Navy Pier

Address:Chicago, Illinois

If you imagine that visiting a naval pier is only about ships, you haven't been to Chicago's Navy Pier yet! The pier, with its 148-foot ferris wheel, 44-foot–high musical carousel, and 50 acres of parks and gardens is a veritable amusement part for adults and children of all ages. Kids will rave about the Chicago Children's Museum on the Pier and beg you to bring them back for more. The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows offers remarkable art for older viewers. Everyone can enjoy free, live entertainment year-round, including a fireworks display two nights a week during the summer. The Navy Pier is located right next to bustling downtown Chicago, making it a great destination for families on your visit to the "Windy City."

The Navy Pier, built 1916, originally served as a naval training facility during the Second World War. After the war, the Pier housed the Chicago branch of the University of Illinois. When the university moved, the Pier sat neglected and began to decay. Restoration efforts in 1994 made it into the tourist attraction that it is today.

At the west end of the Pier, the Chicago Children's Museum offers three floors of interactive permanent and changing exhibits, designed for children of various ages. A special highlight is the Climbing Schooner, a three-story replica of a sailing ship from the 1850s that kids can climb. Toddlers will enjoy the Playmaze, a baby-sized interactive city. The museum also offers educational workshops and cultural programs. Allow two to three hours to fully enjoy the museum.

The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800-ft.-long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. The windows, divided by artistic theme into Victorian, Prairie, Modern and Contemporary art, were designed by prominent local, national and European artists. Well-known artists' exhibited include Louis Comfort Tiffany and John LaFarge. The windows provide unique insight into Chicago's cultural, ethnic and artistic history from 1870 to present day, and include portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Michael Jordan. One is created entirely from soda bottles! Public and private tours are available once a week.

Pier Park boasts several amusement park rides. Kids will love the carousel and ferris wheel, as well as a swing ride called "the Wave Swinger" and a bouncing ride called the "Light Tower." All are safe for small children except the last, for which kids must be 36 inches tall and accompanied by an adult. Beautiful lake views can be seen from the tops of these rides. There is also mini-golf and remote controlled water boats available for more grounded fun in the park.

Also on the pier is the Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, Chicago's first full-sensory maze experience. The narrative, entertaining 15-minute walk-through, complete with visual and audio effects, takes visitors through a series of themed areas set in Chicago. Older visitors will enjoy a visit to the Beer Garden, where imported, micro-brewed and domestic beers are always served. Whichever beer you choose, it will go great with food favorites like hamburgers, bratwurst, Italian sausage, pizza and much more. Free entertainment is presented on the Beer Garden stage seven days a week, and the garden is a great place to enjoy the Navy Pier fireworks. Finally, the Pier Pavilion is a shopping area where tourists can buy everything from clothing and accessories to Chicago souvenirs, toys, games and snacks.

Those interested in getting off the pier can take a cruise or boat rides from the Navy Pier dock. Embark on an educational architecture cruise, treat yourself to an elegant dinner cruise with dancing and live entertainment, or take a thrilling speedboat ride along Lake Michigan. You can even charter the historic 'El Presidente' which was used by US presidents.

The pier offers many dining options, from casual, family-oriented dining to romantic, candlelit evenings, with an emphasis on variety and excellent food. Fun chains like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. & Market, located just inside the entrance of the Family Pavilion, will be good for children. Bubba Gump's features scenes from Forrest Gump, and servers will test your Forrest Gump trivia knowledge while you dine on a 'Bucket of Boat Trash' or Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs. Bubba Gump's also offers kids' meals, beer and smoothies. Or, relax and enjoy live Chicago jazz while dining on ribs or chicken at Joe's Be-Bop You're your & Jazz Emporium. Follow dinner with a sweet trip to the Haagen Dazs café. Too much to see to stop and eat? Choose from a variety of foods at the Food Court.

The best way to get to the Navy Pier is on the CTA, Chicago's transit system. From downtown, connect with buses #29 state, #65 grand, #66 Chicago or the #124 Navy Pier Express. There is also a free trolley service, available daily between Navy Pier and State Street between Grand Avenue and Illinois Street. Convenient water taxi rides are available between lakefront attractions, and for an exciting twist, instead of navigating the 3,300-foot Pier on foot, we recommend that you rent a bike or skates to see all that the Pier has to offer.