Navy Pier was built on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in 1916 and has since become the No. 1 tourist attraction in Chicago. At the time it was built, it was the largest pier in the world. The pier extends 3,300 feet over the lake and was designed to be used as docking space for passenger excursion steamers and a cargo facility for lake freighters. Navy Pier was also utilized in both World Wars for things like military housing, the Red Cross, Home Defense, Navy training center and more. When it wasn't providing military service, the pier had its own streetcar line, theater, emergency room, picnicking areas, dance hall, auditorium, children's playground and more.
Find the art, beauty and cultural significance of print photography at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. The museum is the only one of its kind in the Midwest and features over 7,000 pieces of photography by renowned photographers like Ansel Adams, Harry Callahan, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Irving Penn, and Julia Margaret Cameron.
Known for its artistic creativity, the Chicago Jazz Festival is a favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition. It promotes awareness and appreciation for all forms of jazz through free, quality live musical performance.
The Empty Bottle is a great little place to see some live music with affordable drinks, reasonable cover, and a fun crowd.