Cool Places to Explore in Chicago This March

Feb 23, 2025

You don’t have to go too far to have a great time and enjoy an adventure. We’re going to head into the city for the day, and explore all that Chicago has to offer. From sports to history to science, we’ve got a great list today of destinations and exciting activities to help you beat winter boredom.

Chicago Cultural Center is the first city-operated cultural center in the US! This stunning building highlights the cultural tapestry of the city, the rich history of urban architecture, the largest Tiffany Glass dome in the world, and so much more. There’s a gift shop where you can purchase goods from local Chicago area artists, and take home some incredible souvenirs. Or stop by the Learning Lab with interactive exhibits and workshops for all ages. Peruse 3 floors of stunning exhibitions dedicated to the visual arts and contemporary culture. It’s a must-see for locals and visitors alike.

Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, and remains a fixture in Chicago’s museum scene. The facility houses not one but two dome projection theatres, and offers a fully immersive media experience for theatregoers, to experience space and our universe like never before; there are currently five films in screening: Niyah and the Multiverse, Destination Solar System, Imagine the Moon, Planet Nine, Skywatch Live, and One World One Sky. The newest exhibit is “Other Worlds”, allowing visitors to get an “up close” look at the differences between the planets and their unique characteristics, as well as learning how we research our solar system. Make sure to bring your camera or snap some pics for the ‘gram at the museum’s multiple Selfie Spots on the floor, there’s 8 in total! There’s also the Doane Observatory, where you can check out the largest public accessible telescope in Chicago!

Shedd Aquarium is the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, and features 5 million US Gallons of water and highlights habitats and life cycles of 32,000 aquatic species. Sign up for a 75-minute guided tour of the facility and you’ll get the inside scoop and behind the scenes look into operations. Exhibits include Amazon Rising, Plankton Revealed, Wild Reef, the Polar Play Zone, the Abbot Oceanarium, Oceans Exhibit, At Home on the Great Lakes, Botanical Gardens, seasonal Terraces, and the seasonal Stingray touch pools.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is packed with not only fascinating engineering, tech, and scientific exhibits, but real life relics of history like the only German submarine on display in the US, the U-505 Submarine! Check out the Giant Dome Theater and see a larger than life laser projection show at this state of the art facility. Visit the Henry Crown Space Center to take a journey through the history of space exploration and view artifacts from the Space Race. Explore mathematics and geometry as you make your way through the Numbers in Nature Mirror Maze. Learn more about weather patterns and natural disasters at the Science of Storms exhibit. It’s one of the most engaging, hands-on facilities full of creative learning opportunities for families and kids of all ages.

WNDR Museum is a unique multi-sensory exhibit featuring contemporary art and interactive installations by artists including the captivating Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, HAZE, and more. No two visits to this museum are alike, as the exhibits are always rotating and evolving! Designed to inspire you to explore the meaning of creativity and connection of art to everyday life. You’ll find more than 15 installations of fully immersive art and light displays, as well as a shop with a curated selection of artistic goods, and the Lounge featuring light refreshment and local craft beers.

Chicago Sports Museum sprawls across 23,000 square feet of space along the Magnificent Mile, and celebrates the rich and storied history of sports in Chicago! Learn about first-hand accounts of what it was like to play in early days of national sports leagues. Check out relics and collectibles from bygone eras and some of sports most memorable athletes. Explore exhibits such as Measure Up, where you can test your own endurance, strength, and physical prowess against the stats of top tier athletes; Forensic Sports uses science and technology to fully examine infamous sports mysteries; the Fan Zone is dedicated to the greatest fans in the world; and our favorite Curses and Superstitions exhibit highlighting rituals and good luck charms of athletes and their teams.