Navy Pier is on Lake Michigan close to Chicago’s downtown and has over 50 acres of Chicago entertainment. Navy Pier attracts over than 8 million visitors each year.

Navy Pier was first build as a shipping and entertainment area. It was also used as a military facility during the First World War. In 1927 the Pier was renamed to Navy Pier in honor of World War I veterans. After the war it served as the Chicago Branch of the University of Illinois.

Two major buildings on the Navy Pier are the Headhouse and the Auditorium. Both were designed by Charles Summer Forst in 1916.

Some of the major Navy Pier attractions are the Ferris wheel (148 ft), Chicago’s Children Museum, the Auditorium also known as the Hall and many restaurants. Some of the other attractions are Smith Museum of Stain Glass Windows, countless Shops and different Boats and Cruises.

One of the newest attractions is the Aero balloon an anchored helium filled balloon that floats above the lakefront. The Shakespeare theatre houses 525 seats and is also a very recent addition to the Navy Pier.

During the summer season you are able to enjoy the Navy Pier fireworks which you can see Wednesdays at 9:30pm, Saturdays at 10:15, Holiday Shows: Saturday, July 4th at 9pm and Sunday, September 6th at 9:30.

The Beer Garden on Navy Pier is the perfect place in Chicago to enjoy an ice-cold beer. It is home to the Bud Light Stage which features live music on the weekends in the summer. Also, the Pepsi Skyline Stage is an open-air pavilion that offers great shows as well.

For children’s shows the Family Pavilion Stage and Dock Street Stage are a perfect place to visit. Best of all shows at these two stages are free! Expect interactive, fun and children friendly shows. They usually have jugglers, magicians and other fun activities as well as Navy Pier’s mascot Patch the Pirate Dog.

During the summer period Navy Pier is home to many, many boat and bike tours. For sight seeing tours visit The Tall Ship Windy or a Shoreline Sightseeing boat for an amazing architectural tour.

For a high-speed ride on Lake Michigan, Seadog Speedboats offer exhilarating thrills for the whole family. Running April through October chose from Seadog I, II, IV or Extreme for 360 degree turns and soaking wet fun!

Dinner boat tours Spirit of Chicago, The Odyssey and Mystic Blue are also available at Navy Pier. To be wined and dined in the best atmosphere possible these boats are the best choice. Navy Pier is also the resting place of many boats and yachts available for private charter.

Before you say good bye to Navy Pier you absolutely have to visit the Imax Theater. It’s one of Pier’s biggest attractions with 440 seats. It Features Chicago’s largest flat movie screen a soaring six story, 60 x 80 foot screen designed to enhance both 2D and 3D films.

If you are visiting the Chicago area make sure to check out theNavy Pier, and make sure to bring your camera with you!