Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312-922-7827, adlerplanetarium.org
America’s first planetarium has one of the world’s greatest collections of antique astronomical instruments. Ongoing: “Planet Explorers”: A hands-on exhibition that allows children to be backyard stargazers, go on a planetary excavation, experience a simulated blast-off into space and more. Recommended for ages 3-8.
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St., Brookfield; 708-485-0263, brookfieldzoo.org
On 216 acres, more than 3,000 animals live in walk-through settings that re-create their natural habitats Ongoing: “Great Bear Wilderness”: Go inside the natural habitat of North American animals including grizzly bears, polar bears, bison, eagles and Mexican gray wolves.
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56th Place; 773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org
The DuSable is one of the most notable African-American museums in the nation.
Through July 17: “Sixteen Pieces”: An exhibition of paintings explores the sacred literature of the Yoruba people of West Africa.
Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org
The museum educates and entertains visitors with exhibits about nature and culture, prehistoric to present. Ongoing: “Sue the T. rex”: The permanent exhibition is the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered.
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S. Lake Shore Drive; 773-684-1414, msichicago.org
Through Sept. 5: “Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life”: Plastinates of human specimens take visitors inside the human body to see the life cycle at various stages.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312-939-2438, 312-559-0200, sheddaquarium
.org
One of the largest indoor aquariums features permanent exhibits such as “Seahorses and Seadragons,” featured in the “Waters of the World” exhibit; and “Amazon Rising,” which brings to life one of the world’s most diverse environments, where anacondas, piranhas and arowanas make their home. Additional exhibits include the “Wild Reef” display, one of the most diverse shark exhibits in North America featuring more than 25 sharks, 500 species of reef fish and the largest display of live coral in the Midwest; and “Grand Cayman Iguana,” one of the critically endangered giant lizards. Learn about threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem at the “Invasive Species” exhibit, which includes Asian carp, zebra mussels and more. The Oceanarium features an elaborate re-creation of a Pacific Northwest marine environment with dolphins, California sea lions, sea otters, penguins and beluga whales.
Through May 2012: “Jellies”: The exhibit is a showcase of the strange anatomies and life cycles of the translucent ocean-dwellers.
Ongoing: Aquatic show: Dolphins spring out of the water and belugas dance during this marine mammal presentation in the aquarium’s Oceanarium amphitheater.
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