If you’ve come to D.L.S. for testing from out of town and are looking for something to do over the weekend, Chicago has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. Below is just a sampling of the many sights to see in the area.
City Pass
Discounted sightseeing package valid for 9 days from first use, skip most ticket lines
Cost: Adult $134, child (3-11) $104 (vs. Adult $257.55, child $209.04 to buy the tickets individually!)
Includes: Shedd Aquarium & Skydeck Chicago, and choice of 3: The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago, 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Museum of Science & Industry, Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
www.citypass.com/chicago
Chicago Botanic Gardens
Location: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, 847-835-5440
Cost: Ranges from free to $21.95, depending on the date. Parking $8/car
Hours: 8am-sunset year-round except Christmas day
Attractions: A major collection of more than 2.4 million plants consisting of 9,084 different kinds of plants, walking and bike paths.
www.chicago-botanic.org
Millennium Park
Location: 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Ave., Chicago, 312-742-1168
Cost: Free
Hours: 6am-11pm
Attractions: Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) – closed until Spring 2024, bandshell with free concerts, outdoor art exhibits, ice rink (weather permitting), 2.5 acre garden.
www.millenniumpark.org
Lincoln Park Zoo
Location: 2200 N. Stockton, Chicago, 312-742-2000
Cost: Free admission, parking ranges from $30-$40
Hours: Open 365 days a year, 10am – 5pm
Attractions: Children’s Zoo with Farm, zoo tours held year-round, close to Lincoln Park, and close to Lake Michigan.
www.lpzoo.com
Brookfield Zoo
Location: First and 31st, Brookfield, 708-688-8000
Cost: Adults $29.95, children (3-11) $20.95, and seniors $24.95. Parking $17-$20. Free admission days change seasonally. Check website for details.
Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat – Sun 10am – 6pm
Attractions: Daily dolphin shows, butterfly garden, Stingray Bay, children’s zoo with animal demonstrations and special events.
www.brookfieldzoo.org
Adler Planetarium
Location: 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, 312-922-7827
Cost: Adults $19, children (3-11) $8. Additional ticket packages available. All tickets must be bought online in advance.
Hours: 9am – 4pm, closed Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year
Attractions: Museum for astronomy and space exploration.
www.adlerplanetarium.org
Art Institute of Chicago
Location: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-443-3600
Cost: Adults $32, Seniors, Students, Teens (14-17) $26, children (3-11) Free. Free admission days vary, available on website.
Hours: Mon 11am-5pm, Tues-Wed Closed, Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri-Sun 11am-5pm
Attractions: Second largest art museum in the US. Various themes & cultures, notable Impressionist collection.
www.artic.edu
Field Museum
Location: 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 312-922-9410
Cost: Adults $30, children (3-11) $21, students & seniors $25. All-inclusive passes also available. 52 free days a year. See site for details.
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm. Closed Christmas Day.
Attractions: SUE the T-Rex, Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and Inside Ancient Egypt, as well as exhibitions on many different cultures, mammals, birds, gems, minerals, and plants.
www.fieldmuseum.org
Museum of Science and Industry
Location: 57th Street and South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 773-684-1414
Cost: Adults $25.95, children (3-11) $14.95. Additional features available at extra cost. Several Free Days; check site for details.
Hours: 9:30am-4pm daily. Extended hours (5:30pm) on some days. See site for details. Closed Christmas Day.
Attractions: Omnimax films, U-505 Submarine, Coal Mine, Farm Tech, Genetics, Human Body, many temporary exhibits.
www.msichicago.org
Shedd Aquarium
Location: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 312-939-2438
Cost: Adults $36.45-$41.95 depending on day, children (3-11) $27.45-$31.45, depending on day. Additional features available at extra cost. See site for details.
Hours: Weekdays 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-6pm. Closed Christmas Day.
Attractions: Oceanarium, dolphin & whale show, Amazon River, Caribbean Coral Reefs & wild reefs.
www.sheddaquarium.org
Water Tower Place
Location: 835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-440-3166
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
Attractions: 8 floors of all types of stores and shops including American Girl Place, Express, Lego, Sephora. There are many places to eat as well.
Garage may be entered from Chestnut eastbound.
www.shopwatertower.com
North Michigan Avenue
Attractions: All types of shops and restaurants on Michigan Ave. The list is too extensive to put here–that’s why it’s called The Magnificient Mile!
www.themagnificentmile.com
Trains
Metra: For getting from the suburbs to the city. Plan schedule at www.metrarail.com
CTA/”The L”: For getting from the suburbs to the city, as well as around the city. Both trains and buses. One-day passes for unlimited rides for 24 hours available at Jewel-Osco. Plan schedule at www.transitchicago.com
D.L.S. Electronic Systems Inc. and its employees assume no responsibility for the above pricing. Please check the location/attraction directly for the most current pricing and information.