What does a Ferris Wheel, an National Public Radio station, a magician, and a stained glass exhibit all have in common? Answer: They are all part of the fun on Navy Pier.

Navy Pier is a party waiting to happen. It is full of fun shops, interesting activities, changing exhibits, and a wide range of restaurants.

Shopping
Shopping here runs the gamut from a pretty good book store to a store selling magic tricks, to the Navy Pier souvenir shop, all amidst a myriad of kiosks selling all manners of stuff. There aren’t many bargains here, but looking is half the fun. One of the coolest shops is the museum store attached to the Chicago Children’s Museum, which is also located here.

Food
There are lots of food choices on Navy Pier. There is a food court anchored by a McDonald’s. For the more adventurous, the Billy Goat Tavern has an outpost here now - see my journal entry for a more complete rundown. Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe is a loud and raucous dining experience, while the Riva, further down the pier, is much more sedate. If you can’t find food to your liking here, you’re not trying. (Did I mention that Haagen Dazs has a cafe here, too?)

Activities
This is where Navy Pier really shines. During the summer, Navy Pier turns into an outdoor art gallery called Pier Walk. The sculptures on display change every year. (The bear at the bottom of the page is from Pier Walk 2002.) The Richard H. Dreihaus Gallery of Stained Glass is a small, easily navigated exhibition of Tiffany stained glass, and shouldn’t be missed. The Dreihaus exhibit is part of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, which is a permanent exhibit at Navy Pier.

A number of cruises offering tours of the watery parts of Chicago take off from the south side of Navy Pier. Many of these require reservations, so plan ahead. One of these tours is an architectural tour of the city from the water, and should not be confused with the Chicago Architectural Foundation River Tours, which depart from the southeast corner of Michigan Ave. & Wacker Drive at the Michigan Ave. Bridge.

Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater has its home here, as does an Imax theater. There are frequent performances - suitable for children - at center stage by the Children’s Museum. Skyline Stage is an open air theater, home to all manner of entertainment. And, during the summer, there are fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Navy Pier is a high energy, entertaining place, and shouldn’t be missed. To find out more about what’s going on at the Pier, go to NavyPier or call 312-595-PIER.

The Navy Pier in Chicago offers a variety of entertainment choices in an amusement-like park setting for families, couples, and shakespeare-lovers. The great thing is that outdoor and indoor activities offer choices independent of prevailing weather conditions.

With over 50 acres along the lakefront, attractions include the IMAX Theater; the Chicago Children's Museum; the Chicago Shakespeare Theater; carousel and ferris-wheel rides, ice-skating, harbor boat rides, and bike rentals. And of course there is walking, talking, eating, and shopping as favorite past-times under the sun or stars.

Pier hours are Monday - Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday and Saturday from 10am-10pm; and Sundays from 10am-7pm. Call 312-595-PIER for information on hours and cruise ships. And of course, you will see young men and women in U.S. Navy uniforms strolling the pier that bears the name of their service.

Navy Pier was one of two piers that were planned to extend into Lake Michigan over one mile. The other one was scraped, but the existing one opened for shipping business in 1916.When my mom was little, her grandmother would bring her to the pier to ride the merry-go-round and the ferris wheel (1930's) but when I was little, the pier was a deserted old place lined with fishermen on any given day. Ritchie Daley has turned that whole thing around and made the pier THE "IN" PLACE to be!
First came the 150 ft. ferris wheel and the merry-go-round and then came the tour boats featuring lunch, dinner, and sunset cruises. Then special events came such as the CHICAGO SPRING FLOWER AND GARDENING SHOW--right in the nick of time for those entering depression from such a long winter! In summer, the tall sailing ships make an appearance. There is always something to do at the pier these days and on summer nights don't forget the 10 p.m. free fireworks show !

Navy Pier is a real find. There are a ton of nice restaurants and fast food. In the summer take a boat ride. They have a lot of different boat companies, we just took 1/2 hour ride it was about $12.00. They have dinner cruises and speed boats also. The ferris wheel is nice. Navy Pier is easy to find. Taking train get off at Washington. At Dearborn and Washington exit go up to Washington.Go east on Washington to State St. You will see a bus stop. Take #29 Bus to Navy Pier. Note when you get a subway/metro ticket, its like New York. Buy a $5.00 ticket and when you swipe it on bus or train it deducts the amount. Metro is $1.50 and bus is 30cents added on.