Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Navy Pier, Chicago
Search:

Chicago Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Navy Pier, Chicago

Chicago, Navy Pier - Chicago
Chicago, Navy Pier
by meteorologist1
Navy Pier tips and photos posted by real travelers and Chicago locals.
• 187 Photos
• 123 Reviews

See all Chicago Things To Do
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Navy Pier: Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
  • Tip Rating:
  • hekate
  • Updated By hekate on September 30, 2004
  • Chicago Page by hekate
  • Navy Pier Ferris Wheel - Chicago
    Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
    by hekate
    I was told that the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel is the world's first Ferris wheel and still the largest ever built. The ocasion was the World Columbian Exposition in 1893.

    It is 150 feet high (I was told by I friend of mine and I never bother to convert it in meters but it was HIGH) and gives a wonderful view to the lakefront and Lake Michigan.

    In the evening, thousands of lights illuminate the Ferris wheel's spokes.

    Working hours
    Friday and Saturday: 10.00 h -24.00 h
    Sunday to Tuersday: 10.00 h -22.00 h

    Price:
    - Adults $4;
    - Seniors $3.50;
    - Children Free

    Here is a correction I recived by Dabs (Kristi):

    "The ferris wheel at Navy Pier is not the original one from the 1893 Columbian Exposition. The first Ferris wheel was much larger, and held over 2,160 people at one time. It was shipped to St. Louis for their fair and then dismantled in 1906. The Ferris wheel at Navy Pier only holds 240 people."

    I also took the liberty to add the link she recommended in case people are interested in more detailed information.

    Thanks for the comment, Kristi. I really find it helpful :)

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 600, East Grand Avenue
  • Phone: (312) 559-1212
  • Directions: Navy Pier
  • Website: http://users.vnet.net/schulman/Columbian/ferris.html
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Chicago?

    Read reviews about Chicago Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Navy Pier: Navy Pier
  • Tip Rating:
  • hekate
  • Updated By hekate on July 12, 2005
  • Chicago Page by hekate
  • Navy Pier - Chicago
    Navy Pier
    by hekate
    When I read some stuff about Navy Pier I found out that the place was initially built as a shipping facility and recreation spot in 1916. I thing that now it is on of the key tourist attraction of Chicago. Probably because it has its own atmosphere.

    You will find there:
    - Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
    - Chicago Children's Museum
    - Amazing Chicago maze
    - the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
    - lots of outdoor sculptures
    - Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

    The place is great for just walking around. If you have the time and the money you can also try a boat ride around the pier and the surrounding areas.

    Price:
    Free

    Duration:
    It is up to you

    Working hours:
    Sunday to Tursday:
    10.00 h - 20.00 h
    Friday to Saturday:
    10.00 h - 22.00 h

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 600, East Grand Avenue
  • Phone: (312) 791-7000
  • Directions: Cross Street: Streeter Drive
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: Great view of Chicago skyline from the Yacht Club!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on May 29, 2008
  • Chicago Page by Bwana_Brown
  • View of downtown Chicago & Monroe Harbor - Chicago
    View of downtown Chicago &
    Monroe Harbor
    by Bwana_Brown, 1 more photos
    While standing beside the M.V. 'Abegweit', a simple turn to the north revealed some great views of Chicago's downtown core. Looking across a few of the many pleasure boats moored in Monroe Harbor, which also stretches for a long distance on the other side of the 'Abegweit', I could see the distant top of the John Hancock Center with its twin anntenae poking up amid the forest of modern glass skyscrapers. Although I never had time to actually visit it, by swivelling a bit further to the east I also had a great view of the amusements located on Navy Pier (2nd photo), all the way from its Ferris Wheel at the left to the twin towers of the Grand Ballroom at the end of the line.

    Leave a Comment

  • Directions: In the Streeterville area on the north bank of the Chicago River
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier
  • Tip Rating:
  • pedersdottir
  • Updated By pedersdottir on December 1, 2004
  • Chicago Page by pedersdottir
  • At sundown the lights come up - Chicago
    At sundown the lights
    come up
    by pedersdottir
    MUST SEE sights abound on other pages. I want to list a few that don't readily come to mind.
    For instance:
    The view over the lakefront and towards downtown from the 6th floor washrooms and atrium stairway at the Shakespeare Theatre.
    Best viewed at night.
    Take in a show and at intermission take the elevator to the top and walk down. Indescribable!

    In the lobby you will discover another treasure: 'psychedelic Shakespeare' by the late, great Chicago artist, Ed Paschke.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: at Navy Pier, just past the Ferris Wheel
  • Phone: 312-595-5600
  • Website: www.chicagoshakes.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: Perfectly Wonderful Navy Pier in Chicago
  • Tip Rating:
  • deecat
  • By deecat on December 11, 2003
  • Chicago Page by deecat
  • View of Light House From Navy Pier - Chicago
    View of Light House From
    Navy Pier
    by deecat
    Navy Pier was originally a freight train terminal in 1909; during both world wars, it served as a U.S. military training facility; during the 1970s and 1980s, it was abandoned. Today, it is one of Chicago's best attractions. It was saved by a $150 million grant from the state. Now, more than 8 million people visit the pier each year.

    It has a carnival-type atmosphere, and It's a showcase for unique shops, restaurants, exhibitions, threaters, and sports.
    Some of the pier's attractions:
    a. Crystal Gardens, located on the east end of the Family Pavilion, is a one-acre indoor palm court enclosed in a glass atrium.

    b. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre featuring a 500-seat stageand an English Pub that seats 180 people..

    c. Imax Theater where there is a six-story-high, 80-foot-wide screen and 3D movies are shown.

    e. Chicago Children's Museum where kids can interact with the educational exhibits.

    f. Ferris Wheel that is 150-foot-high and is sponsored by McDonalds. It has 40 gondolas which seat six passengers each. AT night its 40 spokes are illuminated by thousands of white lights.

    g. Musical carousel which was exclusively designed for Navy pier is located near the Ferris whell and fashioned from the 1920's.
    It has 36 hand-painted animals, and it is 44-foot high.

    h. Skyline Stage ice skating rink is roofed and tower 100-feet in the air.

    i. Miniature Golf is 18 hoes and is at the base of the Ferris wheel.

    j. Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.

    k. Many wonderful restaurants for every price range.

    l. .Several Pier shops.

    m. Dinner cruises and tour boats.

    n. Fireworks set off every Wednesday and Saturday night.

    There is something for every age group here.

    Leave a Comment

  • Directions: Located on Lake Michigan, east of the downtown area.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Chicago?

    Read reviews about Chicago Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Navy Pier: Navy Pier outdoor sculptures
  • Tip Rating:
  • hekate
  • By hekate on September 30, 2004
  • Chicago Page by hekate
  • Me + outdoor sculpture - Chicago
    Me + outdoor sculpture
    by hekate
    When walking around Navy Pier you will see lots of outdoor sculptures.

    So I did and I could not stop myself to act as a typical tourist and to ask for a picture.

    Obviously I asked the wrong person judging by the "clear cut" image you see on the picture :)

    Price: Free

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 600, East Grand Avenue
  • Directions: Cross Street: Streeter Drive
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: View from the other side
  • Tip Rating:
  • dejavu2gb
  • Updated By dejavu2gb on July 6, 2008
  • Chicago Page by dejavu2gb
  • Navy Pier with the Chicago Skyline behind - Chicago
    Navy Pier with the Chicago
    Skyline behind
    by dejavu2gb, 4 more photos
    Navy Pier is a fun place to visit for all the family. Offering visitors more than 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions.

    Also when visiting Navy Pier you get a great view of the Chicago Skyline, great for taking some fantastic pictures to get everyone at home jealous.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 600 East Grand Avenue
  • Phone: (312) 595-PIER
  • Website: http://www.navypier.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: family fun
  • Tip Rating:
  • willy_wonka
  • Updated By willy_wonka on July 20, 2005
  • Chicago Page by willy_wonka
  • navy pier - Chicago
    navy pier
    by willy_wonka
    navy pier is more then family fun, i personally think its fun for all ages, little and big kids alike! an awesome carnival like atmosphere, navy pier has rides and entertainment that everyone can enjoy. entry to the pier is free, although of course various rides and activities do cost. the views of the chicago skyline are great from here as well. another thing i liked about the pier was all the junk food you could buy. lollies, peanuts, hot dogs, burgers... all good greasy american goodness! hehe.

    while probably a bit over the top and possibly not everyone's idea of a 'fun day out', navy pier is worth a look if your a kid at heart!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: Navy Pier
  • Tip Rating:
  • antistar
  • By antistar on April 19, 2007
  • Chicago Page by antistar
  • Chicago from Navy Pier - Chicago
    Chicago from Navy Pier
    by antistar, 4 more photos
    The Navy Pier is a massive hunk of concrete that reaches out into the waters of Lake Michigan. It offers fantastic views of the city skyline, along with all kinds of touristy entertainment, like a fun fair. The fair has a giant ferris wheel that offers even more amazing views of the city. It's a huge platform in the water, though, and so there's more than that. Plenty of restaurants and bars, and when I was there, there was something special going on.

    A huge queue had gathered outside a ballroom. The people were all excited, and holding strange objects, sometimes with large paper rolls under their arm. I asked one guy at the end of the queue what it was all about: it was an audition for American Inventor.

    The pier was originally called Municipal Pier No.2 (the first one never got built). It was used primarily for disembarking the passenger boats that once plied the lake in large number. With the decline of passenger ships on the lake, it was taken over by the Navy during WW2 (hence the name), and then became a massively popular public venue.

    Leave a Comment

  • Directions: Walking from the city, take a right at the Hancock Center and walk towards the lake.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Navy Pier: Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
  • Tip Rating:
  • Dabs
  • By Dabs on May 12, 2005
  • Chicago Page by Dabs
  • Smith Museum of Stained Glass - Chicago
    Smith Museum of Stained
    Glass
    by Dabs,
    1 more photos
    Although I've included Navy Pier on my tourist trap tips, there are actually several things about Navy Pier that I really enjoy.

    One is the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, a free museum featuring 150 windows by well known artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and John LaFarge, windows with religious themes and some contemporary subjects such as Martin Luther King and Michael Jordan.

    The museum is free to visit and every Thursday at 2 pm there is a free tour of the museum.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Chicago Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 452 - Photos: 419
    Things To Do
    Tips: 1,921 - Photos: 2,919
    Nightlife
    Tips: 400 - Photos: 283
    Transportation
    Tips: 426 - Photos: 318
    Restaurants
    Tips: 1,421 - Photos: 1,501
    Shopping
    Tips: 211 - Photos: 238
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 453 - Photos: 563
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 109 - Photos: 58
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 165 - Photos: 54
    Local Customs
    Tips: 158 - Photos: 155
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 63 - Photos: 15
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 123 - Photos: 161
    General Tips
    Tips: 571 - Photos: 548
    Flights
    Tips: 53 - Photos: 0

    Best Chicago Travel Deals

    From $53 Chicago Hotels
    4-Star Hotels at 2-Star Prices With Low Hotwire Hot-Rates!

    Hotel in Chicago
    Chicago River Hotel: A Hotel In Chicago. Rates From $89/Night!

    Chicago City Hotels
    Great rates on hotels in Chicago Lowest Price- Guaranteed!

    Hyatt Chicago
    Save up to 30% on Your Stay Through February 28th. Book Now.

    Hotel in Downtown Chicago
    Stylish Boutique Hotel in Chicago. Reserve your suite today. Visit us.

    Sponsored Links

    More Chicago Travel Deals

    Crowne Plaza in Chicago
    Nestled in the shadow of the Sears Tower. Call 877 270 1395 to book.

    Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
    Upscale, Musically Inspired Hotel Set In The Heart Of Michigan Ave.

    Chicago Hotel
    Elysian Hotel: Enjoy A Luxury Hotel In Downtown Chicago. Book Online!

    Sponsored Links


    Chicago Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.