Chicago summer museum previews
Sara Agate
Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: Neighborhood
Media Credit: Bern Aguirre at www.theshadowboxer.com.The Children's Museum at Navy Pier lets you unleash your inner child right after you get off the giant ferris wheel.
Although Chicago, with its massive skyline, may seem expensive and appear intimidating, it's not all that hard to find cheap museums and events around the Chicagoland area. Below are just a few of the city's great arts and cultural happenings this summer.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Conveniently located on Michigan Avenue, only a few blocks North of Grant Park, the Art Institute has a variety of artistic displays and exhibitions scheduled throughout the summer. To name a few, there's 360 Degrees: Art Beyond Borders where visitors can listen, and interact with global art. The exhibition will be continuing through the month of June and is intended to highlight the role of art and culture in an ever-changing world. The Modern Wing just opened May 16th and visitors are encouraged to explore the galleries to take in the art, and check out the architecture of the new wing, and then use paper to sculpt your own miniature version.
Hours:
Monday-Wednesday 10:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday-Friday 10:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Cost:
Free Target Summer evenings Thursdays and Fridays from 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Adults: $18.00
Children, Students, and Seniors (65 and up): $12.00
Children under 14: Free
Free for members
Chicago Botanic Gardens
Follow the pretty smells of the Chicago Botanic Garden and see what's bloomin'. Every Saturday and Sunday there's the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, and Family Drop-in Activities offered from May 23th - October 4th. And for you garden walkers, June is the month of roses. Don't forget to walk along the crescent garden, the English walled garden or even the along the 5.7 mile water's edge which takes you along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Hours:
June 6 - September 7: 7:00am - 9:00pm
Visitor Center 8:00am - 9:00pm daily
Cost:
Free walking tours beginning June 6 10:30am - 1:30pm weekdays
Free admission but there are parking fees
$20.00 per car
$7.00 for senior citizens on Tuesdays
$25.00 per van
$60.00 per limousine, minibus, bus & RV
Sears Tower
Located at the corner of Wacker and Jackson, check out the 99th floor Skydeck while the 103rd floor goes through remodeling. Get a personal view of the Chicago skyline, a view unlike any other. You won't want to miss out on this historical building, built in 1973.
Hours:
Skydeck open from 10:00am - 10:00pm
Cost:
Adults: $14.95
Youth (3 -11 years): $10.50
Chicago Children's Museum
The Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier is home to the BIG Backyard, where kids can explore a gigantic garden, packed with innovative technology that explores the city's landscaping. There's something for all ages in this fun-packed, convenient location.
Hours:
10:00am - 5:00pm daily
Cost:
Children and Adults: $10.00
Seniors: $9.00
Children 1 and under and CCM members are free
Target Free First Sundays for 15 years and under
Museum of Science and Industry
Take a trip down Lake Shore Drive and visit these amazing exhibits. The Harry Potter exhibit goes until September 27th. After a dose of Harry Potter, head over to Fast Forward…Inventing the Future. This exhibit offers you a look into future's inventions and today's rocket scientists. Lastly, if you have some spare change there's the Omnimax Theatre that is showing Mysteries of the Great Lakes and Wild Oceans for you movie lovers.
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday 11:00am - 5:30pm
Cost:
Adults: $13.00
Seniors: $12.00
Youth ages 3-11: $9.00
Free Days June 1-5, 19th
For more information on free and cheap entertainment around the Chicago neighborhood, check out: chicago.metromix.com, explorechicago.org, and chicagomag.com.
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The Art Institute of Chicago
Conveniently located on Michigan Avenue, only a few blocks North of Grant Park, the Art Institute has a variety of artistic displays and exhibitions scheduled throughout the summer. To name a few, there's 360 Degrees: Art Beyond Borders where visitors can listen, and interact with global art. The exhibition will be continuing through the month of June and is intended to highlight the role of art and culture in an ever-changing world. The Modern Wing just opened May 16th and visitors are encouraged to explore the galleries to take in the art, and check out the architecture of the new wing, and then use paper to sculpt your own miniature version.
Hours:
Monday-Wednesday 10:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday-Friday 10:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Cost:
Free Target Summer evenings Thursdays and Fridays from 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Adults: $18.00
Children, Students, and Seniors (65 and up): $12.00
Children under 14: Free
Free for members
Chicago Botanic Gardens
Follow the pretty smells of the Chicago Botanic Garden and see what's bloomin'. Every Saturday and Sunday there's the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, and Family Drop-in Activities offered from May 23th - October 4th. And for you garden walkers, June is the month of roses. Don't forget to walk along the crescent garden, the English walled garden or even the along the 5.7 mile water's edge which takes you along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Hours:
June 6 - September 7: 7:00am - 9:00pm
Visitor Center 8:00am - 9:00pm daily
Cost:
Free walking tours beginning June 6 10:30am - 1:30pm weekdays
Free admission but there are parking fees
$20.00 per car
$7.00 for senior citizens on Tuesdays
$25.00 per van
$60.00 per limousine, minibus, bus & RV
Sears Tower
Located at the corner of Wacker and Jackson, check out the 99th floor Skydeck while the 103rd floor goes through remodeling. Get a personal view of the Chicago skyline, a view unlike any other. You won't want to miss out on this historical building, built in 1973.
Hours:
Skydeck open from 10:00am - 10:00pm
Cost:
Adults: $14.95
Youth (3 -11 years): $10.50
Chicago Children's Museum
The Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier is home to the BIG Backyard, where kids can explore a gigantic garden, packed with innovative technology that explores the city's landscaping. There's something for all ages in this fun-packed, convenient location.
Hours:
10:00am - 5:00pm daily
Cost:
Children and Adults: $10.00
Seniors: $9.00
Children 1 and under and CCM members are free
Target Free First Sundays for 15 years and under
Museum of Science and Industry
Take a trip down Lake Shore Drive and visit these amazing exhibits. The Harry Potter exhibit goes until September 27th. After a dose of Harry Potter, head over to Fast Forward…Inventing the Future. This exhibit offers you a look into future's inventions and today's rocket scientists. Lastly, if you have some spare change there's the Omnimax Theatre that is showing Mysteries of the Great Lakes and Wild Oceans for you movie lovers.
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday 11:00am - 5:30pm
Cost:
Adults: $13.00
Seniors: $12.00
Youth ages 3-11: $9.00
Free Days June 1-5, 19th
For more information on free and cheap entertainment around the Chicago neighborhood, check out: chicago.metromix.com, explorechicago.org, and chicagomag.com.
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