TILT, Chicago's highest thrill ride, is a one-of-a-kind experience that is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Located at 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center, TILT is an engineering marvel that truly needs to be seen to be believed.
Want to try TILT before you visit? 360 CHICAGO is now providing a virtual TILT experience that gives viewers a first-person view, 30-degrees straight down, from the 1,000 feet up.
Virtual Sky Yoga is your chance to experience 360 CHICAGO’s weekly yoga class from a healthy social distance. Relaunching Tuesday, June 22nd, the popular series features instructors Britta Eumann and Ashley Christensen leading viewers through hour-long sessions on Facebook from over 1,000 feet above Chicago.
If you see people wearing swimsuits on The Magnificent Mile, don’t be surprised. They’re most likely visiting one of the city’s most beautiful, free points of interest. The lakefront beaches! Located less than a half a mile from 360 CHICAGO along Lake Shore Drive, Oak Street Beach has long been known as one of the city’s most popular beach destinations. Pristine and serene, this beach is a bustling swimming and sunbathing, and is a notoriously fashionable Chicago spot to see and be seen.
Just a bit north of Oak Street you’ll find North Avenue Beach, another bonafide “urban beach” managed by the Chicago Park District, recognized by the large “ship” serving as a restaurant and locker house, the destination is a favorite among locals who live in the area as well as visitors.
Just north of the Magnificent Mile, Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach are ideal respites for sun and fun on the water after a day of shopping or sightseeing. Food, drinks and volleyball games can all be found along this incredible stretch of sand and paths lining Lake Shore DRive.
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck is known for its breathtaking views of Chicago, but with our windows temporarily closed to the public, we want to see your view instead. Help us encourage social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 by showing us the view from your home using #MyViralView on Instagram or Twitter and tell us how you’re spending your time during the crisis.
How are you spending your time? What's unique about your space? What gives you hope during this difficult time? Share your view today. We'll get through this, together. ...at least 6 feet away from each other.
As we adapt to our new realities, more and more businesses are taking their meetings virtually. Why not add some beautiful views from Chicago as your background? We've collected some of our most amazing photos taken from the 94th floor and made them available for free download.
Located in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, today it is one of the most popular attractions in the Midwest, housing over 50 acres of fun for the whole family. Navy Pier is a magnificent 3,300-foot-long pier on Lake Michigan's shoreline that dates back to 1916.
Like 360 CHICAGO, the Navy Pier is one of the most visited landmarks on Chicago's lakefront for visitors and locals. Originally known as "Municipal Pier," it was designed as a hub for freight boats, passenger vehicles, and an array of events, including expos, conferences, and pageants. Navy Pier is an amusement park with rides and games, cultural attractions, restaurants, an exciting variety of parks, shopping options, walkable gardens, and more that line the pier.
Here are some highlights of what's in store for visitors to the Chicago Navy Pier.
There's plenty of entertainment value at Navy Pier!
Many top city attractions on the pier include live outdoor music, the starting point to some of the city's best lakeshore cruises, tours and boat rides, interactive games, shops, and cultural attractions. Here are some of the top things to do at Navy Pier below.
Experience cultural performances at its finest with several theater spaces indoors and outdoors that produce as many as 19 plays and 650 performances a year.
Theaters include the Jentes Family Courtyard Theatre with 500 seats and three seating levels designed to mirror England's Royal Shakespeare Company's Swan Theatre or the Yard. This new stage features "towers" that allow performances to have varying sizes of audiences from 150 to 850 ticket holders. Watch for a lineup of performances, including Shakes Fest, All Is Well That Ends Well, and modern performances like The Notebook: A Musical. Find out the lineup of stage productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre here.
Make it a family day at the Chicago Children's Museum for all-day fun on three floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits. There is something every child, including babies to toddlers, Ages 4-8 years and 9+ years. Exhibits include
Visit the Chicago Children's Museum website to discover all the activities and exciting program calendars.
It's a show-stopping centerpiece of Navy Pier that thrills riders year-round. The illuminated 196-foot-high Ferris Wheel seats over 500 people at a time, towering over Chicago's scenic shoreline and Navy Pier. Look west to get beautiful views of the Chicago city skyline and east for views of Lake Michigan.
The Centennial Wheel is perfect at sunset or after dark, especially in the summer time when you can catch a fireworks display on Wednesday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend or the biggest fireworks showcase on New Year's Eve. (Note that 360 CHICAGO is an ideal vantage point to watch the Navy Pier Fireworks from above.)
As one of Chicago's most popular tourist destinations, Navy Pier offers a wide variety of food and drink options. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a sit-down meal, you're sure to find something to your taste.
This iconic tavern has an incredible waterfront location where you can take in beautiful views of the lake while enjoying delicious food and drinks.
The drink menu at Harry Caray’s Tavern features a wide selection of craft beers, wine, and cocktails. The food menu is packed full of mouth watering options as well, including smoked barbeque, tasty burgers, fresh salads, and so much more.
Joining Navy Pier 1996, this staple is home to classic Chicago style hot dogs that are a must try. America’s Dog & Burger also features 7 distinct, 100% black angus beef and turkey burger burgers as well as grilled chicken sandwiches, and green salads.
With a rich history dating all the way back to 1934, Billy Goat Tavern has built a reputation for offering delicious food and a great experience. You can try one of their most popular dishes, the “Cheezborger”—a one-of-a-kind burger on a kaiser bun with kosher dill pickles, onion, cheese, and several 100% beef patties.
Home to the famous deep dish pizza you’ve been craving, Giordano’s is a must stop location for pizza lovers. Chicagoans have been enjoying the unique pizza recipe for over 40 years and now you can try it when visiting Navy Pier.
Whether you’re interested in taking a relaxing boat cruise or you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, there’s a boat cruise for you. Join an architecture and sightseeing boat tour for a more casual experience or hop on a speedboat for an exhilarating ride on Lake Michigan.
Start a bicycle tour at Navy Pier and see the city on wheels. You can choose to bike on your own or join a guided tour where you can enjoy Chicago’s best attractions and learn its unique history.
Coming from Michigan Avenue
If you are visiting 360 CHICAGO, Navy Pier is just a short eight-minute ride or about 30 minutes walk away from Navy Pier, at 600 E. Grand Avenue.
Plan Your Trip
Chicago's RTA has a handy, easy-to-use trip planner that helps you plan out when to go and what bus or train to take to get to Navy Pier when you want from anywhere in the greater Chicago area. You can find the trip planner here.
While in Chicago, there are 5 bus routes that service Navy Pier. Plan your trip within the Chicago area using the CTA trip planner here.
Uber or Lyft Pick up and Drop-Off Points
There are specific ride-share pick-up and drop-off areas in 3 areas of the park. You can find them:
Both Uber and Lyft will show these areas in their Apps.
Taxi Service to and from Navy Pier
Parking
Parking at Navy Pier is easy and convenient. There are two on-site parking garages— The West Garage and East Garage. Parking rates start at $16/ per hour. For electric vehicles, there are free charging stations in both garages.
Visiting the Navy Pier in Chicago is one of the top bucket list destinations in the city. There is definitely something for all ages and interests.
This museum provides a truly singular experience that not only educates, but that sparks curiosity and wonderment. The art and science of surgery is on display in an historic mansion property that overlooks Lake Michigan. Just 15 minutes north of 360 CHICAGO’s building, you’ll find The International Museum of Surgical Science at 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive. This impressive 10,000 square-foot destination is an intriguing destination to put on your things-to-do list, with public galleries spotlighting the fascinating history and incredible advances in surgeries and related medical and health disciplines.
Rare antiques and artifacts – both odd and incredulous -- tell the history of medicine. An impressive 7,000-piece collection of surgical apparatus and instruments spans centuries of medical history. Additionally, over 600 paintings, sculptures and other fine art pieces depict key figures, major events, and specific procedures that helped to advance the surgical and medical world. An excellent sojourn to take during a day downtown Chicago.
Those looking to channel some creative energy after a visit to 360 Chicago don’t need to look much further than Chicago’s famed Lookingglass Theater. With a creative focus on the future of theater, visitors are in for some awe-inspiring performances that are only a three-minute walk south on The Magnificent Mile. This makes a great date night or a cultural activity for the entire family.
Founded in 1988 and located at 821 N. Michigan Avenue, the Lookingglass Theater has grown into one of the country’s most significant ensembles in the realm of cutting-edge theatrical works. Its innovative approach earned a Tony Award in 2011 for Outstanding Regional Theater.
The superior ensemble-based programming changes throughout the year and includes such notable world premieres as David Schwimmer’s adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, The Odyssey, and many other productions. This is a great place to visit for a one-of-a-kind theater experience that is not only unique to Chicago, but to the country!
After exploring breathtaking views of Chicago from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck or TILT, why not explore some inspiring art? A quick four-minute walk from 875 N. Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) and about one block east of the Historic Water Tower on The Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art is internationally recognized for championing the provocative side of contemporary art and culture. Noted as one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary museums in the USA devoted to contemporary art, this should be on your list of things to do in Chicago! Visitors can gain an appreciation for new and experimental artwork that will spark thought and wonder.
Located at 220 E. Chicago Avenue, the building itself is a work of art. Standing apart from surrounding glass towers neighboring the museum, the cast Aluminum façade and limestone base set off its contemporary and open design. It’s iconic main staircase and Greek-inspired main entrance welcome visitors into the unique art experience that MCA offers. With 45,000 square feet of galleries to view, long-time art enthusiasts and newly interested visitors alike will appreciate the broad spectrum of mediums, styles, and points of view that MCA curates throughout the year. Marisol, the impressive restaurant and bar, is a favorite dining destination and the MCA Chicago Store is packed with plenty of souvenirs and memorable gifts.
A famously popular Art Deco icon, the Carbide & Carbon Building is one of Chicago’s most eye-catching architectural triumphs. Both visually stunning and rich in history, this is a must-see landmark when visiting Chicago. Walk south on Michigan past notable retailers, across the 100 year-old DuSable Bridge and the Chicago River, you’ll find this gem at 230 N. Michigan Avenue. The building’s luxurious black granite façade is adorned with spectacular green and gold terra cotta along with gold leaf and bronze trim accents. Inspired by the form of a champagne bottle, the cap that tops the building is extravagantly ornamented with 24K gold. This one-of-a-kind structure is worth seeking out.
Built to speak to the success of the Carbide & Carbon company’s development of the first dry cell battery, the regional headquarters was erected by the famed Burnham Brothers and completed in 1929. At the time, it was the only full-colored building in the world, and endured decades as one of the Chicago Skyline’s most dazzling buildings. After a $106 million restoration in 2004, the building was home to Chicago’s Hard Rock Hotel. Today, it’s home to the opulent St. Jane Hotel. The main entrance off Michigan Avenue still showcases the awe-inspiring marble and gold structures that were originally designed to grace the building’s halls. You’ll find delicious food and plenty of beverages to quench your thirst at Free Rein American bistro or Mr. Brown’s unique Jamaican vibe.
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