• School bus takes kids to a field trip.school bus image by Lombok from Fotolia.com
  
  Before any kind of field trip can happen, someone always has to plan it. In Chicago, this can sometimes take a long time since there are so many places to choose from. Suddenly the task may seem quite overwhelming. To make the planning process easier, the following is a list of some very popular field trip destinations in Chicago.
  
  

Adler Planetarium

• The Adler Planetarium offers students and teachers alike an exciting trip through space. Exhibits include everything from 3-D imaging of space to sections for space explorers, where the children get to play astronauts and get to explore what it would be like in space. It is a good idea to check listings on their website as to what the current exhibits and movies are, since they change regularly.
  
  Adler Planetarium
  1300 South Lake Shore Drive
  Chicago, IL 60605-2403
  312-322-7827
  adlerplanetarium.org
  
  

Art Institute of Chicago

• The Art Institute of Chicago displays a very diverse and large selection of artists' work. Not only does it offer a glimpse into artistic culture, but it also gives you a window into the artist's soul. Home to many famous paintings, the Institute also has sculptures, architectural displays and a large photo gallery full of famous photographers. The Art Institute also regularly offers special traveling or temporary exhibits showcasing famous artists.
  
  Art Institute of Chicago
  111 South Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60603-6404
  312-443-3600
  artic.edu/aic
  
  

Chicago Children's Museum

• The Chicago Children's Museum offers many educational activities specifically geared towards children. All the exhibits attempt to be interactive and educational and just the right size for the little ones. Exhibits let children step into the boots of a firefighter, explore realistic firehouses, view works of art by children in Chicago and view a wondrous urban garden filled with enormous insects, giggling flowers and giant toadstools. There are also many temporary exhibits that change regularly; visit the museum's website to get descriptions.
  
  Chicago Children's Museum
  700 East Grand Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60611
  312-527-1000
  chicagochildrensmuseum.org
  
  

Field Museum

• The Field Museum offers many attractions to visitors allowing them to discover nature, animals, plants, ecosystems, rocks, fossils and all kinds of different cultures from around the world. The museum also has "Sue" on daily display, the largest, most complete and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered.
  
  The Field Museum
  1400 South Lake Shore Drive
  Chicago, IL 60605
  312-665-7693
  fieldmuseum.org
  
  

Lincoln Park Zoo

• Founded in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo prides itself in being one of the nation's oldest zoos. Situated on 49 acres in the city of Chicago, the zoo offers a glimpse of wildlife in award-winning progressively designed habitats, in the shadows of skyscrapers. Home to over 1100 animals and representing more than 200 species, Lincoln Park Zoo remains one of America's last free admission zoos, attracting an estimated three million visitors per year.
  
  Lincoln Park Zoo
  2001 North Clark Street
  Chicago, IL 60614
  312-742-2000
  lpzoo.org
  
  

Museum of Science and Industry

• The largest science museum in the western hemisphere and home to thousands of exhibits, the Museum of Science and Industry has been a premier destination in Chicago since it opened in 1933. The museums exhibits allow visitors to board a World War II German Submarine, view displays of a 13-foot tall beating heart, work alongside robots in a toy factory, tour a digestive system, plunge into a coal mine, stand inside a 40-foot tornado and step into the future. The museum is also home to the Omnimax Theatre, Chicago's only five-story, domed, wrap-around theater.
  
  Museum of Science and Industry
  5700 South Lake Shore Drive
  Chicago, IL 60637
  773-684-1414
  msichicago.org
  
  

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

• Since opening its doors in 1999 the museum has welcomed over 1.8 million visitors. Home to more than 150 species of live animals, the museum plays a lead role in the repopulation of endangered species by the means of its butterfly restoration project. A working display of green technology, the museum spans a 17,000 foot rooftop garden complete with solar panels and eco-friendly water distribution systems. One of the museums main attractions is the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven that features over 1,000 butterflies, in addition to tropical birds, flowers and waterfalls.
  
  The Notebaert Nature Museum
  2430 North Cannon Drive
  Chicago, IL 60614
  773-755-5100
  naturemuseum.org
  
  

Willis Tower Skydeck

• Voted one of Chicago's seven wonders by the readers of the Chicago Tribune, the Skydeck of the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, offers a breathtaking view of Chicago in addition to knee high attractions for kids. At 1,353 feet high the Willis Tower is Chicago's most visited and highest observatory. On a clear day, visitors can see between 40 and 50 miles. In addition to the views, the Skydeck also offers interactive museum quality displays highlighting the main characteristics of the great city, as well as offering a short overview of Chicago's past and present.
  
  Willis Tower Skydeck
  233 South Wacker Drive
  Suite 3530
  Chicago, IL 60606
  312-875-9696
  theskydeck.com