Did You Know?

Navy Pier first opened as Municipal Pier in 1916. It was renamed Navy Pier at the same time Soldier Field was dedicated to war vets, 1925. It was also used as a staging area for naval training during World War II. Over 200 Navy fighter planes litter the bottom of the lake a few miles off the end of it, where scores of fledgling navy pilots flunked their “landing on a fake aircraft carrier deck” final exam.

Tour guide Michael Corcoran REALLY likes to interact with Chicago's landmarks, here emulating a portion of Chicago's famous Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The Chicago Fact Book (available from City Hall) lists the fountain as the "world's largest illuminated fountain".

Superlatives are quite the rage in the Windy City...

Links We Like

Chicago is a city of variety and contrasts, diversity and opportunity, normal and weird. Here are a few pages of links to get you on your way as you navigate your way around our fabulous metropolis!

• Around Chicago
  Food, getting around, etc.
• Chicago's Art and History
  Virtually visit some of Chicago's museums and other sites dedicated to Chicago art and history.
• Just for Fun
  Delve deeper into specific Chicago figures or just have a chuckle.
• Get the Book!
  Michael's book Hollywood on Lake Michigan, 2nd edition, will be available in June 2013.