FlyOver Chicago Flying Theatre Ride Tickets at Navy Pier

4.9 (940 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

Duration30 minutes
Open onSee time slots in the booking calendar
Meeting pointThe west end of Navy Pier, across from the Children's Museum and below the Centennial Wheel

FlyOver Chicago Flying Theatre Ride Tickets at Navy Pier

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Overview

This ticket gives you timed entry to FlyOver Chicago, the flying theatre ride at Navy Pier on the lakefront. You start with a short pre-show about the city, then take your seat with your feet dangling in front of a huge spherical screen and soar over Chicago's neighbourhoods, skyline and shoreline with motion, wind, mist and scent effects. The whole experience takes around thirty minutes. It suits families with older children, couples and anyone who wants a different view of the city. Entry is self-guided, without hotel pickup.

Highlights

Timed entry to one FlyOver Chicago flying theatre experience
Giant spherical screen with motion seats and feet-dangling flight
Wind, mist, scent and sound effects synchronised to the film
Aerial views of Chicago's skyline, lakefront and neighbourhoods
Around thirty minutes in total, including the pre-show
Located at Navy Pier, beside the Centennial Wheel and lakefront walks

Full Description

FlyOver Chicago at Navy Pier

FlyOver Chicago is set inside Navy Pier, the long pier that reaches into Lake Michigan and has been a leisure destination since the early twentieth century. If you are searching for FlyOver Chicago tickets, the attraction is easy to find near the pier's main entrance, and it works well as a rainy-day plan or a break between outdoor sightseeing.

Navy Pier is about a fifteen-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile, and buses and ride-shares run to the entrance. People often ask how to get to FlyOver Chicago: follow signs to the pier from the lakefront path, then look for the FlyOver building. Opening hours vary by season, so choose a time slot in the booking panel.

The flying theatre experience

The ride combines an enormous spherical screen with seats that lift and move, so that your feet dangle as you appear to glide above the city. Wind, mist and scents are added in time with the film, and the sound follows every dip and turn. The whole effect is meant to feel like real flight rather than just watching a video.

The film flies over Chicago's best-known places, including the skyline, the lake and neighbourhoods that are hard to appreciate from the ground. Before you take off, a pre-show sets the scene with stories about the people and culture of the city.

Who FlyOver Chicago suits

Is FlyOver Chicago worth it? For visitors who enjoy immersive rides it is one of the most memorable attractions on the pier, and it takes little time. It is a good choice for families with older children, couples and groups who want something to do that is not weather dependent.

The ride is not suitable for everyone. There is a minimum height, and guests who are pregnant, prone to motion sickness, afraid of heights, or who have heart, back or epilepsy concerns should not ride. Check the notes below before booking. Photography and video inside are not allowed.

Making a day of Navy Pier

After the flight, Navy Pier offers plenty to do. The Centennial Wheel gives another view of the skyline, the lakefront walk is pleasant, and in the warm months the pier hosts seasonal events and evening fireworks. The best time to visit is a weekday or an early time slot when crowds are smaller.

Because your ticket has a specific time slot, arrive a few minutes early and explore the pier afterwards. If you want a quiet start to the day, book the first slot and finish with a walk along the water.

Itinerary

Arrive at Navy PierWalk to the FlyOver Chicago entrance at your booked time and show your ticket.
Pre-showWatch a short introduction to Chicago's people, stories and culture before boarding.
The flightTake your seat and soar over the city with motion, wind, mist and scent effects.
After the rideExplore the pier, the Centennial Wheel and the lakefront at your own pace.

What's included

Timed entry for one immersive Flyover experience
Skip-the-ticket-queue entry
Flying-theatre ride of about 30 minutes

Not included

Food and drinks
Photography inside

Is this right for you?

Great for

Families with children — a child price for ages 5–13
A short visit — about 1 hour
Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers

Not suitable for

Pregnant women
People with back or heart problems
People with epilepsy
People with a fear of heights or motion sickness
Guests under the minimum height of 3 ft 9 in (120 cm)
Unaccompanied minors

Meeting point

There is no hotel pickup. Go to FlyOver Chicago on Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, on the lakefront, and show your ticket on your phone at the time you selected. Arrive about ten to fifteen minutes early for check-in.

Important information

The experience lasts about thirty minutes, including the pre-show.
Minimum height is 3 ft 9 in (120 cm); some health conditions prevent riding, so read the restrictions before booking.
Photography and video recording inside are not allowed.
Weapons, smoking, vaping and unaccompanied minors are not permitted.
The whole experience is accessible by lift; wheelchair users can take part if they can transfer to a seat, or watch from the platform.
Arrive on time for your slot; opening hours change by season.

Good to know