An alternative Chicago campus

Chicago is home to renowned art museums, but for those whose idea of a good time in a museum does not involve reverently inspecting Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, there are some alternatives. Fortunately, a few are located in Chicago Museum Campus.

Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium contains more than 80 habitats, with some 1,500 species floating around inside of them. Beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Alaska sea otters and California sea lions and a 360-degree view of Caribbean sea-life are all within a stone’s throw of each other.

Sitting out on its own bayside peninsula is Adler Planetarium. Among the exhibitions are the Galaxy Wall — the largest and most complete view of our Milky Way — and an interactive trip through the creation of the universe. Next to Adler is the Field Museum, within which the largest and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton (named Sue) can be found. There are also extensive mineral collections that can be observed in an exhibit tracking 4 billion years of rocks, fossils and gems.

Lastly, Soldier Field — the Chicago Bears stadium — sits above the vast majority of the parking spots. It was stripped of landmark status in 2006, as a result of a drastic 2003 renovation, but you can admire the new field and the Veteran’s Memorial water wall as you pass by.