This marvelous planetarium was founded in the year 1930 by the philanthropist Max Adler. It's the first planetarium in USA to have two theatres-the Sky theatre and the StarRider theatre. The Planetarium houses the Astronomy Museum which has some of the most antique collection in the entire world of astronomy instruments. Do not forget to view the aperture microscope with 0.5 m diameter mirror at the Doane Observatory.

The permanent exhibits here are Bringing the Heavens to Earth, CyberSpace, From The Night Sky To The Big Bang, Milky Way Galaxy, Our Solar System, Shoot for the Moon, Space Visualization Laboratory and Universe In Your hands. Its current temporary exhibits include, Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass, From Earth to the Universe and Solar Car. Do try out the lips smacking menu at the Galileo's Cafe.

This Planetarium is open on Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4:30pm. Note that that holiday and summer schedule timings are different. The admission charges vary according to the general package, galaxy package and universe package. The general package fee is $10 for tourists, $8 for Chicago residents, $6 for tourists in the age group of 3 to 14 and $5 for Chicago residents who are 3 to 14 year old.

http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/index.shtml

Which are the hotels in close proximity to the Adler Planetarium?

There are many such hotels which are just blocks away from the Planetarium. Search the internet to know about the Chicago hotel rates and services.

- Fairfield Inn Chicago Downtown: Its 0.31 miles from the Adler Planetarium.

http://www.fairfieldsuiteschicago.com/

- Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago-Downtown: [0.34 miles].

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/CHIREES-Embassy-Suites-Chicago-Downtown-Lakefront-Illinois/index.do

- Wyndham Chicago Downtown: [0.35 miles].

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/ORDDT/main.wnt

- Affinia Chicago: [0.38 miles].

http://www.affinia.com/

- Sheraton Chicago Hotel Tower: [0.39 miles].

http://www.sheratonchicago.com/

- Allerton Hotel Chicago: [0.41 miles].

http://www.theallertonhotel.com/

- Omni Chicago Hotel: [0.42 miles].

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/Chicago.aspx

- Hilton Suites Chicago: [0.44 miles].

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ORDMDHF-Hilton-Suites-Chicago-Magnificent-Mile-Illinois/index.do

- Park Hyatt Chicago: [0.45 miles].

http://parkchicago.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp