Chicago is a dynamic city year around. Even though the weather is cold and snowy, there are still great ways to spend the day in Chicago. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is open for the hardy souls who crave outdoor exercise and old fashioned fun. For those who prefer the warmth of the great indoors, there are interesting displays at the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. Visit these great Chicago Institutions to see their unique displays and learn a little about the world around you in the bargain. Here are some of the current displays and events that you may find very interesting and enjoyable.
Ice Skating at Millennium Park
312-742-5222
Millennium Park is a relatively new attraction in Chicago. The 24.5 acre park has built on what was formerly a railroad yard. The tracks have been covered and the Park, at the intersection of Randolph and Michigan Avenue, is a entertainment and concert mecca for the city. Entrance to Millennium Park is free.
The park is open for ice skating until March 16. Put on your ice skates and get outside for some old fashioned exercise and fun. The popular ice skating rink draws 100,000 skaters annually, so this could be a terrific way to meet people with similar interests. There is no admission charge to the rink, so skating is free. Bring your own ice skates. If you don’t have skates, you can rent them for $7. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets. Parking is available at the Millennium Park Garage or the Grant Park North Garage. The rink is open from 10 am to 10 pm. It’s a good idea to call ahead of time to confirm that the rink is open. The phone number to the rink is 312-742-5222.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois
312-939-2438
The Shedd Aquarium has daily, ongoing and special events. There is always something to see and do at this indoor Aquarium. You can getaway to a different world without ever having to leave Chicago.
Special Event:
“Lizards and the Komodo King” will be at The Shedd until February 28. Don’t miss your chance to see the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon.
Daily Events:
Animal Encounters. Meet an animal close up. During the live animal program you can meet cockroaches, frogs, turtles, snakes and more. Check with the Aquarium for times.
Marine Mammal Presentations. You can go on a dolphin and whale watching trip. Observe amazing natural behaviors of dolphins and whales. See these fascinating creatures diving, spy hopping and tail walking. Check with the Shedd Aquarium for times.
Caribbean Reef Presentations: Talk to a diver while they are underwater feeding more than 300 reef animals. See a sea turtle, rays, sharks and a rainbow of schooling fishes that call the Caribbean Reef home. Call The Aquarium for times.
Regular admission is: Adults $23.00, Seniors and Children (3-11) $16. There are various days that are free or that offer discounts. Call the Shedd Aquarium or check their website for information.
Adler Planetarium
1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
312-922-STAR
The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum is the place to explore the heavens, skies, stars and space. There is always a variety of lectures, tours and special events Adler Planetarium. Here are just a few of the special events at the Adler.
Lunar Eclipse, March 3
The best place in Chicago to view The Lunar Eclipse on March 3 is The Adler.What better place to view the eclipse of the moon than at The Adler Planetarium? The Adler will have telescopes available outside on the east side of the museum. The telescopes will make it easy to view the eclipse and other sky objects. According to The Adler Planetarium web site: ” As the Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth, its appearance darkens, sometimes appearing reddish or grayish. at This is the first total lunar eclipse visible from Chicago since late 2004. The best viewing for this eclipse will be in Europe and Africa. This doesn’t mean that Chicago’s view will be spoiled, only shortened. Moonrise occurs at 5:39 pm. The moon will already be eclipsed by the Earth’s shadow at this point. Totality ends at 5:58 pm CST. The partial phase ends at 7:11 pm”. 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm there will be a free Moon Phases demonstration, showcasing the science behind eclipses. The demonstration will be held outside, on the Art side of the building. All activities are free to the public. No reservations necessary
Shoot for the Moon – Now Open
The new permanent exhibition highlights the exciting stories of space exploration and America’s plans to return to the Moon.
A Journey with Jim Lovell
The first gallery of the Shoot for the Moon is the story of Jim Lovell’s life and careen, using artifacts from Astronaut Jim Lovell’s personal collections. The fully restored Gemini 12 spacecraft flown by Astronauts Captain Lovell and Buzz Aldrin is the center piece of the presentation.
Mission: Moon tells of the historic accomplishments of the Apollo missions Interactive displays put you in the place of a member of the exploration team gong to the Moon in the 21st century. Interactive include: Lunar Dangers Training Lab, The Lunar Leap and Touch Down.
The Sky Theater explores the wonders of the clear night sky projected on the dome of Adler’s historic Zeiss planetarium theater.
Egyptian Nights: Secrets of the Sky Gods
Travel back more than 5000 years. View the sky as the ancient Egyptians saw them from the banks of the Nile River. Learn about how the Egyptian culture incorporated the sky into their daily lives, civic culture and spiritual belief system
Space….In Your Face:
The ever changing skies, stars and constellations are explored in this 40 minute presentation. The show is constantly updated.
Have fun in Chicago by taking advantage of some of the really cool things to do.
It’s always a good idea to call ahead to verify hours and admission information.
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