Navy Pier

Our hotel was situated near the Navy Pier
and we took advantage of that fact.

In fact, I ended up going to the Navy Pier
twice while we were in Chicago.

Gateway Park

Entering Dock Street.

The Ferris Wheel up on the Navy Pier Park.

When we were here in 2004 we went up on 

the Ferris Wheel.

We didn't do that this time.

The Ferris Wheel stands 15 stories tall.

There are many opportunities to take boat tours

off the Navy Pier.

Dime Pier.

Though Dime Pier is no longer usable as a fishing pier,

it is quite useful as a structure to control waves.

Click on the pictures to read about the history and story of Navy Pier.

Navy Pier started out as a shipping and recreational facility

when it was first built.

It was pressed into military service in both World Wars

and Pilot training orientation took place here in WWII.

After the war, the University of Illinois used the facility

as a two-year undergraduate branch campus until 1965.

In the 70s and 80s the Pier served as a trade show site.

Finally on July 12, 1995, the Navy Pier reopened

as a recreational facility featuring shops, restaurants,

attractions and exhibition facilities.

The Pier is open year-round and admission is free.

It claims to be the Midwest's number one tourist

and leisure destination,

attracting more than 8 million visitors each year.

The schooner Windy.

After "boat shopping" as some friends of ours put it,

we decided to go with Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises

and do the 30 minute Skyline Tour.

Ships passing in the day.

The end of the Pier.

There was a good, stiff breeze out of the north this day.

The north side of the Pier.

The tall, black building is the John Hancock Center.

Water Crib on Lake Michigan.

These collect water from near the bottom of the lake

to supply a pumping station onshore.

Breakwater.

The waves on Lake Michigan can get high and these walls

protect the Pier and the city from damage.

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1893

and moved to this location in 1917.

Soldier Field, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium

and the Field Museum.

Soldier Field.

Willis Tower.

Downtown Chicago.

Navy Pier.

Our Hotel (behind the sail) as seen from the water.

Coastguard going by with lights flashing.

The old Dime Pier.

Gull.

I returned a couple of days later.

It was noticeably cloudier this day.

And this time the wind was out of the south.

The anchor from the USS Chicago.

Have a seat.

Can you guess who this is?

That's right, Dr. Bob Hartley, or Bob Newhart.

These two sculptures go together.

"NICE"

"SHOE"

Next time up,

the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.

This museum is located in the Navy Pier.