Best & Cool Science and Space Museums in Western Springs

"With millions of artifacts on display, the Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, and it’s renowned for its research and public education efforts as well as its collections that are just plain cool. Gigantic skeletons will show you the jaw-dropping sizes of dinosaurs and woolly mammoths. The hall of gems will beckon you with wondrous colors and glittering edges."

"Children under 3, K-12 teachers, and active-duty military are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free on select days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required."

"More than 400,000-square feet of exhibit space fill this gigantic museum, which explores cultures and environments from around the world."

"The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is a modern art museum in Chicago's Ukrainian village. The UIMA, founded in 1971, hosts exhibits, book readings, film screenings, recitals, and theater. The UIMA has been a fixture in its neighborhood for more than 40 years and is one of 25 members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance."

"Intuit: The centre for intuitive and outsider art is the only non-profit organization in the United States that presents intuitive, outsider and contemporary self-taught art. The Henry Darger Collection holds a permanent spot in this gallery, which also features a permanent collection containing more than a thousand artworks. There is a study centre at the gallery: Robert A. Roth Study Center, which conducts educational programs and is open for the public."

"It is actually the only nonprofit organisation in the USA that is fully devoted to ‘outsider’ art and self taught art. It’s more than just an art gallery or museum – it’s somewhere to come for inspiration, and it’s actually used a lot by art students in the city of Chicago. There are over 1000 works of art here, so plenty to see!"

"Part of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art has an impressive collection. This includes works organised by continent – such as Asia and Europe – and works organised by theme – e.g.  contemporary art and modern art. The museum also houses a significant collection of works by the 20th century American sculptor and printmaker H.C."

"5550 S Greenwood AveHours: Galleries are closed for reinstallation until September 11th, 2015. Regular hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-3pm) resume September 12th."

"Oz Park is an ode to author L Frank Baum’s most famous book, The Wizard of Oz. Baum was a resident of the surrounding Lincoln Park neighborhood back in the 1890s, before it became the established community it is today. Between 1995 and 2007, the Oz Park Advisory Council commissioned sculptures of the book’s characters including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto."

"OZ Park is a community garden that celebrates a fun-filled “The Wizard of Oz” theme. The park features “Dorothy’s Playlot”, with play equipment for young children to climb, swing, and run. Families can then leisurely enjoy their afternoon among the beautiful flowers in the “Emerald Garden”."