This century-old pier is a defining feature of the Chicago lakefront. Navy Pierextends onto the water for 3300ft and is built on a foundation of 20,000 timber logs from Oregon. It was part of the initial master plan for the development of Chicago and was originally meant to serve freighter and passenger ships. It became a Naval transit hub during WWI and a Naval training center during WWII.
Nowadays, Navy Pier is a vibrant family entertainment center with carnival rides, a museum, attractions and lots of restaurants. It’s home to the Chicago Children’s Museum, a 1-acre indoor botanical garden, a funhouse maze, a Ferris wheel and even Disneyland-style teacups. It’s the starting point of Lake Michigan sightseeing cruises and offers the opportunity to sample deep-dish pizza and Billy Goat Tavern cheeseburgers under one roof. It’s free to visit the pier, though some attractions – like the Chicago Children's Museum and Centennial Wheel – do charge admission.
