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When I suggest going to Navy Pier, I’m usually met with moans and groans, followed by a resigned, “Fine, let’s go.” But without fail, every person I’ve taken has left admitting that Navy Pier isn’t so bad after all.
It's common for Chicagoans to brush Navy Pier off as a tourist trap. Although it is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions, it's a vibrant cultural hub that deserves a second look from locals.
Opened in 1916, the pier was originally a barren sliver of land used as a shipping and recreation facility. Its original name, Municipal Pier, was changed in 1927 to honor the Navy personnel who lived there during the First World War.
Fast forward to the summer of 1995, and it looked a lot like what we know it as today. An extensive $150 million renovation brought it into the modern era with a Ferris wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum and the now-defunct Crystal Gardens. More than four million people visited Navy Pier that year.
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These days, Navy Pier attracts more than nine million visitors each year. According to recent insights by Envisionit, many locals view Navy Pier strictly as a tourist destination. This isn’t a groundbreaking discovery, but it’s proof that many Chicagoans are due for a reintroduction to Navy Pier.
Sure, there are plenty of other places to spend your time, most of which don’t include navigating thousands of pedestrians and expensive parking fees. But if you do it right, a trip to Navy Pier can be magical. Case in point: Just a few weeks ago, I took a walk down the pier and came across a free concert at the Wave Wall Stage. Just like that, my usual after-work walk turned into an evening of musical revelry.
The recent Envisionit research also found that many Chicagoans aren’t aware of how different—and how much better—Navy Pier is now than it was even 15 years ago. In 2011, the newly formed not-for-profit organization Navy Pier Inc. executed a comprehensive $115 million redevelopment that introduced a hotel, off-season cultural programming, a modernized South Dock, new dining spaces, a revamped Polk Bros Park, and eventually, the new Centennial Wheel.
I, on the other hand, have been aware of its greatness for years and have gathered insights on how to experience the very best that Navy Pier has to offer.
Here’s my tried-and-true method to loving Navy Pier.
Ride the bus
There are five bus lines (#29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, #124 Navy Pier and #2 Hyde Park Express) that begin and end right at Navy Pier. Whether you’re connecting from the Red Line or Union, Millennium or Ogilvie Stations, getting there is simple and much cheaper than driving. Plus, you avoid the headache of dodging pedestrians on your way out.
Go during off-hours
Navy Pier can actually be a peaceful place to stroll if you go at the right time. I’ve found that early afternoons during the week are the emptiest. Another prime time is after the fireworks shows on Wednesday and Saturday nights during the summer, after the tourists head back to their hotels.
Don’t miss the parks
There are some picturesque and very serene green spaces surrounding the pier. On the north side, Milton Lee Olive Park offers one of the city’s most iconic views (and is typically surprisingly quiet). There’s also the 13-acre Polk Bros park, featuring a massive splash pad, public art and a lush apiary that’s home to between 50,000 and 80,000 bees.
Skip the restaurants
Unless you’re in a pinch, plan to dine elsewhere. Many other restaurants in Chicago are better places to spend your time and money—here are our top picks. On a sweltering summer day, though, a scoop of ice cream from Kilwin’s always hits the spot.
Enjoy the view
We rarely get to see the Chicago skyline from the east side of Lake Shore Drive, and Navy Pier offers one of the most picturesque views from that angle—especially at night. One of my favorite places to plop down is at the Billy Goat Tavern patio (there’s an outdoor bar), where you can watch boats dock with the glittering skyline in the background.
There’s a reason Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most iconic locales. From the sweeping skyline views and summer firework shows to the world-class Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the award-winning Chicago Children’s Museum, there are plenty of reasons to rediscover—and maybe even love—Navy Pier.