Navy Pier is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. If you have plans for this vacation spot, you are in for some real adventure. There are rides and dining cruises, restaurants, amusements and exhibits along with opportunities of shopping for pleasure. The buses that would take you to Navy Pier are #29 State, #65 Grand and #124 Navy Pier. It is open throughout the week from 10am to 5pm. To economize your costs, you should opt for the Go Chicago Card that saves up to 55% on your tickets.

Navy Pier on Wikipedia

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

The Family Pavilion gives you access to Navy Pier maps and leaflets of the entire fun fiesta at Navy Pier. Hence it is wiser to begin your trip from here so that you can plan it out well. You can check out the Food Court and the IMAX movie theatre which are also located here.

Family Pavilion art Navy Pier

http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/Family+Pavilion+At+Navy+Pier-Chicago-attractions-Illinois-United+States:35:371558

The Chicago Children's Museum is right above the IMAX inside the Family Pavilion. Your ticket to the museum gives you limitless opportunities to revisit the museum throughout the day. There are learning sessions on science, math and arts for children up to ten years. The Kraft Artabound Studio lets you discover various forms of art.

Children's Museum

http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/child_museum.html

The Navy Pier Boat Rides takes you on a tour around Chicago. You can opt for a night time Fireworks cruise, an Architectural cruise or a speed boat. But apart from these cruises, a ride on the giant Ferry's Wheel would give you the best pleasure ride that you have ever had.

The Smith Museum of Stained glass has an extraordinary collection of worldly and sacred pieces which belong to the 1870's. Towards the end of the Pier is the Beer Garden. It is an oasis of premium beers and live music.

Smith Museum of Stained Glass

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lalobamfw/4888047804/

Beer Garden

http://www.yelp.com/biz/navy-pier-beer-garden-chicago

Located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Chicago, Navy Pier is about 3,300 feet long. It was constructed in 1916 as a portion of the "Plan of Chicago". As a pier, it was designed and built to offer enough space for passengers and lake freighters. Today, it becomes a hub for public gathering and entertainment. Plus, it's the No. 1 tourist attraction in Chicago.

Many tourists come to the Pier because of the beautiful scenery, Strictly Sail boat show or the Ferris Wheel. However, the fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights are also amazing. Besides, the Children's Museum and IMAZ Theatre are worth your visit as well.

If you happen to be free on a sunny day, pay a visit to the Navy Pier and spend some quality time with fun and friendly people here. Self-driving tours are awesome. But you really need to read parking information before your trip to ensure you a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

For visitors who come to Navy Pier by car, there are several parking garages located at the center of the Navy Pier. They are operated by Standard Parking and can offer enough room for 1,600 vehicles. Parking at Navy Pier is really a little expensive. However, it gives you great convenience as these on-site garages provide easy access to almost every attraction and venue of Navy Pier. Plus, the best thing is that there are always parking lots for you!

Parking rates of these garages vary by day. 20 dollars would be charged for parking before 5 PM on weekdays except Friday. If you arrive at Navy Pier at Friday or weekend nights before 5 PM, parking would cost you 24 dollars. Rates for daily parking after 5 PM range from $20 to $24.

Please note that during Navy Pier's Promotional Season (from November 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011), discounted parking rates are available for every driving visitor. That is to say, you only need to pay 14 dollars per day when parking before 5 PM from Monday to Thursday. And the daily parking fee would be 6 dollars less than regular rate for parking during Friday, Saturday and Sunday before 5 PM. If you prefer to park your car after 5 PM, 10 to 14 dollar would be saved since the parking rate is 10 dollars during the Promotion Season.

For any problems, assistance or information on currently parking rates, you can contact Standard Parking by calling 312-595-5072. If you don't mind walking for a short distance, then you can choose to park in garages near the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Grand Avenue. A couple of parking garages can be found there.

Parking Details of Navy Pier

http://www.navypier.com/visit_us/parking.html

If you plan to go to Navy Pier by riding your motorcycle, keep in mind that you are not permitted to park your motorcycle in the Parking Garages. Head for the Entrance 1 and then you can find a dedicated area for motorcycle parking. Currently, the parking fee for motorcycle is 14 dollars per day.

In the case that you arrive at Navy Pier with you trailer, you really need to pay attention to Navy Pier's parking rules. Trailers are only allowed to entry the East Garage. Parking fees would be charged based on the size of your trailer. Before you drive into the garage, you are required to press a button labeled "assistance".

Navy Pier also offers a number of ADA Parking Lots for people with impairments. They can be found next to the entrances of the East and West Garages. If you have any problems or need assistance, feel free to get reach to the Standard Parking by calling 312-595-5360.

NOTE: The Pier does not offer any parking areas for motor coach. So, motor coach drivers are strongly recommended to check out parking information on choosechicago.com before driving to the Pier.

A Map of Parking Options near the Navy Pier

http://www.chicagoparkingmap.com/map_dynamic.jsp

After you know the location of parking garages and rates for different occasions, the next thing tops your list of driving preparation is how to pay for parking. Fortunately, Navy Pier offers some automated parking pay stations which would significantly save your time and energy. As they are placed throughout the Pier, you can pay for parking during your visit conveniently.

Planning to visit Chicago during summer? Do you want to have the most stunning experience while enjoying your holiday? Watching Navy Pier fireworks is one of the fulfilling things you can do while in Chicago. To be able to know the schedule for the fireworks and other events and shows taking place in the various restaurants, check on fireworks schedule calendar online which is available on different websites. You can even order for one online if they are not being offered for free.

http://www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks.html

When to expect the fireworks shows?

Whether visiting Chicago during the summer or not, Navy Pier will make you have a chance to watch the most beautiful fire works in Chicago. The fireworks will light the Michigan Lake which is just a stones throw from the restaurant. To be able to see the fireworks clearly, consider visiting Navy Pier during the summer, chilly and unclear weather in the other seasons hinders one from seeing the fireworks clearly.

http://gochicago.about.com/od/attractionsandlandmarks/a/pier_fireworks.html

Other tips

Other than enjoying the fireworks have a chance to enjoy free entertainment and music. Don't forget to visit its amusing park for a ride. There are free Navy pier fireworks in most restaurants every Wednesday and Saturday.

Navy Pier is a hot tourist attraction of Chicago. In a place like this entertainment is guaranteed. You must not miss the electrifying fireworks that are displayed between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend on every Wednesdays and Saturdays. The IMAX theatre, many free shows, concerts, the jugglers, magicians and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre present here are solely for the visitors, to have the best time of their lives. And that's not all; the sightseeing cruises and private charters are sure to provide you with the most enriching experience.

The Navy Pier is an ideal location to plan your events here owing to the two huge halls, 36 conference rooms, Grand ballroom and a rooftop.

What are the hours of operation?

The Navy Pier is open throughout the year with its hours of operation depending on the season. In time of fall is open Sundays to Thursdays from 10 am to 8pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.

During winters it's open Mondays through Thursdays from 10am to 8pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 10pm and on Sundays from 10am to 7pm.

Spring timings are Sundays through Thursdays 10am to 8pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.

For booking your tickets online, visit the site:

http://www.navypier.com/

Which are the Chicago hotels near the Navy Pier?

The hotels in Chicago area which are less than a mile away from the Navy Pier are:

- W Chicago Lakeshore: It's situated 0.1 miles from the Navy Pier Chicago.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=2005

- Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown: [0.3 miles].

http://www.embassysuiteschicago.com/

- Sheraton Chicago Hotel And Towers: [0.3 miles]

http://www.sheratonchicago.com/

- Swissotel Chicago: [0.4 miles].

http://www.swissotelchicago.com/

- Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Chicago: [0.4 miles].

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chifd-fairfield-inn-and-suites-chicago-downtown/

- Wyndham Chicago: [0.4 miles].

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/ORDDT/main.wnt?cid=ROMLBCWYND

- Inn of Chicago Magnificent Mile: [0.5 miles].

http://www.innofchicago.com/

- Courtyard By Marriott Chicago Magnificent Mile: [0.5 miles].

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chimm-courtyard-chicago-downtown-magnificent-mile/

- Red Roof Inn Chicago Downtown: [0.5 miles].

http://www.redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=281