Navy Pier, Chicago

Chicago’s famed Navy Pier is a major tourist attraction that overlooks Lake Michigan. It’s roughly 3,000 feet long and home to numerous attractions, food vendors and amusement rides, including a giant Ferris wheel.

Navy Pier is definitely a fun place to take the friends and family when you’re in Chicago, but I found it’s kind of a one-and-done destination. Sure, there is plenty to do here but nothing so exciting you can’t find it at your average county fair.

Navy Pier, Chicago © Noel Powell | Dreamstime

The rides are often crowded and the pier is full of screaming children during the day and loads of drunk tourists and locals at night. We ate at Riva, one of the only legitimate sit-down restaurants on the pier. The food was decent, but way more expensive that what I was expecting for the quality I received.

Honestly, the highlight of Navy Pier is twofold. One, the views of some areas of Chicago, especially from the top of the Ferris wheel, are hard to beat. Second, they put on a fireworks show during the summer months on certain nights. Those are pretty spectacular and the vibrant colors reflecting off the water are a sight to see.

Like I said, it’s a cute place to visit once during your stay in Chicago, but don’t expect a world-class attraction that’ll knock you off you feet.