Can I See Three Chicago Museums in One Day?
I will be in Chicago for a week for Microsoft Ignite. I will stay near Roosevelt & Mich. I have never been to the U.S., let alone Chicago, before. May 2nd is my only spare day, and I intend to go sightseeing.
But then, I am not someone who is easily impressed by just "old things", be it architecture or paintings. I am more into technical things, sciences, and perhaps some animals (whether padded, bones-only or alive).
So I thought to attend science and industry museum. How much time should I plan for this museum?
Furthermore, Shedd Aquarium could be worth a visit. But then, we have an aquarium back in Cologne, and I have been there more than once. But then, aren't they all the same, fish behind glass? Is there anything special about this aquarium?
And then there's the Field Museum. I won't make it for the scientist hours on Friday, but it should be impressive nonetheless. I guess I will feel a bit overwhelmed in there. Is there a guided audio tour or sth. like that available, or would I have to be there at 11 a.m. for the guided tour? Is the tour helpful, is it overcrowded (since it's free)? And what exactly does "Pawnee Earth Lodge Open House" mean?
And, last but not least: Are these three doable in a single day? I won't find any other time to attend them during their usual opening hours. Did I overlook any evening specials that take place between May 1st and May 7th?
When I buy three single tickets, cost is nearly the same as the City Pass; but the latter will allow me to bypass the queues, so I'd go for the pass (time is money). Where can I get the pass, without waiting time, possibly even on Friday between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.? (Since I am not sure whether plans may change, I won't pay a hundred bucks before getting off the plane.)
Best Answer
I live just a few blocks from where you're staying, and also enjoy technical things. I have a couple suggestions for you.
First off, the Museum of Science and Industry is excellent. It's huge. I wouldn't bother trying to hit all the museums. I would hit just this one. The museums are all very large and you could easily spend most of your day at each one. Consider spending a half day here. It's worth doing the extra exhibits. I recommend the German submarine exhibit. The coal mine exhibit is neat as well if you like big machinery.
Next, you might really enjoy a brewery tour. The Argus Brewery is a small local brewery on the south side of Chicago in the West Pullman area. Now, here's the cool thing... this brewery is a block from a Metra station, and it just happens to be the same Metra line that runs by the Museum of Science and Industry. If you time it right, you can take the train (or one of the many buses at Roosevelt) down to the Museum of Science and Industry, spend all morning and lunch there, then hop on the train to go down to the brewery, enjoy the tour of the small facility while having some beer, and then take the train back. The train picks up just a block from where you're staying.
You'll be back in town in time for a nice dinner.
If you come back during the fall, there are tours that take you inside the bridge mechanisms and explain how they all work.
Also, the view from the Hancock Observatory (now 360 Chicago) is very nice, cheaper than the Willis Tower Skydeck, and a much shorter wait. (Skydeck waits can be as long as 3 hours on nice weather weekends.)
Enjoy your trip!
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Can you do Shedd and Field museum in one day?
You can see enough of the Field in half a day, but the Shedd Aquarium really needs a full day. If you are in Chicago, and have the City Pass, and only have enough time for both, then go for it, but if you are able to go back to Chicago soon, then do only one.How long does it take to go through Chicago Field museum?
A few exhibits are ticketed events that you have to pay for in addition to the basic admission price, so consider whether or not you want to see those before you get to the ticket window. You could easily spend days exploring all there is to see in the Field Museum, but you should plan to spend about three hours there.How long does it take to tour the Chicago Art museum?
Keep It Short Depending on the age of your child, a 45- to 90-minute visit can be plenty of time to enjoy the museum.Which museum is better in Chicago?
If you're coming to Chicago for culture, you're hitting the Art Institute first. It is the city's grandest museum, a Beaux Arts gem flanked by two bronze lions that are as much a symbol of the city as the Willis Tower and it has as fine an impressionist collection as you'll find anywhere.TOP 10 things to do in CHICAGO [Travel Guide]
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Answer 2
You can certainly get to all three in the same day, but even if you use taxicabs I don't think you'll get much bang for the buck (as we say). I would first drop the Shedd, unless you are especially interested in fish. The Museum of Science and Industry is very large, and my children often spend almost an entire day there. Check whether the Field or Science and Industry has a more interesting special exhibit?
If you really want to see something distinctly Chicago, it is the most interesting city in the USA for architecture. The skyscraper was born there. Tour web site. (Not affiliated in any way, except for taking same several times when my mother-in-law was alive and living in Chicago.)
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