Navy Pier, built in 1916, was the largest in the world at that time. It served as a docking area for passenger excursion steamers and cargo ships. During both World Wars, Navy Pier was utilized for military purposes such as housing, training, and more. In its non-military role, the pier had many attractions, including a streetcar line, theater, emergency room, picnicking areas, dance hall, auditorium, children's playground, and more. Navy Pier, which sits on the lakefront, occupies approximately 50 acres of land, with sprawling parks, gardens, and sculptures on the lawns. The attraction also has several shops and restaurants. Navy Pier offers a variety of activities, including boat parades, air shows, sightseeing tours, festivals, and fireworks, making it the most popular tourist attraction in Chicago.
Celebrate the holiday season with the nationally televised Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, which has been ranked the second-best Thanksgiving Parade in the country by Time Out Magazine. Witness the excitement as talented marching bands, majestic equestrian units, national celebrities, and spectacular performance groups march through downtown Chicago. Why settle for watching a parade meander through New York City on TV when you can see giant cartoon-character balloons, marching bands, and dancers on the streets of Chicago? If you are in the city on Thanksgiving, you can catch the annual procession before indulging in your turkey. The Parade moves down State Street between Ida B. Wells Drive and Randolph Street and ends by 11 am, providing you with ample time to return home and assist with the cooking. The event commemorates Thanksgiving with a three-hour procession of giant balloons, marching bands, dancers, and more.
Maggie Daley Park Rock Climbing is Chicago's first and only Climbing Park. It features two magnificent custom-designed rock climbing structures that offer a unique outdoor recreational experience for beginners and experts alike. The park staff provides instructions and supervision to ensure the safety of the climbers. The combination of Skating Ribbon and Climbing Park makes it an all-season park inviting and engaging for Chicagoans and visitors. The climbing walls are 40 feet high and cover an area of 19,000 square feet. The wall is divided into beginner and advanced sections, and there are three types of climbing: bouldering, lead-harnessed, and top rope. The climbing wall can comfortably accommodate 25 to 100 climbers at any given time.