Arts & Entertainment
Chicago’s Museum Campus Institutions Closed Friday Due to Extreme Cold, Public Encouraged to ‘Stay Safe’
The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium are closed Friday due to extreme cold. (Chansak Joe / iStock)
With an extreme cold warning in effect and actual air temperatures below zero in Chicago on Friday morning, several of the city’s major cultural institutions have announced closures to the public.
Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium — all situated on Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus — have announced they will be closed Friday to “encourage guests and staff to stay home and stay safe,” the trio said in a joint statement. Essential staff will be onsite to care for animals and collections.
The three plan to reopen Saturday, when temperatures are expected to creep above zero, but the organizations encouraged guests to check their respective websites for updates before visiting.
The Museum of Science and Industry, located on the south lakefront, will be open Friday.
Brookfield Zoo is open to visitors, but its main/north entry gate is closed Friday. Guests should enter via the south gate.
Morton Arboretum has delayed its opening Friday until noon, and its Children's Garden will be closed.
Chicago Botanic Garden's greenhouses were already closed to the public due to preparations for the garden’s upcoming orchid show.
Numerous small businesses across the city have also announced closures. The mantra for Friday is “check before you go.”
Officials are advising people to remain indoors if possible.
According to the National Weather Service, the worst of the cold will begin to abate by noon on Friday, but wind chills of minus 15 to minus 25 degrees will persist through Saturday morning.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
