The Chicago Flyover Experience opened on Navy Pier on March 1, 2024. It takes the place of the IMAX Theatre. As a lover of all things Chicago, I was very intrigued when I saw this new attraction opening. I had to check it out for myself!
The Chicago Flyover Experience
The Chicago Flyover Experience is marketed as “an exhilarating, immersive experience… connecting you with Chicago like never before.” It utilizes state-of-the-art technology in three different rooms to bring Chicago stories and landscapes to life.
First, you walk into a digital art gallery. There are different sized frames all around the room, but it’s not a traditional art gallery. There’s video footage on display paired with a matching sound track. You see various locations and faces from the city, and your senses start to become immersed and attuned to the images around you.
Next you walk into another gallery room of sorts–this one with a large circular monitor as the main focal point, a flat screen just above the floor, and curved screens wrapped all around the room. You’re shown a video that introduces you to a cast of characters, local Chicagoans. You also see amazing shots of the city. I was really impressed by this room with how all the screens were set up. I’ve never experienced watching something in that way. You watch the main screen in the middle of the room, but then you have all these screens in your peripheral vision that add to what’s on the main screen. It felt very state-of-the-art and new.
You then proceed to a room that makes you feel like you’re at a theme park. You line up like you’re getting on a ride, which I guess technically you are. There’s a short safety briefing.
Finally you walk into the flyover portion of the experience. There’s rows of seats like you’re getting on a rollercoaster, but you only have to buckle in with a seat belt. In front of you is a massive curved screen. I don’t want to give anything away because what happens next is quite special!
My Thoughts
The Chicago Flyover Experience is SO GOOD!!! I would 1000% recommend. I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into it– I didn’t overly research anything. From the marketing you know you will be on a simulation flying through Chicago, but it was much more than that. I was surprised and excited by what was on screen. It was so much fun and made me laugh, too. I don’t want to give away what makes this experience unique. Just know that it really is cutting edge technology and worth every penny! Chicago has a mix of cultures that makes the city so special plus it has incredible architecture. Combining the two into a flyover experience was very impressive. I can see why the Flyover company wanted to highlight Chicago as a destination and expand by bringing this attraction here!
The Chicago Flyover Experience: Need to Know
Check out the website here: Experience Flyover
An adult ticket for the Chicago Flyover Experience costs $24.95.
The experience from start to finish took about 40 minutes. There are no bathrooms once you start.
You have to walk up and down a couple of flights of stairs– something to consider if you have mobility issues.
I don’t get sea sick or car sick, but I tend to get a little nauseous on animated rides. My stomach did feel a little unsettled at the end of this, but nothing too bad that would stop me from doing it.
Parking on Navy Pier cost $34 for our time there (about 2 hours). It would have been more if we stayed around to eat or shop or do anything else.
There are Flyover Experiences in 4 other locations around the world– one in Iceland, two in Canada, and one in Las Vegas. I will 100% be doing them if I ever find myself in those cities!
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