Chicago Day Three: The Fairy Castle

Well, if you haven't figured out by now with my blogs, I love museums, or any place where you can learn new stuff. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is my favorite museum because it's so hands on and I have found memories of visiting it as a child.  It also houses one of my favorite things to visit when I'm in Chicago, The Fairy Castle. The Fairy Castle was designed and created by silent film star Collen Moore in the 1920's. She designed it perfectly with people in Hollywood, then took it on tour to raise money for children's charities.  It has the most amazing rooms and each one is designed for Fairy Tale characters, like there are Cinderella's tiny glass slippers, and King Arthur's round table. Many of the items are made with gold, diamonds, real gemstones, blown glass, and ancient archaeological finds (tiny little vases). The items in this castle are priceless and this castle cost Colleen Moore over $500,000 (USD) back in the 20's and 30's. It has real running water and copper piping.  This was really the only reason I wanted to come back to this museum this visit, but it has a lot more to offer. 

We spent all day in the museum and I did not take any pictures, I was so wrapped up in every part of it. There was a exhibit about storms and they had a chamber with a created tornado and tsunami simulator. We also watched a movie in an Ommni Max theater called, "The Flight of the Butterfly." it was really informative about Monarch Butterfly migration. 

The special exhibit was Disney, they have several items from Walt Disney's life and costumes from the movies. At the end of the exhibit they are running a drawing class every fifteen minutes.  This is a temporary exhibit. 

Some of the highlights of this museum include the top floor has detailed information on anatomy, with examples of each of the systems in the body. I always found the circulatory system fascinating with all the different veins and arteries showing what they do and where they go. I also enjoyed the room of gemstones and the planes, there are real old airplanes hanging from the ceiling, there is also a simulation to go along with it. 

This museum has changed a lot over the years since I was a child, but it continues to be amazing. Every exhibit is curated with the most care and just about everything in the museum is hands on directed specifically for children. I recommend anyone to with or without children, it will keep you busy for hours and there is something for everyone.