Chicago: The Museums (Page 1)
(July 4 - July 7, 2008)

Chicago is known for many great things, being the “Windy City”; home of the White Sox, The Cubs, and the Browns; Chicago style Pizza; and finally its museums. The following two pages are going to highlight the four museums I toured while in Chicago. While many photos were taken because of light levels or crowds, I decided to only display the absolute best or most outstanding. I would recommend seeing all the museums, however some are better than others and I would definitely purchase the Chicago City Pass to reduce Admission Costs and plan to hit all of them at once to save on parking as all are in relatively small area. Most of the Museums were very good, but because of the tight schedule we had to rush through all of them.

Paul J. Lossner

Chicago's Adler Planetarium

Adler Planetaruim Website

Chicago's Adler Planetarium was the first stop on our museum visit. Primarily because of the absolute overtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline in the background. This placement made me feel like as a tourist the whole city is a museum for me to tour. While at Chicago's Adler Planetarium I took a look into the night sky of Chicago to see the stars as they would look to the Windy City without Light Pollution. Typical Planetarium Education, but very busy, and the museum housed very friendly staff.

The display to the left is probably one of the neatest things I have seen in a Planetarium. You select the size of the object, the angle of entry, and this display shoots a burst of air into the sand to display the type of crater that will result...Cool

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry Website

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Technology was very interesting for all ages. This museum had a lot to it and took some effort to get through the whole museum in the allotted two hours of time. It contained information of airplanes, trains, bridges, submarines and really anything that has to do with our technological revolution. Below is a picture of how large the cable pack is that supports the Oakland-Bay Suspension Bridge. Another photo displays a pendulum that hand from three stories above which depending on how it oscillates it tells you what time of the day it is. Based on the spin of the Earth? I will have to do a little research on this one. Finally some photos of the largest train layout, I have ever seen which includes Chicago, Seattle and lot more. This museum is a must see.

Chicago's Shedd Aquarium

The Museum of Science and Industry Website

This may sound a little harsh, but in July 2008 at the time of my visit the only exuberant thing about the Shedd Aquarium is the building; very nice architecture. Compared to the Chattanooga Aquarium, Tampa’s Aquarium and The Georgia Aquarium; this aquarium needs a complete overhaul. The tanks were old and dirty. Many backlights were burned out and the fish were down right boring. I’m sure in its day, this was a great aquarium, but if time or money is short this exhibit could be skipped. I have seen pet stores with more interesting Aquariums.