Visited Chicago for a conference for work, but I went a day early and stayed a day late so I could do a few fun things on my own!
Shedd Aquarium - Beluga Whales feeding, Pacific White-Sided Dolphin show, Magellanic and Rockhopper Penguins, shark tank, and more.
Lake & Architecture Boat Tour in the Chicago River and out onto Lake Michigan
The Field Museum - Dinosaurs (except Sue) and other fossils, as well as a large hall dedicated to the Ancient Americas, much of which was covered up in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Good! Hopefully they aren't in the midst of fighting it, and just have them covered while they actually carry it out.).
Sue the T-Rex at the Field Museum
Inside Ancient Egypt at the Field Museum, including a LOT of mummies, a boat, and two actual chamber rooms from the burial site... Truthfully, very cool to see, but also uncomfortable, as all of this should be repatriated, and I feel there are some ethical concerns with displaying mummies - i.e. dead bodies - from other cultures, especially when those artifacts were all stolen. It was a very weird feeling, the tug of really wanting to see and photograph, and feeling like I shouldn't be seeing/photographing.
Out and about in the city - Including the view from my hotel room, one VERY foggy day, random things while walking around, and the Chicago airport tunnel.
