Navy Pier
Navy Pier, which extends out onto Lake Michigan, provides a plethora of opportunities for family-friendly entertainment. When you arrive at the pier, the first thing you'll notice is the imposing Ferris wheel (which stands 196 feet tall); you'll also find a swing-seat attraction and a carousel. Once the kids have had their fill of thrill coasters, you may take them to the 18-hole miniature golf course or take them to the Chicago area Children's Museum, which has hands-on exhibits ranging from tree-houses to fire trucks to keep them occupied for a few hours.
Navy Pier, on the other hand, is not just for kids. Anyone can enjoy a visit there. Adults can enjoy a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, shop for bargains at a variety of stores, or relax with a drink in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. Also, keep an eye on the Navy Pier website for a list of upcoming events, such as: Concerts are frequently hosted here, and throughout the summer (as well as on New Year's Eve), spectacular fireworks displays are commonplace. In fact, many of the city's most popular Segway tours offer special summer evening rides to the pier, where you can watch the semiweekly fireworks show in the evening.
While many visitors praised Navy Pier's stunning lake vistas and abundance of kid-friendly activities, others expressed dissatisfaction with the costs charged for rides, food, and souvenirs. You can, however, take advantage of complimentary rides on the pier's Centennial Wheel as well as discounted tickets for select thrill rides if you have a Go Chicago Card.
A few blocks east of The Magnificent Mile, the Navy Pier complex is open year-round from 10 a.m. to as late as midnight, depending on the day and time of year. Individual attractions along the pier charge anywhere from $5 to $50 per ride, but you are not required to pay to enjoy the pier (or its evening fireworks display). Additionally, in addition to the pier's amusement rides, retail stores, and dining options, visitors will find on-site toilets, a parking garage, and a cruise port (from which passengers can embark on one of the city's sightseeing or dinner excursions) to use. Due to the lack of a L station in close proximity to Navy Pier, visitors should plan on driving, taking a bus, or utilizing the site's free trolley, which makes many stops along State, Monroe, and Illinois streets as well as Columbus and Grand avenues, to get to the attraction.