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Navy Pier Ferris Wheel – tickets, prices, discounts, what to expect

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Navy Pier’s Ferris Wheel is an iconic part of the Chicago skyline and has long been a must-visit attraction of the city.

The Ferris Wheel goes up to 61 meters (200 feet) and offers the guests unparalleled 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

It is also known as the Navy Pier’s Centennial Wheel.

Whichever season you visit, the Wheel’s gondolas provide a comfortable experience and fascinating views of the city.

Besides the massive Ferris Wheel, you will also enjoy numerous other attractions lining Lake Michigan’s waterfront during your visit to the Navy Pier.

This article covers everything you must know about booking tickets to the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel in Chicago.

Top Navy Pier Ferris Wheel Tickets

# Navy Pier Ferris Wheel tickets

What to expect at Chicago’s Ferris Wheel

The Centennial Wheel, created in 2016 to commemorate the Navy Pier’s 100th anniversary, is perfect for a family outing. 

Ascend up to a height of 200 feet with the shimmering Lake Michigan on one side and the stunning Chicago skyline on the other.

The Ferris Wheel is open all year and has 42 gondolas – each can hold up to eight passengers.

All gondolas have massive panoramic windows, comfortable chairs, TV displays, speakers, LED lighting, etc. 

Sit back without a worry inside your Gondola as they are climate controlled, providing cooling in summer and heating in winter

A ride on the wheel allows you to take in the panoramic views of Chicago as it unfurls around you.

Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel at sunset and watch breathtaking beauty unravel in front of you as the sky turns wine-colored and the twinkling lights of the stunning Chicago city begin to come on.

Relax and enjoy the scenery, or grab your camera and capture the ever-changing Chicago landscape.


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Where to book tickets

Tickets for Navy Pier Ferris Wheel are available online and at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Because the Ferris wheel can only seat a limited number of occupants and tours throughout the day are limited, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Visit the booking page for the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, select your travel date and the number of tickets, and make the booking.

Once you complete the booking process, the tickets will be mailed to you.

You do not need to carry printouts.

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in.

Please carry a valid ID.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel Ticket Prices

For a tour of the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel in Chicago, the general ticket for all ages 12 and above costs $US21.

Children between three and 11 years of age can gain access at US$18.

Infants up to two years of age are not charged anything.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel tickets

Couple enjoys Chicago's Centennial Wheel
Image: Navypier.org

This ticket is the cheapest way to take a trip on the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel in Chicago.

You will get one ride on the wheel, and your Gondola will take three revolutions across the Ferris Wheel.

The ticket allows you to skip the venue’s ticket counter lines. 

Tickets are valid for one ride on The Centennial Wheel up to seven days after your chosen ticket date. 

This flexible ticket allows you to plan your visit around the weather.

You can cancel this ticket up to 11:59 pm on the day before your visit to receive a full refund.

Ticket Prices

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$21
Child ticket (3 to 11 years): US$181

Infants up to 2 are not charged anything.


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How to reach Chicago’s Ferris Wheel

The Centennial Wheel at the historic Navy Pier on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago River.

Its address is 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Get Directions

By Bus

Navy Pier Terminal (North) and Navy Pier Terminal (Ne) bus stations are just a two-minute walk away.

The bus lines that stop near the Centennial Ferris Wheel are 124,2,29, 65, and 66.

By Train

Grand-Red Chicago L-station is a 20-minute walk away.

By Car

Taxis for hire and Cars for rent are easily available in Chicago.

Put on Google Maps and navigate to the Centennial Wheel in Chicago.

Several parking spots are available in the vicinity.

Centennial Wheel’s timings

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel is open from 11 am to 9 pm on Weekdays except for Fridays.

On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open from 11 am to 10 pm, and 

It is open from 11 am to 8 pm on Sundays. 

How long does the Centennial Wheel take?

Every ride on Chicago’s Navy Pier Wheel consists of three complete revolutions, which last 15 minutes. 

If not busy, they will ask if you want to go around again so you can stretch it to about a half-hour.

When you buy your tickets online, you can avoid waiting for 15 to 30 minutes in the ticket counter queues.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Chicago Centennial Wheel is undoubtedly at sunset when the sky begins to change color, and twinkling lights in the city begin to come to the fore.

If you wish to avoid long lines, your best bet is to visit the Ferris Wheel in the daytime as soon as it opens.

Sources

# Navypier.org
# Thetravel.com
# Tripadvisor.com
# Wikipedia.org

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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