Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket
Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
Flexible Tickets
USD 15.7
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
Seeing Chicago laid out below was a real treat. The gondolas are accessible to wheelchair users....
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The skyline lit up after dark was unforgettable. The first Ferris wheel debuted in Chicago in 1893....
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Arrive off-peak to skip the longest lines. Parking at Navy Pier was expensive. The ride is gentle and suitable for all ages....
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The ride gave us some wonderful photos of the city. The gondola windows could have been cleaner....
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A fun Chicago experience. The wheel is one of Chicago's signature photo spots. Worth it for the skyline views....
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The skyline lit up after dark was unforgettable. The view was hazy when we visited. It's floodlit in colour after dark....
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Go at sunset for the best of day and night. The gondolas offer a sheltered, all-weather ride....
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The Ferris wheel was a gentle, enjoyable ride. The views take in the skyline, the lake and the pier....
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Combined with the rest of Navy Pier, it made a great outing. It opened in 2016, replacing the original Navy Pier Ferris wheel....
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The enclosed gondola made for a comfortable ride. The windows fogged a little on a cool day....
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It was a fun ride for the whole family. It got crowded at the boarding area. A very good, if brief,...
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The height gave a wonderful perspective over the pier. It offers views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan....
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Every rotation framed a great shot of Chicago. The wheel's lights change colour through the evening....
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The wheel and the city glowed beautifully at night. The views take in the skyline, the lake and the pier....
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Arrive off-peak to skip the longest lines. The pier was packed around the wheel. VIP gondolas with extra features are available....
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The enclosed gondola made for a comfortable ride. The lines were long on the day we went....
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A gem of a stop on the lakefront. It sits at the eastern end of Navy Pier. The crowds at the pier made it feel rushed....
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The ride on the big wheel was lovely and smooth. The wheel is popular with both locals and visitors....
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A lovely family-friendly thing to do in Chicago. The wheel completes several rotations per ride....
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The climate-controlled gondola was a nice touch. Navy Pier opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation pier....
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