MUSEUMS

ADLER PLANETARIUM AND ASTRONOMY MUSEUM. 1300 S. Lake Shore. Ongoing: "Cosmic Collisions."; "Stars of the Pharaohs"; "Egyptian Nights"; "Space in Your Face"; "TimeSpace." Museum for astronomy and space exploration. Includes a major collection of artifacts on the history of astronomy, and an in-depth introduction to the wonders of the galaxy in the Planetarium's Ameritech Milky Way Gallery. Planetarium hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30 am-4:30 pm; Sat-Sun, 9:30 am-4:30 pm. First Friday of every month, 9:30 am-10 pm. Admission (includes admission and one sky show, each additional show $4): Adults, $19 (Chicago residents $17); Kids ages 4-17: $15 (Chicago residents $14); Seniors: $17 (Chicago residents $15). Far Out Fridays: Adults, $20; Kids/Seniors, $17; Members/Students/ Teachers, $5; Family Star Pack for four, $60. Additional fee for Sky and StarRider Theaters. (312) 922-STAR or visit www.adlerplanetarium.org.

AGELESS CLASSICS MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION. 100 S. River, Aurora. Exhibits include military aircraft from World War II to Operation Desert Storm and aviation memorabilia from World War I to Vietnam. Group tours available. Thu, 10 am-5 pm; Fri, 2 pm-10 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, 11 am-5 pm. Adults $5; seniors, $4; children 6-16, $3; children under 6, free. (630) 466-0888.

AMERICAN MOVIE PALACE MUSEUM. York Theatre Building, 152 N. York, Elmhurst. The facility features blueprints, photos, posters, programs and artifacts from theaters across the United States. Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm. (630) 782-1800.

ARGONNE INFORMATION CENTER. Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass, Argonne. Over 30 exhibits on science and technology. Tours of the laboratory are available most Saturdays. Tue-Fri, 10 am-3 pm; closed on holidays. Free. (630) 252-5562.

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO. 111 S. Michigan. Museum hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, 10:30 am-5 pm; Thu, 10:30 am-8 pm; Fri, 10:30 am-5 pm; Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm. Adults, $12; seniors, students and children over 5, $7; children under 5, free; Thursday and Friday after 5 p.m. free through Labor Day. (312) 443-3600.

AURORA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer, Aurora. Wed-Sun, noon-4 pm. (630) 906-0650; www.aurorahistory.net.

BALZEKAS MUSEUM OF LITHUANIAN CULTURE. 6500 S. Pulaski. Daily, 10 am-4 pm. Adults, $4; students and seniors, $3; children, $1. (773) 582-6500.

BETHEL NEW LIFE CULTURAL ARTS. 1140 N. Lamon. Ongoing: "Steppin' Up: Journeys from the Soul." Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-6 pm. (773) 378-3600.

BLOCK MUSEUM OF ART. Northwestern University. 40 Arts Circle, Evanston. To Aug. 24: "Design in the Age of Darwin: From William Morris to Frank Lloyd Wright." Tue, 10 am-5 pm; Wed, Fri, 10 am-8 pm; Sat-Sun, noon-5 pm. Free. (847) 491-4000.

BLOOMINGDALE PARK DISTRICT MUSEUM. 108 S. Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale. Thu-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Sat, noon-4 pm. (630) 539-3096.

CANTIGNY. 1 S 151 Winfield, Wheaton. Ongoing: The former home of Chicago Mayor Joseph Medill and his grandson, Col. Robert McCormick, features 10 acres of gardens and landscaped grounds, the Robert R. McCormick Museum and the First Division Museum of War Memorabilia, with items dating back to the Revolutionary War. Museum open Tue-Sun, 10 am-4 pm; park open 9 am-sunset. $7 per car. (630) 668-5161.

CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION. 224 S. Michigan. To Sept. 5: "Green with Desire: Can We Live Sustainably in Our Homes?" Ongoing: "ReThink ReDesign ReCycle." Sat, 9 am-6 pm; Sun, 9:30 am-5 pm. (312) 922-3432, ext. 239.

CHICAGO ATHENAEUM AT SCHAUMBURG. 190 S. Roselle, Schaumburg. Ongoing: ''International Sculpture Park"; "Art and Design - A Selection of Art, Design and Architecture From the Permanent Collections of the Chicago Athenaeum." Wed-Fri, 11 am-6 pm; Sat-Sun, noon-5 pm. (847) 895-3950.

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN. 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe. Mon, 7 pm: Carillon Concert Series. Mon, 6:30 pm-8 pm: Top Pick Perennials. Tue, 6 pm-9 pm: Music on the Esplanade. Wed, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm: Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardening with Color! To Aug. 17: "Temple of Flora." Daily, 7 am-9 pm. One of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. Admission is free; parking is $15. (847) 835-5440; www.chicagobotanic.org.

CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER. 78 E. Washington. To Sept. 21: "Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe." To Sept. 28: "Voices and Images from Bulgaria." Mon-Wed, 10 am-7 pm; Thu, 10 am-9 pm; Fri, 10 am-6 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, 11 am-5 pm. Closed holidays. Free. (312) 744-6630.

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM. 1601 N. Clark. Abraham Lincoln Museum hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, 9:30-4:30. Thu, 9:30-8 p.m. Sat, 9:30 am-4:30 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Free for children under 12. (312) 642-4600; www.chicagohistory.org.

CHICAGOLAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME. A collection of sports memorabilia honoring over 300 area athletes, schools and professional teams. Ten interactive touch-screen video kiosks feature a sports trivia game, sports writers discussing their favorite sports moments and biographies, stats, and more. Mon-Fri, 10 am-4 pm. Free. Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River, Des Plaines. (847) 294-1799.

THE CHINESE-AMERICAN MUSEUM OF CHICAGO. 238 W. 23rd. Fri, 8:30 am-1:30 pm; Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm. $1, $2. (312) 949-1000; www.ccamuseum.org.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM. 2350 N. Kenmore. Mon-Thu, 11 am-5 pm; Fri, 11 am-7 pm; Sat-Sun, noon-5 pm. (773) 325-7506.

DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT MUSEUM. 831 Maple, Downers Grove. Ongoing: "Images of You: Photos of Downers Grove's Past"; "Quilts from the Collection"; "Recent Acquisitions." Sun-Fri, 1-3 pm. (630) 963-1309.

DUPAGE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 102 E. Wesley, Wheaton. Three floors of exhibits focusing on DuPage County's history from the 1830s to the present. Ongoing: "A Walk In The Woods"; "Made To Measure"; "DuPage County History--An Overview"; "Laundry"; "Bicycling." Adults $3. Children, students and seniors 65 and older $2. Children four and under and members are free. Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat, 10 am-4 pm; Sun, 1-4 pm. (630) 682-7343; www.dupageco.org/museum.

DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY. 740 E. 56th Place. Ongoing: ''DuSable Treasures: Selections from the Permanent Collection of Art''; ''Songs of My People''; ''Distorted Images''; ''Fight to Fly: Blacks in Aviation''; ''Trial to Triumph''; ''Africa Speaks''; ''The Ames Mural.'' Tue-Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. $1-$3; Sunday, free. (773) 947-0600.

EAA AIRVENTURE MUSEUM. 3000 Poberezny, Oshkosh, Wis. The aviation museum features authentic replicas of the Wright Brothers' Wright Flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, as well as a collection of full-sized World War II fighters and bombers. Mon-Sat, 8:30 am-5 pm; Sun, 11 am-5 pm. Adults, $7.50; seniors, $6.50; children 8-17, $6; children 7 and under, free. (920) 426-6535.

ELMHURST ART MUSEUM. 150 Cottage Hill, Elmhurst. Tue, Thu, Sat, 10 am-4 pm; Wed, 1-8 pm; Fri, Sun, 1-4 pm. Tuesday, free. Adults, $4; seniors, $3; students, $2; (630) 834-0202.

ELMHURST HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 120 E. Park, Elmhurst. Ongoing: ''Visions of Home''; ''From Mansion to Museum.'' Tue-Sun, 1-5 pm. Free. (630) 833-1457.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY MUSEUM. 200 N. Oak Park, Oak Park. Just a short walk from Hemingway's birthplace, the museum explores the first 20 years of the author's life, highlighting his family experiences, education, love of the outdoors and involvement in World War I and II. Ongoing: ''Teaching Hemingway How to Write: Developing the Literary Genius''; ''Hemingway and Hollywood''; ''Hemingway and the Arts.'' Hours for museum and birthplace, Thu-Fri, Sun, 1-5 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm. Adults, $6; seniors and students, $4.50; includes museum and birthplace. (708) 848-2222.

EVANSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 225 Greenwood, Evanston. (847) 475-3410.

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO. visitors center, 230 S. LaSalle. A variety of exhibits about the central bank. Free. Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm. (312) 322-2400.

FIELD MUSEUM. 1400 S. Lake Shore. To Sept. 1: "Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids." To Jan. 4: "Nature Unleased: Inside Natural Disa sters." Ongoing: "Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice DNA Discovery Center." "Celebrating Women." "Earth Revealed," "Plant Portraits: The California Legacy of A.R. Valentien." "Highlights From the Mary W. Runnells Rare Book Room." Ongoing: "The Crown Family Playlab," "Darwin." Permanent: "Pawnee Earth Lodge"; "Regenstein Laboratory"; ''Underground Adventure''; "Sue"; "Hall of Jades"; "Impressions of Tsavo: Man-Eating Lions of Tsavo"; ''Inside Ancient Egypt.'' Museum hours: Daily, 9 am-5 pm. Field Museum Gold Pass (Includes Museum admission and Underground Adventure), $19 adults; $14 seniors and students with ID; $9 children 4-11. Museum admission: $12 adults; $7 seniors and students with ID and children 4-11. Discount for Chicago residents with proof of residency. (312) 922-9410 or visit www.fieldmuseum.org.

FREEDOM MUSEUM. 445 N. Michigan. To Nov. 9: "Vote4Me! Inside a Presidential Election." Museum hours: Daily, 10 am-6 pm. Closed Tue. Admission is $5. Children under five, free. www.freedommuseum.us.

GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY. 300 N. Central Park. To Sept. 28: "Flower Power Show." Ongoing: Eight exhibit halls display plants found in climates ranging from rain forest to desert. Ongoing exhibits: ''Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden''; ''Urban Demonstration Garden''; "Sugar from the Sun." Guided tours are available daily, 9 am-5 pm. Conservatory hours: daily, 9 am-5 pm; Thu, 9 am-8 pm. Free. (312) 746-5100.

GRAUE MILL AND MUSEUM. 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. Mill hours: Tue-Sun, 10 am-4:30 pm. (630) 655-2090. www.grauemill.org.

HAGGERTY MUSEUM OF ART. North 13th Street and West Clybourn Avenue, Milwaukee. Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat, 10 am-4:30 pm; Thu, 10 am-8 pm; Sun, 10 am-5 pm. Free. (414) 288-3657.

HELLENIC MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER. 801 W. Adams, fourth floor. Tue-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Sat, 11 am-4 pm. (312) 655-1234.

HISTORIC AUTO MUSEUM. 5290 Lansing, Roscoe. A display of over 60 vehicles of historical interest including racecars, presidential cars and movie and entertainment cars. Tue-Sun, 11 am-8 pm. (815) 389-9999, Ext. 20.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST. Pleasant Home, 217 S. Home, Oak Park. A museum that highlights the history of Oak Park and River Forest, turn of the century photographs and other period memorabilia. Research of local topics and historical sites is also available. Thu-Sun, 12:30 pm. Adults, $5; children, $3; Fri, free. (708) 848-6755.

HOUDINI HISTORICAL CENTER. 330 E. College, Appleton, Wis. Over 120 artifacts and 150 photographic images that take a personal look at the legendary Harry Houdini. Tue-Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. Adults, $4; seniors, $3.50; children 5-17, $2. (920) 733-8445.

HYDE PARK ART CENTER. To July 20: "Videodance: works from the Centre Pompidou" and "Flamenco and Flames." A non-profit organization that presents innovative exhibitions, primarily work by Chicago-area artists and educational programs in the visual arts for children and adults of diverse backgrounds. 5020 S. Cornell. (773) 324-5520; www.hydeparkart.org.

ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM. SatThe museum features America's largest collection of historic railway equipment including streetcars and interurbans, steam, diesel, and electric locomotives. Admission and hours vary; call for schedule. (815) 923-4000.

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF SURGICAL SCIENCE. 1524 N. Lake Shore. Ongoing: "The Japan Hall of Fame"; "Windows to the World: the Science of Sight and Opthalmic Art." Permanent: "Nursing: Care for a Changing World" and "Milestones in Medical Imaging: From X-Ray to Nuclear Medicine." Tue-Sun, 10 am-4 pm. Adults, $6; seniors and students, $3; Tuesday, free. (312) 642-6502; www.imss.org.

JANE ADDAMS HULL-HOUSE MUSEUM. University of Illinois at Chicago, 800 S. Halsted. The building where Jane Addams founded Hull-House in 1889 Honors the work of the settlement house leader and social-welfare pioneer. Open for tours and educational programs. Mon-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. Free. (312) 413-5353.

JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER. 608 New York, Sheboygan, Wis. Ongoing: "Pure Magic: the Sculpture of M. Elisabeth Higgins-O'Connor"; "The Gardens''; ''Sandra Byers: A Gentle Nature''; ''Mi-Sook Hur: Secret Gardens''; ''Arts/Industry: A 27-Year Collaboration''; ''Among Art: Evolving Traditions''; ''Eye Spy Color''; ''Artist Restrooms.'' Mon, Wed, Fri, 10 am-5 pm; Tue, Thu, 10 am-8 pm; Sat-Sun, 10 am-4 pm. Free. (920) 458-6144.

JOLIET AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 204 N. Ottawa, Joliet. $3-$5. Tue-Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. (815) 723-5201.

KENOSHA CIVIL WAR MUSEUM. 5500 First Avenue, Kenosha, Wis. Mon, noon-5 pm; Tue-Sat, 9 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. (262) 653-4140.

KOEHNLINE MUSEUM OF ART. 1600 E. Golf, Des Plaines. Mon-Fri, 10 am-6 pm; Sat, 11 am-4 pm. (847) 635-2633.

LAKE COUNTY DISCOVERY MUSEUM. Rte. 176 in Lakewood Forest Preserve, near Wauconda. Mon-Sat, 11 am-4:30 pm; Sun, 1-4:30 pm. (847) 968-3400.

LASALLE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 101 E. Canal, Utica. Wed-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Sat-Sun, noon-4 pm. (815) 667-4861; www.lasallecountymuseum.org.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO MUSEUM OF ART. 820 N. Michigan. Ongoing: Martin D'Arcy Collection of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art. $5, $6. Tue, 10 am-8 pm; Wed-Sun, 10 am-6 pm. (312) 915-7600.

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM. 700 N. Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wis. To Jan. 4: "On Site: Santiago Cucullu." To July 20: "A Revolution in Milwaukee." Mon-Wed, 10 am-5 pm; Thu, 10 am-8 pm; Fri-Sun, 10 am-5 pm. Adults, $8; seniors and students, $6; students, $4; children under 12, free. (414) 224-3200.

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM. 800 W. Wells, Milwaukee, Wis. The Milwaukee Public Museum is located in the Pioneer House, a reproduction of a rural 19th century Wisconsin homestead built by Norwegian settlers. Ongoing exhibits: "Bugs Alive! Insects and Their Relatives"; "Build an Egyptian Tomb"; ''Ferguson Rifle - A Revolutionary Firearm"; "From Dr. Mom to Dr. Welby: Healing in America"; "Ivory-billed Woodpecker"; ''Puelicher Butterfly Wing''; ''Streets of Old Milwaukee''; "Tourist Takeout: A Taste for Souvenirs"; ''Watson Family House''; ''Exploring Life on Earth.'' In the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater. Ongoing: "Forces of Nature." Enjoy free silent movies daily, 11 am-1:30 pm. Free with museum admission. Museum hours: Daily, 9 am-5 pm. Museum admission: Adults, $6.75; seniors, $5.50; children 4-17, $4.50; children under 3, free; free Monday for Milwaukee County residents. Additional fee for IMAX Theater. (414) 278-2702.

MITCHELL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN. 3001 Central Street, Evanston. Tue, Thu, 10:30 am, noon: Kids craft mornings. Thu, 6:30 pm: Norman Sandfield lecture. To Sept. 4: "Transfusion." $5; $2.50 seniors, students and children. (847) 475-1030; www.mitchellmuseum.org.

MORTON ARBORETUM. 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Maze Garden, a permanent one-acre living puzzle of hedges and other plants. To July 20: "Big Bugs." Ongoing: The 1,700-acre arboretum features more than 30,000 labeled plant specimens representing 3,600 different types of plants. It is home to the largest U.S. collection of plants from Russia, China, the Balkans and Northeast Asia, as well as a collection representing Northern Illinois. Daily, 7 am-7 pm. Adults, $7; seniors, $5; children ages 3-12, $4. Wednesday prices are adults, $4; seniors, $3; children, $2. (630) 968-0074 or (630) 719-2400.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART. 220 E. Chicago. Tue, 1 pm-3 pm: Family Fun on the Plaza. Tue, 5:30 pm: Clyde "Lightning" George. To July 27: "Utopia Station." To Aug. 31: Artist in Residence: Gisela Insuaste. To Oct. 26: Work by Jeff Koons. Museum hours: Tue, 10 am-8 pm, Wed-Sun, 10 am-5 pm. Adults, $10; students and seniors, $6; free, members and children 12 and under; Tuesday, free from 10 am-8 pm. (312) 280-2660.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY. Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan. Mon-Fri, 10 am-5 pm; Thu, 5-8 pm; Sat, noon-5 pm. Free. (312) 663-5554.

MUSEUM OF HOLOGRAPHY. 1134 W. Washington. Feature exhibits include an animated gold miner, a 3-by-3 foot hologram of a large dinosaur, moving holograms, and an animated hologram of Michael Jordan. Wed-Sun, 12:30-5 pm. $2.50, $3. (312) 226-1007.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 57th and Lake Shore. Kids 11 and under are free until Sept. 1. To Jan. 4: "Fast Forward." To Jan. 4: "Smart Home: Green + Wired." To Sept. 1: "The Glass Experience." Ongoing: "The Magic and Science of Cinema and Television"; "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination"; "U-505 Submarine"; "Circus"; ''Pioneer Zephyr''; ''Reusable City''; ''All Aboard the Silver Streak''; ''Idea Factory''; ''Take Flight (727)''; ''Navy: Technology at Sea''; ''The Coal Mine''; ''Virtual Reality in Imaging''; "Toymaker 3000"; ''Yesterday's Main Street''; "The Great Train Story"; "Genetics: Decoding Life"; ''Networld''; ''The Farm''; ''Enterprise''; ''Petroleum Planet.'' In the Henry Crown Space Center Omnimax Theater. Regular Museum hours: Mon-Sat, 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sun, 11 am-5:30 pm. General admission: Adults, $13; seniors, $12; children 3-11, $9. Chicago residents: Adults, $12; seniors, $11; children 3-11, $8.50. (773) 684-1414 or visit www.msichicago.org.

NAPER SETTLEMENT. 523 S. Webster, Naperville. Sun, 2 pm: Sundays at the Settlement. Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm: Naperville Woman's Club Fine Art Fair. Free. Ongoing: "History Connection" and "Brushstrokes of the Past." Tue-Sat, 10 am-4 pm; Sun, 1-4 pm. Adults, $8; seniors, $7; children, $5.50. (630) 420-6010.

THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME. 1431 W. Taylor. An educational institution dedicated to promoting the history and heritage of Italian Americans in sports. Artifacts include Rocky Marciano's World Heavyweight championship belt and Matt Biondi's 11 Olympic medals. Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm; Sat-Sun, 11 am-4 pm. (312) 226-5566.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART. 1852 W. 19th St. Tue-Sun, 10 am-5 pm; closed Mondays and holidays. Free for exhibitions. Donations accepted. (312) 738-1503.

NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM. 2285 S. Broadway, Green Bay, Wis. The 26,000 square-foot facility of rolling stock and locomotives features General Eisenhower's World War II command train, a Union Pacific Big Boy, the world's largest steam locomotive, and the Frederick J. Lenfestey Center. Mon-Sat, 9 am-5 pm; Sun, 11 am-5 pm. (920) 437-7623.

NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS ART MUSEUM. 1801 S. Indiana. Mon-Fri, 11 am-6 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. Ongoing: Over 700 works of fine art created by 115 artists who participated as soldiers in the Vietnam War. The museum's permanent collection focuses on the subject of war from the personal point of view. Tue-Fri, 11 am-6 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. Adults, $5; seniors and students, $4. (312) 326-0270.

NEVILLE PUBLIC MUSEUM. 210 Museum Place, Green Bay, Wis. Ongoing: ''On the Edge of the Inland Sea.'' Tue, Thu-Sat, 9 am-4 pm; Wed, 9 am-9 pm; Sun, noon-4 pm. Suggested donation: Adults, $3; children, $2. (920) 448-4460.

NIU ART MUSEUM. Altgeld Hall 116, DeKalb. Tue-Fri, 10 am-5 pm; Sat, noon-4 pm. (815) 753-1936.

NORWOOD PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 5624 N. Newark. Sat, noon-4 pm and by appointment. (773) 631-4633; www.norwoodparkhistoricalsociety.org.

THE NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM. 2430 N. Cannon. Sat-Sun, 11 am-3 pm: Seed and Reed. Sat-Sun, 2 pm-5 pm: Future Farmers' Energy plans. Sat-Sun, 11 am-3 pm: Snakes, Lizards and More. Wed, 7 am-9 am: Bird Walk and Coffee Talk. Wed, 5 pm-7 pm: Toddlers, Tunes and Turtles. To Sept. 7: "Lawn Nation: The Art and Science of the American Lawn." Opens To Sept. 7: "Organic Lawn Care." Ongoing: "Hands-on Habitat."; "Judy Istock Butterfly Haven"; "African Butterflies."; "Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly." Museum hours: Mon-Fri, 9 am-4:30 pm; Sat-Sun, 10 am-5 pm. Non-Chicago residents: Adults, $9; seniors and students, $7; children 3-12, $6. Thursday, free. (773) 755-5100; www.naturemuseum.org.)

O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. 10000 W. O'Hare. Ongoing: ''Kids on the Fly''; ''Brachiosaurus.'' (312) 922-9410.

ORIENTAL INSTITUTE MUSEUM. 1155 E. 58th. To Dec. 31: "Catastrophe! The Destruction and Looting of Iraq's Past." Ongoing: "Where Civilization Began: Celebrating Ancient Mesopotamia" and "Empires in the Fertile Crescent: Ancient Assyria, Anatolia and Israel." A showcase of the history, art and architecture of the ancient Near East. Tue, Thu-Sat, 10 am-6 pm; Wed, 10 am-8:30 pm; Sun, noon-6 pm.

THE PEACE MUSEUM. Hostelling International, 24 E. Congress. Daily, 9 am-9 pm. Free. (312) 493-6806; www.peacemuseum.org.

THE POLISH MUSEUM OF AMERICA. 984 N. Milwaukee. (773) 384-3352.

PRITZKER MILITARY LIBRARY. 610 N. Fairbanks Court, 2nd Floor. (312) 587-7311; www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.

PYROGRAPHIC MUSEUM. Sale Barn Square, 961 N. Milwaukee, Wheeling. Vintage pyrographic equipment and artwork on display includes flat burning on wood, gourd art decoration, 3-D leather and buckskin burning. Tue-Sat, 11 am-5 pm. Free. (847) 229-1000.

RENAISSANCE SOCIETY. Cobb Hall, Room 418, University of Chicago, 5811 S. Ellis. Free. Tue-Fri, 10 am-5 pm; Sat-Sun, noon-5 pm. (773) 702-8670.

RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 10621 S. Seeley. Ongoing: ''From the Homefront to the Battlefront.'' Thu, Sun, 2-5 pm, or by appointment. (773) 881-1675.

ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM. Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main, Rockford. Free. Tue-Fri, 11 am-5 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. (815) 968-2787.

ROSENTHAL ARCHIVES OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. The collection of audio-visual materials, programs, photographs, newspaper clippings, and administrative records document the activities of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Civic Orchestra, and other Orchestra Hall events. Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm, by appointment. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. (312) 294-3055.

RYERSON WOODS. Riverwoods, between Half Day and Deerfield, Deerfield. $8, $10. (847) 968-3321.

SCHINGOETHE CENTER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES. Dunham Hall, Aurora University, 1400 Marseillaise, Aurora. Tue, 10 am-7 pm; Wed-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Sun, 1-4 pm. (630) 844-5402.

SCITECH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTERACTIVE CENTER. 18 W. Benton, Aurora. Ongoing: ''Weather Wave''; ''Lithophone''; ''Giant Lever.'' Tue-Wed, noon-5 pm; Thu, noon-8 pm; Fri, noon-9 pm; Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. Adults, $6; seniors and children 3-17, $5. (630) 859-3434.

SHEDD AQUARIUM. 1200 S. Lake Shore. Thu, 6 pm-10 pm: Jazzin' at the Shed. Ongoing: The world's largest indoor aquarium is home to more than 22,000 animals and boasts a 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef where divers hand-feed fish, sharks and a sea turtle daily. The Oceanarium offers winding nature trails through scenic re-creations of a Pacific Northwest coastline and includes encounters with beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Alaskan sea otters, harbor seals and penguins. Animal Encounters, daily (times vary), when guests can look at learn about and touch such critters as a Chilean rose tarantula, leopard gecko, African bullfrog, red-tailed boa, yellow-footed tortoise, and more. The Oceanarium's Beluga School--It's Cool, daily at 11 a.m. Amazon Rising: Seasons of the River, looks at the largest freshwater river system in the world. Museum hours: Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm; Sat-Sun, 9 am-6 pm. All Access Pass (Aquarium, Oceanarium and Wild Reef): Adults, $23; Seniors and Children 3-11, $16. Mini Pass (Aquarium and either Oceanarium or Wild Reef): Adults, $18; seniors and children 3-11, $14. Aquarium only: Adults, $8; seniors and children 3-11, $6; children 2 and under, free. Discount for Chicago residents. (312) 939-2435 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

SMART MUSEUM OF ART. University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood. To Nov. 2: "Idol Anxiety." Tue-Wed, Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Thu, 10 am-9 pm; Sat-Sun, 11 am-5 pm; closed holidays. Free. (773) 702-0200.

SMITH MUSEUM OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Ongoing: Victorian Windows Gallery. The first museum in the United States dedicated solely to stained glass windows includes windows installed in Chicago from 1870 to the present, and features the Richard H. Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass with 13 windows that highlight the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany from 1890-1930. Mon-Thu, 10 am-8 pm; Fri-Sat, 10 am-10 pm; Sun, 10 am-7 pm. Free. (312) 595-5024.

SPERTUS MUSEUM OF JUDAICA. 618 S. Michigan. To Sept. 7: "Imaginary Coordinates." To Sept. 7: "Mapping Dystopia." Sun-Wed, 10 am-5 pm; Thu, 10 am-7 pm; Fri, 10 am-3 pm; Adults, $5; children, students and seniors, $3; Friday, free. (312) 322-1747.

SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM. 5211 N. Clark. Tue-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; Sat-Sun, 11 am-4 pm. (773) 728-8111.

THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. Second floor, York Theatre Building, 152 N. York, Elmhurst. Features blueprints, vintage photos and artifacts from theaters across the United States. Ongoing: ''Movie Palace Design Delights.'' Tue-Fri, 10 am-4 pm. (630) 782-1800.

THORN CREEK NATURE CENTER. 247 Monee, Park Forest. Nature Center hours: Thu-Sun, noon-4 pm. Trails open daily, 8 am-8 pm. (708) 747-6320.

TRAILSIDE MUSEUM. 738 Thatcher, River Forest. Located in the historic school and residential district of River Forest, the facility features displays of live local animals, and is also the site of Cook County's wildlife rehabilitation center. Free nature walks and bird hikes held regularly. Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun, 10 am-4:30 pm. (708) 366-6530.

UKRAINIAN INSTITUTE OF MODERN ART. 2320 W. Chicago. To Aug. 10: "Archipenko: Les Formes Vivants." $5 suggested donation. Tue-Sun, noon-4 pm. (773) 227-5522; www.uima-chicago.org.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO REGENSTEIN LIBRARY. 1100 E. 57th. Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-4:45 pm; Sat, 9 am-12:45 pm. Free. (773) 702-8705.

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY BRAUER MUSEUM OF ART. Valparaiso, Ind. Tue, Thu-Fri, 10 am-5 pm; Wed, 10 am-8:30 pm; Sat-Sun, noon-5 pm. (219) 464-5365.

VERMILION COUNTY MUSEUM SOCIETY. $2.50; $1 children. 116 N. Gilbert, Danville. (217) 442-2922.

VOLO AUTO MUSEUM. Volo Village Rd., one mile west of Ill. 12, Volo. A collector car showcase and marketplace, featuring a collection of 200 vintage vehicles. Daily, 10 am-5 pm. Adults, $8.95; seniors and veterans/active military, $6.95; children 6-13, $4.95; children under 6, free; Military personnel in uniform, free. (815) 385-3644.

WHEATON HISTORY CENTER. 606 N. Main, Wheaton. Now open: "The Eastland Disaster: Chicago's Titanic." Exhibit admission: $5. Ongoing: ''The Liberty Line: The Slaves' Road to Freedom.'' Mon-Wed, Sat, 10 am-4 pm. Adults, $2; students and seniors, $1. (630) 682-9472.

WILLIAM F. EISNER MUSEUM OF ADVERTISING AND DESIGN. 208 N. Water, Milwaukee, Wis. Ongoing: ''The Radio Interactive Booth''; ''The Television Gallery.'' Adults, $4.50; seniors, $2.50; children 12 and under accompanied by an adult, free. Tue-Sat, 11 am-5 pm. (414) 203-0371.