Navy Pier is, hands down, the hottest tourist attraction in the city of Chicago. In the early 1900’s, the city of Chicago had huge plans for the waterfront on Lake Michigan. The plan was to build five individual piers, but in the end only Navy Pier was built. It was the only pier in the area to combine a shopping district with scores of opportunity for public entertainment.

Opened officially in 1916, Navy Pier has had a significant impact on the history of Chicago. Shortly after it was opened, the pier hosted soldiers and defense units during World War I. The pier continued to develop, with the addition of several theaters and restaurants. In the late 1920’s the pier was officially named “Navy Pier” in honor of the World War I Navy veterans.

Over the years, the pier has continued to grow. It survived the Great Depression, and has housed several learning institutions. In the early 1970’s, the pier suffered from neglect and disuse, but later efforts revived it and the city designated it as a local landmark. The pier continued to grow and now features year-round entertainment, restaurants, convention facilities, and festivals.

Navy Pier Attractions

Navy Pier offers a number of attractions to occupy, amuse, and entertain the child in all of us. Start with a trip to Pier Park, where you can ride the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, the Musical Carousel, or the Wave Swinger, amongst others. You can’t miss the Ferris Wheel, as it’s the tallest and most visible item on the pier. The seven minute ride provides views of the city of Chicago you won’t find anywhere else.

The Chicago Children’s museum is another incredible place you won’t want to miss. The museum features interactive activities, including the Inventing Lab, Kraft Artabounds Studio, the Treehouse Trails, Big Backyard, and tons of other awesome exhibits. Admission to the museum is always a reasonable $9, but the first Monday of every month is part of the Target Free First Mondays program where entrance is, as the name suggests, completely free!

Adults and those interested in fine arts will certainly appreciate the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. The site is the first and only museum in the United States dedicated to stained glass windows alone. The vast variety of windows gives visitors a glimpse into the history of Chicago, ranging from the 1870’s to the present. One of the most popular exhibits is the Richard H. Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass, borrowed from the Tiffany’s studio in New York.

Finding Food at Navy Pier

Navy Pier is home to an eclectic variety of eateries, ranging from the sit-down restaurant to the casual food court. In the summer months, tons of food vendors and carts also line the pier.

Our favorite restaurants are the Billy Goat Tavern and Joe’s Be-Bop Caf? & Jazz Emporium. The Billy Goat Tavern was the subject of an old Saturday Night Live skit created by John Belushi. Believe it or not, the tavern has several locations throughout the city, but the one on Navy Pier is by far one of the most popular amongst tourists. It’s so popular, in fact, that celebrities often stop here for a “cheezborger,” including the Clinton’s, President George Bush Sr, Jay Leno, and Frank Sinatra.

Joe’s Be-Bop Caf? & Jazz Bar is another incredible Chicago favorite. This traditional full-service restaurant features live jazz music every single day of the week. The scrumptious southern-style food features pulled pork, ribs, seafood, and sandwiches. The music begins at 6pm, so be sure to arrive early to get the best tables.

Special Events at Navy Pier

Special events dot the calendar at Navy Pier throughout the entire year. On any given day you can find free entertainment in the Family Pavilion. The day we visited featured the pier mascot, Patch, on Pup TV; a pirate story featuring the Navy Pier Buccaneers fighting over the booty; and a magician’s showcase.

Fall Fireworks, the World Music Festival, and the Carnival of Curiosities promise to entertain visitors throughout the month of September. Santa will visit the Pier in December and Bank of America will host the annual Winter WonderFest. There’s something to do on Navy Pier every weekend. You simply need to check the Navy Pier Calendar of Events and make a choice!

No matter what time of year you visit Chicago, Navy Pier should be on your list of attractions to visit. There’s always a show or event happening and there are plenty of restaurants and eateries to choose from as well. Trust us when we say you’ll regret leaving the city if you don’t make a trip to Navy Pier first.

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