HURRY,  HURRY, 
STEP  RIGHT UP! 


Only  a  few weeks  left to enjoy a balloon ride above Chicago's Navy Pier!

Helium-filled balloon rides offering spectacular  360 degree views of Chicago's skyline took flight last week,  and this  morning we were taken on a lift ourselves, up 35 stories into the  warm September morning air!

It's NOT a  hot air balloon,  but  a  huge  helium filled balloon. The difference -  a hot air ballon is made of a thin fabric, which is kept afloat with hot air, provided by flames. It can not fly at all times of the day.

This is a  self-contained huge helium ball. It can lift up into the air all day long and there is no flame involved. And it is tethered to the ground. So it won't just fly away in any direction.

The ride is not at all scarey, for those of you wondering. Think of it as an  open-air elevator ride. It's totally safe, you are standing in an extremely sturdy "gondola basket" which can take up  to 18 people at a time.

There is a little bit  of a  sway  at  take off and landing,  but you really feel very little movement at all, going up and down. It's a very gentle and smooth ride.


The ride takes  passengers up to 350 feet above the pier. The Big Ferris wheel, in contrast, reaches just 150 feet. The ballon itself is  60 feet wide.


Boston-based AeroBalloon USA will operate the rides daily, weather permitting. The temporary installment will run through October, and company officials said they will  return next season for the full summer, probably  April or May through October.


AeroBalloon has been wowing crowds for years at sites throughout the U.S. with its safe, American-made, non-combustible balloons. Last year they offered riders spectacular views of New York City while floating above Central Park!

A traditional hot air balloon ride, which is available here in the Chicago area, but  only out in the suburbs, runs about $250 per person  for a  one hour flight. Those are ONLY available at sunrise and sunset, and you can't see the city of Chicago. In comparison, this helium balloon lift ride  is  $25 for adults for about a 10  minute  ride into the air above  Navy Pier, and runs all day long and into the evenings.

The balloon location is at the SOUTH GATEWAY  PARK,  just outside the front gate of Navy Pier.


Weather Permitting, Hours of Operation are:
Monday - Thursday 8am -10pm  and  on  Friday - Sunday 8am - 12am

Check this out!  This year fireworks have been extended and  are running through October! 
On  Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm. 
How could would that be, to be up in the balloon as the fireworks are shooting off?!


(Please be advised that Navy Pier Aeroballoon flights may be postponed or canceled due to weather conditions.
If weather conditions are questionable, please be sure to call the Weather Line at 646-827-6287 one hour prior to your visit to ensure the balloon is operating.)

The details:
Reservations and Walk Up Tickets: Adults $25;
Children 12 and under $15
Seniors (65+), Veterans and active Military $15

Reservations will be accepted only for flights that are between the hours of 8am and 10am.
Call 312-224-8827 to book your flight now, or just come out to Navy Pier.

Speed Pass: Adults $30; Children 12 and under $20

Upgrade to a Speed Pass Ticket and reduce long wait times. The Speed Pass Ticket grants you access to the Speed Pass line with less wait time and is given preference over the general admission tickets.



All passengers must be at least 5 years old and more than 40" tall.
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
No strollers or baby carriages.
Cameras and binoculars must be secured to the body with a neck or wrist strap.
The balloon is handicapped accessible.


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