Field Trip Ideas by County
PLEASE NOTE: This field trip guide was created and designed by Illinois H.O.U.S.E and wording was only changed to reflect the most recent information on the location as well as phone numbers and website addresses where appropriate. Neither Three Rivers Public Library District nor Illinois H.O.U.S.E. is responsible for events that happen during your family's field trip. Please make sure to contact the location before setting out for the most recent information. All links were active as of 6-17-10.
Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area - 24621 N. River Rd., Wilmington, IL 60481, 815/423-5326. Call for hours of operation. Groups of 25 or more are required to obtain advance permission to use the facility. At least one adult per 15 minors is required. Picnicking, fishing, camping, and more.
Gladys Fox Museum - 231 Ninth Street, Lockport, IL 60441, 815/838-1183. Owned by the Lockport Park District. Oldest masonry church building in Illinois; area history exhibits. Open Mon and Fri 1pm-4pm or by appointment.
Herbert Trackman Planetarium - at Joliet Junior College, 1216 Houbolt Avenue, Joliet, IL, 815/280-6682. Special programming can be arranged for grade school and high school groups, as well as civic organizations.Tuesday shows are for all audiences and begin at 7:30pm. Thursday shows are geared for children and begin at 6:30pm. Call for complete information and visit site for program schedule.
Gaylord Museum : 800 W Eight Street, Lockport, IL 815-588-1100. Tues-Sat 11am-5pm Sun Noon-5pm. Admission free. Part of the Illinois & Michigan Canal Association, National Historic Trust Site. Exhibits on local and canal history. Special Exhibit: Celebrating 20 Years: The Gaylord Building on Public Landing 1987-2007. Current exhibit: Abraham Lincoln and the I&M Canal.
Illinois State Museums: Lockport Gallery - 201 West 10th Street, Lockport, IL 60441, 815/838-7400. Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Check site for special holiday hours and closings. The gallery is home to changing exhibits of works by past and present Illinois artists in a variety of media. Currently On & Out of Paper (Through July 30)
Isle La Cache Museum - Will County Forest Preserve District at 501 E 135th Street, Romeoville, IL. Hours Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Sunday Noon-4pm. Celebrate Earth Day in April, the Island Rendezvous in June, and Fall Fest and the Kid's Fishing Derby in September. See site for details. Recently reopened after renovation.
Joliet Area Historical Society Museum - 17 E. VanBuren St., Joliet, IL, 815/723-5201. Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun Noon-5pm. Open some Monday school holidays. Closed 4th of July. Admission: $6 Adults, $5 Seniors (60+), $4 Students with school id, $3 Youth (4-17), under 3 and members free. Free Admission for Fathers on June 20. Reduced admission for groups of 15 or more. Special exhibit: Sisters of Saint Francis of Mary Immaculate: 145 Years of Serving God, Serving Community (June 6-Oct 10)
Lemont Area Historical Society Museum - 306 Lemont St., Lemont, IL,630-257-2972. Hours: Tues, Thurs, Fri 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-1pm, Sun 1pm-4pm. Closed major holidays. $1 Adults, 50 cents Children.
Lockport Street Gallery - 503 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, IL, 815/436-0370 Hours: Tues-Fri 12pm-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-3pm. Features the work of Salvador Dali and Louis Icart as well as graphic art from the 19th and 20th Centuries. (Some parental guidance is suggested).
Pilcher Park Nature Center - Gougar Road near Route 30 and I-80, Joliet, IL, 815/741-7277. Daily 9am-4:30pm. Hiking, natural history exhibits, 12 different field trip programs, as well as a variety of educational programs and classes, including maple syrup demonstrations (with a pancake breakfast) during the month of March, and lots more. Call for admissions info as this varies on the class/program/etc.
Slovenian Heritage Museum - 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL, 815/727-1926. Ethnic history displays.
Will County Historical Society Pioneer Settlement - 100 W. Ninth St., Lockport, IL 604441 815-838-5080
Channahon State Park - Channahon, IL. Phone - 815/467-4271 (call or see web site for directions) - Boating, picnicking, hiking, and more outdoor activities. Call for hours and admission info.
Gebhard Woods State Park and William G Stratton State Park - 401 Ottawa Street, Morris, IL 60450. Phone - 815/942-0796 - Camping, hiking, canoeing, and more. Call for hours and admission info.
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area and Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area - 5010 N. Jugtown Road, Morris, IL 60450. Phone - 815/942-2899 - Hiking, picnicking, nature trails. Call or see web site for hours and admission. Groups of 25 or more are required to make reservations in advance.
Mazonia/Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area - Illinois Route 53 and Huston Road, Braceville, IL 60407. Phone - 815/237-0063.
Morris Theater Guild Playhouse - 507 Liberty Street, Morris, IL. Phone - 815/942-1966. Note: A fire destroyed the playhouse building during renovations, please see the site for rebuilding information and alternative venues during reconstruction.
Little White School House Museum - E. Jackson Street, Oswego, IL 60543, Phone - 630/554-2999 Hours: Museum: Weds-Fri Noon-4pm Sat. 9am-4pm, Sun. Noon to 4pm. Check site for various holiday closings.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area - 13608 Fox Rd, Yorkville, IL, Phone - 630/553-6297 - Fishing, boating, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Call ahead for hours and admission info.
Buffalo Rock State Park - Buffalo Rock Road, Ottawa, IL 61350, 815/433-2220. Call for admission info and hours of operation. Picnicking, hiking, buffalo viewing, and other outdoor activities.
Hume-Carnegie Museum - 901 Washington Street, Mendota, IL, 815/539-3373. Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. $2/adult; $1/child/student through high school. Local history; exhibits about the Indian Wars, Wild Bill Hickok, and more.
LaSalle Lake - 2660 East 2350th Road, Marseilles, IL 61341, 815/357-1608. Open daily 6am-Dusk. Groups of 25 or more must register in advance. Minimum of one adult per 15 minors. Hiking, fishing, picnicking, and more.
Matthiessen State Park - Utica/Oglesby, IL, 815/667-4868. Call for directions, admission info and hours of operation. Hiking, picnicking, archery range, and more.
Ottawa Scouting Museum - 1100 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL 61350, 815/431-9353. Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. $3/adult; $2/child; group rates available - call. History of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire.
Starved Rock State Park - south of Utica, IL on Route 178, 815/667-4726. Daily 5 a.m. to9 p.m. (Parking lots 8am-Sunset) Visitor Center hours 9am-4pm daily Call for admission info.Hiking, picnicking, camping, more. Due to flooding some areas are not accessible, please call ahead.
Union Depot Railroad Museum - 783 Main Street, Mendota, IL, 815/538-3800.Hours: Hours: Sat-Sun 12pm-5pm other hours by appointment. Admission is free will donations. HO railroad layout of Mendota in 1930s-1940s; old-time telegraph office, and more. Special event: Railroad Crossing Days (June 19-20)
Blackberry Historical Farm-Village - 100 S. Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL 60506, 630/892-1550. Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-5pm. Admission: Adults $7/Children and Seniors $6. Living history museum of late 19th century life including 5 large museum collections, a train, and an arboretum on 54 scenic acres including a lake (where you can fish) and ponds. Many activities. Special events: Father's Day (June 20), Antique Car and Tractor Show (July 11).
Fox River Trolley Museum--361 S LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 847-697-4676. Hours: Sundays 11am-5pm. Jun 26-Labor Day Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Old time trolley that takes you on a 4 mile trip along the banks of the Fox River and the Blackhawk Forest Preserve. See site for fares. Special events throughout the year
Garfield Farm and Inn Museum - 3N016 Garfield Road, LaFox, IL 60147, 630/584-8485. Hours Sun and Weds 1pm-4pm or by appointment. Tour donation is $3 per adult, $2 per child under 13. A number of special events occur throughout the year, including hands-on learning opportunities, such as basket-weaving, fireplace cooking, etc., recalling farm life in the first half of the nineteenth century. Special events: Independence Day Celebration (July 4)
SciTech Interactive Science Center - 18 West Benton Street, Aurora, IL 60506, 6630/859-3434. Hours: Weds-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun Noon-5pm. Validated parking at the Stolp Garage (bring ticket into Scitech for validation). You may now park in the metered spaces at the Aurora Public Library. $8/Adult/Children; $7/seniors. Admission coupon on website. Children under 2 free. Group rates available - call for info. Exhibits include "The Virtual Reality Room" and "Midwest Wild Weather". Live shows daily. Lots of hands-on activities. New exhibit : Tornado and Storm Chase Exhibit.
Chicago Festival Ballet - studio has two locations: 1239 S. Naper Blvd. Naperville, IL 60540, 630/527-1052; and 3039 Theodore St. Joliet, IL 60431, 815/577-7011. Lessons in classical ballet; annual performances of the Nutcracker held at the Rialto Theater in Joliet, McAnnich Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, and the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon, MI.
DuPage Children's Museum –301 N Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540, Information: 630/637-8000. Public hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun Noon-4pm. Third Thursday of the month open 9am-8pm. [Check site or call for special hours during holidays or local school breaks] Closed Memorial Day and 4th of July. $8.50/person (1 to 59), $7.50 Seniors. Members free for 1 year. Exhibits include AirWorks, Construction House, Ramps and Rollers, and many more fun hands-on activities. See site for group rates (no groups on Mondays), special discounts.
DuPage Heritage Gallery - 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission free. Gallery focus is on DuPage County citizens of note throughout the county's history.
Elmhurst Art Museum - 150 Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst, ILp; 60126, 630/834-0202. Closed Mondays. Tues 10am-4pm, Weds 1pm-8pm, Thurs 10am-4pm, Fri 1pm-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day. $7/adult; $5 senior; $5/students with ID; Free/child under 12. Tuesday is free day. Closed Thanksgiving and Day After. Holdings include one of only three existing houses designed and built by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra - PO Box 345, Elmhurst, IL 60126, 630/941-0202. Various performances throughout the Elmhurst area during the year. See website or call for schedule and ticket information.
Fullersburg Woods - Spring Road about 1/4 mile north of Ogden Avenue, Oak Brook, IL, 630/850-8110. Open daily from 1 hour after sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Visitors Center open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Features an Environmental Theater, Living Marsh exhibit, Graue Mill (see below for details), several hiking trails, and more.
Graue Mill and Museum - York and Spring Roads, Oak Brook, IL, 630/655-2090. Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-4:30pm. Admission: $3.50 Adults, $3 Seniors, $1.50 Children (4-12), Free under 3. Reduced field trip rates for groups of 20, see site or call for more information, group rates include free costumed docent, costumed docent can be reserved for groups smaller than 20 for $25. The only operating waterwheel gristmill in Illinois. The Museum focuses on living history and artifacts that illustrate the way of life of area residents between 1850 and 1890. Special events: Windy City Harmonica Club (June 20), From Grain to Grist (July 3-4), Monarch Magic (July 18).
Kline Creek Farm at Timber Ridge Forest Preserve - County Farm Road north of Geneva Road, Winfield, IL, 630/876-5900. Thursday through Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Focus is on realistically representing farm life of the 1890s. Sheep, cattle, rabbits, and chickens are kept. Farm house and summer kitchen exhibit domestic life of the time. Call for tour hours and arrangements for farm house and summer kitchen. Many seasonal activities throughout the year - call for details.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art - 220 Cottage Hill, Elmhurst, IL 60126, 630/833-1616. Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. $4/adult; $3/senior; $2/student/teenager; $1/child 7-12, free/child under 7.Closed Christmas. Friday is Free Day. Focus on stone carving and natural science. Video program for groups - reservation required. Call for details and dates. Educational boxes of rocks and minerals are available to check out to groups, day cares, home schools, and other educators, call for information. Special Exhibit: The Rock Cafe.
The Morton Arboretum - 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532, 630/968-0074. Open Daily:7am-7pm (or sunset whichever is earliest). Hours vary for different buildings/locations within the Arboretum, see site or call for details. Admission rates are: $11 Adult, $10 Senior, $8 Youth (2-17), Children 2 and under free. Wednesdays $7 Adult, $6 Senior, $5 Children. Tram rides (Call for availability)additional fee.Children's Garden open 9:30am-4pm Some events and services are at an additional cost. See web site or call for complete schedule and price information.
Naper Settlement - 523 South Webster Street, Naperville, Illinois 60540, 630/420-6010. Summer Season: Tues-Sat 10am-4pm Sun 1pm-4pm Admission: $9 Adults/$8 Seniors/$6.50 Youth (4-17), under 4 free. Audio tour $3. Groups of 20 or more should make advance reservations. See web site or call for special group programs available.
New Philharmonic - McAninch Arts Center - College of DuPage, 425 22nd Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, 630/942-3005. Professional orchestra housed at the College of DuPage. Call 630/942-4000 for schedule and ticket information.
Salt Creek Ballet Home Page - 98 E. Naperville Road, Westmont, IL 60559, 630/769-1199. Dance school studios in Westmont and Hinsdale. Performances throughout the area. See web site or call for schedule and ticket information.
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum - 1300 South Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, 312/922-7827. Schedule : Daily 9:30am-6pm . Groups of 15 or more subject to group rates and should call 312/294-0364 in advance for information. Admission rates vary by age and number of shows, call or visit website. Current shows include: Journey to the Stars, One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure, IBEX, 3-D Vision, Skywatchers of Africa and Night Sky Live. Special Exhibit: Shoot For the Moon: A Journey with Jim Lovell.
Ars Viva - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL, 847/677-8482 for season tickets or 847/673-6300 for individual concert tickets. Chamber orchestra specializing in classic music as well as selections written by living composers. See web site for current season offerings.
The Art Institute of Chicago Museum - 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60603, 312/443-3600. Mon-Weds 10:30am-5:00pm, Thurs-Fri 10:30am-8pm , Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Admission: $18 adult, $12 student/senior, children under 14 free. Free admission after 5pm on Thursdays year round. Free public admission to the North and South Gardens, The Nichols Bridgeway, The new sculpture terrace on the third floor of the Modern Wing, The Ryan Education Center in the Modern Wing and it's programs. Group tours available - call 312/857-7104. Current special family exhibition: Everyday Adventures Growing Up: Art from Picture Books. See "Families" section of website for various family activities, talks, and story times, there are special events nearly daily (many are free, but some require advance registration), also check out "Plan your family visit" for great tips for making the most of your experience. Teachers and Home Schoolers will want to check out the Lesson Plan section for lesson plans to use in the galleries and in the classroom. Podcasts and other tours available for free on website. See the family calendar for daily family events, registration is often necessary.
Bronzeville Childrens Museum -9301 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago IL 60617 773-712-9301. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5 per person over 3. African-American children's museum.
Brookfield Zoo - First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, IL, 708/485-0263.Open every day. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-6pm, Sun 9:30am-7:30pm Admission: Adults $13.50 Children 3-11 $9.50, Seniors (65+) $9.50, Under 2 free.Daily Parking is $9. Free general admission for active military personnel with valid id. Additional charges for parking, tram rides, dolphin presentations, Children's Zoo and other special exhibits. Special events: Red Hot Fire Fridays (every Friday during the summer), WTTW Readers are Leaders Summer Tour (Various dates in summer), Cookie Cockatoo's 77th Birthday (June 26), Corky Turtle's 65th Birthday (July 10), Zoo Tunes-Belinda (July 18).
Chicago Academy of Sciences - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614, 773/755-5100. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Closed Christmas. $9/adult; $7/senior/student (13-22); $6/child(3-12).Some exhibits may have additional charge. Thursdays are free. Temporary and permanent exhibits include: Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, In the Dark. Check website for daily activities. Special exhibits: The World Through Animal Eyes.
Chicago Architecture Foundation - Santa Fe Center, 224 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 312/922-TOURS and John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 312/751-1380. Arranges educational tours of Chicago architecture. Offerings include: Historic Skyscrapers, Modern Skyscrapers, Frank Lloyd Wright by Bus, Children's Loop Tour, Structure: The Secret of Skyscrapers, and more.
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design - 190 South Roselle Road, Schaumburg,IL 60193, 847/895-3950. International Sculpture Park- Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, Schaumburg, IL. Downtown facility at 307 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601 312/372-1083. Museum Admission $3/adult, $2/seniors/students. Architecture, industrial, product and graphic design, and urban planning are covered in their collections. Call for group reservations. Downtown facility is currently closed.
Chicago Botanic Garden - 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 600022, 847/835-5440. Admission is free, however there is a charge for parking. $20/car, $7.00 per car for seniors on Tuesdays, $60 per minibus, bus or RV, $25 per van. Prices do not include tax. Tram rides are additional. Prearranged school groups on buses park free. Hours: 8am-Sunset, though some of the facilities within the Garden close earlier (see site or call). 27 gardens (including a Model Railroad Garden) covering 385 acres, with over 250 species of birds and over 30 species of other wildlife, as well as over 1.6 million plants. Master Gardeners on staff for questions about gardening. Special Enabling Garden showcasing gardening methods and tools for people of all ages who are differently-able, including wheel-chair gardening. Group tours available - call 847/835-6949. Special events: Dancin' Sprouts (July 7, July 21), Japanese Garden Family Sundays (June 20, July 4, July 18), Fruit and Vegetable Garden Drop In Activities (Weekends).
The Chicago Chamber Musicians including the Chicago String Quartet - 333 South State St., Chicago, IL 60604, 312/225-5226. Chamber Musicians' Sunday concerts are at Pick Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University Campus, 1977 South Campus Drive, Evanston; Monday concerts are at DePaul University Concert Hall, 800 West Belden Avenue, Chicago. Special discounts available for groups of 10 or more for Chamber Musician performances. String Quartet concerts are at the DePaul University Concert Hall. Season tickets also available for both. See web site or call for schedule and the most current ticket info.
Chicago Children's Museum - 700 East Grand Avenue at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611, 312/527-1000. Hours: Daily 10am-5pm Thursday Evenings: 5pm-8pm. Admission $10/person, $9/senior, under age 1 free; Thursday evenings from 5-8pm free for Kraft Free Family Night. Target First Sundays: Admission free to those under 15 on the first Sunday of the month. Discount group (15 or more people) rates available with reservation by calling 312/464-7729 (one adult per 5 children required).Many other exhibitions and performances available. Special Exhibit: Block Party. Check website for daily activities.
The Classical Symphony Orchestra and The Protégé Philharmonic - 218 South Wabash, Chicago, IL 60604, 312/341-1521. Call for ticket, schedule, and performance location information. Several concerts through the season are free admission. The Protégé Philharmonic is a youth orchestra for which auditions are held throughout the season. Call for details. Rehearsals are open to the public and held in The Performance Area, The Chicago Music Mart at the DePaul Center; call or see web site for schedule info.
DuSable Museum of African American History - 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637, 773/947-0600. Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun Noon-5 p.m. . $3/adult, $2/seniors/students, $1/children ages 6-13, under age 6 free. Admission on Sundays is free . Tours for groups of 8 or more advance reservations with the Education Department of the museum. Ongoing and upcoming exhibits include The Soul of Bronzeville, The Black Panthers and Red, White, Blue & Black. See web site for more information on upcoming events and exhibits.
Elgin Public Museum - 225 Grand Blvd., Elgin, IL 60120, 8447/ 741-6655. Hours Sat-Sun Noon-4pm.. Call for admission.Focuses on natural history and anthropology. Includes a zoo with bison, elk, deer and other animals.Group programs available, but do not appear to be included in the general admission price. Call for details.
Field Museum - 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, 312/922-9410. Open daily 9am-5pm, last admission at 4pm. Crown Family PlayLab open daily 10am-4pm. Discovery Pass includes admission to your choice of RoboSue, Mammoths and Mastadons, Ernst & Young 3-D Theatre or Underground Adventure: $22 Adults/$15 Children 4-11/$18 Seniors/Students with ID. All Access Pass includes admission to RoboSue, Mammoths and Mastadons, Ernst & Young 3-D Theatre and Underground Adventure: $29 Adults/$20 Children 4-11/$24 Seniors/Students with ID. Basic admission (does not include special exhibits): $15 Adults/$10 Children 4-11/$12 Seniors/Students with ID. Free for members, discounts available for teachers and military personal. Free basic admission the second Monday of every month. Some exhibits are additional. New permanent exhibits: Evolving Planet and The Ancient Americas Permanent exhibits include: Sue, the tyranosaurus rex, Bird Habitats, and a Pawnee Earth Lodge. Temporary exhibits include: RoboSue, Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age, Travels of the Crow and Insects: 105 Years of Collecting. Some exhibits may require separate ticketing/admission. Special events (Check website for more information and for more events such as daily tours and crafts) : Story Times (Weekends). Note: Museum campus parking can be restricted due to Bears games and special events. Please call or check website before heading out. Homeschoolers and other educators check out the educational loan program!
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio - 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 708/848-1976. Tours available Weekdays 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years. $9/adult, $7/seniors/children 7-18. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Tours with guide only.
Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 606224, General Information: 312/746-5100; Classes and Programs: 773/638-1766. Open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weds until 8pm Closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Open Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission and parking are always free (suggested donation of $3 for some exhibits). Exhibits include Children's Garden, Sensory Garden, and Monet Garden. Tour guide service available with advance reservations. Ongoing and upcoming events: Morning Glories for Families (Mondays), Paper Scavenger Hunt (Daily), Mobile Exploration Station (Weekends and Thursdays), Children's Garden Exploration Station (Weekends), Family Make and Take Sessions (Weekends). Special exhibit: Summer Tropical Flower Show (May 29-Sept 26).
Historic Pullman Foundation - 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, ILL 773/785-8901. Hours Tues-Sat 11am-3pm. Visitors Center at 112th and Cottage Grove includes exhibits and is home to the educational programs of the Foundation. Walking tours and group tours available. Call for details. Focus on transition from 19th to 20th century Chicago.
Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois - 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60076, 847/491-0905. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (Thursdays open until 8pm), Sat-Sun 11am-4pm.. Admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students (12-22) and children (5-12). Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission is free on Mondays. Programs include museum of historical exhibits and artifacts. Because of frequent school visits, it is recommended that you call ahead.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra - 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest, IL 60466, 7708/481-7774. Call for current performance schedule and ticket prices.
International Museum of Surgical Science - 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610, 312/642-6502. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Closed Thanksgiving. $10/Adult; $6/senior/child. Tuesdays are free. Focus is on history of surgery around the world. Exhibits include Anatomy in the Gallery. Permanent collection includes surgical Microscopes and historical surgical tools.
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum - University of Illinois at Chicago, 800 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60607, 312/413-5353. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Group tours available by advance reservation (1 adult per 10 children required). This is not a hands-on museum. Focus is on social progressivism, women's rights, labor issues, and the history of the Near West Side neighborhood.
The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago - 70 E. Lake, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601, 312/739-0120. Winter progam is American Masterworks in March, see site for dates and times. Call for ticket and performance location information. Group discounts may be available for some performances.
Kohl Childrens Museum - 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL, 847/832-6600. Monday: 9:30am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays Noon to 5pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day. Shortened hours on certain holidays, open later on select Mondays,check website for information. $7.50/person, $6.50/senior except free for children under 1 year old. Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago is a hands-on learning laboratory for children ages birth to 8.
Labor History Museum - 28 E. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604, 312/663--4107. Hours by appointment. Focus is on labor history in Illinois. Tours include Haymarket and Stockyards/Republic Steel/Pullman.
Lincoln Park Zoo - 2200 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 312-742-2000. Hours: Open every day. Weekdays 10am-5pm Weekends 10am-6:30pm. Admission is free. Parking depends on length of stay, see site for details, starting at $17 for up to 3 hours. Charge for paddle boat rides, train rides, Virtual Safari, and Audio Tour. Animal exhibits include farm in the zoo, children's zoo, primate house, lion house and more. Now open: Pritzker Family Children's Zoo. Special events: Story times (Mondays and Wednesdays).
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago - 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL; 60611, 312/280-2660. Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays, Christmas, and New Years Day. Admission $12 General, $7 Students/Seniors. Free Children under 12 and Military Members. Teachers can get a free pass upon advance request. Free admission on Tuesdays. Exhibits focus on visual and performance art since 1945. Permanent collection includes works by H.C. Westerman, Bruce Nauman photographs, and Cindy Sherman. Not all exhibits are suitable for all audiences. Special Events: Summer Outdoor Creation Stations (Tuesdays).
National Museum of Mexican Art - 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL, 312/738-1503. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm.Closed Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free for exhibits, performances are ticketed. Houses both performing and visual arts. Call for most current performing arts schedule. Permanent visual arts collection includes Leopoldo Méndez prints, and a variety of paintings, drawings, sculptures representative of the Mexican tradition and contemporary Mexican art.
Museum of Science and Industry - 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago,, IL 60637, 773/684-1414. Hours : Daily 9:30am-5:30pm. Hours change frequently, always check before hand. General Admission: $15/adult/child over 11, $14/seniors, $10/child age 3-11. Omnimax is an additional charge. Parking is an additional charge. Lego Mindstorms Workstation is additional charge.Some special events additional charge. Special rates for groups of over 20 with reservation at least 4 weeks in advance. Current exhibits include Robots Like Us and U-505 Submarine. Special exhibit: You the Experience.
The Next Theatre - 927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL 60201, 847/475-6763; For tickets, call 847/475-1875. Call for ticket and performance info for this live theater company.
Oriental Institute - 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, 773/702-9514 for General Info., 773/702-9520 - Museum Office. Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays and Christmas. Dedicated to the study of the ancient Near East. Suggested Donation: $7 Adults/$4 Children under 12. Please call Education Office ahead at 773-702-9507 if you plan to bring a group of more than 10 people.
The Peace Museum - 100 North Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624. 773-638-6450. Dedicated to "foster[ing] peace through the arts." Call for admission prices. Currently closed for relocation, exhibits will be hosted at various Chicago sites, see website for details.
Shedd Aquarium - 1200 S. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, 312/939-2438. Daily 9am-6pm. Shedd Pass (all inclusive): Adults: $26.95, Seniors and Students $23.95, Children 3-11 $19.95. Groups over 15 can make advance reservations by calling 312/692-3333. See website for details and other ongoing programs. Current exhibits include Wild Reef, Oceanarium, Amazon Rising, Waters of the World and Caribbean Reef. 4 D Movies: Planet Earth: Shallow Waters and Dolphins/Spongebob Squarepants Double Feature. Special events: Animal Encounters (Daily), Camp Shedd(Daily). Note: Museum campus parking can be restricted due to Bears games and special events. Please call or check website before heading out.
Smart Museum of Art - 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60637,, 773/702-0200. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5 p.m. Gallery closed Mondays, cafe and museum shop open daily.Admission is free, though certain events held by the museum may have admission charges. Art objects from ancient times to Old Masters to Tiffany glassware to 20th century paintings. Many temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Swedish American Museum Center in Chicago - 5211 North Clark, Chicago, IL 773/728-8111.Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm. Closed July 4-5. Free admission second Tuesday of every month. Focus is Swedish history since the Swedish mass immigration to the Chicago area. Offerings include tours, concerts, lectures and other activities. Children's Museum open Tuesday-Friday 1pm-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm. Admission (includes Children's Museum) $4 Adults/$3 students/seniors/children. $10 Family Rate. Children under one free.