Navy Pier (Chicago): History, Resources, Facts
Brief History of Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million, which is about $89.7 million dollars today. It was a part of the original plan of Daniel Burnham to develop Chicago into a leading tourist location and beautiful city that could grow economically. Navy Pier was planned and built with many goals in mind, and to serve many purposes. Below you will find answers to questions such as why is the navy pier famous, why was navy pier built, who designed navy pier, why the navy pier has that name, and when was navy pier built?
The Timeline of Navy Pier in Chicago
1. Construction began in 1914 under the leadership of Charles Sumner Frost.
2. 1916 the pier was open to the world.
3. In 1917-18, during World War I the pier housed many soldiers, the Red Cross, and Home Defense units.
4. During WW2 the city leased the pier to the U.S. Navy. The Navy’s air group training arm made the pier a home for a pair of converted flattops, the USS Wolverine and the USS Sable, which were used as freshwater trainee carriers.
5. After the war, Navy Pier went to the University of Illinois, which used the facility beginning in 1946 for a two-year undergraduate program to educate returning veterans.
6. From 1965–1989, Navy Pier was considered an underutilized eyesore. Many advocates, inspired by the Plan of Chicago and the pier’s successful use as a public gathering place in the 1920s, called for its reconstruction.
7. In 1976, Navy Pier began its third life as an area for public exhibits, when the East Buildings were opened as exhibition halls.
8. From 1979 to 1987, a submarine, the USS Silversides, was docked at Navy Pier.
9. In 1989, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority took control over the pier. Major renovation and construction followed in the 1990s at a cost of US$200 million and included fast-food kiosks, shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, and convention exhibition halls.
10. The future of Navy Pier was hinted at on January 13, 2006, when the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority released plans for a major renovation of the pier including a monorail, a 260-foot Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, floating hotel, and an 80,000-square-foot water park.
Currently there are many fun things to do while at Navy Pier in Chicago. Below you will find some of the best things to do and attractions to see while visiting the pier.
Rides & Attractions at Navy Pier
Pier Park
Located on the upper deck, between the Crystal Gardens and the Pepsi Skyline Stage is Pier Park. An outdoor landscaped area which features attractions such as a permanent Ferris wheel, a musical carousel, an old-fashioned swing ride, an 18-hole miniature golf course and more. How tall is the ferris wheel at navy pier? It is 150 feet high.
Chicago’s Children’s Museum
Chicago Children’s Museum is the place where play and learning connect! The museum’s family-friendly blend of interactive exhibits and innovative educational programs make learning about math, science, reading, the arts, and cultures come alive for kids.
Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze
Try to find your way through close to 4000 square feet of wild sensory experiences. Enter the wacky mirror maze if you dare, stumble your way through the spinning tunnel, or stomp out the great Chicago fire. These are just a few of the attractions to experience at this oldstyle funhouse at Navy Pier!
Navy Pier AeroBalloon
Float in silence 35 stories into the air on the Navy Pier AeroBalloon, an anchored, helium-filled, state of the art balloon. The balloon will carry up to 17 passengers at a time for spectacular 360-degree panoramas of a bustling downtown Chicago and a horizon-bending view of Lake Michigan.
Segway Experience of Chicago
Segway Experience of Chicago: The City’s only Segway-authorized touring company will offer two-hour guided tours of the lakefront beginning at beautiful Navy Pier. The two-hour tours are offered seven days a week beginning at 9:30am & 10:30am, 12:30pm & 1:30pm, 4:30pm & 5:30pm.
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800-ft.-long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. It is the first museum in the United States dedicated solely to stained glass windows. The stained glass windeows were designed by prominent local, national and European studios and most were originally installed in Chicago area residential, commercial and religious buildings.
Entertainment at Navy Pier
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The year-round theater is an intimate 510-seat theater, only nine rows separate the most distant seat from the actors on stage, and the gallery is suspended just 20 feet above the action. The complex also features a flexible 180-seat theater, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, rehearsal spaces, an English-style pub, a Shakespeare resource center for educators, and lobby and reception areas.
IMAX Theater
Undoubtedly one of the Pier’s BIGGEST attractions is the 440-seat Navy Pier IMAX Theatre. Featuring Chicago’s largest flat movie screen-a soaring six-story, 60 x 80-foot screen designed to enhance both 2D and 3D films.
Family Pavilion Stage
Enjoy free, daily entertainment with Navy Pier’s cast of characters at the Family Pavilion Stage. You’ll find everything from the Navy Pier Buccaneers to circus performers to magicians — and, of course, Navy Pier’s official mascot, Patch the Pirate Dog.
Dock Street Stage
Every Saturday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, you’ll discover something new at the Dock Street Stage, from jugglers to magicians, choral groups to dance troupes.
Boats Rides and Cruises at Navy Pier
Tall Ship Windy
Tall Ship Windy is Navy Pier’s resident 148-foot, four-masted schooner. They have several 90-minute cruises, as well as charter and educational trips each day. If your a boat enthusiast you will appreciate the design of the ship and that it pays tribute to the Great Lakes’ rich maritime heritage by featuring a design reminiscent of a traditional American schooner. For more information about Tall Ship Windy, please call (312) 595-5555 or visit their website here.
Seadog Speedboats
Seadogs I, II, and IV offer exhilarating 30-minute Lakefront Speedboat Rides and amusing 75-minute River Architectural Tours. A new more powerful speedboat has been added to the fleet, the Seadog EXTREME which is 30% faster than the original boats will blow your mind and give you the ride of your life! For more information please call (888) 636-7737 or visit their website here.
Shoreline Sightseeing and Architecture Cruises
Offering 30-minute skyline tours from the west end of Navy Pier, its perfect way for the entire family to experience the majesty of Chicago’s lakefront. Their popular one-hour architecture cruises depart from Ogden Slip at Navy Pier and travel up and down the Chicago River viewing over 40 masterpieces of modern architecture by some of Chicago’s famous architects. Shoreline also offers private event charters for your private getaways on four vessels. For more information please call (312) 222-9328 or visit the Shoreline website here.
Spirit of Chicago
For great entertainment at a great value, choose the festive and vibrant Spirit of Chicago. Come aboard for a Brunch, Lunch, Cocktail or Dinner Cruise year-round and be dazzled by a unique combination of buffet dining, dancing, engaging entertainment and breathtaking views. For more information on cruise options and tickets, please call (866) 273-2469 or visit the website here.
The Odyssey
Escape from the ordinary with an elegant Odyssey Dining Cruise. Enjoy distinctive plated menus, live entertainment, dancing, and the most spectacular Chicago skyline views. With three climate-controlled decks, cruise the lakefront in comfort year-round. For more information on cruise options and tickets, please call (866) 305-2469 or visit the website here.
Mystic Blue Cruises
Mystic Blue is the place to be for those who want to experience the best of Chicago’s hip downtown scene at a value. Complete with great food, cool entertainment and dancing, step aboard a Brunch, Lunch, Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge or Blue After-Dark Cruise for a trendy scene with awesome Chicago skyline views. For more information on cruise options and tickets, please call (877) 299-7783 or visit the website here.
There is so many options throughout Navy Pier’s 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, top rated restaurants, and attractions that you are sure to find something to satisfy any persons interest.
Navy Pier Resources
The official website of Navy Pier in Chicago.
Chicago Travel’s information about Navy Pier
Chicago’s Navy Pier
Article Navy Pier is ready for medical emergencies by Adam Alexander
I am a teacher in Michigan. I grew up in Florida and have lived here in MI for close to 15 years. I enjoy writing and skiing in my spare time.
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