Centennial Wheel
Centennial Wheel
4
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Admission tickets
from
C$29.56
Full view
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Neighbourhood: Near North Side
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
183 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
68
Average
26
Poor
10
Terrible
4
Sara G.
Saint Louis, MO693 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
Chicago views!
Of course I went up in the Centennial Wheel with the free hour I had in Chicago. I’m a tourist at heart.
We’re going up 200 feet for panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan. There is something about a good view. The enclosed gondolas ensure a comfortable ride year-round cold or hot and regardless of the weather.
Navy Pier and the Centennial Wheel are musts.
Of course I went up in the Centennial Wheel with the free hour I had in Chicago. I’m a tourist at heart.
We’re going up 200 feet for panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan. There is something about a good view. The enclosed gondolas ensure a comfortable ride year-round cold or hot and regardless of the weather.
Navy Pier and the Centennial Wheel are musts.
Written April 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob W
1 contribution
Jul 2021
Views of the City were fantastic. However, the crew running the ride was rude and pushy.
It seems highly suspect to be forcing every person entering this ride to take a photo so that Navy Pier's Photogenic service could sell them a souvenir picture after the ride.
The management of this ride needs to retrain the employees, especially Julianne, or there might be a need for legal action to correct this situation, as it clearly violated privacy rights.
The experience could have been great, but wrong people working here ruined the whole visit.
It seems highly suspect to be forcing every person entering this ride to take a photo so that Navy Pier's Photogenic service could sell them a souvenir picture after the ride.
The management of this ride needs to retrain the employees, especially Julianne, or there might be a need for legal action to correct this situation, as it clearly violated privacy rights.
The experience could have been great, but wrong people working here ruined the whole visit.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cowboydavy115
Spokane, WA286 contributions
Sept 2021
It was a fun Ferris wheel ride. We try to ride a Ferris wheel when we find one in a city we visit. It was fun to explore the Navy Pier and find the Big Wheel. Last time we were on Navy Pier it was 115 degrees with the heat index! It was much more pleasant this time.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Costa Mesa, CA2,447 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Went on a Saturday, arrived right when they opened at 11:00AM. Paid $18 each for adult tix. No senior discount offered. Waited only 15 minutes or so to board, and two of us had a gondola to ourselves. Enjoyed views of the city and the lake. Would be a special attraction at night.Â
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelersalongway
McLeansboro, IL166 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Was a short wait since they could put several people on at one stop. Was a nice smooth ride, despite the wind blowing hard. The view of the city skyline along the lake shore was very nice. Love trying out the wheel in different cities and this view was very nice.
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingMama
New York, NY427 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Fun experience. The line wasn’t long, staff were friendly. Amazing views of the city and the lake. If you find yourself on Navy Pier it’s worth a look. A little pricy for about 15 minutes - but similarly priced to this kind of attraction in other cities.
Written April 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoCyphers
Covington, GA60 contributions
May 2024 • Family
The ride cost $60 for me, my wife, and my 8yo son. We went around once stop-and-go while they loaded the ride. Then we rode twice and that was it! Two nonstop rotations for $60. I expected the price, but there were very few people there; they could have extended the ride much longer. What a ripoff! We won’t return.
Written May 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa M
Aledo, IL40 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Very clean, staff very helpful, and great views. It was a wonderful experience. Very pricey and a fairly short ride. Price was to be expected, just wish it was a bit longer. Before you go download the navy pier app and avoid the line to purchase tickets.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane K
Venice, FL4,572 contributions
Mar 2022
We had lived in Chicago for 14 years - but I had never ridden on the Ferris wheel. When we came back to spend Spring Break with our grandson - I finally went for a ride. It was pretty expensive (about $1 a minute for each of us). But it was fun to see the views and experience the wheel which is a Chicago icon.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pompeylad
Portsmouth, UK321 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The Centennial Wheel is the best attraction on the Pier. The view from the Wheel is absolutely stunning & well worth the effort.!Most of the Pier is made up of bars & eateries, but the pier is really good for strolling & people watching.
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have 5 Centennial Wheel Fast Passes purchased on 8/15/2018. How long are those passes good to use?
Written May 19, 2021
Is it worth getting the fast pass? Also how long is the ride?
Written September 23, 2018
Fast Pass: The two times I've ridden Centennial was this Summer and I did not use Fast Pass for either. The line was nothing big at all (granted, I went both times on weekdays, non-holidays). The good thing is that
A) you can buy the regular ticket from your cell phone just seconds before getting in line (just google for "Centennial Wheel Chicago tickets", it'll give you an option quickly, I promise), and buy the ticket(s). This way, if the line to the Ticket Booth itself is long, you skip that, right off the bat and then you can proceed to the line for the ride itself (ain't bureaucracy grand?).
B) While you're resolving the ride ticket item (see "A" above), if you see that the line to the ride itself is super huge, then you can make a judgment call on your own to determine if it's worth the extra money to buy the Fast Pass itself before going into either the regular line or the Fast Pass line.
Me? It would have to be a superhuge line (which, sometimes it might be, granted), and/or maybe I'd feel the need to impress "someone" with just how much I value their time and happiness or some other abstract reason (maybe you only have 6 weeks to live, I dont know...), then perhaps I may consider the Fast Pass. But I'd wait until I got there to decide if it's worth it, 'cause I'll be kicking myself very, very hard if I buy it before I got there and when I arrive it's not the very longest of lines.
The ride itself, seems to me, took about 15-20 minutes, maybe longer (not 100% sure, sorry, I wasn't timing the thing), 'cause it's once around while they board a full cycle, then 3 more nonstop spins at slow speed. Very comfortable gondolas and it's just your party in the ride, even if it's just the two people, you won't be mixed in with anyone else.
Written September 24, 2018
Does anyone recommend the Fast Pass for the Centennial Wheel, or the Play the Park tickets instead? Any advice is welcome.
Thanks!
Written July 23, 2018
I thought the Centennial Wheel is closed by 8pm, but the fireworks aren't until 9:30. Does the ferris wheel stay open longer on fireworks nights?
Written July 23, 2018
Not that I know.Great views guranteed from night cruises,beaches & Planetarium.
Written July 26, 2018
Has anyone ridden the premium $50 ride and was it worth the extra money?
Written May 22, 2018
Is the wheel wheelchair accessible?
Written March 27, 2018
Yes, with some minor challenges. There is a flat-ish and smooth walkway leading to the wheel. The entry into the cars could present some navigational opportunities, but should work out fine. The cars are surprisingly large and fully enclosed.
Written March 28, 2018
Slightly weather dependant, which is strange because the cabins are enclosed and temperature controlled, but it's a safety issue. As well, some of the mechanical parts don't work well in snow or ice. Plus, standing in line can be uncomfortable.
Written March 14, 2018
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