Posted by admin | September 3, 2010 | No Comments » |
August brings the start of term for most schools, but the summer heat still stretches on in Chicago! For those of us whose schedules aren’t dictated by the first day of class, there is still some sunny weather to take advantage of before fall officially arrives.
For renters of downtown, Navy Pier is right on the southern border of the neighborhood and readily accessible from your downtown home. Navy Pier has tons of events and attractions that are perfect warm-weather activities. Especially if you have gotten your fill of beach volleyball and Castaway’s, a trip to a different part of Chicago’s coastline is a great idea. With kids back in school, Navy Pier won’t be as crowded and you can enjoy yourself at a leisurely pace.
Make sure to take advantage of your location nearby Streeterville and Navy Pier’s many features before the beautiful summer weather is gone!
Navy Pier’s Summer Musts
Navy Pier brings a festive summer atmostphere to the area south of Streeterville. Apartment renters nearby must swing down to Navy Pier to check out the following activities before cooler weather arrives:
Fireworks – Navy Pier’s fireworks can be seen every Wednesday and Saturday until Halloween from downtown apartment balconies and rooftops. Plan for cocktails on the porch and a viewing of the fireworks if you live in apartments within viewing distance of Navy Pier—then check out some of the lively nightlife nearby!
Pier Park – Pier Park is the main outdoor attraction at Navy Pier and the best one to get you out of your downtown apartment. The famous Ferris wheel, a musical carousel, the wave swinger, 18 holes of miniature golf, and rentable remote control boats are all a part of the fun! On a pretty day, take in Chicago skyline views in a whole new way on the rides of Pier Park.
Aeroballoon – Or, for even better views, hitch a ride on the seasonal Aeroballoon. Only anchored at Navy Pier for the summer months, the Aeroballoon takes you 350 feet above Chicago’s shoreline in a helium balloon ride. The balloon is 60 feet in diameter and can take you up for breathtaking, panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the city.
Speedboat Tours – Seadogs I, II, and IV, the bright yellow speedboats you see patrolling Lake Michigan, can take you on a thrilling 30-minute ride or leisurely architecture tour departing from Navy Pier. Or, for the more daring, the new Seadog Extreme will take you on a 30-minute wet and wild ride, include 360-degree spins, slalom runs and certain splashing!
Outdoor Shows and Concerts – While the IMAX may be inside, some of Navy Pier’s best entertaining happens outside at its pavilion theaters. Free shows for kids, performances by Cirque Shanghai and many other summer events can be fun and exciting for the whole family. If it rains, you can always try the Shakespeare Theater or the IMAX movie theater for some indoor entertainment.
Beer Garden – The Beer Garden at Navy Pier gives you a waterfront seat to relax, enjoy a beer and eat a meal, and the Bud Light Stage at the Beer Garden brings some of the best musical acts to the city in the summer. Enjoying a beer garden atmosphere while on some of the city’s prime lakefront real estate, with views of the Lake and skyline? Sounds ideal—but only until Labor Day. Admission is free.
So whether you are a renter of downtown Chicago apartments, a Chicagoan who has never been to Navy Pier, or someone new to Chicago—don’t write off Navy Pier as just another tourist destination that you will get around to seeing sometime. Summer is the time to go explore one of Chicago’s best attractions, that is luckily located right on the south end of the Streeterville neighborhood. Once the cold winds start to blow, you’ll be glad you have warm memories of your Navy Pier trip to get you through the winter!
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