January in Chicago is COOL!

The holidays are over but the wintry weather will be here for a while. Find out how to make the most of the chilly temperatures with some fabulous outdoor activities! If you are still too cold, there are some great indoor options as well that will keep you entertained and toasty warm!

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY With over 800 exhibits, the Museum of Science & Industry is the perfect place to spend a blustery winter’s day.

The Museum of Science & Industry is an architectural marvel that was built as part of the 1893 World’s Fair. The oldest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, it was the first of its kind to allow visitors to actually interact with exhibits.

With over 800 exhibits and over 2,000 interactive activities, the museum draws 2 million visitors per year from all over the world.

MSI’s permanent exhibits include:

• a 20-foot walk-through model of the human heart
• a WWII captured German submarine
• the Apollo 8 spacecraft
• a mock coal mine
• a “real-time” view of Planet Earth
• a space center that explores the future of space exploration
• the world’s largest pinball machine
• and many, many more.

Current temporary exhibits include:

• Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, which features holiday singing and dancing and over 50 lighted holiday trees. (Through January 4th only.)
• Smart Home: Green + Wired, which shows you how to instill the Green movement in your own home. (Through January 4th only.)
• Fast Forward, which showcases the inventions of tomorrow and how they will change our lives forever.

More information about these exhibits can be found at the  official MSI Exhibits Page.

There are tours at the MSI. Some of these include:

• Our Favorite Spaces and Places Tour, perfect for those who want to see the best of the Museum in a time-effective way.
• Trains, Planes and Hybrids, which explores a variety of modern vehicles.
• U-505 Behind-the-Scenes Tour, which gives a special tour of the German U-505 Submarine.

The MSI also features the Omnimax Theater. This theater uses IMAX technology on a special, half-dome screen, so the audience is taken into the action in a way that is totally revolutionary and unique. Currently playing at the Omnimax Theater:

• Wild Ocean, a documentary film that explores the annual feeding frenzy at the KwaZulu-Natal Wild Coast. See billons of fish, whales, sharks and dolphins compete in an exciting battle for food and learn the effects of global warming on this delicate ecosystem.
• Grand Canyon Adventure, a film that whisks you on a river-rafting trip down the Colorado River. As you take in the stunning scenery, you will learn about global water issues and how we can all help save the planet.

There is so much to do at the Museum of Science & Industry, and it’s laid out over a vast 350,000 square feet. How can you plan your visit so you are sure to hit all the best exhibits, without wasting time wandering back and forth over such a huge space? The Chicago Traveler Visitor’s Guide to the Museum of Science & Industry gives you a description using a floor-by-floor approach that is smart and comprehensive. To see a floor plan layout visit the printable Printable Museum Floorplan.

The MSI offers free admission on certain days throughout the year; to see if you can take advantage of this, see our Free Days list. For more information about general admission and hours, check out the MSI Museum Info webpage.

Events: JANUARY 2009 January in Chicago is a time to enjoy the cold weather in unique ways. Even though the holidays are over, there is still a reason to bundle up and get outside!

Check out the Chicago Winter Bike Swap on January 17th, for example. Hosted in the northwest suburb of Palatine by Harper College, the swap is designed so that you can bring in your old bike or bike parts, and browse hundreds of new and used bikes. It is a great way to trade in your old bike for something new. There are raffles and other prizes as well.

Another way to enjoy the weather is to go to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle for its annual Dogsled Spectacular on January 24th and 25th. See Siberian Huskies up close and learn all about dogsledding. With a beautiful backdrop that is simply awe-inspiring in winter, it’s the perfect opportunity to meet these majestic sled dogs and see them in action.

Of course, winter activities in Chicago aren’t all outdoors. There are plenty of things to do inside, if you want to stay warm. The 14th Annual Strictly Sail Chicago Boat Show at Navy Pier, from January 29th through February 1st, is an indoor boat show where sail enthusiasts can see sailing gear, check out the latest boat designs and improve their sailing skills. The Boat Show also features kids’ boat-building programs, seminars held by cruisers, authors and navigation experts and live entertainment for the whole family. To top it all off, get a free subscription to a boating magazine with your paid admission!

Martin Luther King Day is a significant event in Chicago, and there are numerous MLK Day Events commemorating Dr. King all over the city and suburbs on Monday, January 19th. There is a Memorial Celebration at Rockefeller Chapel, festivities at the DuSable Museum of African American History, dramatic readings and musical performances at the Chicago History Museum, a Tribute by the Chicago Sinfonietta at Symphony Center and much more.

For music fans, the 28th Annual Chicago Music Awards occurs in January as well. This is a talent showcase for over 200 artists from the Chicagoland area. This year, the ceremony is dedicated to Barack Obama and will be held at Park West, on January 18th. See who is nominated and cast your vote here!

For a different kind of music lover, check out the Chicago Chamber Musicians’ First Monday Concert. It’s a chance to hear beautiful music and enjoy good company. And best of all, admission is free! The concert takes place on January 5th at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Sports fans, there are events for you as well. January 16th through 18th is the 24th 24th Annual Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago. This is the kick-off to spring training, and festivity and celebration is in the air. The convention features exhibits with memorabilia from the entire Cubs’ history; autographs and photos with players; question and answer seminars and, of course, a chance to get up close and personal with your favorite Cubs! All proceeds benefit the Cubs Care charity.

Sox fans also have a chance to celebrate their favorite team at SoxFest 2009, an annual party that allows fans to mingle with players and get autographs, hear stories and celebrate the All-American sport of baseball! The get-together takes place at the Palmer House on January 31st.

Who could ignore the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on Thursday, January 1st, when the Chicago Blackhawks meet the Detroit Red Wings in an outdoor hockey game.

CHICAGO THEATRE SCENE Did you know Chicago Traveler has tons of valuable information about the Theatre Scene in Chicago?

Chicago’s theatre scene is highly developed and draws visitors from around the world. With Theatre Season kicking in at the beginning of the year, January is a great time to catch a show – and escape the weather!

What’s Playing in January:

• The Blue Man Group is on an open run at the Briar Street Theatre.
• Jersey Boys is on an open run at the Bank of America Theatre.
• Wicked is still playing at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, but after an incredible 3 ½-year run, it is leaving on January 25th. See it while you can!
• Dirty Dancing is nearing the end of its run as well. It is playing through January 11th at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
• Grease is playing at the Auditorium Theatre from January 6th through 18th.
• Xanadu is playing at the Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place, beginning January 16th.
• Monty Python’s Spamalot is playing January 20th through February 1st at the Auditorium Theatre.

Any of these shows catch your eye? Chicago Traveler can make planning your theatre experience a snap. On our Chicago Theatre page, there are links to information about the theatres and theatre companies found in Chicago, schedules of shows and ticket information, maps to various theatres as well as parking and restaurants and links to other theatre-related articles on Chicago Traveler. See the Chicago Theatre Events and the Chicago Theatre Venues & Companies pages.

Planning Guide
One of these articles is a Visitor Guide called Going to the Theatre in Downtown Chicago; it gives you detailed information about theatres, purchasing tickets, transportation, parking and dining. The information is laid out in an organized way, so that your questions can all be answered in one place without having to surf to several different websites.

Videos
Another great offering on Chicago Traveler is a video of the Chicago Theatre District Video. It gives you a chance to visit the Theatre Scene before you get here, so you know what to expect and what you want to be sure to check out! You can also see short videos of both Wicked and Jersey Boys.

Tours
Also found on Chicago Traveler is information about Theatre Tours. Get a glimpse of what really happens behind the scenes at Chicago’s most famous theatres! Take the Broadway in Chicago Theatre Tour for a tour of the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, the Oriental Theatre and the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Also at the Ford Center is the Wicked Tour, which gives you insider info on one of the most popular shows on Broadway!

A tour of the Chicago Theatre is available as well; learn about the history and architecture of the theatre while hearing stories of the famous people who have performed there! There are several other tours, including a guided walking tour of the Theatre District offered by Theatre Club Chicago.

Written by Zahra Ink - Chicago Writing Services

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