Quote: The Winter Festival is something they have every year inside the main ballroom of Navy Pier. They have some indoor rides including a ferris wheel and a giant rocking horse. They also have an indoor ice skating rink. There is also some interesting areas to walk through and enjoy.

The Winter Festival is free to get into and walk around. You have to pay to go on the rides or use the ice skating rink or do some of the other available activities, such as cookie decorating. They do, however, offer the entertainment for free, but the two times I visited in 2008 nothing was going on on the stage. I also cannot speak for any of the things you have to pay for, as we did not do any of that. Pretty much all the rides were very kiddish and the ice skating rink was rather crowded.

I did enjoy walking through the festival to some extent. They have a tree area with small trees decorated by different organizations around a bigger tree. The trees were inside a fenced area and you could only go inside if you were riding the train. Most could be seen from the outside, but I was disappointed that many were blocked by tables for some raffles and the information booth.

There is another walking path area, though, that had more elaborate themed trees and different Santa Claus displays. This area was easy to go through and admire the trees and displays. They had some pretty cool trees including one that was decorated to look like a snowman and one decorated to look like Mrs. Claus. The Santa displays had different Santas from around the world along with some info on the tradition of Santa in that country. The countries represented included Poland, China, and Russia, as well as probably a few more I have not forgotten.

Overall I did like going and taking pictures of the tress, however, I would never have ventured out of my way for the festival. The only reason it was convenient for me to go not just once, but twice was that I was staying in an apartment right across the street from Navy Pier over the holidays. I only recommend coming down specially for the festival if you are taking young kids or you are at least combining it with other Navy Pier activities, such as the Stained Glass Museum, shopping, or an IMAX movie.
From journals Winter Holidays in Chicago 2008/2009

Quote: The Navy Pier, another must-see for sentimental reasons didn’t disappoint. Presently it has shops, restaurants, a food court, IMAX Theater and a few rides like the carousel and Ferris Wheel. The latter is impressive at 148 feet, but the original was 250 feet high with a capacity for 2160 people. George Washington Gale Ferris built it in 1893.

What fascinated me were the displays of vehicles pulled from surrounding waters and the plaques describing the eerie findings. For example, an old car with flat tires and cut brake lines was recovered near the pier. Apparently a couple was heading to catch the ferry after attending a wedding reception.

A boat suffered an explosion in the engine room blowing a hold in the side and subsequently sinking. Only the captain was found on board with no identification. An ambulance was brought out the lake with the drive still alive, but unable to be saved. Both his remains and the vehicle were returned to the Asylum and Treatment Center from where they had come.

“X” marked the spot. Witnesses claim a nanny was being hit on the head and should by a child when suddenly a small bridge over a pond collapsed. The child took on a “demon-like” expression. The recovered body of the child had eyes from their sockets. An old carriage-style Hearst along with a black wooden casket was found in a water filled sinkhole. Considering it was October and the pier seemed to be gearing up for Halloween, I originally thought this was a prop.

With all the decorating and shows pertaining to Halloween in the beginning days of October, I sense the pier is the place to go for all holidays.
From journals Sentimental, Haunting Chicago

Quote: Navy Pier sits on the Lake Michigan on the east edge of Chicago. The best way to describe it is something similar to Coney Island or the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It's a collection of restaurants, shops, and boat tours.

Navy Pier is very easy to find, as it sits at the dead end of Grand Avenue. There are plenty of signs pointing towards it. There is also a seasonal bus line that runs from the CTA stations directly to Navy Pier.

Navy Pier is host to good restaurants such as the Billy Goat Tavern, Haagen Daas, Charlie's Ale, Dock Street Cafe, and a food court with McDonald's, Starbucks, and more. There are also kiosks along the edge of the pier with funnel cakes, popcorn, and other yummy festival foods.

The attractions at Navy Pier include a Ferris Wheel modeled after the world's first Ferris Wheel at the Chicago's 1893 World Colombian Exposition. There is also an IMAX Theatre, children's museum, miniature golf, a fun house maze, and other carnival rides. And of course, there are all sorts of local musicians playing various types of music along the water's edge.
There are also shops with various tourist items and curios.

Being a Pier, there are cruises based out of Navy Pier. There's the Seadog power boat cruises of Lake Michigan, sighseeing river cruises and dinner cruises. I took the Shoreline architectural cruise of the Chicago River. (that's in another review!)

The Navy Pier is also a great place to view the Chicago skyline. I'd definitely recommend going to visit the Navy Pier when in Chicago. The Navy Pier is a fun, safe, and entertaining way to spend a few hours.




From journals The Windy City in One Day!

Quote: I've been to Navy Pier numerous times—in warm weather. As any Chicago trip would be less than perfect without a stroll to the end of the Pier, I was determined to go—even in February.

As February is not high tourist time at the Pier, there was a sense of peaceful calm to it all. Unique ice craters covered the shores of Lake Michigan, as a result of the waves, I imagined.

Despite the chilling winds, we made our way to the end of the Pier, in order to savor the sights of flags flying in all of their glory, beautiful views of the Chicago skyline, and of the calm ice covered lake.

As you make your way back up the Pier, I recommend hopping inside to take in the fun and warm up a bit. The botanical gardens, complete with jumping water, were a great way to warm up. If you have kiddos, the Children's Museum is right inside.

Be sure to grab a bite to eat at any magnificent eatery on the Pier (I recommend Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.). And, on your way out be sure to pay a visit to Bob Newhart— wonderfully embodied on the front garden outside of the Pier.

Navy Pier in winter, not to be missed!

From journals Winter Getaway in the Windy City