Be transported to the outer reaches of the Universe on a visit to Chicago's Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, the first planetarium in the United States. Since 1930 the country's oldest planetarium has been delighting audiences with the spectacle of the night sky. Visit Deep Space Adventure, Atwood Sphere Experience, Shoot for the Moon exhibit and choose from a range of Sky Shows in Grainger Sky Theater, Definiti Space Theater and 3D Universe Theater.
Highlights
- Admission to Adler Planetarium, Deep Space Adventure, One Sky Show and Historic Atwood Sphere Experience
- Explore and learn about space at the most advanced and oldest planetarium in existence today
- Visit a variety of exhibits including Clark Family Welcome Gallery, Planet Explorers, The Searcher and shows
- See a Sky Show in the Grainger Space Theater, Definit Space Theater and the 3D Universe Theater
Useful Information
Adler Planetarium
On your self-guided tour you'll visit the historic Atwood Experience identifying the positions of the brightest stars in the night sky and constellations they form. You'll also visit Shoot for the Moon, highlighting the exciting stories of space exploration and America's bold plans to travel to the Moon.
Adler’s newest exhibit and show, Deep Space Adventure, takes you aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship where you will be surrounded by the larger-than-life phenomena of our dynamic Universe. Additionally, see a Sky Show in the Definiti Space Theater or Universe Theater. There are over five Sky Shows to choose from and you can select which you would like to see upon arrival.
The Adler Planetarium is fun for the whole family and a great way to get a closer look and explore what's beyond our planet.
Adler’s newest exhibit and show, Deep Space Adventure, takes you aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship where you will be surrounded by the larger-than-life phenomena of our dynamic Universe. Additionally, see a Sky Show in the Definiti Space Theater or Universe Theater. There are over five Sky Shows to choose from and you can select which you would like to see upon arrival.
The Adler Planetarium is fun for the whole family and a great way to get a closer look and explore what's beyond our planet.
Itinerary
Shows and Exhibits:
Deep Space Adventure
Deep Space Adventure takes you aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship where you will be surrounded by the larger-than-life phenomena of our dynamic Universe. The centerpiece of Deep Space Adventure is the Grainger Sky Theater, which offers audiences the most immersive, technologically advanced theater experience ever developed – with space imagery in the highest resolution and quality possible. Audiences will encounter the Universe at a level of realism that can only be surpassed by actual space travel.
Historic Atwood Sphere Experience
Atwood Sphere, Chicago's oldest planetarium, was constructed in 1913. The sphere is 15 feet in diameter with 692 holes drilled through its metal surface, allowing light to enter and show the positions of the brightest stars in the night sky.
Shoot for the Moon - This exhibit highlights the exciting stories of space exploration and America's bold plans to travel to the Moon. The exhibit begins with A Journey with Jim Lovell, featuring the fully restored Gemini 12 spacecraft and the Lovell Collection of personal space artifacts. In Mission: Moon, young visitors discover the thrills and dangers of being an explorer and imagine their own futures in space. Activities include the Moon Wall, Lunar Leap, and Moon scale!
Planet Explorers - Adler’s newest exhibit lets families with children ages 3 - 8 take the helm in this modern-day space adventure. Future space explorers will enter a world where they can play and learn what it takes to be part of a mission to outer space. Through role-playing, children will become space scientists, astronauts and space explorers. The exhibition covers many aspects of space exploration including mission control, space flight and exploring a mysterious, distant body known only as Planet X.
Night Sky Live! - Take an in-depth journey through the cosmos with Night Sky Live! With the help of modern exploration and observing techniques, this show gives the audience a deeper look at the sometimes strange, and often breathtakingly beautiful, diversity of objects that make up our universe. Night Sky Live! is an original live sky show created by the Adler Planetarium to reflect our ever-changing understanding of the cosmos.
Undiscovered Worlds - Through the discovery of exoplanets — hundreds of planets found orbiting far-away stars — we have learned our solar system is not alone in the universe, causing us to redefine our understanding of planets and solar systems. With new instruments like the Kepler Telescope and rapidly improving technologies, the discovery of exoplanets puts us one step closer to finding an Earth-like world. Will this change how we view our place in the universe?
Deep Space Adventure
Deep Space Adventure takes you aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship where you will be surrounded by the larger-than-life phenomena of our dynamic Universe. The centerpiece of Deep Space Adventure is the Grainger Sky Theater, which offers audiences the most immersive, technologically advanced theater experience ever developed – with space imagery in the highest resolution and quality possible. Audiences will encounter the Universe at a level of realism that can only be surpassed by actual space travel.
Historic Atwood Sphere Experience
Atwood Sphere, Chicago's oldest planetarium, was constructed in 1913. The sphere is 15 feet in diameter with 692 holes drilled through its metal surface, allowing light to enter and show the positions of the brightest stars in the night sky.
Shoot for the Moon - This exhibit highlights the exciting stories of space exploration and America's bold plans to travel to the Moon. The exhibit begins with A Journey with Jim Lovell, featuring the fully restored Gemini 12 spacecraft and the Lovell Collection of personal space artifacts. In Mission: Moon, young visitors discover the thrills and dangers of being an explorer and imagine their own futures in space. Activities include the Moon Wall, Lunar Leap, and Moon scale!
Planet Explorers - Adler’s newest exhibit lets families with children ages 3 - 8 take the helm in this modern-day space adventure. Future space explorers will enter a world where they can play and learn what it takes to be part of a mission to outer space. Through role-playing, children will become space scientists, astronauts and space explorers. The exhibition covers many aspects of space exploration including mission control, space flight and exploring a mysterious, distant body known only as Planet X.
Night Sky Live! - Take an in-depth journey through the cosmos with Night Sky Live! With the help of modern exploration and observing techniques, this show gives the audience a deeper look at the sometimes strange, and often breathtakingly beautiful, diversity of objects that make up our universe. Night Sky Live! is an original live sky show created by the Adler Planetarium to reflect our ever-changing understanding of the cosmos.
Undiscovered Worlds - Through the discovery of exoplanets — hundreds of planets found orbiting far-away stars — we have learned our solar system is not alone in the universe, causing us to redefine our understanding of planets and solar systems. With new instruments like the Kepler Telescope and rapidly improving technologies, the discovery of exoplanets puts us one step closer to finding an Earth-like world. Will this change how we view our place in the universe?
Recent Reviews of this Tour
Reviewed by Joyce H, February 2013
It was very nice. If you didn't know anything about the stars, it was very educational.
Reviewed by Kathleen H, July 2012
We had an excellent time and it was nice
to have our tickets in hand when we arrived. Thanks for your help!
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