Navy Pier

Navy Pier Review

No matter the season, Navy Pier is a fun place to spend a few hours, especially with kids in tow. Constructed in 1916 as a commercial-shipping pier and part of Daniel Burnham's "Master Plan of Chicago," it stretches 1/2 mile into Lake Michigan. Redesigned and re-opened in 1995, its various attractions have made it a major tourist draw. Outside, there's a landscaped area with gardens, a fountain, a carousel, a 15-story Ferris wheel, and a beer garden. Walk inside and find Crystal Gardens, a six-story glass atrium which serves as an indoor event venue and botanical park; the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows; the Chicago Children's Museum; an IMAX theater; the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; and a bevy of souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars.