Navy Pier is one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago, mainly owing to the large number of facilities and services to engage tourists of all ages and backgrounds. Already a place of historic importance, the entertainment facilities meshed with the attractions include cuisse, IMAX movies, dining places, the beer garden, performing arts and much more. Navy Pier, located on Chicago Harbor area and the Grand Avenue, is a major landmark as well.

Navy Pier is one of the biggest places in terms of hours of a vacation it demands. Navy Pier can be a whole day event with something or the other to keep everyone occupied. A place of vibrant culture confluences and fireworks as well, kids are bound to enjoy Navy Pier in grand style. For visiting Navy Pier, you will need to plan with caution, in order to avoid confusion with seasonal time changes.

For most of the year, Navy Pier remains open between 10 am and 8 pm on weekdays including Sunday. During fall, you can enjoy the place for a couple of hours more on weekends. In winter, the place closes the earliest on Sundays, but remains open till 10 pm on weekends. However, summers are the best time to visit the place as you get time until midnight for enjoying the many facilities it has to offer. Spring and fall have the same timings.

Dining at the Navy Pier is one of the most enjoyable things to do. The food court in Family Pavilion provides options amongst assortment of various kinds of cuisines. You can also find interesting eateries along the Arcade area.

When you travel Chicago one of the attractions that you should not forget to visit is the Navy Pier. The Chicago Navy Pier is a long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The pier is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the near North Side community area.

It is one of the infamous structures in Chicago with a long and fascinating history. The 79-year-old lakefront landmark attracts over eight million visitors annually.

The Chicago Navy Pier history dates back to 1916 when it was built as part of the plan of Chicago that was developed by architect and city planner Daniel Bumham.

The Navy Pier has had several uses over the centuries it was once used as a classroom, then later as a public gathering place for the Chicago community. It is described as a recreation facility with picnicking areas, dining areas, auditorium, dance hall, and children's playground. Make a point of visiting this historic structure when you travel Chicago and experience the much it has to offer.

Sites for more on the history of the Chicago Navy Pier

A view on cities-Navy Pier

http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago/navypier.htm

The Navy Pier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_Pier

About Navy Pier history

http://www.navypier.com/about/history.html

Chicago's Navy Pier

http://www.chiefengineer.org/content/content_display.cfm/seqnumber_content/1125.htm

Chicago Navy Pier

http://www.emich.edu/public/geo/557book/d363.navypier.html

The Chicago Navy pier is the most popular Chicago's site for attractions which still continues to provide a wide range of activities on the Pier such as, entertainment options and a hub for a number of tour boats which you can view Chicago from the lake among others. Navy Pier was originally put up to serve freighters of Lake Michigan to and help in transportation to other cities on the Great Lakes and also for recreational purposes.

The Navy Pier was later converted to military use and used throughout the Second World War. After a lull, Navy Pier was revitalized and currently it is a multi-million dollar convention, cultural and recreation center and Chicago's most visited attraction.

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago-navy-pier.htm

The attractions of the Navy pier

There is Chicago's Bicycle Rental & Tours Company that has lasted for more than ten years. Chicago's lakefront is a biking paradise. Over eighteen miles of lakefront trails make it easy and safe to ride in Chicago. The bike rental shops are conveniently located along the trail at Navy Pier, Chicago's beach. Bike Chicago Rentals & Tours accommodates individuals as well as large groups of people.

There are over two hundred bikes and skates to choose from. Helmets and locks are offered for free. Guided Chicago tours and travel depart daily from Navy Pier and from Northern Ave. The beach is open daily and you have to follow the set rules.

The Navy pier features many attractions for the local people and visitors. The Smith Museum of Stained Glass windows is a permanent display of one hundred and fifty stained glass windows housed in an eight hundred feet Some of the indoor features include a fifteen meter walk through the fun house and the children's Museum among others.

http://www.chicagotraveler.com