Navy Pier Chicago
Navy Pier Chicago is a major destination and tradition in the Windy City.
It was opened as Municipal Pier in 1916 after two years of construction and the cost of $4.5 million.
A year later when the U.S. joined World War 1, the pier was used to house several regiments of soldiers, Red Cross, and Home Defense soldiers. There was even a barracks for new recruits.
This is all in the first few years of Navy Pier.
Navy Pier has a rich history. A few events among the many include, the renaming to Navy Pier in 1927 in tribute to the navy personnel who served in WW1, the training of over 60,000 soldiers during WW2, University of Illinois takes up residence for awhile, followed by the hosting hundreds exhibitions and trade-shows.
Before Chicago's McCormick place became the center of major trade-shows and events, Navy Pier was the place.
In 1995 Navy Pier is reopened after much work, to become a center of entertainment, shopping, restaurants, attractions and exhibition facilities.
Today Navy Pier is still announcing plans of expanding and developing
new things to experience.
Attractions at Navy Pier Chicago
Pier Park is home to the
infamous 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, the "McDonald's Ferris Wheel",
which is really awesome at night. There is also a
musical carousel, an old-fashioned swing ride, an 18-hole miniature
golf course and more.The Chicago Children's Museum is Described as a place where a galaxy of creative and educational activities, programs and exhibits for children exists.
Other attractions include the Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, Bicycle
rentals at Bike Chicago, and the Smith Museum of stained glass windows.
Entertainment at Navy Pier Chicago
There is always something happening at Navy Pier especially with various street performers like magicians, musicians and singers.
The majore entertainment draws are the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the
IMAX theatre and the Bud Light stage and Pepsi stage where all sorts of
daily shows and events take place.
The Boats of Navy Pier
At
Navy Pier there are all kinds of boats to experience for sight seeing
cruises and dinner cruises. Spirit of Chicago, the Odessey, and the
Seadog are iconic in Chicago.
Other ships include, Tall Ship Windy, Mystic Blue, Anita Dee 1
& 2 and El Presidente.
Hotels at Navy Pier Chicago
There are several places to stay, and I believe it to be one of the better bases of operations to have while visiting the Windy City.
The Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, The W Chicago, and The Westin on Michigan ave are all steps from Navy Pier.
