111 S. Michigan Ave. (0.6 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
The Art Institute of Chicago is located on Michigan Avenue in Grant Park, just south of Millennium Park. The Museum is open daily 10:30–5:00
and on Thursday until 8:00.
40 East Erie St. (0.6 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
Steps away from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum offers visitors a fascinating view of one of the few remaining examples of the palatial homes erected by the wealthy of America’s Gilded Age.
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr. (1.8 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
Adler Planetarium offers dazzling shows and interesting exhibits. The recommended visit time of 1-2 hours is perfect for the conference goer, but make sure that your visit indeed coincides with a show time.
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr. (1.8 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
The John G. Shedd Aquarium is one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums, housing around 32,000 aquatic creatures across more than 1,500 species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates and birds. A visit to the Shedd Aquarium will lead you through a cornucopia of habitats, past penguins at the South Pole, coral on a Caribbean Reef and piranhas in the Amazon. The Shedd Aquarium also offers opportunities to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. You can meet the resident beluga whales, feed sharks and even learn what it takes to be an animal trainer at the aquarium.
220 E. Chicago Ave. (0.8 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
The MCA is an innovative and compelling center of contemporary art where the public can directly experience the work and ideas of living artists. The museum was established in 1967, and is one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues. The museum’s collection is composed of thousands of objects of Post-World War II visual art. The museum is run gallery-style, with individually curated exhibitions throughout the year. Each exhibition may be composed of temporary loans, pieces from their permanent collection, or a combination of the two
Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
700 E. Grand Ave. (1.0 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
The Chicago Children’s Museum offers 3 floors of hands-on learning adventures for children through age 10 and their families. The most popular exhibits include the Dinosaur Expedition where kids dig for dinosaur bones, Water Ways where the wonders of water are showcased, and Play It Safe which promotes fire safety. To further accommodate children who do not walk yet, the museum offers Pritzker Playplace which is specific for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents.
1601 N. Clark St. (3.0 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
Newly renovated with exhibits to delight all ages, the Chicago History Museum opens a window onto the city’s past and present. Here one can board an ‘L’ car from the 1890’s, see treasures from the World’s Fairs of 1893 and 1933 and learn about the many cultures that make up this urban melting pot. With 22 million artifacts and documents in its collection, the museum is also a major research center.
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. (1.8 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
The Field Museum is one of the most renowned natural history museums in the United States. See Sue, the largest and most complete (80%) Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton currently known. Founded to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, this massive natural history museum still packs ’em in with more than 30 permanent exhibitions covering 300,000 square feet. Inside the permanent displays, you can see glowering dinos, marvel at ancient artifacts from a royal Egyptian tomb, undergo a lesson in cannibalism in the “Pacific Spirits” gallery or take a stroll through the newly rehabbed Halls of Gems and Jade.
2001 North Clark St. (2.8 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
Open 365 days a year, and FREE admission. Lincoln Park Zoo is a free 35-acre zoo located in Lincoln Park, just a short bus or cab ride away. Lincoln Park Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals. The zoo’s exhibits include big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and other species totaling about 1,100 animals from some 200 species. It also includes a smaller petting zoo, popular with families and children.
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 South Lake Shore Drive (8.0 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere! Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, the Museum of Science and Industry is a must-see Chicago attraction. You’ll experience 14 acres of hands-on exhibits and have the chance to stand before a 40-foot tornado; climb aboard a World War II German submarine; take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel; descend into an Illinois coal mine; tour a fully-functioning eco-friendly home; board a 727 hanging from the ceiling; transmit your pulse to a 13-foot, 3-D, beating heart; and much more! The Museum of Science and Industry has a legacy of being one of the first hands-on museums in the nation. It’s not a place where you walk around quietly and observe; get involved in the fun and learn by doing. This top Chicago attraction is educational and fun for the whole family.
2430 North Cannon Dr. (3.6 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
Walk among hundreds of species of tropical butterflies and learn about the impact of rivers and lakes on daily life at this modern, light-washed museum. Like Chicago’s other science museums, this one is perfect for kids, but even jaded adults may be excited when bright yellow butterflies land on their shoulders. The idea is to connect with nature inside without forgetting graceful Lincoln Park outside. Interesting temporary exhibits round out the offerings.
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 East 56th Place (8.5 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
DuSable Museum of African American History is the first museum of its type in the country and is the only major independent institution in Chicago established to preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African Americans. DuSable Museum’s diverse holdings include more than 15,000 pieces, from paintings and print works to sculptures and historical memorabilia. Be inspired and gain a greater appreciation of the achievements, contributions, and experiences of African Americans through the many programs and events offered year round.
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th St. (5.2 miles from the Hyatt Regency)
You don’t have to look any further than Pilsen to find one of the largest Latino cultural organizations in the U.S. Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art and explore a 6,000-piece permanent collection, rotating exhibits, performing-arts showcases and educational programming that represents an illustrious Mexican culture. Today, the National Museum of Mexican Art stands out as one of the most prominent first-voice institutions for Mexican art and culture in the United States. We are home to one of the country’s largest Mexican art collections, including more than 9,000 seminal pieces from ancient Mexico to the present.