Make your way over to the most visited cultural destination in the Midwest. Whether it’s your first or 15th time, there’s always something new going on at Navy Pier any time of the year. Since opening in 1916, the popular attraction overlooking Lake Michigan continues to attract tons of visitors—9 million a year and growing—drawn to the eclectic experiences ranging from fun rides to exciting theater, dining, and thrilling tours on the water.

Amusements for All

One attraction that stands out as quintessential Chicago is the iconic Centennial Wheel which offers a bird’s eye view of the marvelous skyline. When it comes to rides and games for the entire family Pier Park is the place where you’ll find the Pepsi Wave Swinger, classic Carousel, Climbing Walls and Virtual Rush: Chicago, among others. Be sure to get your tickets and have a blast!

Arts and Entertainment

As for culture, Navy Pier features fine productions and programming at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Along with classic works by William Shakespeare, the company presents contemporary plays and family programming.

Families are also welcome at the Chicago Children’s Museum, the ultimate paradise for learning and play. Highlights include the Tinkering Lab, Dinosaur Exhibition and the Pritzker Playspace where kids are encouraged to interact with everything they encounter.

Meanwhile, grown ups head to the Miller Lite Beer Garden for cold drinks and free live music performances from May through October.

Terrific Tours

Navy Pier is also a starting point for several tours, all of which are a fantastic way to take in vibrant Chicago. Depending on whether you want to be on the water or not, there’s an option for everyone such as the Sea Dog River and Lake Architectural Tour which travels through the historic Chicago Locks and up the Chicago River and features views of famous buildings including the Tribune Building and Lyric Opera. There’s also Big Bus Chicago, Bike & Roll Chicago and for the super adventurous, Vertiport Helicopter Tours. 

Happening Events

On any given season, chances are there is a big event going on at Navy Pier. Summertime is all about the fireworks, and that’s not just for Fourth of July! Fabulous colors illuminate the Chicago sky during the biweekly Aon Summer Fireworks shows which take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Film fans have Water Flicks, a free outdoor movie series at Polk Park, a free outdoor movie series from late June through early August. There’s also the Chi-Soul Fest and Make Music Chicago as well as public programs that get people moving like Stroller Grooves and Rush Hour Workouts where all are welcome.

So what are you looking forward to doing most the next time you visit Navy Pier?

Now that the weather is nice and warm, it’s time to take a break and have some fun discovering the amazing city of Chicago. Springtime offers so many fabulous things to do for all ages, whether that’s checking out the latest museum exhibitions, enjoying the fresh open air or exploring the world-famous attractions. Here’s the scoop on all the exciting experiences to add to the travel itinerary this season.

Museum Days

Culture abounds in Chicago and families planning a ‘field’ trip should start at the Field Museum, where two new and notable additions are attracting curious minds. Astonishing images of nature from one of the most prestigious photo competitions in the world are currently on display at the “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibit through January 2020. Afterward, head to the Brooker Gallery on the upper level to see floor-to-ceiling size illustrations of beautiful winged creatures in “Audubon’s Birds of America” which just opened in late April.

Only a few more weeks remain to marvel at four exquisite masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago where “Rembrandt’s Portraits” are available for all to admire until June 9, 2019. Meanwhile, cinema and couture converge brilliantly at the Chicago History Museum where “Silver Screen to Main Stream: American Fashion in the 1930s and ‘40s” presents dazzling designs by Chanel, Vionnet, Valentina and more through January 21, 2020.

Finally, if you can’t get enough of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical, you’re in luck because “Hamilton: The Exhibition” just made its debut on Northerly Island. The 360-degree immersive experience takes visitors back to the days of the Revolution and follows the rise of one of America’s Founding Fathers through a sensory experience of lighting, music, multimedia, artifacts and more.

Out and About

Travelers who prefer the outside have plenty of options to bask under the sun. Everyone knows that no visit to Chicago is complete without taking a few smiley selfies in front of the sculpture “Cloud Gate,” a.k.a. “The Bean” in glorious Millennium Park. Spanning 24.5 acres, the outdoor public oasis is home to several points of interest such as the interactive Crown Fountain projecting eye-catching videos by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa and the pretty Laurie Garden. Other activities include morning nature walks, yoga and concerts under the stars at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor amphitheater.

Baseball fans who want to enjoy America’s pastime can catch the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field when they’re in town. One cool way to learn more about the legendary stadium is to go on a behind-the-scenes 90-minute tour that includes visits to the press box, the dugout and other spots during non-game days.

Active types probably already know that Chicago ranks as one of the best cities in the country for biking. While the popular Bike the Drive event on May 26 draws a huge crowd, there is ample opportunity to travel around on two wheels with one of the tours offered by Bobby’s Bike Hike and Bike and Roll. Or you can rent a bike on your own from Divvy and take a self-guided ride along scenic Lake Michigan, The 606 elevated trail or on Milwaukee Avenue.

As you can see, there is never a dull moment in Chicago. So what are your plans?