Festival Hall At Navy Pier

(312) 595-5300

600 E Grand Ave (Illinois Street)
Chicago, IL 60611 41.89213 -87.6088

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

NAVYPIER.COM

What People Are Saying About Festival Hall At Navy Pier

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Chicago was home to the world's first Ferris wheel at the 1893 World Colombian Exposition. It stands 150 feet tall, with Lake Michigan and the lakefront spread out below. In the evening, thousands of lights illuminate the Ferris wheel's 40 long spokes, creating a nighttime spectacle. The 40 gondola cars each hold as many as six people. If you take the ride, bring a camera and your sweetie--for a little top-of-the-world smooch.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, free fireworks light up the sky on Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Where to Sit:
If it's too hot or crowded outside, make a beeline for the six-story air-conditioned Imax Theater.
The Extras:
See what big names are performing at the Pier's Skyline Stage.
Know Before You Go:
On Fridays and Saturdays, the wheel spins until 10pm.
Save Money:
Admission to the Children's Museum is free on Thursday evenings from 5pm to 8pm.
ambiance
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The boat tours are great -- we like the Duck cruises (more casual and fun than the others).”
  2. “But be prepared to spend a lot of cash at the Pier -- everything's expensive (from parking to snacks).”
  3. “The ballroom is fun but can be too large for some events (been there for company outings mostly).”
  4. “It has the most beautiful view of Chicago.”
  5. “If you're looking for something fun to do for little cost, it's the perfect location to spend a fair weather afternoon.”
  6. “and the view of the city is beautiful!”
  7. “It is a good place to cuddle and have a romantic kiss.”
  8. “Where else can you go to shop, have a drink or just sit and view the beautiful CHicago skyline.”
  9. “They have an onsite Children's Museum as well as a small miniature gold course, a very large slow moving ferris wheel offering great views of the surrounding area, and other games.”
  10. “This is the best place to share a romantic moment.”
  11. “Slow moving carriage with a beautiful view of the city and lake.”
  12. “It was kind of hard to see because the windows were foggy but it was a pretty view when you look out over the door of the car.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “navy pier's beer garden is a great place to relax and hang out with friends!”
  2. “Where else can you go to shop, have a drink or just sit and view the beautiful CHicago skyline.”
  3. “We can go there for a good dinner and then walk down to the end to listen to a band play and enjoy a few drinks.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “love the attractions and the food.”
  2. “Navy pier is really a nice place to see the lake, eat some great food (specially the hot dogs) and to do some touristy shopping.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “It's great for a stroll, but the shops and dining options aren't all that impressive.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great place to go to see a 3 D movie.”
  2. “Its a good place to go and just walk around -- you see alot of new people.”
  3. “This is a great place to bring the kids!”
  4. “Navy pier is really a nice place to see the lake, eat some great food (specially the hot dogs) and to do some touristy shopping.”
  5. “It is a good place to cuddle and have a romantic kiss.”
  6. “navy pier's beer garden is a great place to relax and hang out with friends!”
  7. “liked navy pier it was a very nice place to be with some friends.”
  8. “This is the best place to share a romantic moment.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “Its a good place to go and just walk around -- you see alot of new people.”
value
75.0% positive
  1. “know the kids love the 3d effect but the price they be asking ummm no i would rather wait till it comes out on dvd or go to a regular thea.”
  2. “The ferris wheel's worth a whirl, but aside from that, there's not much to recommend this place.”
  3. “But be prepared to spend a lot of cash at the Pier -- everything's expensive (from parking to snacks).”
  4. “It's like a huge party all year long.”
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. “They have an onsite Children's Museum as well as a small miniature gold course, a very large slow moving ferris wheel offering great views of the surrounding area, and other games.”
  2. “It's like a huge party all year long.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/02/11

Awesome

by disantopol at Citysearch

Navy Pier provides me and my family with a break out of our monotonous life in Chicago suburbs.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/05/09

OVerrated

by RubyRedShoes at Citysearch

Navy pier is good for the IMAX but it is VERY dirty and crowded. The Imax is very dirty as well. There are lots of kids running around and there is no very to move. Yuck.

  • Pros: imax, scenic
  • Cons: dirty, expensive, crowded,
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/12/09

Navy Pier

by GroupTix at Citysearch

Navy Pier is the quintessential summer tourist destination in Chicago. It has countless restaurant and entertainment options for all ages and interests. PLUS it hosts Cirque Shanghai every year, which is a can't miss event! You can literally fill an entire day with great activities at Navy Pier. If you're looking for something fun to do for little cost, it's the perfect location to spend a fair weather afternoon.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/30/08

Ferris Wheel Navy Pier

by Giggles1959 at Citysearch

Last June I was on vacation in Chicago for the first time and off course me and my friends were going to visit the Navy Pier. The first thing I saw was the Ferris Wheel, and one friend told me to go in there so I could see the whole skyline of Chicago and a view on Michigan Lake. Now you must know that I'm afraid of heights so there was NO WAY I would go in that Ferris Wheel. Then my friend Derrick said he would join me, not to worry, it would be beautiful. And it was beautiful, I was so afraid but I went into that Wheel and I saw the whole overview of the Skyline and the Lake, it was awesome and I will never forget the experience.

Maybe I will get in the Ferris Wheel next time I'm going to visit Chicago cause I will be back one day.

Anja Pietersen, the Netherlands

  • Pros: ambience, service
  • Cons: not always allowed to walk the whole Navy Pier
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/20/08

nice tourist attraction

by chopenticity at Citysearch

i love chicago. We've lived here for almost 3 years now and it is one great city. Navy pier is really a nice place to see the lake, eat some great food (specially the hot dogs) and to do some touristy shopping. I've been here for all 4 seasons, and would recomend to avoid the summer. It is way too crowded to enjoy yourself. Still fun though. i'd say check it out if you are a first timer in the city. =)

  • Pros: fun
  • Cons: parking is a bit pricy

The Details on Festival Hall At Navy Pier

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • beautiful view
  • like navy pier
  • nice tourist attraction
  • that impressive shops
  • too large ballroom
  • great food
  • that impressive dining options
  • love kids
  • beautiful chicago skyline
  • love chicago
  • best summer
  • great spot
  • really enjoy grandchildren
  • enjoy adults
  • great boat tours
  • enjoy few drinks
  • awesome facility
  • great movies
  • enjoy ride
  • good old chicagostyle hotdog
  • loves 4yearold son
  • great activities
  • slow moving ferris
  • very dirty imax
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