A Visitor's Guide to Navy Pier Chicago
by Jeffrey Sachs, Freelance Writer

USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN YOUR DAY AT NAVY PIER
Navy Pier is an adventure whether you’re a two-some or a ten-some. To see it all could take a couple days, so my goal is to help you make the most of your visit. Along the way I’ve incorporated some helpful hints so you can take advantage of all that Navy Pier has to offer. But I encourage you to be spontaneous. Splash around in the fountain. Run around in the park. Stop and smell the roses (literally and figuratively). And most of all…have fun.

TIP: Since there is so much to see and do at Navy Pier, your first stop should be inside the Family Pavilion. There you can find a map of Navy Pier, and brochures of the different activities and exhibits. You can even get some useful information about all that Navy Pier has to offer. The friendly people behind the counter are always willing to answer questions.

FOOD & AMENITIES
If your first order of business is eating, then you’ve come to the right place. The majority of the restaurants at Navy Pier are located right at the front in the Family Pavilion. You’ll find restaurants with themes inspired by the early Legends of Jazz, Southern Creole and even your neighborhood saloon. There are also plenty of fast food choices for visitors on the go.

TIP: If you’re with a big group, stick to the Food Court where there is something for everyone at an affordable price.

Before you do anything else, stop by the IMAX Theatre ticket booth located in the Family Pavilion to see what’s playing.

NAVY PIER IMAX THEATRE
The words “Big Screen” have new meaning in this movie theatre, with a 6-story mammoth screen that’s 60 feet high and 80 feet wide (Chicago's largest flat movie screen). It has seating for 440. The IMAX Theater presents first-run movies and specially made IMAX films (in 2D and 3D) and has a massive sound system to match. The lineup is always changing so you are guaranteed something new with each visit. See What's Playing at the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre now.

After you’ve checked out the IMAX, head upstairs to the Chicago Children’s Museum. This kid-friendly attraction has brand new exhibits and workshops appearing daily.

Chicago Children's Museum THE CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Chicago Children’s Museum is a wonderland where children can explore their creative sides, learn about the world around them and travel through different lands and times. Located in the Family Pavilion, the Chicago Children’s Museum offers several hands-on exhibits where children and parents are encouraged to share in the process of learning and creating.

One of the most popular spots is the Kraft Artsabound Studio, where free craft classes let children demonstrate their creative skills making real pieces of art that they can take home with them.

TIP: Your admission to the Children’s Museum buys you unlimited re-entry to the museum all day, so you can revisit as many times as you like.
When you’re finished exploring the Museum, you’ll want to head up to Navy Pier Park, but before you do, look into signing up for a tour of Chicago…by boat.

BOAT RIDES
You have three choices for Navy Pier boat rides when it comes to cruising around Chicago. A speedboat ride will have you zipping across Lake Michigan at 40 miles per hour while you learn about the Chicago Skyline. If speedboats aren’t your “speed”, then you can try an Architectural cruise. These relaxing rides will give you a more historical perspective of Chicago, but won’t go quite as fast.

And if you’re planning to stay later in the day, I encourage you to sign up for one of the nighttime fireworks cruises. There’s possibly no better backdrop for fireworks than the Chicago skyline. Fireworks cruises set sail Wednesday and Saturday nights from late May through early September, so plan accordingly. But no matter which boat ride you choose, don’t forget your camera.

And you’ll also need your camera for when you reach Navy Pier Park.

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NAVY PIER PARK
A must for young and old alike, Navy Pier Park will transport you back to the carnival of old, where you can ride the Musical Carousel, the Wave Swinger or take in the sights from the 150 foot tall Ferris wheel.

Navy Pier Park Rides

TIP: Invest in a Family Combo Pack instead of buying tickets for each ride individually. But if you only have time for one ride, make sure it’s the Ferris wheel – it’s the best!!

After you make your way back downstairs, head out towards the end of the Pier.
But keep your eyes open for what’s next.

THE SMITH MUSEUM OF STAINED GLASS
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass just might be the best kept secret at Navy Pier. Odds are good you might miss this exhibit even though it covers nearly three football fields of maze-like corridors. The Museum is enclosed entirely inside the eastern half of the Pier, so stay alert, because you don’t want to overlook this beautiful collection of religious and secular pieces dating back to the 1870’s.

TIP: You can save your visit to the Museum for your walk back up the Pier. In the very least, the air-conditioned hallways offer an exceptional way to escape the crowds and the weather. But keep walking, because an oasis awaits.

BEER GARDEN
Towards the end of the Pier you’ll find the Beer Garden, a lively gathering place where you can relax and re-energize. Live music and premium beers are the highlights of this laid-back locale.

TIP: If it’s too crowded or too loud for you in the Beer Garden,
make your way to the North side of the Pier where I found plenty of empty tables. Combine that with a view of the lake that can’t be beat, and your drink starts tasting a little better.

If you’ve reached the end of Navy Pier and you’ve had enough walking, preserve your energy by hopping on a trolley. Cross over to the North Side of the Pier right before you reach the Beer Garden. You can ride the trolley back to the front of the Pier or take it straight to your remote parking lot.

With all this new knowledge, I trust your day will be jam-packed from beginning to end. Besides, I never even got a chance to mention the Pepsi Skyline Stage, where big names play nightly.

IN SUMMARY
From the moment you walk onto Navy Pier, you're whisked away to a world built on fantasy and imagination. Whether you're frolicking around the Children's Museum, weaving the many walkways of Stained Glass, or just kicking up your heels at Navy Pier Park, there's something for everyone at this lakeshore landmark.

MAP OF NAVY PIER
If you are a map person and want to visualize the layout of Navy Pier, the official web site has a Printable Map.