Explore things to do at Navy Pier
From recreation to relaxation & entertainment to education, Navy Pier offers activities & experiences for all.
Buy TicketsExplore things to do at Navy Pier
From recreation to relaxation & entertainment to education, Navy Pier offers activities & experiences for all.
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Plan your visit to Navy Pier! With fun attractions & activities to enjoy all year, there’s always a reason to spend a day at the Pier.
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Donate NowPosted in Activities, Drinks, Food; Tagged Photo Spot, Centennial Wheel, Crystal Gardens, Offshore; Posted 12 months ago Less than a minute to read
Navy Pier, from its lakefront location to restaurants, cruises and attractions, has many spots throughout worthy of the ‘gram. If you are visiting the Pier, make sure to pose for a photo or two at one of these Instagrammable spots.
Take your selfie game to new heights on the Centennial Wheel, featuring 42 climate-controlled, enclosed gondolas. The Wheel provides guests a chance to ascend 200 feet with 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Purchase your tickets online to experience the Wheel!
It’Sugar, the largest specialty candy retailer in the world, is a colorful candy wonderland with a location at Navy Pier that is perfect for any eye-catching photo. Grab a rainbow lollipop or a giant box of your favorite candy and pose behind this sweet background.
The Pier’s first-class dining cruise ship Odyssey Lake Michigan is one of the best places for an amazing Instagram photo. With panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, you too can achieve that perfect windblown hair look for your picture. Learn about other Pier cruises here.
The skyline has a certain je ne sais quoi when you’re on the top floors of the West Garage. Don’t just let us convince you, see for yourself!
If you stand on either side of Pier Park, you can capture Instagram photos with a classic carnival feel to them with the Centennial Wheel, Pepsi Wave Swinger, Carousel and parts of Chicago in the background.
The Lake Stage and City Stage at Polk Bros Park are great places to snap a pic with the serene blue waters of Lake Michigan contrasting with the bright grass to highlight Chicago’s vibrant nature. On these lush performance lawns, your Instagram photos have never looked better.
Aerodynamically designed to be pleasing to the eye, the Wave Wall has contouring lines and angles to give you an interesting selfie that will get people commenting on your Gram. The Wave Wall is where the Pier hosts Wave Wall Wax, a free live DJ series on Saturday all summer long.
The end of the Pier is a prime photogenic spot for selfies and pictures, a known secret among regulars. From this unique vantage point your photos will show water, the sky, the city and the Pier from a whole new perspective.
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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 2021, Navy Pier continues to evolve into an accessible, year-round centerpiece for Chicago’s diverse arts and cultural treasures.