FAQ
Have a question about planning your visit? Check our frequently asked questions below. If you have further questions, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you have programs for scouts, guides, 4H, and / or other groups?
Groups are welcome to visit during museum hours as a group and to attend events open to the public. Please check out our scout guides to help earn a badge in astronomy. - How do I help my family get the most out of their visit?
Start off your visit by deciding how much time you have to spend, and whether or not you will be seeing a show. Letting your children work out our interactive exhibitions while you supervise helps them learn the content of the galleries. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with your kids about what they’re seeing. Our docents and facilitators are there if you need some extra information. And keep an eye out for our free family activities. Don’t hesitate to ask questions of museum staff. - Do you have guides or scavenger hunts?
Please check out our Gallery Exploration cards or our themed Museum Guides - What family programs do you have?
Family activity carts will connect your child to the science that surrounds them. Planet Explorers is a family focused gallery that encompasses a wide array of interactive displays and activities. Also, check out Astro-Overnights for an evening that lets your child reach for the stars. - My child has an intense interest in science. Do you have enrichment programs for him or her?
The Adler offers many resources for you to use in the museum. Please take advantage of our exhibition signage, staff and on-line resources. Your child may also be interested in the AstroScience Workshop which is aimed at high school students. Younger student may benefit from camp programs. We also have space science content available online for them to explore. - I have one child who is not into space science. What can I do for him or her?
Each exhibition in the Adler ties to other types of science or other broad disciplines as well as space. If your child is a history buff, take them into Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass or Universe in Your Hands. Ask a child who is into art or design how these instruments were decorated and why. Challenge your child to think about the people that made the instruments displayed, creating an experience focused on the social aspect of science. If your child likes biology, look at the reasons that life is found only on Earth in Our Solar System and look at the adaptations needed to sustain human life in space in in Shoot For the Moon. If your prefer reading and writing, they can react to material found in any of the galleries or the building itself. - We have a planetarium in our hometown. Why should we go to the Adler?
As America’s first Planetarium, the Adler developed an extensive collection of artifacts showcased in our exhibitions. The Adler continues to take the lead in developing new planetarium shows that highlight recent research and visualization techniques, and has a strong educational focus that caters to the needs of families with children. - When is your telescope open?
The Doane Observatory is open for Adler After Dark. Smaller telescopes are available for observing on our North or South Terrace during Astro-Overnights and some weekdays from 1:00 - 3:00pm, weather permitting.
- Around the Adler
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The Adler offers more than exhibitions and shows on your visit.
- Did you know?
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The Museum Campus is home to the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History.
- Get involved
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A membership is a great way to support the Adler and enjoy special programs.
