k_999_9

I notice a lot of people mention the Navy Pier in Chicago as a place to visit, so I did recently and came away asking, "What's the big deal?"

BTW, I liked Chicago a lot and would go back, but I'm wondering: Did I miss something about the Navy Pier? Apart from a run-of-the-mill food court and a few ordinary shops, I didn't see anything there.

Kal

Diff' Strokes, I guess. :-?

We love it and go there every time.

Riva's is still one of our favorite restaurants. You meet some of the nicest people there, right Margot55?


Love the various bands that play along the way....the candy/nuts to go....hustle bustle of the tour boats, Ferris Wheel, sculpture/art displays, the tent theatre in the Spring (Saw Steven Wright there-hillarious!), and gorgeous views of the Lake and the city.

We've been known to spend an hour or so just sitting on one of the benches and watching the world go by and yacking.

k_999_9

You may have a point about time of day/year.

I went at night, in the fall, and the weather kind of rainy blustery. Maybe I'll try it again some time, but I think I'll make sure it's a summer day.

Vittrad

I've never been a huge Navy Pier fan, except for the Shakespeare Theatre or Children's Museum (when I'm with Children). The rest is rather touristy and not quite my cup of tea. I'm glad you liked Cchicago though

Kal

"Summer"...try Spring or Fall so you don't sweat your way out to the end and back!

I was by myself in Chicago for a business trip and decided to walk out to the end and back for some exercise.

It was a historical Chicago wind blowing that day.
Walking to the end was ok...made it in about 20 secs...coming back I was doing my Marcel Marceau "Man walking into the wind" mime routine. Took about an hour to walk back!

jimjim

The Navy Pier didn't appeal to us either. We had a good meal at the upscale restaurant there (Riva, I believe) and went to a Second City Performance. It might have been fun to see the fireworks, but we were too tired to hang arouind.

TedTurner

Excellent post, k 999 9.
I have no idea why some people recommend Navy Pier to first time visitors. I have been there maybe 3 times (will occasionally go in if walking the lakefront) and each time I have left completely unimpressed. It has a lot of potential. But very little substance IMO.

Kal

k_,jim and TedT,
Just curious....what places have "substance" and are "big deals" in your travels?
Just looking for a gauge not an agrument.>-

Curious

k 999 9,

I agree heartily with your non-endorsement of Navy Pier. We came away this summer with the same response......"What's the big deal"?

Far too many other interesting things to do in Chicago, in my opinion.

We were there in the day time. About the only thing of interest was watching all the "Older" folks line up to take the cruises. It looked like the retirement home busses had brought everyone out for a tour. Don't knock me, I'm retired.

Dick

cd

We always enjoy Navy Pier. But then, we love the sun and water and love walking to the end and just sitting with a few cold ones enjoying the activity around us.

k_999_9

To paraphrase the Supreme Court, I'll know a big deal when I see it.

The night we went to the NP, there was no show, no performances, and really not much more than you'd find at your average big shopping mall.

As I said, it was on a wet, blustery night, so the outdoor part escaped us completely (and I can understand how the pier area might be nice in warm weather).

As I said, I liked Chicago a lot, but I can think of a dozen things I'd do there before I'd go to the NP again -- especially on a rainy fall night.

Hey, don't take it personal. I just wasn't impressed.

capri767

Well, this is certainly interesting ...esp. since Im leaving tomorrow for a long weekend in Chicago with my best friend and 7 year old daughter...I was hoping to take her to NP for fall/halloween festivities.Is there such a thing?I thought I had read a lot was going on here this weekend......hmmmmm.I thought the pier sounded like fun for her and a good way to see the shoreline/city?Do I need to rethink?

swalter518

Capri, I wouldn't rethink it-go, especially with a 7 year old. They have a stage inside in the middle where they hold Halloween skits and it's supposed to be great weather this weekend. It's worth going just for the Ferris wheel's view of the skyline. Don't plan on a whole day there but it's worth a few hours on a nice day.

seetheworld

Capri, why change your plans - my goodness, they do not require you to pay admission to get into the pier itself. If you don't like it, then you can leave. There's plenty to do for some, or plenty to avoid for others. You can spend as much or as little time as you want. That can easily be said for most places.

We really enjoyed being by the lake and looking back at the city. The kids got ice cream and we had a blast riding the quadcycle along the lake.

Enjoy Chicago!

capri767

Thanks..we are looking forward to it.

Vittrad

capri767 -- I second chigal, definately go, while I'll go on record as not being the biggest fan of the place, my 8 year old neice loves it, and if you child doesn't scare too easy, check out the haunted ship.

makai1

I'm so glad I caught this thread before it disappeared to #150 or so.

Navy Pier is a matter of the heart... I'm w/ Kal, plop on a bench and enjoy watching everything going on around you.

I've always caught live music, good company, overall play atmosphere. Can't beat that.

Early autumn is the best, although summer is a blast... it's all what you make it... attitude is everything! ><

antlori

I visited Navy Pier when I was in Chicago this summer but went for the show (Romeo & Juliet at the Shakespeare Theatre). It was a beautiful sunny day and the views of the lake and the Chicago skyline were awesome. In fact, I was overwhelmed by the view from the women's washroom in the theatre--a huge bank of windows overlooking the lake. I didn't have time to walk out further on the pier but I'd like to go back maybe next summer to check out the stained glass museum. I really didn't have any expectations when I went since I was going there to see a show, but I was pleasantly surprised.

mmarty

Hi guys, it's definitely a matter of taste. My boyfriend and I take weekend trips to Chicago about 3 or 4 times a year (we're from St. Louis) and we enjoy going to the Pier. I'll admit we don't go every time, but I love to just walk up and down the mall and look in all the little booths. **I try to stay away from Penn & Teller** I'm only 26 and I loved taking the Architecture cruise up the river - it was interesting. But, then again, if someone asked me what there was to do in Chicago, the Pier would be low on my list of things - just because we like it, doesn't mean others will.

MikeT

The reality is that people travel for different reasons and like different things. I can't fathom why people like New Orleans, but millions of people love it. I can't imagine including the Mall of America as a vacation destination, but lots of people do it.

OTOH, I am sure people would be annoyed that want to go to contemporary art museums or sit around drinking coffee instead of hitting 10 tourist sites. To each his own.