Navy Pier a great place for summer fun! There is so much to do this summer, so don't miss out on everything Navy Pier has to offer!

Navy Pier is home to the 15-story high Ferris Wheel, which is a staple for dates and a great way to shake-up a night out with friends. The Shakespare Theatre is a fantastic place to enjoy classic plays. Check the theater’s calendar for your favorites and treat yourself to a special experience. Now through August 29th, see the Emperor’s New Clothes -- a silly classic tale for the whole family. Or see all the best 3D movies at the IMAX movie theater. The 60x80 foot screen makes both 2D and 3D movies come to life. Right now you can enjoy the Twilight Saga Eclipse in 3D, Hubble 3D, and Inception in 3D.

For a more relaxing evening or daytime activity, take a cruise. There are many sightseeing cruises to choose from which are fun even for Chicago experts who think they’ve seen it all. Cruises occur on a day by day schedule and include architectural themes, skyline themes, historical themes, Chicago movie themes and even cruises specifically for dinning and enjoying the fireworks displays. Speaking of fireworks -- Wednesday and Saturday nights at 9:30pm enjoy spectacular displays from the pier. Watch the show while synchronized music fills the background from B96, Fresh FM and Jack FM. For an equally sparkling experience don’t miss Cirque Shanghai’s Cloud 9. Now trough September 6th the Chinese performers amaze audiences with their acrobatics. It’s a great way to spice up a weekend when you’re tired of going out to the same bars, restaurants, music venues, and movie theaters. August 24th - 29th you cannot miss the Tall Ships Chicago event. Over 20 historic ships from the U.S., Europe, and Canada will arrive at Navy Pier for a mile-long display. As a celebration of the history of Chicago and Nay Pier, the event will be a breathtaking experience. It all begins with a parade of ships across Lake Michigan as they enter Navy Pier. There will also be activities including: ship tours, sailing adventures, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, and fireworks displays every night. And for when the relatives are in town, check out the Navy Pier All Day Fun Package. The package includes one Cirque Shanghai Gold Circle Ticket, one Ferris Wheel Voucher, one Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Lake Tour Voucher, and one RIVA Restaurant Coupon Voucher for 20% off food purchase. All for the surprisingly cheap price of $35.75 -- it’ll make every tourist and Chicagoan happy. Navy Pier’s slogan “Go A Little Overboard” is quite fitting for a place with so much to indulge in. So next time, either when you’re entertaining guests or looking for a little entertainment yourself, check out Navy Pier and all it has to offer.

Right outside the entrance of the pier lies Gateway Park.

This 19-acre park offers a dramatic entrance for the pier. Marked by the large fountain outside Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. that runs all throughout the summer, which children are allowed to play in, it spans north and south of the pier. The park offers open spaces for those who wish to walk around or picnic near the pier. Throughout it's spaces it has iron statues done by various artists.

The park is also a great spot to sit and view the piers bi-weekly fireworks from May to October.

The Family Pavillion sits at the front of Navy Pier.

Anchored by the Children's Museum, it includes the museum as well as the 440 seat IMAX theatre. Included within the Family Pavillion are more than 40,000 square feet of restaurants and shops.

The Children's Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday nights, hours are extended to 8 p.m. and admission is free! There are tons of fun exhibits where children can touch, feel and explore. To see more visit our website, here.

The IMAX is perhaps the piers biggest attraction. The 60 x 80 foot screen seats 440 people and plays both 2D and 3D films. Visit their website, here to see what show is playing and movie times.

In addition to those two attractions the Family Pavillion has numerous retaraunts like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and a stage in the middle for impromtu preformances. To find specific preformances click .

Just on the east side of the Family Pavillion lies the Crystal Gardens.

The Crystal Gardens is a one-acre indoor court that has tropical plants and flowers. It is a six story atrium that houses palm trees and stays tropical even in the winter months.

Escape among the foutains and relax on the many benches placed throughout the atrium. It is even available to house special events. To view more information visit, Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier.

Navy Pier park is an amuseument park on the pier!

Home to the 150-foot high ferris wheel, the park also has an old fashioned swing ride, 18-hole minature golf and a musical carousel. There are even fun house mirrors right outside the entrance.

If you're looking for a light hearted, nostaligic experience try out the amusement park and enjoy the old fashioned rides and games.

Fireworks come early as Navy Pier puts on a special show for St. Patrick's Day!

On March 12 at 7p.m. Navy Pier will be lighting off fireworks. The 10 minute show will themed in honor of the Irish and set to celtic music.

Admission is free! Sit anywhere you'd like along the pier and enjoy the show.

Starting February 6th and running every Sunday till April 3, come join fellow Chicagoans at the Crystal Gardens as they explore the expansive cultures, foods and stories from Chicago neighborhoods.

Chicago has some of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, and what better to do than to share those cultures?

Every Sunday in the Crystal Gardens a different ethnicity is featured. Traditional cuisine, music and clothes are displayed for visitors to try and experience. Chicagoans and immigrants from neighborhoods representing the culture are invited to participate and share their stories and folklores.

Admission is free. So come eat, learn and indulge in Chicago's rich culture.

Patch's Book Club is a nine week long series where kids can read and storytell with Navy Pier's mascott, Patch.

Starting February 1, through March 31, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday kids can come and make-believe with Patch. Each week has a different theme, and each day different stories are told.

For information on what will be discussed visit, Patch's Book Club. The book club runs from 10 a.m. to 1:3op.m. during the week. Holiday hours may vary.