Navy Pier vs The Magnificent Mile: which should you do first?

If you only have time for one, do The Magnificent Mile first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 86 against 82 for Navy Pier, and it has 48 ranked ways to see it versus 57. Navy Pier is the cheaper entry at $10, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Chicago, pair them: plan The Magnificent Mile in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Navy Pier in Chicago, United States

Navy Pier

The Magnificent Mile in Chicago, United States

The Magnificent Mile

Side by side

Navy Pier compared with The Magnificent Mile in Chicago
Navy PierThe Magnificent Mile
Ranked experiences5748
Top Outty Ranking9092
Average ranking (top 10)8286
Cheapest experience$10$28
Average time needed2.1h2.1h
Free cancellation92% of options100% of options
Free to visitNoNo

Best ways to see Navy Pier

  1. 1. Chicago Bike & Classic Food Tour: Bikes, Bites & Views - Adults

    Outty Ranking 90 · from $89 · 4.5h

  2. 2. Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

    Outty Ranking 89 · from $37 · 1.5h

  3. 3. Chicago Architecture River Cruise

    Outty Ranking 87 · from $39 · 1h

  4. 4. Chicago's Ultimate City Bike Tour of Top Downtown Attractions

    Outty Ranking 85 · from $11 · 3h

  5. 5. Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

    Outty Ranking 85 · from $50 · 2h

All 57 Navy Pier experiences

Best ways to see The Magnificent Mile

  1. 1. Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour

    Outty Ranking 92 · from $85 · 3h

  2. 2. Chicago Murder Mystery Tour

    Outty Ranking 92 · from $35 · 2h

  3. 3. Chicago City Minibus Tour

    Outty Ranking 87 · from $50 · 2h

  4. 4. Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

    Outty Ranking 85 · from $50 · 2h

  5. 5. Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

    Outty Ranking 85 · from $45 · 1.5h

All 48 The Magnificent Mile experiences

Frequently asked questions

Navy Pier or The Magnificent Mile: which is better?

If you only have time for one, do The Magnificent Mile first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 86 against 82 for Navy Pier, and it has 48 ranked ways to see it versus 57. Navy Pier is the cheaper entry at $10, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Chicago, pair them: plan The Magnificent Mile in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.

Which is cheaper, Navy Pier or The Magnificent Mile?

Ranked experiences at Navy Pier start from $10 and at The Magnificent Mile from $28 per person.

How long do you need at Navy Pier and The Magnificent Mile?

Experiences at Navy Pier run 2.1 hours on average and at The Magnificent Mile 2.1 hours, so both fit in one day in Chicago with a break in between.

Can you do Navy Pier and The Magnificent Mile on the same day?

Yes. Book the longer visit for the morning when crowds are lighter, and keep the afternoon for the other. 92% of Navy Pier options and 100% of The Magnificent Mile options offer free cancellation, which makes it easy to adjust.

What is the best tour of each?

For Navy Pier: Chicago Bike & Classic Food Tour: Bikes, Bites & Views - Adults (Outty Ranking 90, from $89). For The Magnificent Mile: Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour (Outty Ranking 92, from $85).

More Chicago matchups

Best things to do in ChicagoChicago city guideChicago tours comparedHow the Outty Ranking works