ACTIVITIES : O’Hare Area : American/Steak - Italian


Chicago Museum


Hopping This Winter


By Helen A. Lee I


f you’re visiting the Windy City for the first time, you’ve certainly heard of Chicago’s deep cultural offerings, permanently manifest through its world-class museums. And if you’ve lived here for ages, you’ve certainly visited some of these institutions – but probably not all of them, because there are so many. Whether your interest is in art, ancient cultures, astronomy, wildlife, or history, you’ll find something exciting here. For in-state travelers, this time of year is especially good for enjoying some of our toddlin’ town’s expansive indoor spaces, thanks to free days available only to Illinois residents. Along Lake Shore Drive on Museum


Campus, a trio of institutions offers excitement, enlightenment for all ages, and a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan. At The Field Museum of Natural History, you may still be able to catch the last days of “Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence,” leaving 1/5. Or explore “Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair,” which runs through 9/7 and “Before the Dinosaurs: Super Reptiles of Pangaea” is available through 9/30. Other exhibits include “State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” through 2/2, “Bunky Echo- Hawk: Modern Warrior” through 9/28, “Fractured: North Dakota’s Oil Boom,” through 1/20, “Images of the Afterlife” through 1/20, and “Science, Off Script: Teens Take The Field,” through 1/12. “Titans of the Ice Age 3-D” plays at the Ernst & Young 3D Theater. And of course, don’t miss Sue, the world’s most complete T. rex skeleton. Discount days with free admission for Illinois residents are: The holidays are over at The Adler


Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, but 6 Windy City Guide ◆ January - March 2014 Adler Planetarium


there’s still plenty to see. “Mapping the Moon” runs through 1/26. Don’t miss a ride into the historic Atwood Sphere. Let your kids become Planet Explorers or see one of the current shows in the state-of- the-art Grainger Sky Theater, “Cosmic Wonder,” Welcome to the Universe” or


The Field Museum: Dinosaur Hall


“Winter Sky Live!” Free days for Illinois residents were not available at press time. Rounding out the Museum Campus trio is The Shedd Aquarium, where the exciting “Jellies” exhibit is still taking place and the multi-species aquatic show now features rescued dogs as well as dolphins, belugas and sea lions. Narrated dives in the Wild Reef and Caribbean Reef take place daily, and families can also enjoy 4-D movies. Free general admission days are 1/6-1/7, 1/13-1/14, 1/19-1/21, 1/24-1/28, 2/3-2/4, 2/10-2/11, 2/16- 2/18 and 2/24-2/25. Further south along Lake Shore Drive stands the historic Museum of Science & Industry, where you can still see the annual “Christmas Around the World and


Holidays of Light” exhibit through 1/5. Also, view “80 at 80,” with rarely-seen items celebrating the museum’s 80th anniversary through 2/2. Special exhibit “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” runs through 5/4. The museum’s permanent areas include “YOU: The Experience,” “Science Storms” and “Networld.” Omnimax movies include “Space Junk” through 2/15 and “The Last Reef” through 6/5. Illinois resident free days include all weekdays in January, plus Tuesdays in February and 3/10. For a perspective on culture, come to the DuSable Museum of African American History - it’s not far from the MSI’s southside location. If you’re quick you might catch the end of “Beyond the Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges,” through 1/2. You can also catch “The Endangered Species: A Visual Response to the Vanishing Black Man,” through 3/30. Starting 7/13, view “Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution Animation Art from Classic Cartoons of the ‘70s.” The permanent exhibit “Red, White, Blue & Black: A History of Blacks in the Armed Forces” is also on-site. Admission is free


You! Musem of Science and Industry www.windycityguide.com


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