Navy Pier is one of the most popular tourist and leisure destinations in Illinois. It is FREE and open to the public, and is located just east of downtown on beautiful Lake Michigan. The pier offers 50 acres of parks, shops, restaurants, sightseeing tour boats, dining cruises, exhibition facilities, a 223-room hotel, and other amenities. Although busiest during the summer, Navy Pier offers year-round fun for visitors of all ages.

Completed in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million and originally called Municipal Pier, this 3,300 foot long Chicago landmark was constructed atop 20,000 timber logs imported from Oregon. The pier has a colorful history. Originally opened as a shipping and recreation facility, it housed several regiments of soldiers during World War I and later served as a Naval training facility during World War II. After the war, the Pier became the original campus for the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Today, Navy Pier stands as a premier entertainment and meeting center. It boasts such attractions as the popular Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago Flyover, and the award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater. You’ll also find the gigantic Centennial Ferris Wheel along with other amusement rides, a large exhibition and meeting space known as Festival Hall, and an outdoor Beer Garden with summer concerts.

For more information on happenings at Navy Pier, tap the buttons below.

The approximate distance of our Navy Pier walking tour is 1.4 miles -- 0.70 miles to the end of the pier, and 0.70 miles back.

To start your tour, tap the "Begin" button below.