Free Ferris Wheel Rides On Valentine's Day At Navy Pier

CHICAGO, IL — On Tuesday, visitors to Navy Pier can take a free ride on the Centennial Wheel Ferris wheel and celebrate two holidays at once.

For better or worse, most people know Feb. 14 is Valentine's Day. But Feb. 14 also marks a holiday with considerably less name recognition: National Ferris Wheel Day.

This unofficial national holiday was created to acknowledge the birth of George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., the Illinois-born inventor of the Ferris wheel who came up with the idea for the amusement ride while eating at a Chicago restaurant in 1892. He went on to debut his Great Wheel the following year at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

In honor of Ferris and his invention that gives Navy Pier its singular look, the first 1,200 riders from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, will be able to take a free spin on the Centennial Wheel. During that time, the Ferris wheel's gondolas will double as "DIY photo booths" filled with Valentine's Day-themed props and a special Instagram filter let visitors remember the day with a unique selfie.

Go to Navy Pier's website for more information.

Centennial Wheel Ferris wheel at Navy Pier (photo via Navy Pier)

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