Sunday we decided to take advantage of Bank of America’s Museums On Us program and check out the Shedd Aquarium’s new jellyfish exhibit. We arrived just as they opened, parked at a close-by meter ($1.50 an hour) and had to pay $9.95 each to access the Oceanarium and special exhibit area, so it wasn’t 100% free, but much better than nearly $40 per person!
The exhibit wasn’t huge, but it was interesting, and I enjoyed seeing some new jellyfish species I haven’t seen before. Afterward we went to the underwater viewing areas to see the beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins, and then went back to the main level to check out the huge tank before driving to Millennium Park to an underground parking garage which has an exit across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago.
It’s been so long since I’ve last visited the Art Institute! At least 15 years, if not 20. It’s not the most exiting museum in the world, but it was interesting, and the $18 per person admission was 100% free which made the $20 parking easier to swallow. Joe was happy seeing the painting pictured below which was featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
We spent about two hours there before growing bored. Plus I was sweating up a storm. It was around 80 degrees out but I figured since we’d be inside all day I’d be cold in the air-conditioning so I wore track pants and a short-sleeved shirt but either the museums weren’t cranking out the air as usual or the medication I was on was making me warmer than normal.
On the way home we picked up BBQ beef brisket from an awesome placed called Smoque which we’ve been to once before. They were featured on Diner’s, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network and they are amazing. It’s always busy with the line out the door but well worth the wait. I’ve said it before – I don’t really care for BBQ, but this place is so good I just love it! If you’re ever in the Chicago area you must make a point to try it.
It was a really nice weekend that passed far too quickly, and obviously a busy week as well since it’s taken me this long just to post an update!
Photos
Shedd Aquarium – Flickr // Perfect Pixels // Perfect Pixels 2
Art Institute – Flickr
Videos at YouTube
Beluga Whales
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
Tank cleaning and the Sting-Ray