Flyover in Chicago at Navy Pier

They say the third time is a charm.  In this case it’s much more than that. 

I spent a beautiful Monday afternoon at Navy Pier with my three grandchildren. We walked around enjoying the summer weather and then headed over to the Flyover. I took my grandson last year when he came to visit and it was one of the most memorable parts of his trip. This time it was his sisters that got to experience the fun. 

It is a three part multi sensory experience beginning with a room where we meet local Chicago people through videos.

The next room is a 360 degree theatre where we saw a short documentary in which local Chicagoans tell stories about their lives. This is where you see the real heart and soul of the city through its diversity and iconic places that make this such a unique and special city. 

Next is the actual ride. The main attraction is a simulated flight where guests are seated in chairlift-style seats and suspended before a 65-foot spherical screen. The ride features a nine minute film showcasing locations like Navy Pier, North Avenue Beach and the Joffrey Ballet with effects like wind, mist and the scent of burning rubber as we follow cars speeding through the city streets. We weave in and out of buildings soaring over the tallest ones and diving back down at high speed. One of the highlights for me was going right through the lobby of the Chicago Theater and ending up above the stage where a local teen choir is singing gospel accompanied by their director. We also see the different seasons as well as different times of the day. 

I have done this three times now and I have yet to really figure out the total mechanics of how it is done. But never mind that. The looks and excitement on my grandchildren’s faces the entire time was enough to know this is something everyone should experience, whether you are a local Chicagoan or just here for a visit.