 | Chicago Navy Pier Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 27 |  |
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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. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Navy Pier: Navy Pier is cool, just come when it is closed | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
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. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Navy Pier: Navy Pier | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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. Leave a Comment
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