commitment to its mission and values. Since the program’s inception, Navy Pier has given out more than 30,000 free tickets to ride on the Centennial Wheel.
Thanks to those who submitted applications for our 2019 Community Rides program! Recipients are listed below.
Arthritis Foundation
Association House of Chicago
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
Bleeding Disorders Alliance Illinois
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Bright Promises Foundation
Camp of Dreams
Carole Robertson Center for Learning
Chasing Dreams
Chicago Children’s Museum
Chicago-Lawndale AMACHI Mentoring Program
Chicago Veterans Coordinating Committee
ChildServ
City Year Chicago
Communities In Schools of Chicago
Community TV Network
Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council
Cornerstone Community Outreach
Cradles to Crayons Chicago
Fellowship Housing Corporation
Field Museum
Forward Momentum Chicago
Freedom Golf Association
Gary Comer Youth Center
Gilda’s Club Chicago
Girls in the Game
Harvard Community Education Foundation
Helping Hands Network, Inc.
Hephzibah Children’s Association
House of Good Shepherd
Illinois Institute of Technology Office of Community Affairs
iMentor Chicago
Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC)
Jewish Child and Family Services Chicago
Jerome Burke Foundation
Kuumba Lynx
La Casa Norte
Ladies of Virtue
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Make-A-Wish Illinois
Maplewood Housing for the Visually Impaired: Friedman Place
Metropolitan Tenants Organization
Museum of Science and Industry
Near North Health Service Corporation
North Lawndale Employment Network
Old Town School of Folk Music
Operation Support Our Troops-America
Play Smart Literacy
Progress Center for Independent Living
Project: VISION
Ronald McDonald House
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
SitStayRead
South Shore Drill Team & Performing Arts Ensemble
Special Olympics Illinois
St. Leonard’s Ministries
Step Up
Talented Tenth Social Services, Inc.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Night Ministry
The Urban Alliance Foundation, Inc.
The Night Ministry
Thresholds
Totally Positive Productions
Trickster gallery
Tri-Town YMCA
UIC Center for Literacy
United Way of Metro Chicago
Universidad Popular
Urban Gateways
USO of Illinois
Variety the Children’s Charity of Illinois
Volunteers of America of Illinois
Way Back Inn
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Youth Guidance
Eligible organizations may also apply for a transportation stipend to be provided by Navy Pier. Please see below for additional details.
*Complimentary Centennial Wheel tickets will be valid Mondays and Tuesdays, August–November 2019 and March–May 2020.
*Excludes major holidays. Additional scheduling may be required at the discretion of Navy Pier.
*Please note: for the safety of our guests and staff, the Centennial Wheel and other Pier Park attractions must occasionally close due to weather conditions, such as lightning, high winds, and extreme cold. To inquire about the operational status of Pier Park rides and attractions on the day of your visit, follow us on Twitter or call us at 312.595.PIER.
More Than You Imagine
Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder.
Since its reopening in 1995, more than 180 million guests have come to enjoy the Pier's 50 acres of unparalleled attractions and experiences. In 2020, Navy Pier continues to evolve into an accessible, year-round centerpiece for Chicago’s diverse arts and cultural treasures.