Adventures in Chicago

In preparation for the trip in about two weeks, Don asked us to do some research about Chicago. I learned up on the 360 Chicago observation deck (with Tilt), the Art Institute, and the Museum of science and industry. I have to say that learning about some of the sights we are going to visit is definitely making me more excited about the trip.

The 360 Chicago observation deck is a viewing platform on top (the 94th floor!) of the John Hancock building, which is the fourth tallest building in Chicago, and so you can see amazing views of the city from up there. The John Hancock building is also the 33rd tallest building in the world and has won lots of awards for its unique architecture. (Look for the cool "X"-looking braces on the sides). The observation deck was originally opened in 1969.

The John Hancock building is the tallest one

BUT WAIT, not only is 360 Chicago crazy high up, it also has Tilt – which means that you can lean against the large glass windows as they are slowly lowered, adding some thrill to the observation deck!

Adding some thrill to the viewing experience!

So Chicago not only has the 33rd highest building in the world but also the second largest art museum in the US (after the MET in New York), the Art Institute of Chicago (ARTIC). It is one of the oldest art museums in the US, and it is also a research institution that is connected with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

The ARTIC

Some of the famous pieces stored in the ARTIC are A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat and American Gothic by Grant Wood.

Grant Wood's American Gothic

George Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte

The other museum that I researched is the Museum of Science and Industry. It is focussed mainly on – you guessed it – science and industry! It has over 2,000 exhibits including a transport gallery, an exhibit on storms and other major natural phenomena, one about genetics in humans and animals, as well as a restored German WWII submarine and full-size replica coal mine (which sounds incredible!). The museum occupies the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and was opened in 1933.

The exterior of the Museum of Science and Industry

The replica coal mine

The Museum of Science and Industry referred to by name on the draft itinerary, but I'm sure there will be time to fit it in on a Saturday afternoon sometime!