Where To Take The Most Instagrammable Photos at Navy Pier

Posted in Activities, Drinks, Food; Tagged Photo Spot, Centennial Wheel, Crystal Gardens, Offshore; Posted 4 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.

Centennial Wheel - Girl Looks Out - Evening

1. Aboard the Centennial Wheel

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!

2. Enter a Sweet Paradise at It'Sugar

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.

3. Take a Cruise on the Odyssey Lake Michigan

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.

4. Escape into a Tropical Paradise

A popular venue for weddings, events and celebrations, Crystal Gardens is a one-acre indoor botanical garden with a 50-foot arched ceiling, over 80 palm trees, hanging twinkle lights and dancing leapfrog fountains — perfect for an interactive, engaging photo.

5. Explore West Garage

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!

6. Lounging at Offshore Rooftop & Bar

The largest rooftop venue in the nation, Offshore, is right at home at Navy Pier! This 36,000 square foot venue will let you take picturesque photos with Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline in the background. For more information, please visit Offshore.

7. North and South of Pier Park

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.

Band Perform Music, Free Event, Concert, Crowd

8. City and Lake Stages (Polk Bros Park Performance Lawns)

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.

9. Wave Wall

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.

10. East End of the Pier

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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About Navy 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 2021, Navy Pier continues to evolve into an accessible, year-round centerpiece for Chicago’s diverse arts and cultural treasures.

Where to Take the Most Instagrammable Photos