Nothing beats walking around Navy Pier on a warm, summer Chicago day. Before becoming the entertaining attraction that it is today, Navy Pier was a part of history. The Pier was built in 1916 as "Municipal Pier" and used as a cargo facility. In 1927, the name was changed to Navy Pier in honor of the WWI veteran. In 1941 Navy Pier was used as a navy training center for the WW2 war effort. In the early 1990s it was rebuilt to include shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, food kiosks and convention halls. Today, its 148 foot Ferris wheel is the Pier's most popular site. In addition to its rides, Navy Pier houses the Chicago Children's Museum, and IMAX Theater, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Navy Pier is a great place to stroll around with the family with an ice-cream cone, overlooking Lake Michigan.