There is no shortage of ways to get “high” in Chicago. We’ve got two of the tallest buildings in the US, both offering sweeping views of the city from their observation decks, and the Navy Pier ferris wheel towers over Lake Michigan and its beaches, hoisting riders several stories up. Now there’s one more way to get some air in Chicago. Navy Pier just opened a new balloon attraction called the AeroBalloon, which will lift passengers 350 feet above the city.

AeroBalloon

AeroBalloon

The balloon, a 120,000 cubic foot helium balloon, has a donut-shaped basket which will hold passengers. The basket has a big hole in the middle for the brave to lean over and look through to the ground. Rides last just 10 minutes and cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under (who must be accompanied by an adult).  Children must be at least 5 years old to ride.

The attraction is open from 8am to 10pm Monday through Thursday and from 8am to midnight Friday through Sunday. It will remain open until October 31st and then shut down for the season, reopening when the weather warms up again in the spring. Of course, with Chicago’s cold winters and biting wind chill, it’s not like you’d want to be floating above the frozen city during the cold months anyways.

Photo credit: retromoderns via Flickr