Hi, I´m going to spend 3 days at Chicago on August. Once I don´t have much time I would like to know if I should visit any of the museums (Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum). Its worth saying that I'll be in NY first and plan to visit there the National Museum of Natural History. Thanks.

Museums:

Science and Industry is very cool (German U-Boat, planes, etc.)

Art Institute - huge but you could just opt to see the impressionist painting collection which is amazing (favorite is "sunday, a day in the park").

Garfield Park Conservatory - Chiuhly (sp?) glass exhibit set in the conservatory amongst the plants. Very unusual exhibit and not something you'll see everywhere.

Acquarium - good exhibits and dolphin show is interesting. Would put the above items first.

Field Museum - not bad, but similar to what you'll see in NYC. Others are better by far.

I haven't been to the Museum of Natural History in NY, but I can tell you I love the Field Museum in Chicago and we go every time we are there. The Sue (the Dinosaur) exhibit is fantastic, as is the exhibit on the origins of the universe, the visit to an Egyptian town (which starts in a pyramid), the gems, and many more. Also, on the complex is the aquarium, which we like a lot and the planetarium, which has some incredible interative exhibits, including a Mission to Mars, which is the world's first interactive digital movie, I think. The audience makes decisions of what to do and drives the landing craft together, like one giant video game. You can go to all three museums in one day, and the views of the lake are beautiful from the aquarium and planetarium.

So, I'd say it depends on your interests. There is so much to do in Chicago, and your three days will fly by.

Put the Art Institute at the top of your list. It's one of our country's great museums! Seurat's Sunday in the Park (sorry, forget its French title!) is one of many masterpieces there. Its Impressionist collection is excellent.
While an interesting facility, the Field Museum cannot compare to the American Museum of Natural History in NY. So, I'd make the Museum of Science and Industry #2.

Hi, thanks everybody for the tips!
I´m sure I´ll use them a lot...

Bye.