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Cook County Field Trip Ideas

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum! - 1300 South Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, 312/922-7827. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; first Friday of every month, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (separate admission price - see web site or call). Groups of 15 or more subject to group rates and should call 312/294-0364 in advance for information.
Arlington Heights Historical Museum - 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights, IL 60004, 847/255-1225.  Museum tours Saturdays and Sundays, 2 and 3 p.m. $4/adult, $2/child.  Victorian house, coach house, soda pop factory, and more. Gallery open Friday through Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; admission free.
Ars Viva - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL, 847/673-6300 for concert tickets or 847/615-1811 for questions about the orchestra. [Mailing address: 1560 Rudd Court, Libertyville, IL 60048]  Chamber orchestra specializing in classic music as well as selections written by living composers.  See web site for current season offerings.
The Art Institute of Chicago Museum - 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60603, 312/443-3600.  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday (free day), 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Donations required all days but Tuesday, recommended $10/adult, $6/child/student/senior.  Some exhibitions require timed tickets.  Group tours available - call 312/857-7104.  Call or see web site for most current details.
Bronzeville Childrens Museum - Evergreen Plaza 96th Street and Western Avenue, GA1 - P.O. Box 42850, Evergreen Park Illinois 60805, 708/636-9504.  Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours at 10, 11 a.m., 1, 2, and 3 p.m. $3/adult, $2/child. African-American children's museum.  
Brookfield Historical Society, Grossdale Station Museum - 8820-1/2 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, 708/485-3420.  Second and fourth Sunday, May through September, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Other hours arranged by appointment.  Rail station museum for this landmark in the National Historical Register.
Brookfield Zoo - First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, IL, 708/485-0263. Daily at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with expanded hours at different times of the year and for special events. See web site or call for admission and parking prices; note that additional charges may be incurred with certain exhibits. 
Chicago Academy of Sciences - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL  60614, 773/755-5100. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  $7/adult; $5/senior/student (age 13-22); $4/child (age 3-12); Thursdays free.
Chicago Architecture Foundation - Santa Fe Center, 224 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 312/922-3432.  Arranges educational tours of Chicago architecture.  Offerings include: Historic Skyscrapers, Modern Skyscrapers, Frank Lloyd Wright by Bus, Children's Loop Tour, Structure: The Secret of Skyscrapers, and more. See web site or call for complete selection of tours, times, and other details.
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design - 307 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, 312/372-1083; and, 190 South Roselle Road, Schaumburg,IL 60193, 847/895-3950. International Sculpture Park- Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, Schaumburg, IL. Museum Admission $3/adult, $2/seniors/students. Architecture, industrial, product and graphic design, and urban planning are covered in their collections.  Call for group reservations.
Chicago Botanic Garden - 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022, 847/835-5440. Admission is free, but parking costs, and there are fees for the tram tours.  Prearranged school groups on buses park free. 8 a.m. to sunset daily except Christmas (closed), though some of the facilities within the Garden close earlier.  23 gardens (including a Children's Garden) covering 385 acres, with over 250 species of birds and over 30 species of  other wildlife, as well as over 1.6 million plants. Master Gardeners on staff for questions about gardening.  Special Enabling Garden showcasing gardening methods and tools for people of all ages who are differently-able, including wheel-chair gardening. Junior Master Gardener program as well as other educational opportunities. Group tours available - call 847/835-6949.
Chicago Bulls Basketball - United Center, 1901 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612.
The Chicago Chamber Musicians including the Chicago String Quartet - 333 South State St., Chicago, IL 60604, 312/692-9000. Call or see web site for complete details and current season's offerings.
Chicago Children's Museum - 700 East Grand Avenue at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611, 312/527-1000.  Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday evenings 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Free Family Night. Admission $7/person, $6/senior, under age 1 free; Thursday evenings free for Free Family Night.  Discount group (15 or more people) rates available with reservation by calling 312/464-7729 (one adult per 5 children required).  See web site or call for current exhibits.
Chicago Historical Society - Clark Street at North Avenue (south end of Lincoln Park), Chicago, IL  60614, 312/642-4600.  Monday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.  $5/adults, $3/seniors & students 13-22, $1/children 6-12, under 6 free.  No general admission charge on Mondays. See web site or call for current exhibits.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras - Fine Arts Building, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 833, Chicago IL 60605, 312/939-2207.  Many opportunities for young musicians - there are performing groups that include students as young as second grade.  See web site or call for details on how to participate and on concert dates, locations and ticket prices.
The Classical Symphony Orchestra and The Protégé Philharmonic - 333 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60604, 312/341-1521.  Call for ticket, schedule, and performance location information.  Several concerts through the season are free admission.  The Protégé Philharmonic is a youth orchestra for which auditions are held throughout the season.  Call for details.  Rehearsals are open to the public and held in The Performance Area, The Chicago Music Mart at the DePaul Center; call or see web site for schedule info.
Deerfield Community/Historical Society - corner of Deerfield and Kipling Roads, Deerfield, IL  847/948-0680.  Tours available Sundays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. from June through September.  Group tours avaible at other times by appointment - call for info.  Site includes Caspar Ott Log House, George Luther House, and Little Red Schoolhouse, with exhibits and artifacts about early settlements in the area.
Des Plaines Historical Society & Museum - 789 Pearson Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016, 847/391-5399. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Various exhibits and holdings regarding history of the area and other historical items of note.
DuSable Museum of African American History - 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637, 773/947-0600. Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.,  except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day. $3/adult, $2/seniors/students, $1/children ages 6-13, under age 6 free.  Admission on Sundays is free.  Tours for groups of 8 or more advance reservations with the Education Department of the museum.  See web site for more information on upcoming events and exhibits.
Edgewater Historical Society - 1718 West Gregory, Chicago, IL 60640, 773/907-1872.  Firehouse Museum at the corners of North Ashland Avenue and West Berwyn Avenue. Home tours in various parts of the Edgewater neighborhood.  Call for the most current information.
Elgin Public Museum of Natural History and Anthropology - 225 Grand Blvd., Elgin, IL  60120, 847/ 741-6655.  Hours: April 15 through October 15: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.; for the rest of the year: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Focuses on natural history and anthropology. Group programs available, but do not appear to be included in the general admission price.  Call for details.
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago - 230 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL, 312/322-2400.  Guided tours Monday through Friday at 1:00 pm. Self-guided visits: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Field Museum - 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, 312/922-9410.  Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas Day and New Years Day. $8/adult, $4/seniors/children 3-11/students with ID.  Free for teachers, members, and military personnel.  Admission is free on Wednesday.  Permanent exhibits include:  Sue, the tyranosaurus rex, Bird Habitats, and a Pawnee Earth Lodge.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio - 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL  708/848-1976.  Tours available Weekdays 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years.  $9/adult, $7/seniors/children 7-18.  Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Tours with guide only.
Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60624, General Information: 312/746-5100; Classes and Programs: 773/638-1766. Open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission and parking are always free, though donations are requested for some exhibitis.  Tour guide service available with advance reservations.
Historic Pullman Foundation - 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL  773/785-8901.  Visitors Center at 112th and Cottage Grove includes exhibits and is home to the educational programs of the Foundation.  Walking tours and group tours available.  Call for details.  Focus on transition from 19th to 20th century Chicago.
Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest - 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL  708/848-6755. Focus on local history and past citizens of note such as Edgar Rice Burroughs [Tarzan]; includes childrens historical play room.  Call for hours of operation and admission information.  Housed in the Pleasant Home Historical Landmark.
Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois - 4255 Main Street, Skokie, IL 60076, 847/6677-4640.  Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4 p.m.  Evening and Sunday morning hours by appointment.  Programs include museum of historical exhibits and artifacts.  Call for details and current hours.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra - 377 Artists Walk, Park Forest, IL 60466,, 708/481-7774. Call for current performance schedule and ticket prices, including information on Annual Concert for Kids.
International Museum of Surgical Science - 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610, 312/642-6502. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  $6/Adult; $3/senior/child; Tuesday is free but donation is suggested. Focus is on history of surgery around the world.  Exhibits include Anatomy in the Gallery.  Permanent collection includes surgical Microscopes and historical surgical tools.
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum - University of Illinois at Chicago, 800 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL  60607, 312/413-5353.  Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.  Holiday closings listed on web site.  Admission is free, but parking is not.  Group tours available by advance reservation (1 adult per 10 children required). Handicapped access is available, but it is recommended that you call ahead for this accomodation.  This is not a hands-on museum.  Focus is on social progressivism, women's rights, labor issues, and the history of the Near West Side neighborhood.
The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago - 70 E. Lake, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL  60601, 312/739-0120. Call for ticket information, as well as current season offerings and locations.  Group discounts may be available for some performances.
Kohl Childrens Museum - 165 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL, 847/5122-1300.  Monday 9:30 a.m. to noon; Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.  $6/person except free for children under 1 year old; $5/senior citizen.  Many hands-on activities, including The Great Kohl Sailing Ship, Construction Zone, and more.
Labor History Museum - 28 E. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604, 312/663-4107. Hours by appointment.  Focus is on labor history in Illinois.  Tours include Haymarket and Stockyards/Republic Steel/Pullman.
Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, (312) 742-2000
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago - 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL  60611, 312/280-2660. Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (admission free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.); Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Days.  $10/adult; $6/student/senior citizen/military (with ID).  Exhibits focus on visual and performance art since 1945.  Permanent collection includes works by H.C. Westerman, Bruce Nauman photographs, and Cindy Sherman.  Not all exhibits are suitable for all audiences.
McDonald's #1 Store Museum - 400 N. Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL  60016, 847/297-5022.  Call for hours of operation as they change seasonally.  Admission is free.
Metropolis Performing Arts - Stories in Action - 111 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, 847/577-5982 x221
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum - 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL, 312/738-1503.  Houses both performing and visual arts.  Call for most current performing arts schedule.  Permanent visual arts collection includes Leopoldo Méndez prints, and a variety of paintings, drawings, sculptures representative of the Mexican tradition and contemporary Mexican art. [Their web site works better with Internet Explorer than with Netscape.]
Morton Grove Historical Society and Museum - Harrer Park, 6240 Dempster St., Morton Grove, IL  60053, 847/965-0203.  Sunday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; other times by appointment.  Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.  Focus is on Morton Grove history, with many artifacts and topical displays.
Mount Prospect Historical Society - 101 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL  60056, 847/392-9006.  Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment.  Permanent collection includes the Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum and a Historic Garden/Sensory Garden.  Programs include Quilting Classes and Local Historic Field Trips.  Call for complete info.
The Museum of Broadcast Communication - at the Chicago Cultural Center, Michigan Avenue at Washington Street, Chicago, IL  60602, 312/629-6000.  Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.  Closed on state and national holidays.  Admission free.  Permanent exhibits include the Jack Brickhouse Television Gallery, the Radio Hall of Fame Gallery, and the Sportscaster Cafe.
Museum of Science and Industry - 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicagoo, IL 60637, 773/684-1414.  Hours Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with some dates having earlier opening times - see web site for most current info.  See web site for admission fees, which vary by whether or not you are a resident of the City of Chicago (members are admitted free with voucher).  Free days vary - see web site for full details.  Omnimax is additional charge.  Parking is an additional charge.  Some exhibits may involve additional charges.  Special rates for groups of over 20 with reservation at least 4 weeks in advance.  Current exhibits include Time (over 500 individual pieces relating to time, including antique time pieces), The Farm, Apollo 8 Command Module, and NetWorld.  Plenty of hands-on activities.
The Next Theatre - 927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL 60201, 847/475-1875.  Call for ticket and performance info for this live theater company.  
Niles Historical Society and Museum - 8970 Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL 60714, 847/390-0160.  Wednesday and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tours by appointment.  Free admission, but donations are accepted.  Exhibits include historical Kitchen, Schoolroom, What It Was Like to Be a Child children's room, and more.
Northbrook Historical Society - 1776 Walters Avenue, Northbrook, IL  60065, 847/498-3404.  Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; special times for holidays and celebrations.  Permanent exhibits covering the history of Shermerville/Northbrook.
Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences - 3323 Walters Avenue, Northbrook IL 60062, (847) 291-2367. A popular field trip destination, the theatre produces kid friendly versions of classic works of childrens' literature, folk tales, and fairy tales. School and group rates, "Meet the Actors" Q & A sessions, and backstage tours are available. Tickets are available online.
Opera in Focus - Rolling Meadows Park District Theater, 3000 Central Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008, 847-818-3220 Opera in Focus presents fully staged scenes from well known operas in performances that run about one hour in length. Each performance may offer between three and five scenes, depending on the length of the individual scene. A demonstration of the operation of the puppets and a tour of the highly technical backstage area follows each performance.
Oriental Institute - 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, 773/702-9514 for General Info., 773/702-9520 - Museum Office.  Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4 p.m.  Closed Mondays. Suggested donations: $5/adult (or child age 12 and older); $2/child under age 12. Dedicated to the study of the ancient Near East.
The Peace Museum - 100 North Central Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624, 773/638-6450.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call for admission information.  Dedicated to "foster[ing] peace through the arts."
Pleasant Home Historical Landmark - 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL  603022, 708/383-2654. Call for current hours and admission information.  Focus is the history and architecture of the early 20th century.
Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society - 6424 N. Western, Chicago, IL 60645, 773/764-4078, 773/764-4079, or 773/764-2401.  Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Other hours by appointment. 
Shedd Aquarium - 1200 S. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL  60605, 312/939-2435.  See web site or call for current hours, admission information, and exhibitis.  Discount days available.
Smart Museum of Art - 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, 773/702-0200. Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is free, though certain events held by the museum may have admission charges.  Art objects from ancient times to Old Masters to Tiffany glassware to 20th century paintings.  Many temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Spertus Museum - part of the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies, 618 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605, 312/322-1747.  Call for hours and admission rates.  The Spertus Institute is home to the Zell Holocaust Memorial, as well as many other permanent and temporary exhibits.
Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm - 1111 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, 847-985-2115. A refuge of 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams with 3 miles of accessible trails. Free Admission.
Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra, Suburban Youth Philharmonia, and Suburban Youth Strings - P.O. Box 42, Orland Park, IL  60462, 708/744-0462.  Youth musicians of the South Suburban Chicago Area.  Various performances through the year.  Call for current tuition, schedule, and ticket information.
Swedish American Museum Center in Chicago - 5211 North Clark, Chicago, IL  773/728-8111. See web site or call for current hours and admission information.  Focus is Swedish history since the Swedish mass immigration to the Chicago area.  Offerings include tours, concerts, lectures and other activities.
William W. Powers Conservation Area - 12949 Avenue O, Chicago, IL  60633, 773/646-3270; Picnicking, boating, fishing, and other nature/outdoor activities.
Wilmette Historical Museum - 609 Ridge Road, Wilmette, IL 60091, 847/8853-7666.  Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is free.  Collection includes an Artifact, Fine Art, and Costume Collection.  See web site or call for upcoming events and exhibits.

PLEASE NOTE:  It should go without saying, but HOUSE assumes absolutely no responsibility for anything that occurs while you are partaking of a field trip with your family.  In addition, please contact the site of your field trip before you go to verify that you have current information on hours, admission prices, and other details.  The field trip information herein has been gathered in an exhaustive search of the various counties and localities on the web.  The information is thus only as accurate and current as the information on the various web sites from which it was gathered.

If you have information about field trip possibilities in your area, please drop us an email at admin@illinoishouse.org and let us know about it, including the county name, so that we can review and possibly include it in our Field Trip Idea pages. If you have a brochure about a field trip site that you would like to mail to us, please mail it to c/o P.O. Box 74, Ringwood, IL  60072

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