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Navy Pier, Chicago

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Ersatz Urbanism - Chicago
Ersatz Urbanism
by yooperprof
Chicago Tourist Traps: Navy Pier tips and photos posted by real travelers and Chicago locals.
Navy Pier
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• 27 Reviews

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Navy Pier: Navy Pier
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  • Clowning around at Navy Pier - Chicago
    Clowning around at Navy
    Pier
    by Dabs,
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    I want to start with the notion that I absolutely understand why tourists would visit Navy Pier, Chicago,s #1 tourist draw, but I am sticking under tourist traps for three reasons: 1) 90% of the people you encounter here are tourists 2) Restaurants and shops are overpriced and not the best in the city 3) Parking is obnoxiously priced, even more so than the rest of the tourist area A little history: Opened in 1916 as an entertainment venue, it was originally known as Municipal Pier, converted the following year to house WWI soldiers, turned back into an entertainment venue after the war. In 1927 it was renamed Navy Pier in honor of the Navy personnel that served there in WWI. In 1942, it was used as a training facility for WWII pilots. After several more uses of the Pier, it was opened as the current entertainment complex in 1995.

    But there are reasons that you might want to visit: 1) the Smith stained glass museum is awesome and it's out in the open so it's FREE 2) the Chicago Shakespeare Theater is terrific 3) many of the boat cruises leave from here and that is a nice way to see the Chicago skyline 4) Saturday night fireworks in the summer 5) Although the Ferris wheel didn't overly excite me in the daytime I hear that it's quite nice on a clear evening 6) Special events like Golf Around Chicago If you do find yourself heading toward Navy Pier, you might consider eating before you get there to avoid the long waits and oftern mediocre food And don't park here if you don't have to, there are free trolleys that run to and from Navy Pier.

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier is cool, just come when it is closed
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  • the monstrosity, Navy Pier - Chicago
    the monstrosity, Navy Pier
    by jazzdiva
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    Navy Pier is the number one tourist destination in the state of Illinois. My place of employment happens to be located on the pier, so I find myself fighting through the crowds to get to work every day. "McPier," (it is mostly owned by the McDonald corp.) has only become the tourist Mecca of Chicago in the last several years. Before, it was a quiet old pier with nothing on it but the old mile long building dating back to the early part of the 20th century. Now it is horribly overdone, and the price for parking is killer. As a matter of fact, all of the prices for any thing you buy at the pier are ridiculously marked up. There are some decent places to eat, but bring your plastic. Riva's is probably the best restaurant on the pier.

    However, if you go very early in the morning, like before 8am, before the music is blaring over the speakers, before everything is chaos........ it is quiet, and is a nice place to go for a jog, bike ride, or go fishing (?!?!?.....I see folks out there, but I would be afraid to eat anything pulled out of Lake Michigan!). So, you can actually enjoy Navy Pier without spending a dime (even when the crowds are there), but I would avoid going during peak times.

    If you want to be out in the middle of the lake, for a quiet moment with your sweetheart or some time alone, there is a spiral pier just out always near North Avenue beach. Coming from the north go past all of the volleyball players and the restaurant that looks like a tugboat on land, and take the path that veers east. From the south, when you see the chess players, follow the lake path that goes sharp right....the path that hugs the lake....keep going and follow the spiral to the end. Then, be Zen to your heart's content.

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier
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  • Navy Pier from the Hancock Observatory - Chicago
    Navy Pier from the Hancock
    Observatory
    by grkboiler
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    What a waste of time! Unless you have to go there for an expo or meeting, or are traveling with small children, don't bother going at all. On many days it is crowded, loaded with screaming kids, and has nothing really interesting to most adults. It gets boring quick. You can walk through it once and say "that's enough, lets go." There are shops, a food court, IMAX theatre, children's museum, entertainers walking around the pier, and the famous ferris wheel. In the summer, there is usually live music outside. Its like a circus. The event space is great, especially if an event is taking place at the ballroom at the end of the pier, but spending time at the rest of it, no thanks. I honestly think the city opened up Navy Pier to lower congestion at other tourist areas of the city.

    If you have small children, they will probably love it here, and it is overall a good family place. The ferris wheel is good. If you must eat here, Charlie's Ale House isn't bad, but try Chicago legend Billy Goat Tavern for a "cheezborger". Some sightseeing and dinner cruises leave from here. The sightseeing cruises are decent (haven't been on a dinner cruise, don't plan on it). Also, go to the end of the pier and enjoy Lake Michigan. You do get some great views of the city from here.

    Walk through just to say you went, but go to one of the museums - you will enjoy it more and will have a better experience.

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier
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  • View from Navy Pier onto City - Chicago
    View from Navy Pier onto City
    by IrishFem
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    Great place to go if you want to be ripped off. Its a typical tourist spot. The only interesting thing l found in this part of Chicago was the Ferris Wheel and only because you have a great view of Lake Michigan. The restaurants are over priced as are the shops. However saying that it is a lovely place to stroll, people watch and have a beer and look at the luxury/boats ships which you can take a cruise on. At the moment January 2006 they have a fantastic stained glass exhibition which is free.

    Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel!

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier
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  • Navy Pier from the Chicago River - Chicago
    Navy Pier from the Chicago
    River
    by Etoile2B
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    Navy Pier is a tourist trap, but very family-oriented. It's the home of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, as well as an IMAX and the Chicago Children's Museum. It features indoor shopping and dining as well as a small botanical gardens. There are "street vendors" outside when the weather is nice and most of the city's boat tours of the river and lake launch here. Navy Pier has an open air beer garden and offers concerts and other events throughout the Summer. The main attraction might be the large Ferris Wheel which offers an excellent view of the city from the top. Everything is overpriced on Navy Pier - so buyer beware. Parking on the pier is very expensive so I would recommend walking down or taking one of the free trolleys.

    They decorate the Pier seasonally and even feature special attractions, like a haunted house around Halloween. It's not nearly as exciting or fun as it claims to be, but it's worth checking out briefly if you're bored or want to see some of the boats up close.

    For Boat Tours - I suggest taking the ones offered on NORTH Pier (see my tip about these). Chicago Shakespeare Theatre is a great venue to see a show. The view from the John Hancock is just as good as the one from the Ferris Wheel and can be had for free.

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier - A lost opportunity?
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  • Too many fudge shops. Navy Pier has a remarkable location overlooking one of the most dramatic skylines in the world. It's disappointing that the city of Chicago and the developers weren't able to make better use of the Navy Pier space once it became open for redevelopment. Basically, this is the same "Festive Waterfront Reused Old Buildings Tourist Tat" that has become an urban cliche very quickly in the last 20 years.

    Go to one of Chicago's many authentic ethnic neighborhoods and have an inexpensive dinner in a 1950s-era restaurant with surly waitresses and home-made pies in the display case out front.

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    Navy Pier: We did it for the airshow!
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  • We only went to Navy Pier to catch a good glimpse of the airshow that was going on. We had lunch at one of the restaurants there and sure enough, the planes went right over us - until the whole thing was cancelled due to a part falling off one of them! The place reminded me of Faneuil Hall in Boston. Tourists flock to it, and it's full of chain restaurants, junk food and tacky sourvenirs. I have no use for this kind of place, but you've got to check it out at least once, huh?

    Check out the skyline view it offers.

    In Chicago, I'm sure there are a hundred alternatives!

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier - Built for Tourists.
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  • Chicagoans only go to Navy Pier for conventions and black tie events. This is not representative of Chicago at all. 90% of the people you will encounter will be tourists. The parking is expensive, as are the restaurants.

    Some of the redeaming features to check out at Navy Pier include: - The beer garden which has live music (May through Sept.) - The Shakespeare Theater which puts on plays year round - The Children's Museum ($7 admission, open M-Sat 10am-8pm) - A a new ice rink - An IMAX theater with a 6-story flat movie screen featuring 2D and 3D films

    If you truly want to experience Chicago, take a walk along the lakefront from Oak Street Beach to North Avenue.

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier
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  • The tourists always seem to be having fun, I just get bored. Navy Pier is a fun destination for families. It has the Chicago Children's Museum, a hands-on facility for kids to play in, a lot of restaurants, an imax theater, a ferris wheel an carousel in the summer and fall, ice skating in the winter. Many harbor tour boats launch from here. Other than that it is easy to get consumed in the over-ratedness of this locale.

    Ride the Ferris wheel. If you have kids go to the Children's museum See the crystal gardens Go for fireworks in the summer. Wed and Sat nights at 9, (arrive around 8:30)

    I mean it is something to be seen in the city so you should at least check it out if you want to. Museum of Science and Industry (57th and Lake Shore Drive) Millenium Park (Monroe and Michigan Avenue) Lincoln Park Zoo - Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive Peggy Notebart Museum - Lincoln Park, Chicago

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    Navy Pier: Navy Pier - Hot and Sticky
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  • I have seen a lot here about the problems of Navy Pier and, being a local, I agree. Its hot and sticky and should be enjoyed as such. The view is great but I recommend a better spot "off the beaten path." I think the view is better and the area more relaxing. The area I'm thinking of is Monroe Harbor. There are lots of boats, green grass, and fisherman. The view is second to none. Teresa teo823@msn.com

    If you have to go to Navy Pier...view the stain glass museum or just sit and people watch.

    Monroe Habor or a cruise on the Chicago river that will tell you about the architecture of Chicago.

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