museums of chicago

I realize that I need to make more of an effort to see some of the more traditional sites of Chicago, like the museums. I have only been to one on this list. Tsk. Tsk.

Must start planning visits now.

The Museum of Science and Industry
website

Hours: May 28 - September 5
Mon - Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Discount Days: Free on Mondays and Tuesdays from September 12 through November 24
Free on December 24

What not to miss: Baby chicks! (Oh and the grounds of the museum are pretty cool too.)

Special exhibits: Body Worlds (ends September 5, 2005)

The Art Institute of Chicago
website

Hours: Monday—Wednesday, Friday, 10:30—4:30 Thursday, 10:30—8:00 Saturday—Sunday, 10:00—5:00
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Discount Days: Free Tuesdays thanks to Ford Motor Company. {Note special exhibits are never free.}

What not to miss:Georges Seurat, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884) -- You'll feel like Ferris Bueller.

Special Exhibits:Toulouse Lautrec (through October 10, 2005)

The Field Museum
website

Hours: 9am - 5pm every day but Christmas

Discount Days: Mondays and Tuesdays from January – February and from September 19 – December 20.

What not to misss: Sue, the world's largest, most complete and most famous T. rex.

Special exhibits: Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption (October 22, 2005 – March 26, 2006)

The Shedd Aquarium
website

Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursdays, June 16 - September 1 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Oceanarium closes at 8 p.m.)
Labor Day - Memorial Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. winter weekdays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. winter weekends
Closed Christmas day (note that other holidays have special hours see website for more details)

Discount Days: None currently listed.

What not to miss: the dolphins!

Special exhibits: Crabs! (through January 8, 2006)

The Adler Planetarium
website

Hours: Regular schedule (summer schedule runs Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Monday-Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm
First Friday of every month 9:30am - 10pm

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Discount Days: Mondays and Tuesdays January 10 through March 1 and September 12 through December 20. Museum admission is free on these days. An additional fee for shows applies.

What not to miss: The Star Rider Theatre.

Special exhibits: Time Travel (at the Star Rider).


currently reading :: We Thought You'd Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro