With tons of leisure activities and special events, Navy Pier is undoubtedly one of Chicago’s prime attractions. This year-round attraction is truly amazing with everything fun for people of different age groups. If you are looking for a unique experience that includes fireworks displays, theatre, cruises, and other entrainment options then you should not miss Navy Pier during your trip to Chicago. 

But imagine yourself exploring the Navy Pier with bags on your shoulder and luggage in your hand, well, you’d better not try something like that because it will ruin your travel experience. So to avoid a situation like this you must arrange a place for your luggage and backpacks, and that’s why we are here. This guide is just for you if you’re trying to get your luggage stored somewhere safely near Navy Pier to enjoy the ultimate experiences it offers.

Stop wondering too much about luggage! We have campared several options for storing your stuff near Navy Pier Chicago. Before we tell you which is the best option let’s take a quick look at Navy Pier and what it has to offer.

About Navy Pier

Located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is a half-mile ( 3,300-foot-long) pier with multiple family attractions and exhibitions. It’s considered the second busiest tourist attraction in Chicago, and one of the top attractions in the Midwestern United States attracting over nine million visitors from around the globe. Within the 50 acres of the area that stretches into Lake Michigan, you will find many parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, as well other attractions. The highlights of Navy Pier include a 196ft Ferris wheel known as Centennial Wheel, Pier Park, Chicago Children’s Museum, Boat cruises and tours, public arts, exhibitions, and much more.

Originally known as the Municipal Pier, Navy Pier was built in 1914 and it also served as a navy and pilot training center during World War II. But it was originally designed for shipping and recreational purposes. Navy Pier reopened later in 1995 and since then it has welcomed millions of visitors and become a premiere entertainment and exposition center in Chicago. Navy Pier is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area in Chicago. You can get there using any of the public transportation such as CTA, or Metra or you can drive yourself as well can rent a taxi or a bike as well. Navy Pier is free and open to the public year-round but you can buy tickets for attractions inside during your visit.

Where to Store Luggage near Navy Pier?

What does Navy Pier offer when it comes to luggage storage or lockers? If you have the same question then the answer is yes it does have lockers for its visitors. Lockers at the Navy Pier are available in the Family Pavilion, near Entrance 1, and Entrance 2. But like every other attraction in Chicago, the number of lockers available inside the pier is very limited in terms of both availability and capacity. If you want to store your luggage you can alternatively leave them at Union Station or Greyhound Bus Terminal which is located far away from the attraction and not recommended due to the high cost of lockers. 

Well, then is there an option to store luggage? Yes, of course, some options are there which will put an end to your luggage worries. Many companies like BagsAway, Stasher, and others do offer luggage storage at your convenience in different locations across Chicago. The way it works is that you need to book your luggage storage online and then drop your items at a recommended storage facility with their partners. Campared to traditional lockers this service is easy and more flexible, you can store your way choosing any location, duration, and pricing plans you want. So, if lockers at Navy Pier don’t work for your backpacks you can always go to these reliable companies that specialize in luggage handling.

Cost of Luggage Storage

How much does it cost to store luggage near Navy Pier? Well, the cost of luggage storage depends on the option you’re going with as well as the provider of luggage storage. If you are storing luggage within Navy Pier it costs $7 for standard (13”x8”x17”); $10 for extra-large (22”x14”x21”); and $15 for jumbo (22”x14”x29”). Not all Chicago stations have luggage storage but if you store somewhere you may expect to pay anywhere between $10-20. Lockers at Union Station are available at $20 per item, greyhound bus terminal also charges $15-15 per item for a day. If you have small-sized backpacks then storing them within Navy Pier will be the most affordable. 

What about the cost of storing luggage with these companies we were talking about? Well, it’s quite affordable compared to other options we’ve just discussed. Most companies will charge either on an hourly basis or a fixed rate per day. We’ve found out that BagsAway charges the cheapest when it comes to storing items with a fixed fee per day. But if you want to store it for a few hours only you will be paying $1-3 an hour, it can vary between all companies. If you want to store it for a few days or even up to weeks you may get a discount but all companies have different pricing.

More Details about Navy Pier

Attraction: Navy Pier
Location: 600 E Grand Avenue, Chicago
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Parking: Paid Parking available with hourly charges
Contact:  [email protected]

Lost & Found: You do get lost and found support being a visitor of this amazing attraction. And surprisingly Navy Pier has a dedicated web page for lost and found support where you can locate your item and file a claim if it is yours. If you’ve lost any item while visiting you may get it back by visiting their official website.

What to Expect at Navy Pier Chicago?

Navy Pier offers lots of unique and adventurous things to do, you will find different cultural attractions, a number of restaurants to eat from as well theaters to add more fun to your trip. Take a 15-minute ride on The Centennial Wheel which is a nearly 200 feet high ferry wheel, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding skyline and a thrilling experience. You can explore Pier Park where you will find Centennial Wheel and the Pepsi Wave Swinger along with a few more fun activities and things to explore.

A visit to Chicago Children’s Museum is also a must if you’re touring Navy Pier for the first time. It’s a museum designed for experimentation, creativity, and learning for all children. It has some unique exhibits including Water City, Cloud Buster, Art Studio, Kids Town, Skyline, and much more for kids. If you’re not with your kids You can head over to Chicago Shakespeare — an award-winning theater that hosts more than 650 performances a year. These aren’t something that describes you then you can start finishing your cruise wish list. You can enjoy everything from sightseeing and dining to thrill rides and private charters. There are many cruise tours and rides offered here on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

Navy Pier is not just about entertainment and activities but it also has all other facilities and services that make your visit an outstanding experience. If you need any support and assistance you can head to the guest service desk which is located at the front of Navy Pier. Restrooms are located close to the main entrance of Navy Pier in the Family Pavilion. The women’s and men’s restrooms are located next to the escalator. More facilities such as parking, accessible wheelchairs, and babysitting are also available within the area of the Navy Pier. You can get the tickets for events online prior to your visit at your convenience.  

Best Places to Stay near Navy Pier?

Although you now have several options for storing your luggage, you can find a good hotel deal for just one night to store your luggage and stay safe near Navy Pier. But before considering a hotel keep in mind that not all hotels offer dedicated luggage storage which means you have to take your luggage again on the roads once checked out. But in case you want to stay for a short period of time, then booking an affordable hotel can also free you from luggage worries. Unfortunately, hotels close to the pier are expensive considering the number of travelers visiting the attraction but here are the top hotels near Navy Pier you can book

Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton

Sable is the closest hotel which isn’t cheap but it’s not too expensive either. It’s located within Navy Pier, less than 1 km from Ohio Street Beach. it offers accommodation with a terrace, private parking, and a bar. Other facilities include free Wi-Fi, Fitness Center, Air conditioning, a Restaurant, and most importantly it has dedicated baggage storage. The 4-star hotel inside Navy Pier costs $170 per night. The hotel is known to offer a unique experience of Navy Pier along with everything you get here.  

Loews Chicago Hotel

Located at a distance of 1.3km from Navy Pier, Loews Chicago Hotel is one of Chicago’s popular hotels featuring a rooftop lounge with views of the city skyline, an on-site modern restaurant, and a large indoor lap pool. The hotel is a bit cheaper than Sable at Navy Pier. This offers an affordable stay near the attraction with a number of luggage allowed inside. The hotel costs around $149 per night. 

Freehand Chicago 

Not ready to spend much just to store your luggage, Freehand Chicago can save you some money. It’s a three-star hotel located at a distance of 1.8 km from Navy Pier. Featuring a restaurant, Freehand Chicago is located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Free WiFi access is available. Both the John Hancock Observatory (Chicago 360) and Millennium Park are within 1 km of the hotel. This is a budget-friendly hotel that gives you access to almost all attractions in Chicago. You need to pay $70 per night to stay at Freehand Chicago.

Frequently Asked Questions!

Where to store luggage near Navy Pier?

Navy Pier doesn’t provide a dedicated luggage storage facility but it has a limited number of lockers for visitors where you can store backpacks and luggage not larger than 22”x14”x29”. Alternatively, you can store luggage with companies like BagsAway, and Stasher, or you can store luggage at Union Station’s lockers. 

How much does it cost store luggage at Navy Pier?

Lockers at Navy Pier cost $7 for standard (13”x8”x17”); $10 for extra-large (22”x14”x21”); and $15 for jumbo (22”x14”x29”). To store at Union Station it will cost you $20, and to store with companies you’ll be paying $6-10 per day or $1-2 per hour.

Is Navy Pier free to get in?

There is no admission fee to enter Navy Pier. But in order to experience some events and public shows hosted within Navy Pier you need tickets, which can be booked on the website of Navy Pier.

Does Navy Pier have Wi-Fi available for the public?

Yes, You get Wi-Fi access but not everywhere in Navy Pier. Navy Pier currently provides free Wi-Fi access in the food court seating area, and inside the Crystal Gardens. Inside the restrooms, you can also access Wi-Fi. 

Does Navy Pier has lost and found?

The Lost and Found reporting location is the Guest Services desk directly inside the west front entry doors to Navy Pier. Navy Pier also has a dedicated web page for lost and found support where you can locate your item and file a claim if it belongs to you.