Stanley Moore occasionally goes to Chicago’s Navy Pier to get away from the stress of everyday life and spend time with his friends by enjoying rides, music and a variety of foods.

The Navy Pier, with loading docks and drive-in access to Lake Michigan, is a romantic experience for Moore.

During cool nights, Moore, a junior in computer science from Chicago, and his lady friend wrap themselves in blankets before they relish in the scenery of the cruise boats and the lapping waves of Lake Michigan.

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It was real nice and romantic, he said. We were just relaxing on the shore. We had our covers and just enjoyed talking all night.

Besides the natural delight of the lake, the Navy Pier has 170,000 square feet of commercial attractions including 50 acres of parks, gardens and museums. The 50,000 square-foot Family Pavilion features the Chicago Children’s Museum.

Amusement rides include the world’s first Ferris wheel. The 150-foot Ferris wheel features 40 six-seater gondolas offering a view of the Chicago skyline. There is also a carousel located beneath the Ferris wheel.

The historical Ferris wheel is the attraction that best fit the liking of Kelly Robinson and her friends.

The Ferris wheel was cool, Robinson, a junior in foreign language and international trade from Chicago, said. It moved real slow and it never stopped. You just had to hop on.

Robinson said the nature of the scenery she viewed from 150 feet in the sky was amazing.

When you get to the top you can see all of Chicago, Robinson said. It’s real pretty. It (the Ferris wheel) is sitting over the lake, so you can look over the lake, too.

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The Navy Pier also has an abundance of shops and restaurants covering more than 40,000 square feet. The restaurants (indoor and outdoor) offer Mexican, Italian, Chinese and American cuisine. Dinner also can be enjoyed on one of the two cruise boats at the Navy Pier.

Visitors to the Navy Pier can see sidewalk entertainers, and if that gets boring, visitors can visit the Navy Pier’s Skyline Stage where concerts, theater, dance, comedy and films can be seen.

When weather does not permit outdoor activity, the Navy Pier has indoor highlights as well.

The Crystal Gardens is a highlight of the indoor amusement offered at the landmark. The garden is a 32,000-square-feet botanical park.

Free trolleys are waiting to chauffeur tourists throughout the venues the Navy Pier has to offer.

Robinson said she enjoyed the integral tour given on the trolley, and she added that although the Navy Pier is a relaxing and recreational place for everyone, it is not ideal for loners.

When (my friends and I) went, we were in couples, Robinson said. It’s not really for just you and (platonic) friends. It was nice and everything, but it is more of a place for families and couples.

Factoid:To get to Navy Pier, go north on Interstate 57 to Stevenson on Interstate 55. Continue north to Lake Shore Drive North. Exit at Grand Avenue and Illinois Street. Navy Pier is on the right at 600 E. Grand Ave.