Our Day At Alder Planetarium in Chicago @adlerskywatch #WTTU2012

 After our adventures downtown on Saturday (read post here), we woke early Sunday to head to Adler Planetarium for a full day of fun.  Of course I got us there a little early thinking they opened at 9 but they didn't open until 9:30am.  But that just gave us some time to enjoy the beautiful museum campus area for a little bit.

It's a really great view of the skyline but away from all the hustle and bustle (especially at that hour of the morning.)

Once we did get in we got tickets to two shows.  We started with One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure which features Big Bird and Elmo (hence the stuffed guys that were sent over for Bryan.) I thought this would be a good start (partly because that's when it runs) but also because I thought it would get Bryan, who might be the hardest sell to be immediately engaged.   And also, the newest show Welcome to the Universe. I have to admit that I loved the Big Bird show just as much as Bryan and I probably learned just as much too.  I'm not nearly as into space as the older boys are.  THEY loved Welcome to the Universe and all the other shows we ended up watching.  The thing I was most struck by in Welcome to the Universe was the visualization of how truly small we are.  Its something I've heard and known for a long time but as you 'travel' through the universe visually it really hits home how truly tiny we are in the grand scheme of things.

But mostly I just loved watching the boys soak it all in.  This was a great place for them to be as they are very into science in general.  But Timmy has been truly in love with all things space for some time now.  I'm pretty sure he could spend several more days here reading and learning.

 

In addition to the many fabulous shows that run throughout the day in several different theaters there are a ton of exhibits.  Some with fun hands on features for everyone.  Bryan especially loved the one that showed how we see light through telescopes and the delay that it causes.  So he looked into a 'telescope' and then saw his image delayed a few seconds.  He MAY be a bit of a ham.

Picture of the boys in the theater where One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure played. (No photos or filming DURING the shows.)

After a few shows we took a break and played in the Planet Explorers area.

Here's Bryan launching a shuttle.

Need to go?  Have a seat on the space potty!  Although Bryan loved this area for kids, so did the older boys, I just couldn't usually catch them quick enough to snap a photo.

After a snack in the cafe, we headed to see 3d Sun.

We literally spent the entire day at Adler Planetarium and didn't see all the shows or exhibits.  If you have a space lover on your hands, I highly recommend checking it out.  The staff were all fabulous and the boys had a great time WHILE learning!!  

Here's a little more info on the first two shows we enjoyed.  But visit Adler Planetarium online for details on all the shows, exhibits and special events.

Welcome to the Universe

This summer travel a billion light-years and back in the Adler's newest space adventure!
Location: Grainger Sky Theater (see map)  

Appropriate for: General Audience Length: 25 minutes
Every day
11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:45 p.m.,
5:15 p.m.

 

Take a mind-blowing tour of the Universe like no other at the Adler Planetarium. Welcome to the Universe is the next adventure departing from the Grainger Sky Theater, the most technologically advanced theater in the world. Audiences travel a billion light-years and back flying through space, orbiting the Moon, zooming into a canyon on Mars, and soaring through the cosmic web where a million galaxies shower down on them. Then it’s back to Earth, traveling faster than the speed of light in the most immersive space experience ever created.  

 

 

 

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure

Big Bird, Elmo and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, take viewers on a journey of discovery to learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun, and the Moon.
Location: Definiti Space Theater (see map)
Appropriate for: Younger Visitors
Length: 25 minutes
Every day
10:00 a.m.

 

 Explore the night sky with your favorite friends from Sesame Streetin One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure. Follow along with Big Bird, Elmo and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, as they take you on a journey of discovery to learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun and the Moon.

 

 

 

 

And don't forget to check out Alder Planetarium online on Facebook and Twitter!

 

 

Thanks again to Adler Planetarium, Swissotel, Shoreline Sightseeing and Landshark Beer Garden for this memorable weekend!!