A Chicago - Navy Pier - New Year's Eve

[Barbaraann]

I spent New Year's Eve at Chicago's Navy Pier. This is the very first photo that I took, when I disembarked from the Chicago
Avenue Bus.




I changed the setting on my camera, and I got this shot, also, of the front entrance of Navy Pier.



There were lots of taxi cabs arriving for the festivities. It was New Year's Eve, after all.




We decided to walk outside, and we passed under the famous Navy Pier sign.





The Pier was all lit up for the holidays.





McDonald's is everywhere.




That's south of Navy Pier.



That's one of the many large ships that cruise on Lake Michigan.





The famous Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. I wanted to ride it, but it wasn't boarding any riders. The night was a misty, rainy one.




Navy Pier has one of Chicago's 5 Billy Goat Tavern Restaurants.



Our dinner for the evening was at the Riva Restaurant. This is that restaurant from the outside which faces south.

[Barbaraann]

They had a Family Festival with lots of activities at Navy Pier on New Year's Eve. It began early in the day, and concluded with fireworks at 7 p.m.



We went inside after those 7 p.m. fireworks, and I was telling my grandson, Sean the story of how his dad used to put his fingers in his ears everytime he saw fireworks. Sean then took this photo of me.

[pveticket]

Nice firework pictures!

[Barbaraann]

Nice firework pictures!

Thanks, more Navy Pier New Year's coming up.

[Barbaraann]

We then began walking to our restaurant for dinner. We passed a display of many beautiful stained glass windows. The first of the three, that I will show here, is a tribute to the one and only Michael Jordan.





This one remembers the events of 9-11.




A seasonal window.



There are several of these large displays showing the timeline of Chicago.




This is the sign adjacent to the restaurant.




I thought that the tree in the restaurant was quite beautiful.





I'm sorry that I don't remember the name of my lobster appetiser, but it was delicious. So was the sweet raisin bread that they brought in the bread basket. The restaurant was Riva, and the food, and service was very good. While we were there, the Chicago Bears were losing their game at nearby Soldier Field. Each time Sean got up to check the score, he came back with bad news. I guess it was nice for the Packer quarterback, and not great for us Bears fans. We had a good view out of the window.

[Hakuna Makarla]

very nice Barbara!! thank you this is very interesting

[Hakuna Makarla]

this is very pretty!!!

[Barbaraann]

More other photos coming up. I didn't get very many good firework pictures. It really is tough holding the camera steady. I also had some trouble getting good shots of the skyline. I did have a good time taking photos with my camera. Thanks for the positive feedback so far.

[Barbaraann]

Now this is the skyline facing north.


The back of Navy Pier, by the Crystal Gardens. That is Near Pier Park, where the amazinf Ferris Wheel is located.







There were thousands of people there waiting for midnight to arrive. I really was quite surprised, or should I say naive. The bathroom line was unbelievable.



Before we went back outside, for the ending fireworks, I got this shot of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant.




That's me, of course.

I really had a good time. Navy Pier is a fun, and busy place, despite the huge crowds. Transportation there is horrendous, so I don't visit there much. It was a special night. My husband doesn't venture out, but when I did arrive home at 2;30, he was still up.

Hope you enjoyed the report. I always enjoy doing them,

[penguinsoda]

Wow great pictures Barbara!! What a great time you must of had with your family! And that food... oh man.. looks good!

[Dr. Earkid]

Thanks for sharing what you did for New Years Eve! It's fun to see what other's are doing.

[DMof2]

Love the pics Barbaraann

Glad you had a great New Years Eve

[Barbaraann]

Love the pics Barbaraann

Glad you had a great New Years Eve

I've missed you around here lately. Glad to see you back. Glad you like the pics.

[neuhickman79]

Chicago is truly one of the great cities of the world. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us Barbaraann!!

[Barbaraann]

Chicago is truly one of the great cities of the world. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us Barbaraann!!

Your welcome. I had a really good time.