Navy Pier Comes Full Circle

On our most recent visit to the windy city, we decided to see what all the fuss was about. As it turned out, the afternoon and early evening we allotted was not nearly enough time!

A landmark since it'sng in 1916, the pier was originally a shipping and recreation facility. In it's heyday, the pier had it's own streetcar line, a theater, restaurants, a carousel and more. By 1927, the name was changed to Navy Pier as a memorial to Chicago residents and other Midwesterners who served in the Navy during World War I. For a time, the pier was home to the University of Illinois, Chicago campus.

The pier also served a useful life as a military training facility during both World Wars. Navy pilots took training there (some, a very quick course lasting only three-days!) and nearly 200 aircraft still lie at the bottom of Lake Michigan as testament to that fact. But by the 1970 and 80s, the pier had fallen into disuse, an interesting site perhaps, but seldom used. Then, the city of Chicago and state of Illinois reached an agreement to renovate and redevelop the once-lively Pier. She would come full circle, back to her beginnings as an entertainment complex. Thousands of happy tourists now tread were planes once taxied.

From a distance, the most noticeable site on the pier is the gigantic Ferris wheel. Even in our high-tech world, the simple pleasure of riding high in the sky and feeling the gentle breeze can't be beat. This version is fifteen-stories high and modeled after the very first Ferris wheel which was built for Chicago's World Colombian Exposition of 1893. Once aloft, the view of the city skyscrapers is awe-inspiring. The wheel is one of the largest operating in the U.S. and has forty gondolas seating six passengers each. This attraction isyear-round, weather permitting.

There are enough activities to easily fill a full day and evening at Navy Pier. A variety of boat tours are available. Choices include a thirty-minute ferry ride up to a fancy dinner cruise on a luxury yacht. Chicago's Children's Museum is located in the Family Pavilion. In three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits, kids can dig for dinosaur bones, explore in the inventing lab or visit an enchanted forest in Treehouse Trails. Traveling exhibits mean there's always something new at the museum.

Crystal Gardens, adjacent to the Family Pavilion is a one-acre indoor botanical oasis. The glass atrium structure houses palm trees, dancing fountains and seasonal displays. Their 3D IMAX Theatre and musical carousel have been especially popular. Seasonal ice skating is available from late November to mid-March.

Dining choices at the pier are as diverse as Chicago itself. Besides sit-down restaurants, an extensive food court is available. Seafood is popular at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and Navy Pier beer garden is perfect for a sunny afternoon You're sure to have a tough time choosing!

Chicago has several nicknames, one being "the museum without walls" because of it's reputation as a mecca of public art. Navy Pier has helped foster that nickname with it's large-scale sculptures exhibition. Now a yearly event, Pier Walk runs May to October and has over one hundred large sculptures, created by artisans from twelve countries. The sculptures must meet the minimum height requirement of 10 feet, be self-supporting and withstand the attention of an unsupervised public, not-to-mention the blustery Chicago weather. The entries are by invitation or through a juried competition and line the outdoor promenade.

The most recent addition to Navy Pier is a performing arts theater. Modeled loosely on the Swan Theater in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, the Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier features a 525-seat, courtyard style theater with a thrust stage. The design inside also reflects the theaters of Shakespeare's time period. At it's prior location, Chicago's Shakespeare Theater was recognized internationally for its creative approach to Shakespeare. You'll find the theater off the south facade of the pier's new parking garage.

The wonderful skyline view alone, is worth the trip. It's located on Lake Michigan, just east of downtown. To obtain more specific times andng hours, visit their website at: www.navypier.com.