Activities
Museums
By
Aug 18, 2006, 01:16

For Complete Listings of Chicago Museums:

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312-922-STAR
www.adlerplanetarium.org
The new Grainger Sky Theatre is fabulous, and exhibits include the kid-friendly "Planet Explorers" and much more! Check out the Adler's 3-D movies as well,

Art Institute of Chicago
111. S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 443-3600
www.artic.edu
There's always something going on here, whether it's a new exhibition or a fun event. Note that the museum offers Target Free Thursday Evenings with free general admission from 5-8 p.m. every Thursday evening. Admission costs are: adults cost $18, Chicago residents with proof pay $16 and students/seniors pay $12. Kids under 14 are free; special exhibitions are now free with the price of admission. Also, check the museum schedule for daily gallery talks on popular artists and exhibits. Tours, social get-togethers, family events, workshops, classes, performances and other related events are also available.

DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56^th Place
(773) 947-0600
www.dusablemuseum.org

This very important museum focuses on the life, culture and history of black Americans. Year-round, the museum features many activities for kids and adults, including lectures, performances and more. Admission is free on Sundays.

Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
(312) 922-9410
www.fieldmuseum.org
The Field is a fantastic place for families to learn about dinosaurs, ancient cultures, bugs and all sorts of fascinating bits of natural history.

Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave.
(312) 280-2660
www.mcachicago.org
Get a cutting-edge art education at the MCA, one of the largest facilities in the nation devoted to the innovation of modern artists. There's always something going on, so beat the cold and come on in. The museum offers Target Free Tuesdays all day long every week, and is closed on Mondays.

Museum of Science & Industry
57^th St. and Lake Shore Dr.
(773) 684-1414
www.msichicago.org
Learn about science in exciting, interactive ways!  General admission costs $13. Don't miss some of the great permanent exhibits, including the kid-friendly Idea Factory, Earth Revealed, Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle, the U-505 Submarine, "YOU! The Experience," exploring our health and well-being in a personal and interactive way, and "Science Storms," which recreates lightning, fire, tornados, avalanches, tsunamis, sunlight and gravity.

The Oriental Institute
1155 E. 58th St.
(773) 702-9514
oi.uchicago.edu
The Oriental Institute is a sometimes-overlooked treasure with an amazing collection of artifacts from ancient cultures. It's closed on holidays. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for adults. It hosts a number of special exhibits and events throughout the year, including a film each Sunday afternoon and the current special exhibit:

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Dr.
(773) 755-5100
www.chias.org
This Lincoln Park museum features many activities, including animal feedings, science workshops and butterfly releases, and features a permanent butterfly exhibit with 75 different species from around the world. Come for the fun! Thursdays are "suggested donation" days. Check the daily schedule for walks, family programs and more every single day.

Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
(312) 939-2438
www.sheddnet.org
Home to belugas, dolphins, otters, turtles, fish and much more, the Shedd is a great place to be year-round. Check the daily schedule for Wild Reef dives, Caribbean Reef dives, and special events.

Suburban Museums

Suburban museums come in many different shapes and sizes, but can sometimes offer you even better value than what you get in the city, along with easy parking and nice locations. From Native American culture to children's museums and the Holocaust, you'll find a huge variety of cultural gems in Chicagoland!

For more information on what to visit, call us at 847-715-4574. We're here to help.