How to Visit Navy Pier Chicago, IL

Navy Pier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city of Chicago. With its beautiful skyline views and cool breezes from Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is a great place to go and relax with a walk around the many exhibits or partake in the activities offered all around. Lake tour and dinner cruises are docked here, as well as an IMAX theater with all the hottest movies. Open all year, the Pier has a variety of restaurants and shopping destinations that is bound to please everyone!

Instructions

1. Find your way to Navy Pier, located at 600 East Grand Ave, Chicago, IL. The Pier is within walking distance to many of the hotels in Downtown Chicago. Taxis are also available constantly for use. It might also be possible to hop on one of the free trolleys that run from the Navy Pier to State Street along Grand and Illinois. Catching a bus from nearby Union Station is also a great option, departing from Canal & Jackson & Adams and arriving at Navy Pier Bus Terminal. A transfer might be necessary in some cases, but attendants and bus schedules are very clear about where to go.

2. Hop on some of the many rides and attractions offered at Navy Pier. At Pier Park there is the Ferris Wheel, one of the most popular attractions at the Pier. There is also a musical carousel and Wave Swinger for teens and adults as well as miniature golf course, remote control boats and Light Tower Ride for children and families.

3. Catch a performance. The Pier provides free entertainment all year with firework shows, theatrical performances, jugglers, magicians as well as many cultural and special events. The Beer Garden is also a popular spot to watch some of the more popular live music performances.

4. Take a cruise or dinner tour. Whether you want to see the skyline from Lake Michigan or you just want to go on an entertaining dinner cruise, this is where they are all docked. Tours range from 30 minutes to 3 hours or more depending on the type of cruise chosen and range from $25 to $100 per person.

5. Catch a firework show, presented every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:15 p.m. Starting at Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day, Navy Pier offers a spectacular firework show with a musical soundtrack.

Resources

• Official Visitors Site for Chicago
• Navy Pier