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Navy Pier
Considered to be the most tourist packed spot in Chicago, Navy Pier is actually located on Lake Michigan; it extends about a mile into from the shore.  The hustle and bustle of this spot is unbelievable! The number of events and activities going on in this place is quite astounding. Opened in 1916, the pier was designed for both shipping and recreational uses. It also hosted a military training site, room for concerts as well as exhibitions. The Pier now boasts some of the most unique tourist attractions in Chicago. The festive atmosphere of Navy Pier attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The park features a large list of fun and entertaining things to do. Boat rides, cruises, shopping, performances, restaurants, concerts, stage shows, arcades, museums, theaters, IMAX, a beer garden, you name it you got it! It is a place for all walks of life, from the lone tourist to family touring groups. Both young and old will not have a hard time finding something to do on Navy Pier. As you enter the park, you will first see the Gateway Park, located a little to the west of the entrance. Walk around an enjoy over 200 outdoor sculptures on display during summer or the fire works show several nights a week also during summer. Walk along North Dock and visit the Family Pavilion, the fun center for everyone featuring a 440 seat IMAX theater, restaurants and retail stores. Walk a little bit farther and you will run into the Crystal Gardens, a beautiful indoor botanical garden for family activities and other events.
In the park you will also find the South Arcade, Navy Pier Park, Dock Street, Festival Hall, and the Skyline Stage.  South Arcade is where you will find even more shops, restaurants and park attractions such as Time Scape, Amazing Chicago and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. In Navy Pier Park you will be greeted with a theme park atmosphere with a 150-foot Ferris wheel donated to the park by McDonalds. If you want to recreate the childhood days, you can also ride a musical carousel and an old fashioned swing ride. If you're into miniature gold, there is a course here, and if not go over the Skyline Stage and watch a show. Built in 1994, as an addition to the park, Skyline Stage is the only performance stage built directly on the lake front. From May until September, the Skyline Stage has all types of musical concerts lined up, from classical to jazz to pop and also stage shows of all kinds. Throughout the entire park experience, you will certainly run into Dock Street. It runs straight down the center and at different times of the year, you will be able to watch musicians, jugglers, street performers and visit all types of specialty shops and eateries. To top it all off, Festival Hall is a large exhibit space that hosts many exhibitions and conventions throughout the year, mixing business with pleasure. Located nearby is the legendary Smith Museum of Stained Glass Window. Housing more than 150 permanent displays of both secular and religious stained glass, the Museum is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 10pm, except on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 9pm. With a spectacular view of Chicago's skyline and a wonderful open air festive atmosphere, Navy Pier is a definite must see. There is not one day in the entire summer or through out the year when it is not jam packed with things to do and people to see, so mark it down on the top of your "to do" list when you visit Chicago.
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Writer: Sunita D.
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[Must Visit]
Nearby Spots: Magnificent Mile · John Hancock Center ···
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Featured Spot: Navy Pier
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Considered to be the most tourist packed spot in Chicago, Navy Pier is actually located on Lake Michigan; it extends about a mile into from the shore.  The hustle and bustle of this spot is unbelievable! The number of events and activities going on in this place is quite astounding. Opened in 1916, the pier was designed for both shipping and recreational...More
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The Unofficial Guide to Chicago
by Joe Surkiewicz, Bob Sehlinger
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