Overview
Navy Pier is a long pier on Lake Michigan with restaurants, a Ferris wheel, a theater, a children's museum and boat tours.
History
The pier opened in 1916 as Municipal Pier and was renamed Navy Pier in 1927 to honor World War I Navy veterans. It was turned into an entertainment destination in the 1990s, and the Centennial Wheel opened in 2016.
Today
Navy Pier is one of the Midwest's most visited attractions, with large crowds and fireworks in summer.
Compiled October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.