South Loop & the Museum Campus
The Museum Campus in Chicago is a scenic 57-acre park situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and is home to the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium, three of the most iconic museums in the city. This park is also home to walking trails, gardens, and easy access to Soldier Field, Huntington Bank Pavilion and 12th Street Beach, making it a great spot for visiting museums, attending a concert or even swimming.
In the Museum Campus
- As a part of UChicago’s ArtsPass program, students receive free entry to the Field Museum with the presentation of a valid student ID at the ticket counter of the museum. This free entry is good for one student entry and a guest, so it is a perfect museum to check out if you have a friend visiting!
- The Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium are not currently part of the ArtsPass program, but they do host free days/nights throughout the year for Chicago residents, and your UChicago ID is accepted as a valid proof of residency. So, the Museum Campus is free to explore for UChicago students!
To learn about free days at Adler Planetarium visit their website by clicking here and to learn more about free days at the Shedd Aquarium visit their website by clicking here.
ArtsPass Partners in the South Loop Outside of Museum Campus
- The Revival [906 S Wabash Ave] is an improvisational comedy theater that presents live performances to the South Loop’s diverse population and offers student discounts on tickets.
- The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago [1306 S Michigan Ave] is one of the city’s leading presenters of contemporary dance, and they offer $10 tickets for students in their state-of-the-art South Loop theater throughout the year.
To learn more about what shows are currently being performed at the Revival click here, and to learn more about the current shows at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago click here.
Easiest Ways to Get There:
With UPass:
- Catch the 6 Bus at one of the multiple stops along Stony Island Ave [The closest stops to campus are: Stony Island Ave & 60th St, Stony Island Ave & 59th St, 5800 S Stony Island, and Stony Island Ave & 57th St] until the 1100 S Columbus stop, which will be the first stop after the bus exits Lakeshore Drive. Then you can easily walk to the ArtsPass Partner of your choice. If you are looking to go to the Museum Campus turn right and walk through the park towards the lake.
- On weekday mornings and afternoons you can catch the 2 Bus at any of the stops along E 60th St [There is a stop in front of BJ/South, as well as one in front of Logan Center!], then get off at the 1100 S Columbus stop and walk to your chosen destination.
With Metra:
- Catch the Metra at one of the three Metra Electric stops close that are close to campus [51st, 53rd St/Hyde Park, 55th - 56th - 57th St, and 59th St, University of Chicago] and ride the train until the Museum Campus/ 11th St. stop, then exit the train station and walk to your destination.
Other Things to Explore in this Area:
- Catch a sports game or concert at Soldier Field
- Catch a concert at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
- Explore the trails on Northerly Island and check out 12th Street Beach
- Take a walk through Grant Park or along the Lakefront Trail
- Watch people fishing off the Lakefront Trail and assess their technique
Restaurants for After/During Your Visit
- Flo & Santos [1310 S Wabash Ave] if you want awesome pizza, and pierogies
- Sweet Bean [1152 S Wabash Ave] if you want a casual Taiwanese bakery and coffeehouse to get your fill of pastries, buns, rolls and coffee