While there are some Chicagoans who continue to view Navy Pier as a tourist trap that you sometimes have to slog through to board a boat, we still believe that it’s recently blossomed into a cool destination for visitors and residents alike. There are some decent food options (DMK Burger Bar, Goddess and the Baker), a gigantic new 196-foot Ferris wheel, and it’s one of the only places in Chicago with open container laws that allow you to legally consume booze while strolling along the water.
RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Navy Pier
In 2019, Navy Pier will get its first hotel, offering a way for visitors to spend the entirety of their visit amid the waters of Lake Michigan. According to Hotel Business, the 222-room property will be operated by Curio Collection by Hilton and will be located next to Navy Pier’s expansive festival hall. The hotel will also boast a 30,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant and bar, a first-floor restaurant and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout.
Based on its mixture of amenities and its unique location, the first Navy Pier hotel could cater to tourists, festival hall convention attendees and boat tour riders who had one too many drinks while cruising across Lake Michigan. While you’ll have to wait at least a year before you can check in, you can take a look at some additional renderings of the project below.
Illustration: Courtesy First Hospitality Group
Illustration: Courtesy First Hospitality Group