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Best Permanent Exhibits In Chicago

Chicago is a culturally diverse city with many museums and places to visit. There are numerous permanent exhibits in the museums in Chicago and people of all ages will enjoy the exhibits. Families can enjoy the day together while experiencing the cultural richness of Chicago.

Field Museum
(Photo Credit: www.fieldmuseum.org)

Restoring Earth
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-9410
www.fieldmuseum.org

The Field Museum's exhibit will show how museum scientists are providing the tools to preserve the wilderness and defend the Earth's biodiversity while helping to make local livelihoods better and developing human connections with nature. Museum scientists and volunteers are also teaming up to reestablish the Chicago region's native habitats, and individuals can learn what they can do to become involved.  The "Restoring Earth" exhibit is free with a membership.

Tinkering Lab
Chicago Children's Museum
700 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611-3428
(312) 527-1000
www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org

Kids can be designers, builders, tinkerers or anything they want when they visit the Tinkering Lab at Chicago Children's Museum. There are hammers, power tools, screwdrivers and saws plus much more for kids to experiment with. They'll be exhausted after a day of exploration here. There is a professionally trained staff available when help and assistance is needed.

Chicago History Museum
(Credit: chicagohistorymuseum.org)

Sensing Chicago
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 642-4200
www.chicagohistorymuseum.org

Visitors can explore Chicago through their five senses. This exhibit will reveal the past and visitors will learn that history is all around. The Konen Family Children's Gallery welcomes families to ride a high-wheel bicycle, hear the Great Chicago Fire, catch a fly ball at Comiskey Park, smell the city's past and be a Chicago-style hot dog. This permanent exhibit will keep visitors entertained and their senses will be on high alert.

Related: Best 2013 Museum Exhibitions To Look Forward To In Chicago

Arthur Rubloff Collection
Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
www.artic.edu

There are over 800 paperweights in this permanent exhibit originally donated by Arthur Rubloff, a real estate developer and philanthropist.  There is also a dedicated section for contemporary paperweights with a new piece designed especially for the gallery reopening by renowned paperweight artist Paul Stankard.

The Coal Mine
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 684-1414
www.msichicago.org

This has been a permanent exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry since 1933 and was the first interactive exhibit featured. Visitors will step on the hoist and then take an informative ride to the bottom of a mine shaft. Guests will also be taught about the evolution of technology used in mining coal and experience directly the work environment of the U.S. mining industry.

Related: Best Outdoor Theaters In Chicago

Michelle Guilbeau is an elementary teacher living in Elgin, Illinois. She has also experience in school administration and literacy coaching. Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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