| Navy Pier Frequently Asked Questions | ||||||||||||
General Questions: 1. Where do I get information not found on your website? Please call Navy Pier Guest Services during operating hours at 312-595-5282 or e-mail us at npwebinfo@mpea.com. Please note, although we try to answer all questions promptly, if your inquiry is sent during off-business hours, we will respond to you as-soon-as-possible or on the next business day. 2. Where is Navy Pier located? Navy Pier is located at 600 East Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60611. For Mapquest directions on how to arrive at Navy Pier from your location, please click here. 3. What are Navy Pier's operating hours? Navy Pier is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours of operation vary depending on the season. For seasonal hours click here. 4. What hotels are in the area? There are several hotels conveniently located near Navy Pier that also provide shuttle service to Navy Pier. For hotels in our area, please call (877) CHICAGO. 5. What types of restaurants are located on Navy Pier? Navy Pier has a variety of restaurants and a food court that is available to satisfy any palate and budget. Please click here for a listing of restaurants. 6. Is there an admission fee to attend Navy Pier? Admission to Navy Pier is free. Parking and many of the attractions, however, require separate fees. 7. Does Navy Pier have lockers or luggage storage available? Navy Pier does not provide lockers or luggage storage. 8. Are there stroller rentals at Navy Pier? Yes, during the summer season Bike Chicago provides stroller rentals. Return to Visit Us/FAQs 9. Does Navy Pier have a family restroom? Navy Pier does not currently provide accommodations for a family restroom. There are indoor restrooms located throughout the Pier which contain changing stations. 10. Does Navy Pier have Wi-Fi available to the public? Yes, at certain points on the Pier. Navy Pier currently provides fee-based Wi-Fi access in the food court seating area and inside the Crystal Gardens. The Haagen Dazs Café on Navy Pier is an Internet café with fee-based Wi-Fi access. The interiors of the Grand Ballroom and Festival Hall have Wi-Fi access for meeting and trade show attendees on an event-by-event basis. Please contact your event planner or show management for details on your specific event and dates. 11. Can you purchase packages that include different multiple attractions and rides at Navy Pier? Navy Pier currently offers attraction packages on a limited and seasonal basis. Please visit www.navypier.com/cal_events/promotions.html for a variety of discounts, promotions and special enter to win contests. To purchase the Cirque Shanghai-Bright Spirit Navy Pier All Day Fun Package, or if you have a specially marked Pepsi can for the Cirque Shanghai-Bright Spirit PepsiValue Package, visit www.ticketmaster.com/shanghai. Packages include Cirque Shanghai show ticket, a ride on the Ferris wheel, and a lake tour on Shoreline Cruises for one great price. The All Day Fun Package also includes a voucher to apply toward dining at RIVA Restaurant. 12. When are the fireworks shows? Navy Pier's spectacular fireworks light up the sky on Chicago's beautiful lakefront from Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend, every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:15 p.m, plus 9:30 p.m. on the Sundays prior to Memorial Day and Labor Day. Please refer to fireworks schedule on our website under www.navypier.com/Things To Do/Fireworks. 13. How do I plan a group trip or how do I get brochures for my organization? Please email Navy Pier at groupsales@mpea.com The Group Sales Department will mail brochures or you can obtain brochures from our Guest Services Desk. A downloadable map can be found here. Return to Visit Us/FAQs 14. How do I contact a Ride, Attraction or Museum at Navy Pier? Links to Navy Pier Attractions may all be found by visiting www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/rides_home.html. 15. How do I contact a Restaurant at Navy Pier? Links to Navy Pier Restaurants may all be found by visiting www.navypier.com/din_shop/dining.html. 16. How do I contact a Theater at Navy Pier? Links to the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Pepsi Skyline Stage may be found by visiting www.navypier.com/things2do/entertainment/entertain_home.html. 17. How do I contact a Dining Cruise Ship or Sightseeing Boat at Navy Pier? Links to all Navy Pier boats may be found by visiting www.navypier.com/things2do/boats.html. 18. How do I find information on Shopping at Navy Pier? Links and information on Shops, Stores and Cart Vendors at Navy Pier may be found by visiting www.navypier.com/din_shop/shopping.html. 19. How do I arrange for a professional photography shoot on Navy Pier? All requests to take professional photos at Navy Pier are arranged through the Navy Pier Public Relations Office. Please call 312-595-5031. 20. Are pets allowed on Navy Pier? Navy Pier allows pets in OUTDOOR common areas. Some merchants allow pets in their outdoor spaces, contact each tenant you are interested in visiting. Only pets assisting guests with a disability are allowed indoors. 21. I am working on a research paper or school project. Can I interview someone from Navy Pier or will you please send me materials that I can use as part of a presentation? We receive a large number of requests for information in connection with student projects, and unfortunately are not always able to respond to each one individually. This web site, however, contains answers to many of the most commonly asked questions about Navy Pier. Also, please visit the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority's website, www.mpea.com for additional information. We also suggest visiting the Chicago Historical Museum for information on the Pier that dates prior to 1995. 22. How do I report or claim lost property? Click here to complete the claim form. We will contact you within 48 hours during the standard business work week (Monday through Friday). Return to Visit Us/FAQs 23. Who do I contact for a donation request? Navy Pier is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (the "MPEA"). As a governmental entity, the MPEA is prohibited by law from making donations or contributions in the form of money, gifts or other items. 24. Is Navy Pier owned by the City of Chicago? This is a commonly held misconception. Navy Pier (along with the McCormick Place complex) is owned and managed by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). MPEA is a municipal authority created by the Illinois General Assembly. Its Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago. In its role as owner/manager of McCormick Place and Navy Pier, MPEA seeks to promote and operate conventions, fairs and expositions in the Chicago area, in an effort to strengthen the state and local economies. MPEA is also responsible for overseeing the ongoing recreational, commercial and cultural activities at Navy Pier. MPEA is active in the community it serves, and coordinates a variety of programs that positively impact the thousands whose jobs are tied to McCormick Place and Navy Pier, as well as the millions who visit both venues each year. For further information, consult the MPEA web site at www.mpea.com. 25. How do I contact Navy Pier if I have a question? Navy Pier has provided several convenient options for you to contact us with your questions:
26. Can I schedule a group tour of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass? No, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass currently does not offer private group tours. Return to Visit Us/FAQs Pier Park Questions: 27. does the Ferris wheel operate? Is it heated? The Navy Pier Ferris wheel is not heated and operates 363 days a year, weather permitting. The Ferris wheel closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 28. When is Pier Park open? (Operating Dates) Pier Park typically opens the 1st or 2nd week in April – weather permitting. Please visit www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/pier_park.html for exact dates, hours and ride rates Transportation Questions: 29. Are there free trolleys that come to Navy Pier? From Memorial Day through Labor Day (September 6, 2010), free trolleys will be provided daily during Navy Pier operating hours. Operating Hours: Sundays - Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. NOTE: Effective Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend, hours will be extended to 1 hour past closing, as reflected above. After Labor Day weekend, the Navy Pier Trolley will operate ONLY during special events at Navy Pier, such as Winter WonderFest in December and the Chicago Flower and Garden Show in March. 30. What is the Trolley's route? The Navy Pier Trolley services the Grand Ave. Corridor from Navy Pier to State Street at the CTA "L" Redline Stop. Click here for a Trolley Route Map. 31. How do you get to Navy Pier from the Metra or Amtrak Station? CTA Bus #124 will bring visitors directly to Navy Pier from Millennium Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station and Bus #29 from the LaSalle Street Station. Additional trip information can be found on http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com. 32. How do you get to Navy Pier from the airport? From O’Hare – take the Blue line "EL" train to the Grand stop and then take the #65 bus to Navy Pier. From Midway – take the Orange line "EL" train to the State and Lake stop and then take the #29 bus to Navy Pier. 33. Where can I buy a CTA Visitor Pass? CTA visitor passes are available for purchase outside the Navy Pier Store in the North Entry located in the Family Pavilion. Return to Visit Us/FAQs Parking Questions: 34. Where can I park when I drive to Navy Pier? Navy Pier's on-site covered parking garages accommodate 1,740 vehicles. There is a flat rate parking fee available seven days a week. Please click here for detailed information on Navy Pier garages and prices. 35. How much is Parking at Navy Pier? Parking rates are $20.00, Monday – Thursday; $24.00, Friday – Sunday 36. Are there discount coupons/parking coupons? If available, they will be posted on navypier.com under cal_events/promotions. 37. Are motorcoach buses or school buses allowed to park at Navy Pier? Navy Pier does not provide motorcoach or school bus parking onsite. Yet, we provide convenient drop off locations at the front of the Pier and at the East End of the Pier in our Entrance 1 & 2 turn around areas. For information on where you can park your motorcoach or school bus throughout the City of Chicago, please contact the Chicago Convention & Visitors Bureau at 312-567-8500 or visit www.choosechicago.com/travelprofessionals/group_tour/Pages/Motorcoach.aspx 38. I'm attending a meeting/show at Navy Pier. Can I park overnight? The Navy Pier Parking Garage is open 24 hours. After 24 hours you will be charged an additional $20 (weekdays) or $24 (weekend). 39. I have a large van. How high are your parking garages? Navy Pier parking can accommodate oversized trucks and vans only in the East garage on Navy Pier. Maximum height clearance in the East garage is 7'9". Please note, that the East garage is the second garage entrance as you drive down the access road on the North Dock. The maximum height in the West garage is 6'3". For vehicles taller than 7'9", there are or two surface lots with no roof in close proximity to Navy Pier. The closest is on New Street just south off of Illinois Street (Illinois Street is one way east; New St. is just east of Columbus/Fairbanks). Please note, these lots are not managed by Navy Pier. Return to Visit Us/FAQs Employment Questions: 40. How do I find out about available job positions at Navy Pier? Available job positions are posted by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority which own and operate Navy Pier and McCormick Place. To view available positions visit www.mpea.com or click here. Talent Questions: 41. I am or I represent a band/school group/other talent. How can I learn more about performing at Navy Pier? You will need to submit an application to the Navy Pier Entertainment Department for consideration. For more details visit www.navypier.com/things2do/entertainment/perform_opps.html opportunities. Doing Business: 42. How can I do business with Navy Pier? Please visit www.mpea.com/doing_business for procurement information. 43. How do I become a Tenant at Navy Pier? Tenant inquiries are handled by the Property Management Department at Navy Pier. Please call 312-595-5039 44. How can I coordinate a wedding, private party, corporate meeting, tradeshow or event at Navy Pier? Navy Pier has event space to meet any size group or occasion. Plan your next event at Chicago Landmark Navy Pier. Please click here to plan an event and for complete information about rental rates, amenities, and menus that can be obtained from the Special Events department. You may contact the Special Events department directly at (312) 595-5300 or via e-mail at navypierinfo@mpea.com. Return to Visit Us/FAQs Accessibility Questions: 45. Is Navy Pier handicapped accessible? Navy Pier is handicapped accessible. Courtesy wheelchairs are available on a first come, first serve basis at the Guest Service desk located at the front of Navy Pier. A photo ID is required when requesting a wheelchair. Electric scooters are not available. Wheelchair reservations are not accepted. 46. Does Navy Pier rent Wheelchairs? Courtesy wheelchairs are available on a first come, first serve basis at the Guest Service desk located at the front of Navy Pier. A photo ID is required when requesting a wheelchair 47. I have special needs and a use a transportation service. Can I be dropped off at the front of Navy Pier? Yes. Transportation services are allowed to drop passengers off at the front entrance of Navy Pier as well as entrance 1 and 2 near the east end of Navy Pier. Vehicles cannot not be left unattended. Drivers must remain with their vehicle at all times 48. Are the cruise vessels at Navy Pier handicap accessible?
Please call Navy Pier Guest Services during operating hours at 312-595-5282 or e-mail us at npwebinfo@mpea.com. Please note, although we try to answer all questions promptly, if your inquiry is sent during off-business hours, we will respond to you as-soon-as-possible or on the next business day. Return to Visit Us/FAQs |