Martinex1: I remember several outings to the museums and zoos over the Summer months while growing up. My dad would pack us into the car on a weekend and we'd make our way to the city to the museum campus in Chicago and visit the Field Museum of Natural History or the Museum of Science and Industry. Occasionally we would go to the Adler Planetarium or the Shedd Aquarium or the Art Institute of Chicago.
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| Museum of Science and Industry |
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| Adler Planetarium |
Some trips were successful and others not so. I think the success of the trip depended on the age and the relative interest of the many kids and personalities involved. I gravitated toward the Museum of Science and Industry where experiments were demonstrated, visitors had access to a WWII submarine, and most every exhibit was hands-on. It is still a favorite today. There you can ride through a coal mine or experience a tornado; they often freeze balloons in liquid nitrogen and have interactive exhibits. The Field Museum however had the T-Rex bones, historical artifacts, and many detailed displays, but it is a little too dry for the kid still inside me. I can remember some complaints of "boredom" during walks through ancient jewelry and statues. When I go with my kids, I still hear that echo of childhood frustration.
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| Dinosaur "Sue" in the Field Museum atrium |
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| Submarine in the Museum of Science and Industry |
On other days we would make our way to the zoo. Chicago has two zoos with the sprawling Brookfield Zoo in the nearby suburbs and the Lincoln Park Zoo near the city lakefront. That zoo was featured on the morning kids-targeted
Ray Rayner Show as well. While I liked the zoo, I cannot say it was my prime choice for an outing. However, my youngest son loves monkeys so we do go and see those occasionally.
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| Ray Rayner and Friends |
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| The sprawling campus of the Brookfield Zoo |
How about in your city or town; are there museums and zoos you gravitate to year after year? What do you recommend? Are these types of outings still popular with your family?
Or were there school field trips that are memorable? What was your favorite educational attraction?
Cultural and intellectual outings to zoos and museums are the focus of
Short Cuts today!
