Chicago Sights: Chicago Museum Week Kicks Off with Peanuts…Naturally!

The trifecta and I got to spend some time in one of our favorite museums yesterday, AND kick off Museum Week in Chicago at the same time! Museum Week is a collection of planned events to connect guests with all that the world-class museums in Chicago have to offer. It’s a prime opportunity to discover a new museum in Chicago or rediscover an old favorite. This inaugural year is sure to set a precedent for years to come, and the Peanuts…Naturally exhibit was the perfect way to set it off. We also got to view the new City Creatures exhibit that showcased all of the greatness that our metropolitan city has to offer when it comes to wildlife, and even domesticated animals. 

First up, Peanuts…Naturally is part of a traveling exhibit from the Charles Schultz museum in California, that shows aspects of the Peanuts authors committment to the natural world around him. With areas exploring nature, the environment and space, each of your little ones should find a place in the exhibit that they love. For the bug, she fit right into Lucy’s therapy stand, and I could totally see the speech bubble coming out and saying “The doctor is IN.” She’s all ready to give you the most important Nature Facts there are. 

 

It’s also a requirement to check out the innerworkings of the Red Baron’a fighter plane, right? Lil Miss asked why there were two doors in Snoopy’s doghouse, and I likened it to our house, and the need for two doors. Fire safety. She seemed satisfied. 

I would be remiss to continue this blog post without a nod to the great pumpkin. Especially since it’s October, and we’re thinking of all the pumpkin things – although we could really stop with the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and I’d be just fine. I mean, everything doesn’t NEED Pumpkin Spice in it. 

If you’re interested in seeing Peanuts…Naturally! just head to the Peggy Notebaert Nature museum starting October 3. This exhibit is free with admission, and Thursdays are free for Chicago residents. Below is extra information about Museum Week which is taking place until October 7. 

 

Several participating museums will be offering free general admission to Illinois residents during Museum Week. They are:

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Oct. 1

• The Field Museum, Oct. 4

• Museum of Science and Industry, Oct. 5 and 6

• Shedd Aquarium, Oct. 5 and 6

• Museum of Contemporary Art, Oct. 6

Remember, admission is always free at:

• Lincoln Park Zoo

• National Museum of Mexican Art

• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture

Some highlights:

• DuSable Museum of African American History: 2-for-1 tickets; 10% off at café or store

• Chicago History Museum: $4 off; 20% off at café or store

• Museum of Contemporary Art: $5 off if you bring in a receipt from another museum visited during Museum Week

• National Museum of Mexican Art: 15% off at café or store

• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture: 10% off at café or store

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: $5 off if you bring in a receipt from another museum visited during Museum Week and 10% off at café or store

• Shedd Aquarium: Get exclusive purchase when you buy in advance online; and special discount offers on Extraordinary Experiences

 Which museums will be offering exclusive, special access to visitors?

• Museum of Contemporary Art will host MCA Prime Time on Friday, Oct. 2, 7-11 p.m. The event will include live music, performance art, film screenings and interactive programs.

• Chicago History Museum will keep its doors open late on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5-8 p.m., to allow visitors to explore exhibitions with museums curators and staff and engage with history on special tours.

 What are some of the new exhibits that will be unveiled during Museum Week? And will any of the institutions be hosting parties or special events?

• Adler Planetarium will offer an exclusive Museum Week Sky Show.

• DuSable Museum of African American History will offer special guided tours of the museum.

• Chicago History Museum will premier 30-minute highlight tours of “Chicago: Crossroads of America,” as well as offer excursion tours to Union Station, Old Town, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and on the CTA Blue and Brown lines during Museum Week.

• The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture will open the exhibit “Metamorphosis of Divine Entanglements” from Chicago artist Oscar Luis Martinez.

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will open “City Creatures: Animal Encounters in the Chicago Wilderness” and “Peanuts…Naturally.”

 What are the highlights for families and kids?

• Adler Planetarium will offer fall family science activities throughout the week and story time with Curious George on Oct. 5.

• The Art Institute of Chicago will offer daily tours and open the Artist’s Studio on Oct. 3 and 4 for free drop-in family art-making.

• Lincoln Park Zoo’s Fall Fest, Oct. 2-4, will include fun rides, a hay maze, educational activities and its Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo will be transformed into a pumpkin patch.

 Which Museums will be offering discounts on Memberships?

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Every visitor will be given the opportunity to enter to win a LIFETIME membership to the museum. In addition, the Nature Museum is offering $15 off one-year memberships and $25 off two-year memberships.

• Adler Planetarium: $10 off any level

• Chicago History Museum: 20% off membership

• DuSable Museum of African American History: half-price individual memberships

• Museum of Science and Industry: $20 off any standard membership

 Do visitors need tickets during Museum week?

Tickets to special events happening during Museum week will vary by each institution