Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket
Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
Flexible Tickets
USD 19.5
Your admission ticket gets you one ride on the Centennial Wheel — approximately 15 minutes of sweeping views across one of America's great skylines. Book your tickets on Thrillark and enjoy the most scenic perspective in Chicago without breaking a sweat.
Key Highlights
- 196 feet tall — 46 feet taller than its predecessor, with views stretching in all directions
- 360° panoramic views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan
- 42 climate-controlled gondolas — each seats up to 8 passengers
- Three full revolutions per ride — approximately 15 minutes of uninterrupted views
- LED lighting system illuminates the wheel after dark for an equally spectacular night ride
- Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Located at Navy Pier — Chicago's most visited lakefront destination
- Operates year-round in all weather — heated gondolas keep you comfortable in winter
About Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket
Each enclosed gondola features padded seating, panoramic windows on all four sides, LED lighting inside the cabin, TV screens, and speakers — though the real entertainment is always the view outside. Three full revolutions take approximately 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to take in the skyline from every angle: north to the skyscrapers of the Loop, west across the city grid, south along the lakefront, and east across the open expanse of Lake Michigan.
The experience is different at every time of day. Morning rides offer clean blue-sky views across the water. Afternoon visits capture the full city panorama in the best light. Evening rides — especially after dark when the wheel's LED lighting illuminates the gondolas and the Chicago skyline glitters below — are consistently described as spectacular. And on Wednesday and Saturday evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Navy Pier Summer Fireworks add another layer entirely. Book your tickets on Thrillark.
Inclusions
- Admission on the Centennial Wheel
Exclusions
- Food and beverages (available throughout Navy Pier)
- Hotel transfers and transportation
- Parking
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Insiders' Tips
Visit after dark for the most dramatic experience — the Chicago skyline lit up at night, viewed from a glowing gondola above Lake Michigan, is genuinely spectacular. On Wednesday and Saturday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day, time your visit to catch the Navy Pier Summer Fireworks from the wheel. Tickets are valid for 7 days after your chosen date, so you can plan around the weather.
Additional Information
- Open daily: 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
- Adult ticket is available for booking starting from May till Nov
- Child ticket is only available starting from September (28,29,30) till Nov
- Children under the age of 3 enjoy free entry
- Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- Valid Photo ID
- Wheelchair accessibility
Cancellation Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings & Reviews
It's a fun ride for all ages, and great with children. Good value on a CityPASS or Go City pass....
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From nearly 200 feet up, the views of the skyline and the lake were breathtaking. The whole family enjoyed the views from the top....
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A lovely ride with great views of Chicago. It's a lovely way to round off a day at Navy Pier....
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Check the weather, as it can close in high winds. Navy Pier is at 600 West Grand Avenue on the lakefront....
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Our little ones were thrilled by the views from the top. The wheel lights up beautifully after dark....
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Everyone said the views were the best part, and they were right. It closed when we arrived due to wind,...
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The 15-minute ride, three full revolutions in an enclosed gondola, was lovely and relaxing....
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A lovely ride with great views of Chicago. It's a short ride, so it feels steep if you only do the wheel....
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It's best value if you spend the day at the pier around it. There are longer, higher viewpoints in the city for the money....
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The 15-minute ride, three full revolutions in an enclosed gondola, was lovely and relaxing....
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Friends said go at sunset, and the light was perfect. There's a VIP gondola option with comfy seats and a glass-bottom floor....
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It's one of the city's most recognisable waterfront sights. It has 42 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas,...
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For an iconic Chicago photo and view, it's hard to beat. For four people it can come to nearly 100 dollars....
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The ride was smooth and enjoyable, with a video screen inside. The views are lovely,...
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Consider the fast pass at busy times, though it costs a lot more. It's pricey, at around 20 to 24 dollars for a 15-minute ride....
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The ride was smooth and enjoyable, with a video screen inside. It opened in 2016, replacing the original 1995 wheel and standing about 50 feet taller....
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It's a fun, if brief, way to see the skyline. Some of the gondola windows really need a clean....
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The lakefront setting at Navy Pier adds a lot to the experience. The other rides include a carousel,...
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It's best value if you spend the day at the pier around it. The views are lovely, but the ride is short for the price....
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The ride was smooth and enjoyable, with a video screen inside. Cheaper booked online,...
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