Chicago Tourist Trap Tips by grkboiler

What a waste of time! Unless you have to go there for an expo or meeting, or are traveling with small children, don't bother going at all. On many days it is crowded, loaded with screaming kids, and has nothing really interesting to most adults. It gets boring quick. You can walk through it once and say "that's enough, lets go."

There are shops, a food court, IMAX theatre, children's museum, entertainers walking around the pier, and the famous ferris wheel. In the summer, there is usually live music outside. Its like a circus.

The event space is great, especially if an event is taking place at the ballroom at the end of the pier, but spending time at the rest of it, no thanks. I honestly think the city opened up Navy Pier to lower congestion at other tourist areas of the city.

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At Least Do This: If you have small children, they will probably love it here, and it is overall a good family place. The ferris wheel is good.

If you must eat here, Charlie's Ale House isn't bad, but try Chicago legend Billy Goat Tavern for a "cheezborger".

Some sightseeing and dinner cruises leave from here. The sightseeing cruises are decent (haven't been on a dinner cruise, don't plan on it).

Also, go to the end of the pier and enjoy Lake Michigan. You do get some great views of the city from here.
Alternative: Walk through just to say you went, but go to one of the museums - you will enjoy it more and will have a better experience.

Every summer, over 3 million people gather together over 10 days for the Taste of Chicago at Grant Park. It is a collection of many restaurants from all over Chicago that have samples of a few of their menu items.

Let me describe how I see the Taste: Crowded, hot, dirty, messy, many items are overpriced, and the food quality is lower than what you would find at the actual restaurant.

$7 will get you a book of 11 tickets, which is hardly enough to buy a meal and a drink. Most meals are 7-9 tickets with sample portions at 3 tickets and drinks at 4 or 5 tickets (beer is 7 tickets). Most portions are not that big to begin with, so you end up spending lots of money quickly. And with the odd amount of tickets you get for each book, you always end up a few short and have to go back for another book.

My least favorite part - it ties up traffic that is already terrible to begin with!!!

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At Least Do This: First of all, if you must go to the Taste, do it on a weekday, because the weekends are ridiculously packed.

A few items are worth it - Cheesecake, turkey leg, pizza, rib sandwiches, and the alligator is always popular. There are also some concerts and some pretty good fireworks displays.

This is also an excellent place for people watching. I always say I wont go, but end up there when a group of friends persuades me. I usually just get a couple of the above items and watch the crowds.
Alternative: Avoid it if you can. Do something else.