10 Things At The Adler Planetarium You Don’t Want To Miss
Header Image: A snowy day at the Adler Planetarium.
Editor’s Note: Updated to reflect more current and updated exhibit information.
May your holidays shine bright, along with your favorite winter constellations. As the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere (and one of the historic Chicago attractions located on the city’s Museum Campus), we’ve got some pretty stellar exhibits you don’t want to miss during your visit!
For a list of fun things to do in Chicago this winter, read on to check these experiences off your Chicago bucket list. You’ll even learn some behind-the-scenes tidbits along the way.
#1: Our Dome Theater Sky Shows
One of the coolest things about the Adler Planetarium is that we have not one, but two dome theaters!
Fun fact: We were also the first planetarium in Chicago to open a dome theater back in the day.
When you step inside a planetarium dome theater and take a seat, you become immersed in spectacular space visualizations that transport you across time and space.
What’s Currently Playing at the Adler:
- Big Astronomy: Discover Chile’s grand observatories and meet the people who push the limits of technology and what we know about the universe using world-class telescopes.
- Niyah And The Multiverse: Join young Niyah, her grown-up self, and her friends on an Afrofuturist journey through multiverse theory! Learn about shadow matter, bubble universes, many worlds, and the connections between science and culture.
- Cosmic Rhythms: Featuring Adler astronomer’s expertise, breathtaking imagery, and bold choreography by Joffrey Ballet dancer Xavier Nuñez, Cosmic Rhythms takes audiences on a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos.
- Destination Solar System: It’s 2096, and you’ve just signed up for a trip around the solar system with Space Express Tours! Get ready to tour the hottest hot spots, and most spectacular sights in deep space—fun for space explorers of all ages.
- Imagine The Moon: Explore how the Moon—our partner in space and companion in our sky—has inspired human creativity, learning, and exploration ever since looking up.
- Skywatch Live: See Chicago’s magnificent night sky simulated without light pollution. Our live presenters will show you constellations, stars, the Moon, and more as seen above the city on the day of your visit—perfect for stargazing enthusiasts!
- One World, One Sky: Blast off in an imaginary rocket with Big Bird and Elmo on an unforgettable journey to the Sun, Moon, and the Big Dipper!
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#2: Our Newest Exhibit, Stars Aligned
Here in the 21st century, the words astrologer and astronomer mean very different things. But in the early modern period (1500–1800), you could get accurate information about the next lunar eclipse from an astrologer or have your horoscope cast by Galileo himself.
What do astrology and astronomy have in common? What did the world look like when observing the sky and interpreting its meaning were one and the same? Step back in time in our newest exhibition, Stars Aligned: Tracing the Story of Astronomy and Astrology, to discover how these two practices were once intertwined.
#3: Say Cheese and Take A Selfie
There are eight different Selfie Spots around the museum—can you find them all?
Throughout the museum you can find stickers labeled “Selfie Spots.” Take a selfie with our inflatable Moon near the Cosmic Cafe, on a light pollution map of Chicago in Chicago’s Night Sky or with the JWST mirrors in Stargazers Hub. When exploring Other Worlds, there are a couple of awesome selfie spots where you can take pictures with large models of Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, or Uranus hanging from the ceiling, a climbable gas giant ringed exoplanet, and a real meteorite from the Arizona desert.
#4 Astronomical Objects Everywhere
The Adler has the best and most comprehensive sundial collection in all of North America, but we also have a ton of other collections objects too! You can learn about different cultures through these objects like astrolabes and celestial globes on display.
For a limited time, experience Stargazers Hub unlocked, from November 28—December 31 from Tuesday—Sunday between 10:00 am–2:00 pm and 4:00 pm–8:00 pm on Wednesday night. Take a step into the gallery to see the tools used to look at the skies for centuries for special hands-on experiences that relate to our newest exhibition: Stars Aligned: Tracing the Story of Astrology and Astronomy.
This hands-on experience gives you a close look our seven-foot armillary sphere and the tools people have used to map the stars throughout history in our Cabinet of Curiosity.
#5: The Doane Observatory
Did you know the Doane Observatory is home to the largest publicly accessible telescope in Chicago? Since opening in 1977, the observatory in Chicago has had several telescopes within its walls, and these telescopes have given Chicagoans the opportunity to look up at the Sun, the Moon, stars, nebulae and planets despite light pollution’s interference in the city.
The Doane is open (weather permitting) on Wednesdays during Adler at Nights throughout the year. To know when the Doane will be open, join our Facebook Group or check our Doane Observatory page the week of your visit. You can also check in at the box office on the evening of your visit to inquire about the availability of the Observatory.
#6: The Telescope Terrace
When skies are clear and the weather is nice, our public observing educators and telescope volunteers will be out on the terrace with small ‘scopes for daytime observing fun.
The telescope terrace is located to the right of the Accessible Entrance of the Adler Planetarium!
#7: An Out-Of-This-World Stomp Rocket
Located in our Mission Moon exhibit, there is an interactive stomp rocket where you can build your own foam rocket and try to send it up as high as you possibly can through the atmosphere (aka a very large tube)!
Learn how you can make your own stomp rocket at home.
#8: Architectural Secrets
In 1930—the year the Adler Planetarium opened—Italian-American sculptor Alfonso Iannelli built and installed a dedication plaque in what is known as our Rainbow Lobby. To get into the museum, you walk up the front steps and pass through this lobby! Why is it called the Rainbow Lobby you ask? Around sunset every single day, the Sun’s rays pass through our glass angled prism-like front doors causing the light to bend and the colors in the Sun’s light to spread out, creating lots of tiny rainbows!
Fun fact: The Rainbow Lobby’s dedication plaque is not the only sculpture around the building created by Alfonso Iannelli. Outside and inside the Planetarium are 12 zodiac constellation plaques that match the Rainbow Lobby’s plaques that depict the planets.
#9: Spaces For Collaboration, Curiosity, and Holiday Crafts
Around the planetarium are several Community Design Labs that are flexible spaces for guests to learn through play, test ideas, create art, and reflect.
- Located in the Telescopes: Through The Looking Glass exhibit, the brand new Community Stargazers Hub offers a multiversity journey through time with a focus on historic objects and is great for all ages.
- The Community PlayLab is located in the Planet Explorers exhibit and is great for children six and under and their families.
- The Community Star Studio is located in the Chicago’s Night Sky exhibit and is great for all ages!
Stop by our community art studio this holiday season to create your own constellation card! Learn more about winter star formations, trace your favorites using stencils, and add a touch of sparkle. Take it home to use as a festive gift tag or holiday greeting card!
We’ve expanded our in-museum activity hours from November 28—December 31. Join us Tuesday–Sunday from 10:00 am–2:00 pm and 4:00 pm–8:00 pm on Wednesday nights.
#10: Winter City Views
There’s lots to look at on the inside at the Adler, but what about the outside? We’ve been located on Chicago’s lakeshore for almost 93 years, and the views of the city are unbelievable!
Fun fact: There is a huge sundial out in front of the Adler. Have you seen it before?
Join Us This Holiday Season—Get Tickets
Tickets for your next space adventure are on sale now!
