The Adler was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere when it opened in 1930, and it sits at the very tip of a narrow peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. That position gives it the best unobstructed view of the Chicago skyline -- the stretch of waterfront just east of the building is where most professional skyline photographs are taken.
Inside, the exhibits cover the history of astronomy alongside hands-on science. The two digital theaters screen full-dome immersive shows about black holes, the solar system, and the night sky. The Sky Tour live presentations are particularly good. Part of the Museum Campus, so it pairs naturally with the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.