More Chicago Museums with Free Days

  Here are a few more museums that have free days in January and upcoming months:

The Adler Planetarium
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
January: 4, 5, 10-14, 18, 19, 24-27
February: 1, 2, 7-10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 28
March: 1-3, 8, 9, 15, 16

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum-2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, just north of Lincoln Park Zoo
http://www.naturemuseum.org
January: 6, 13, 20, 27
February: 3, 10, 17, 24
March: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Museum of Contemporary Art-220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago
http://www.mcachicago.org
January: 4, 11, 18, 25
February: 1, 8, 15, 22
March: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
April: 5, 12, 19, 26
May: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
June: 7, 14, 21, 28

Chicago History Museum-1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago
http://www.chicagohistory.org
January: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
February: 7, 14, 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21, 28
April: 4, 11, 18, 25
May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
June: 6, 13, 20, 27

Chicago Museums Free Days

  January is a time for free admission at some of Chicago's great museums. 
 
The Art Institute is offering free admission every weekday, all day long, from January 3rd through February 4th.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/

The Field Museum is offering free basic admission 52 days out of the year.  There are Target Free Second Mondays plus the following free days in January and February:
January: 3rd, 11th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 26th, and 31st
February: 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 15th, and 17th
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/plan_visit/free_days.htm

The Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission weekdays in January.
http://www.msichicago.org/visit-the-museum/museum-info/admission/free-days/

The Shedd Aquarium offers Community Discount Days where admission to the aquarium's original galleries is free.
Monday and Tuesday Discount Days are:
January:  10, 11, 24, 25
February: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 28
Community Discount Weeks are: January 16-24 and February 20-24
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html

Day 2 of Wacker Drive Construction

  Tarped fences have been set up around the parts of Wacker Drive that run by the Lyric Opera House and the intersections of Washington and Lake.  Presumably the fences that run along the sidewalks would be set up to go with the flow of pedestrian traffic while encasing the construction zone.  This morning as I got to the end of the Lyric Opera House, the sidewalk went into a dead-end and the fence forced pedestrians to go either right or left.  I chose right along with a few other people and shortly after realized that I was inside the construction zone.  I hurried down the block hoping for an opening to get back to "the other side" but found nothing but fence.  I crossed over Wacker looking for other possible openings in the fence but again found nothing.  I went back to where I had first entered into the construction zone only to find my previous entrance blocked by fence.  Our little group wandered for a few minutes looking for a way out until finally approaching construction workers to let them know we were trapped.  One of the construction workers lifted and moved part of the fence and we were able to escape.  This construction project should prove to be interesting especially with the size of the area that is blocked off and with how close the construction zone is to the Lyric Opera House and both train stations.

New Years Resolution

 Ah yes, one of the most popular New Years Resolutions....to start working out.  Well, this gym overlooking Wacker Drive serves a two-fold purpose.  For those working out, it has great views of Wacker Drive and all of its hustle and bustle.  It also serves as a motivator because not only can those people working out see the people on the street below, the people on the street below can see those people working out.

Parts of Wacker Drive Closed

  The closing of parts of Wacker Drive has started this morning.  There were baracades and fences going up around the intersections of Washington and Lake.  Also, the piece of Wacker Drive between Lake and Washington has been turned from a one-way street into a two-way street.  On the news this morning, there were jokes that Wacker could be under construction for the next couple of years.  With rush hour just beginning this morning, hopefully drivers are awake enough after this holiday weekend to realize that they're going to have to make some detours around their normal route.

Free Free And Free! Be Safe!

   Here are a few of Chicago's free New Years offerings....

   -Free Shuttle Bus Rides:  The Miller Lite Free Rides program will be offering free shuttle bus rides in some of the many popular bar areas in Chicago.  Hopefully this will encourage everyone to have a safe holiday and prevent drunk driving.
   -Penny Fares on the CTA (almost free):  Chicago is again encouraging everyone to celebrate New Years and be safe by not drinking and driving.  The Penny Fare program is a 25 year tradition for the CTA.
  -Free Limo Rides for Southside Chicago residents:  5 south suburbs are offering free limo rides home starting at 11pm on New Years Eve until 4am on New Years Day.  Residents in these participating south suburbs can call Carey Limousine Chicago at 800-752-5400.  Participating suburbs include Orland Park,  Palos Heights, Mokena, Tinley Park, and New Lenox.

Navy Pier's New Years Fireworks!

  While you're in Chicago, ring in the New Year with a beautiful fireworks display over Lake Michigan! 

   Tomorrow night the Family Fireworks Display is at 8:15pm followed by a Midnight Fireworks Display that'll help kick off 2011!
   
   Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Ave.

NYE Party in Chicago

  Don't have NYE plans yet?  Interested in trying something new?  Dore Lounge opened earlier this year and is celebrating New Years in style.  There is no cover charge and there will be a champagne toast at midnight plus bottle and group packages. 
  Dore is the French word for "Golden" or "Gilded" and the beautiful interior emphasizes this classy lounge's name. 
  For more information about Dore's NYE party please visit:

http://www.fanfueled.com/events/205-dore-lounge-s-new-years-eve-2011-a-golden-new-year