MomsTribute
Whether you’re from the Windy City or just visiting, a popular choice among kid friendly venues is Navy Pier. Situated along Lake Michigan, this pier offers gorgeous lakefront and cityscape views to take in, all while playing and creating lifelong memories with your children. From museums and whimsical carnival rides to boat tours on the Great Lake Michigan, no place offers as much family fun as Navy Pier.
Going to Navy Pier is like stepping back in time. In the words of my oldest son, “It looks like a carnival from a movie, not like the kind you see at the fair.” Pier Park has sort of a classic, vintage feel to it, one that is hard to find today. And for those reasons it is my suggestion for you to bring your kids' grandparents too. Sharing memories can be a magical time for everyone so enjoy this opportunity. Navy Pier is huge, and with so much to do, you likely won’t get to experience everything it has to offer, but I hope this blog provides you with a starting point!
The first place in Navy Pier to put on your bucket list is the Chicago Children’s Museum. Of all the museums my kids have been to and loved, this one is still their favorite! Whether you have toddlers or school-age children, your kids are sure to love this interactive museum. There are so many hands-on activities that feel like “play.” My kids didn’t even realize how much they were learning! My daughter’s favorite activity that she still talks about today was digging for bones and learning about dinosaurs. My son was fully immersed in building a skyscraper, which I am convinced has played a role in his special interest in architecture.
Of course, I can’t write about Navy Pier without mentioning the carnival rides and the iconic Centennial Wheel. You cannot miss this gigantic Ferris wheel that rivals the height of the Sears Tower. OK…I may be exaggerating, but it is huge! I’ll admit, I am afraid of heights, but the fully enclosed gondolas gave just the reassurance I needed to enjoy the fantastic view of Chicago from 200 feet above with my family. The kids, on the other hand, did not show a hint of fear and enjoyed the thrill of being up so high. One of the best parts about this Ferris wheel is that the gondolas hold up to 8 people, so there is no need for splitting up!
Other Pier Park classics include the historic carousel and wave swinger. My kids did not meet the height requirement for the wave swinger at the time, so we had to skip that ride. However, it is one of my favorites and certainly worth adding to the bucket list! The carousel is beautiful and couldn’t be cuter for the little ones! There is also the light tower, which is ideal for younger kids as it doesn’t move too fast. My kids enjoy the thrill of fast roller coasters, so they weren’t as impressed by the light tower. Out of all the rides, I would say the Centennial Wheel was the kids’ favorite!
The only downside to this kid friendly venue is that it’s tailored for tourism, which unfortunately comes with price gouging, crowding, and long lines. Even with all nuances considered, Navy Pier is well worth the visit if you are looking to create memories that last a lifetime with your little ones! If you’re looking for the classic carnival experience for your children that almost feels like it’s from a different decade, then Navy Pier is the place for you!
As mentioned, we couldn’t get to everything at Navy Pier, but here is an overview of some of the other fun offered at this kid friendly venue. You can also find additional details on our kid friendly venues app.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater offers year-round productions for both kids and adults, so the whole family can enjoy. These productions are inspired by scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. More information is available at chicagoshakes.com
At the entrance of Navy Pier is a 12,500 square foot fountain that mimics the movements of waves, fish, and birds. There is also an art installation called “Meet Me at the P” that kids will have fun posing with.
Enjoy Chicago-style deep dish pizza at Giordano’s, or have a “Cheezborger” at Billy Goat Tavern. Other dining options at Navy Pier include Harry Caray’s Tavern, Offshore Rooftop, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bar and Grill, Lirica, and more. There are also plenty of snack and dessert shops if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat along Navy Pier.
Navy Pier offers free fireworks displays throughout the year as well as live music, theater, art exhibits, cultural celebrations, cruise tours, and kids’ activities. A full calendar of events is available at navypier.org
Admission to Navy Pier is free. Many attractions in Navy Pier have admission prices and those prices can be found through each individual attraction’s box office or on their websites.
Hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday 11:00-20:00hrs and Friday-Saturday 11:00-21:00hrs.
Hours may vary in Pier Park and other attractions within Navy Pier.
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