Two Days for 3 Museums - What Order would you do them in ?

Arriving Wed. and won%26#39;t be until early to late afternoon so that leaves all day Thur and Friday to do Museum of Science, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum. Looks like most if not all of them will be open until 5:30 this week giving a bit more time and we will arrive right when they open.

Figure we can fit the Michigan Ave shopping in the evening. Which museum do we need to allow the most time for as it looks like we will need to do two in one day ? Any of them more crowded one day over another ?

Two Days for 3 Museums - What Order would you do them in ?

You need to allow at least a 1/2 day for the MSI. It%26#39;s 7 miles south of downtown. Accessible via bus or train.

Adler %26amp; Field are across from each other. Easily done in the same day. I don%26#39;t think the day of week will matter. If it was a weekend, then it would be more crowded.

Two Days for 3 Museums - What Order would you do them in ?

I would say to set aside one day for the Museum of Science and Industry. You could do the Adler Planetarium and Field Museum the other day. It also makes sense because the Adler and the Field are both on the Museum Campus, while the MSI is quite a bit further south.

I agree with the other posters if these are indeed the museums have firmly decided on, but some of what is covered at the Adler is also covered at the space wing of the MSI, and you are skipping one of Chicago%26#39;s greatest treasures, the Art Institute.

Of course you may have done this on another visit, or may not be ';art people';.

Another fun choice is the Shedd Aquarium although I think the Oceanarium is under renovation right now, it is on the same museum campus as the Field and the Adler.

I%26#39;ve already done the art museum although the kids have not. We did Boston last spring break and bought an annual pass at the science museum there and it give reciprocal visits at Adler, Field, Science and Children%26#39;s Museums. That%26#39;s why I wasn%26#39;t planning the Shedd on this trip (plus we did the aquarium in Boston). Thought to keep trip cheap may as well do the things that are free.

Hadn%26#39;t even considered if I should do the Children%26#39;s Museum as my youngest is 8.

Another free option - www.lpzoo.com

Hi, adding on to this post, we%26#39;re doing about the same schedule this week(must be spring break).

Does anyone know if we can add-on the pirate exhibit at the Field Museum if we buy a City Pass or Go Chicago card? I haven%26#39;t been able to reach a live person at the museum to inquire.

I%26#39;ve also heard of people being disappointed with the Shedd Aquarium right now due to the renovation, so not sure if we will visit it or not.

I%26#39;ve been to MSI, but now taking our 6 yr old twins. I%26#39;m thinking of waiting until the Harry Potter exhibit opens as the kids are huge Potter fans.

Thanks for feedback!

Go-OSU, you can fit the Adler and the Field into one long day; go to the Adler last, and cut it short if you are tired. There isn%26#39;t much walking around at the Adler, and the Sky Show is nice and relaxing. If you are driving back to Ohio, and Friday is your last day in town, get to the MSI as early as possible and leave between 2:30 and 3 PM to beat some of the traffic.

We were just at the museums mentioned using the CityPass. You can definitely add on the pirate exhibit for an additional cost. Get to the Field Museum first--there was no line up and very little wait when we got there right at 9:30.

The Shedd Aquarium IS a disappointment right now--not worth the $$$ without the Oceanarium open. With the citypass it is included, but otherwise I would pass on it.

Definitely the MSI is a museum on its own day, as it is a bit of a drive out of town. It is also HUGE. Very worthwhile though, we loved it. I think all of the museums are less busy during the week right now, although there are still many school tours.

The children%26#39;s museum is geared to children up to age 12 or so.