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Division of Educational Programs |
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MUSEUMS, ATTRACTIONS, AND RECREATIONAttractions In and Near Downtown Chicago Chicago provides a rich and varied cultural environment, which we encourage you to sample and enjoy during your stay here. There are numerous major art, natural history and science museums, as well as smaller ones devoted to the cultural histories of the many nationalities that have settled in this city. The city is home to a world-renowned symphony, a major opera company, a wide variety of theaters and professional sports teams. The lakefront park hosts free weekly open-air concerts throughout the summer, as well as numerous festivals. We have two zoos, a lakefront aquarium and a planetarium. Forest preserves providing outdoor recreation are plentiful in both the city and suburbs, and visits to the nearby arboretum or the botanical garden are wonderful ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Numerous publications are available listing the events and activities offered in Chicago. The Chicago Official Visitors Guide, available in the lobby of the Argonne Guest House, is free and has a complete listing of museums and other attractions including current hours and admission fees. The Chicago Tribune newspaper, especially the Friday, Saturday and Sunday editions, has entertainment sections with weekly listings of events, movies for all ages. Chicago magazine is an excellent guide for concerts, theaters, restaurants, museums and attractions of all kinds. This monthly publication is readily available in the magazine sections of many supermarkets, drugstores, and bookstores. Guidebooks to Chicago and road maps are available in area bookstores. Map books which include detailed maps for the entire metropolitan area are available as well as individual fold out maps for sections of the city. Information is available on the web at choosechicago.com and egov.cityofchicago.org. Once you are here you can visit one of two Visitor Information Centers in downtown Chicago : Chicago Cultural Center Chicago Water Works (old Chicago Water Tower) Both centers are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Discover Downtown Chicago Through Walking Tours
Attractions In and Near Downtown Chicago Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum - 1300 South Lake Shore Drive (in Museum Campus), 312-922-7827, www.adlerplanetarium.org . Take a trip to the Moon, the stars, the end of the galaxy and beyond without leaving Chicago at the Western Hemisphere 's first planetarium. Art Institute of Chicago - 111 South Michigan Avenue (at Adams St ), 312-443-3600, www.artic.edu/aic . The institute houses one of the world's great collections of art and has an outstanding display of French Impressionist and post impressionist art. Brookfield Zoo -3300 Gold Road, Brookfield IL, 708-485-0263. www.brookfieldzoo.org One of the world's largest zoos just 25 minutes or 19 miles north east of Argonne. Chicago Architecture Foundation - 224 South Michigan Avenue, 312-922-3432, www.architecture.org . Exhibits and excellent guided tours celebrate the city's rich architectural heritage. Chicago Botanic Garden - 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe Il, 847-835-5440, www.chicagobotanic.org . 385-acre living museum featuring 24 specialty gardens set on a series of islands and lakes. 44 mile (approximately 50 minute) drive north of Argonne. Chicago Children's Museum - 700 East Grand Avenue (at Navy Pier), 312-527-1000 www.ChiChildrensMuseum.org . Unique hands-on exhibits and new activities daily. Fun for children ages two to ten and their parents. Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Washington St (at Michigan Ave ), 312-744-6630, egov.cityofchicago.org and follow the links. Daily programs and changing exhibitions covering a wide range of performing, visual and literary arts. FREE Chicago Historical Society - Clark St and North Ave, 312-642-4600, www.chicagohs.org The Historical Society specializes in Chicago and Illinois history the excellent permanent collection includes a Civil War gallery, the earliest known photographic views of the city and an audiovisual presentation of the Great Chicago Fire. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre - 800 East Grand Ave (at Navy Pier), 312-595-5600 www.chicagoshakes.com . Professional theater dedicated to presenting the works of William Shakespeare. Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Ave. 312-294-3333, www.cso.org . The orchestra performs more than one hundred concerts a year in a season running from September to May. The Center hosts many other series including pop, piano, jazz and many international orchestras. Field Museum of Natural History - 1400 South Lake Shore Drive (in Museum Campus), 312-922-9410, www.fieldmuseum.org . Named for its founding donor, Marshall Field I, it is home to the largest T. Rex dinosaur and houses collections of American Indian, primitive and Chinese art, archeology and Oceania. Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance - 300 N Central Park Ave, 773-638-1766, www.garfield-conservatory.org . Visit one of the nation's premier conservatories - six multi-faceted greenhouses and two grand exhibition halls. FREE John G. Shedd Aquarium - 1200 South Lake Shore Drive (in Museum Campus), 312-939-2438, www.sheddaquarium.org . The world's largest indoor aquarium. Lincoln Park Zoo - Lake Shore Drive at Fullerton Parkway, 312-742-2000, www.lpzoo.org . Nose to nose with nature. FREE Lyric Opera of Chicago - Civic Opera House, 20 N Wacker Drive, 312-332-2244, www.lyricopera.org . Opera season from September to April. Millennium Park - bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the North and Monroe Street to the South, 312-742-1168, www.millenniumpark.org , Open daily from 6am - 11pm. FREE Museum of Contemporary Art - 220 East Chicago Ave, 312-280-2660, www.mcachicago.org . Just steps from Michigan Ave and Chicago 's historic Water Tower, the MCA presents today's most innovative and exciting artists. Museum of Science and Industry - 57th St and Lake Shore Drive, 773-684-1414, www.msichicago.org . The latest developments of science and industry are shown in the 14 acres of exhibits. Many exhibits are hands-on and the Omnimax Theatre shows films on a five-storied domed screen. Navy Pier Chicago - 600 East Grand Ave, 312-595-7437, www.navypier.com . Year-round more than 50 acres of parks, promenade, gardens, shops, restaurants, and entertainment await you! Oriental Institute Museum - 1155 East 58 th St, 773-702-9514, www.oi.uchicago.edu . The museum is connected with the University of Chicago, and its collections center on ancient Near Eastern Archeology, art, religion and history. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N Cannon Drive (at Fullerton Parkway ), 773-775-5100, www.chias.org . Hands-on exhibits to connect the visitor with the natural world. Home to the only year-round butterfly haven. Ravinia Festival - 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, 847-266-5100, www.ravinia.org Outdoor concerts from June to September, including classical, pop, jazz, folk, and chamber music. Summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Artists Showcase West - 630-963-9093, www.dgconcerts.org . The purpose of the Artists showcase is promote and encourage public interest in the performing arts in Downers Grove , Illinois and surrounding areas by presenting a program of outstanding professional talent in the sphere of music and dance at affordable prices. Downers Grove Choral Society - 630-513-0030, www.dgcs.org . A community choir with participations open to all members of the community. Three major concerts are held each year. DuPage Children's Museum - 301 N. Washington St. Naperville, 630-637-8000, w ww.dupagechildrensmuseum.org . A hands-on educational discovery center. Fermilab Arts Series - Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, www.fnal.gov/pub/events/culture.html . Cultural programs include an arts series, lectures, international film series and art gallery with rotating exhibits. Grove Players - 630-415-3682, www.groveplayers.org Their purpose is to provide the audience the opportunity to experience and enjoy the wonders of theater, and to provide an opportunity for those who wish to participate in the challenges and rewards of this art form. Rehearsals and performances held in Downers Grove. Hinsdale Center for the Arts - Katherine Legge Memorial Park, 5903 South County Line Road, Hinsdale, 630-887-0203, www.hinsdalearts.org. Exhibitions and classes in art, music and dance. Morton Arboretum - 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, 630-719-2400, www.mortonarb.org . This 1,700 acre outdoor museum serves as a haven for tree, nature and bird lovers and is a site for the study of natural history. Many classes offered. Naper Settlement - 523 S Webster St. Naperville, 630-420-6010, www.napersettlement.org . This living history museum tells the story of daily life in Naperville as it changed from a simple frontier outpost to a bustling turn-of-the-century community. Theatre of Western Springs - 4384 Hampton Ave, Western Springs, 708-246-4043, www.theatrewesternsprings.com . The Theatre of Western Springs, is dedicated to serving as a major cultural resource, providing a company of adult and young members with education in theatre arts and opportunities for personal fulfillment. Individual and season's tickets available.
Sporting events are held regularly throughout each sports season. Ticket information can be found through each team's website and through ticket agencies such as TicketMaster. Check out "Ticket Sales - Entertainment & Sports" in the Yellow Pages Chicago Bears - football - www.chicagobears.com Chicago Blackhawks - hockey - www.chicagoblackhawks.com Chicago Bulls - basketball - www.bulls.com Chicago Cubs - baseball - www.cubs.com Chicago Fire - soccer - www.chicago-fire.com Chicago White Sox - baseball - www.whitesox.com Chicago Wolves - hockey - www.chicagowolves.com DePaul Blue Demons - basketball - www. depaulbluedemons.com
Sports and Recreational Facilities Forest Preserves - each county reserves a certain amount of land as an open space, to preserve a habitat for wildlife and to provide an array of outdoor educational and recreational opportunities. Each forest preserve consists of numerous individual parks with a variety of resources such as trails, nature centers, and picnic areas. Check out each district to determine which facilities interest you.
Golf - numerous public and private golf courses are located in the suburbs surrounding Argonne. Check the telephone directory's "Golf Guide" for a descriptions of golf courses and price ranges. Health and Fitness Clubs - There are many private clubs with a full range of exercise equipment and facilities. The yellow pages of the telephone directory list many. It is a good idea to visit several to compare facilities and fees. Park Districts - Each community has a Park District, which offers a wide variety of programs and classes and oversees public sports facilities in its area. The easiest way to find your park district is to do an internet search using your community name and "park district". This will lead you to schedules and services offered such as: public outdoor pools, children's baseball and soccer leagues, art classes, etc. Skating Rinks - There are several ice skating facilities in the area. Check under "Skating Rinks" in the yellow pages for information about public skating time, hockey teams and where lessons are available. YMCA - (Young Men's Christian Association) the "Y" is the nation's pioneer and still largest provider and promoter of comprehensive health and fitness programs in the country - fitness in spirit, mind and body. Three local communities, Downers Grove, Naperville and LaGrange, have associations. Check out www.YMCA.net to find information about the YMCA and services it offers.
Argonne Recreational Organizations Arts at Argonne - www.anl.gov/ARTS/ . A performing arts series at Argonne held in the auditorium of Building 401. Concerts are advertised in the Argonne News and tickets are sold in the cafeteria or at the door. Argonne Community - Check out the Inside Argonne website ( www.inside.anl.gov ) and from there link to the ANL Community to find out about clubs and employee organizations, exercise facility, holiday schedule, recreation, etc.
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