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Closed
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Mon |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Tue |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Wed |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Thu |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Fri |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Sat |
Closed
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The Museum of Science and Industry is a fascinating place to visit if you want to learn more about the Earth, the human body, technology, and science. With over 2,000 exhibits spread across 75 halls that cover about 14 acres, the museum opened in 1933 and is now the biggest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. In 2009, the museum had a record attendance of over 1.6 million guests, making it the third-largest cultural attraction in Chicago. The museum has a range of permanent exhibits, including a working coal mine, a 3,500-square-foot model railroad, a German Submarine captured in World War II, and a NASA spacecraft used for the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. Additionally, visitors can experience flight simulators, military crafts, an assembly line replica, a 40-foot water vapor tornado, a 13-foot interactive heart, and much more.
Celebrate the holiday season with the nationally televised Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, which has been ranked the second-best Thanksgiving Parade in the country by Time Out Magazine. Witness the excitement as talented marching bands, majestic equestrian units, national celebrities, and spectacular performance groups march through downtown Chicago. Why settle for watching a parade meander through New York City on TV when you can see giant cartoon-character balloons, marching bands, and dancers on the streets of Chicago? If you are in the city on Thanksgiving, you can catch the annual procession before indulging in your turkey. The Parade moves down State Street between Ida B. Wells Drive and Randolph Street and ends by 11 am, providing you with ample time to return home and assist with the cooking. The event commemorates Thanksgiving with a three-hour procession of giant balloons, marching bands, dancers, and more.
The hidden garden behind the Lincoln Park Conservancy is a must-visit spot. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, situated in this garden, is designed to resemble a river flowing through a prairie. Walking along the stone path that encircles the lily pool, you'll come across a pavilion, a council ring, and native plants seen from mid-April to mid-November. As soon as you enter through the Prairie-style Fullerton gate, you will find yourself surrounded by a serene and beautiful garden filled with the soothing sounds of birds chirping and a gentle waterfall. Alfred Caldwell, a landscape architect, designed this garden as a hidden treasure for the people of Chicago. The gravel pathway on the east side of the Lily Pool site is partially accessible for those with disabilities. However, the stone pathway on the west has some steps up and down, making it less accessible. Visitors should also be aware that both sides of the path have a slight incline and decline, which should be considered while exploring the garden.