Art Institute of Chicago

Semiramide Rossini's rarely-produced bel canto masterpiece receives a dynamic staging at the Met for the first time in almost 25 years.

Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. What there is to see: The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Gainsborough and the famous triple portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck.  In 1992 fire destroyed or damaged more than 100 rooms at the Castle. By good fortune the rooms worst affected were empty at the time, and as a result, few of the Castle's artistic treasures were destroyed.  The highly acclaimed restoration work, completed in 1997, is a testament to the extraordinary skills of some of the finest craftsmen in Europe. From October to March visitors can also enjoy George IV's private apartments (the Semi-State Rooms), among the most richly decorated interiors in the Castle. St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. Among the highlights of a visit to Windsor is Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the most famous dolls' house in the world. The Drawings Gallery shows changing exhibitions of material from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. The special display below is shown alongside a selection of treasures from the Royal Library.   Photographer Credits: Image 1: Photographer: Mark Fiennes, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 2: Photographer: Dennis Gilbert, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 3: Photographer: Ian Jones, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Image 4: Photographer: John Freeman, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013   Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace has provided a luxurious retreat for many of Britain's most famous Kings and Queens. Henry VIII was so inspired by it that he spent three of his honeymoons here. And visitors continue to escape to Britain's greatest palace to experience its history, splendour and stunning scale. Discover what it was really like to live and work at Hampton Court Palace. Take a fascinating journey through 500 years of royal history. Marvel at the impressive architecture and opulent interiors of the State Apartments and see the vast Tudor Kitchens in full swing. Enjoy the breathtaking Great Hall and Chapel Royal, and see how Sir Christopher Wren transformed the palace to rival Versailles. Take time to appreciate one of the finest collections of Renaissance paintings in Europe, and listen to tales of intrigue at the royal court from expert guides dressed in full historical costume. Or enjoy an audio tour, available in 9 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Korean and Japanese. They can be collected from the Information Centre in Clock Court. And that's before you've even begun to explore the stunning riverside gardens where you'll find the famous Maze and one of the world's oldest vines. ‘Top Ten’ things to see and do at Hampton Court. These sights are 'unmissable' Access to these sights is included in your admission ticket, unless otherwise stated. Henry VIII's Great Hall The Great Hall is England’s greatest medieval hall and one of Britain’s oldest theatres. William Shakespeare’s company performed there in 1603-4. Young Henry VIII exhibition Meet the 'pin-up' prince, before he became fat old Henry VIII, at our Young Henry VIII exhibition (included in your admission ticket). The exhibition includes paintings and interactive displays. The world famous Maze Test yourself and get enjoyably lost in 'the most famous Maze in the history of the world'. Entry is included in your ‘All Palace and Gardens’ admission ticket. A 'Maze only' entry is also available. Tudor kitchens  Built to feed the Court of Henry VIII, the kitchens were expected to provide meals for 600 people twice a day. See the kitchens today and experience the sights and smells of a real Tudor kitchen! Beautiful gardens Wander through over 60 acres of beautifully maintained and internationally celebrated gardens at Hampton Court Palace. Entry is included in your ‘All Palace and Gardens’ admission ticket. Henry VIII: Heads and Hearts Join Henry for his wedding celebrations and see surprising portraits and personal objects of his wives. Family fun activities We have a wide range of activities and tours to entertain families. Choose from family trails, our world-famous maze, costumed guided tours, live Tudor cookery and much much more.  The Chapel Royal This beautiful chapel has been in continuous use for over 450 years. Visitors are welcome to attend religious services at The Chapel Royal. Tiltyard café - kids' meal deal! History makes you hungry! At the Tiltyard café, choose from any kid's hot meal with lemonade or milk and a fairy cake for just £3.95. Deliciously great value.

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO One of TripAdvisor's Top Museums in the World—Four Years in a Row - 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 Adler Planetarium Featured Shows: Planet Nine - In July 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft gave us our first close look at Pluto, the most famous dwarf planet in the outskirts of our Solar System. The New Horizons flyby was big news, and the pictures it continues to send back to Earth reveal a world far more complex than anyone realized. ​Destination Solar System - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER The year is 2096. Space tourism is booming, and you’ve signed up for a quick trip around the Solar System with Space Express Tours! In this live show, your guides are Jesse, a lovable rookie tour guide who can’t wait to show you the wonders of your celestial neighborhood, and Max, the much more experienced—if slightly grumpy—shipboard computer. With Max steering the ship and Jesse chattering excitedly about each place you visit, you’ll soar through the Asteroid Belt, explore the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and hover over the roiling surface of the Sun. Hold on tight! Cosmic Wonder - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Ever since the first curious person looked up at the night sky, people all over the world have challenged themselves to uncover its secrets. What are stars? How did they get there? Why does our view of the sky change throughout the year? What holds the Universe together? Skywatch Live - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER The Adler’s view of downtown Chicago is magnificent, but the lights of the city make it a little tough to see the ones in the sky. What’s a stargazer to do? Join us for Skywatch Live! In this show, your live presenter will turn down the city lights and crank up the stars to show you the night sky over Chicago like you’ve never seen it before. You’ll learn how to navigate by starlight, get to know the stars behind your favorite constellations, and witness the incomprehensible vastness of the Universe without ever leaving your seat. Earth, Moon & Sun - WHAT YOU WILL LEARN With the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions, kids will laugh and learn as they explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Coyote has lots of misconceptions about our world, the universe, and well… just about everything. Coyote’s humorous mistaken ideas about the universe help the audience understand how the Earth, Moon, and Sun work together as a great big system. Undiscovered Worlds - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Until very recently, the only planets known to us were the familiar worlds in orbit around our Sun. In the last two decades we have confirmed more than 1500 new planets, called exoplanets, orbiting other stars; thousands more are awaiting study. Undiscovered Worlds tells the tale surrounding this explosion of discovery and examines what will be required to determine which, if any, of these new exoplanets can support life. Welcome to the Universe - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER In Welcome to the Universe, you’ll get a clear picture of your place in this jaw-dropping cosmic landscape. With the guidance of a live presenter, you’ll explore the Pleiades star cluster, sail past the Andromeda galaxy, navigate the galaxies of the Coma Cluster, and discover hidden wonders of the Universe. One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Join Big Bird and Elmo on an unforgettable journey to the Moon and back! When Elmo’s friend Hu Hu Zhu stops by Sesame Street for a visit, he notices that Sesame Street is a little bit different from his home in China. But when he looks up at the sky, he feels right at home. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu may live in different cities, but they share the same sky! Featured Exhibits: (Temporary) - What is a Planet? - What You’ll See And Do: Witness how astronomers and the media reacted to Pluto’s reclassification in 2006. Learn what the current definition of a planet is and hear what Adler Astronomers think of the current definition. Voice your opinion about Pluto alongside skeptics and space enthusiasts through an interactive voting poll in real time. Explore artifacts from the Adler collections that illustrate the ever-evolving definition of a planet. This temporary exhibition, which is included with general admission, will be open to the public from March 19, 2016 through January 8, 2017. Mission Moon - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Mission Moon invites you to experience America’s first steps into space through the eyes of NASA’s Captain James A. Lovell Jr. and his family. You’ll find out how the United States became the first nation to put a man on the Moon, what it’s really like to be an astronaut, and why it takes a team to explore uncharted worlds. Community Design Lab - In the Community Design Lab (CDL), you can test different materials to find out which ones will survive the journey to 100,000 feet above the Earth’s surface. Your discoveries may find their way into a future flight with Far Horizons, the Adler’s high-altitude ballooning program! If you could photograph an object in space, what would it be, and who would you share it with? In the CDL, you can build a DIY telescope-mount for your smartphone and become an instant astrophotographer! Test it out on one of our ’scopes and share your photos on social media. Our Solar System - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Our Solar System is much more than a star and eight planets; it is home to a set of diverse and amazing objects that we are only beginning to understand. Pilot your own adventure in Our Solar System and explore the variety of objects currently orbiting our Sun. The Universe - A Walk Through Space & Time - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Transport yourself to the distant corners of the cosmos and witness how the Universe evolved over 13.7 billion years, from the Big Bang to this morning’s sunrise. Follow the Universe from its meager beginnings and see how galaxies, stars, planets—and all the atoms in your body—were created as the Universe grew. Explore regions farther than our Solar System, billions of light-years from home. Zoom from one wondrous location in the Universe to another and investigate the most diverse and beautiful objects in deep space in ultra high resolution from the world’s most advanced telescopes. Planet Explorers - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Are you interested in going to space and exploring other planets? Prepare for your out-of-this-world adventure in Planet Explorers. Begin by exploring your home, your backyard, and the sky above. What you discover will prepare you for your mission to space and the mysterious Planet X. Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Astronomers have studied the cosmos for thousands of years, but until about 400 years ago, they did it without telescopes! In Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass, you’ll find extraordinary beauty and technology in some of the world’s most important telescopes and learn how these clever light-catching devices helped us discover our Universe. Clark Family Gallery WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER This futuristic, constantly changing environment features a one-of-a-kind architecture with vibrant lighting and video presentations. It was created using approximately 13,000 linear feet of aluminum tubing and 20,000 square yards of fabric. The gallery also has 125 LED lights, each capable of producing sixteen million different colors and over two billion different lighting combinations. Astronomy in Culture - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Go back in time and learn about some of the people and societies who have challenged themselves to understand our place in the Universe. This exhibition features spectacular astrolabes, armillary spheres, and sundials to illustrate the medieval European and Middle Eastern conception of the Universe. Visit our medieval classroom to find out how much different school was back then. Learn how to use early astronomy tools including astrolabes and sundials. Atwood Sphere - WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER Experience the night sky over Chicago as it appeared in 1913 in the Atwood Sphere – Chicago’s oldest planetarium. Although the star positions have not changed since then, we can see only a small percentage of these stars in our current night sky due to light pollution. The sphere is seventeen feet in diameter and has 692 holes drilled through its metal surface. These holes allow light to enter and show the positions of the brightest stars in the night sky. Take a live guided tour of the Atwood Sphere and identify stars and the constellations they form.

Die HMS Belfast ist einer der mächtigsten großen leichten Kreuzer, die je gebaut wurden und heute das einzige Schiff siener Art, das während des Zweiten Weltkriegs im aktiven Dienst gewesen ist. Die HMS Belfast spielte eine führende Rolle bei der Zerstörung des Schlachtkreuzers Scharnhorst sowie der Landung in der Normandie. Bis 1965 im Dienste der Royal Navy, wurde sie 1971 für die Nation als einzigartige Erinnerung an das britische Marineerbe gerettet.   Launch! Shipbuilding Through the Ages Diese neue, familienorientierte Ausstellung wird praktische und computergestützte interaktive Displays sowie Film- und Filmmaterial nutzen, um Techniken des Schiffbaus vom "Zeitalter des Segels" bis zu modernen Vorfertigungsmethoden zu demonstrieren. Die Ausstellung wird sich mit der Wissenschafts-, Ingenieur- und Sozialgeschichte des Schiffbaus in Großbritannien beschäftigen, und die interaktiven Elemente der Ausstellung werden es Kindern jeden Alters ermöglichen, sich zu engagieren und diese Geschichte zu erleben.   Erkunden "Was sollen wir als Gegenleistung für so viel geben?" HMS Belfast ist eines der mächtigsten großen leichten Kreuzer, die je gebaut wurden, und ist nun das einzige überlebende Schiff ihrer Art, das während des Zweiten Weltkriegs aktiven Dienst stand. Während ihrer 32-jährigen Amtszeit spielte sie eine wichtige Rolle sowohl im Zweiten Weltkrieg als auch im Koreakrieg und erfüllte friedenserhaltende Aufgaben in den 1950er und 1960er Jahren. Die HMS Belfast wurde 1971 vor der Zerstörung gerettet und ist heute Teil des Imperial War Museum und das erste Schiff, das seit Nelsons Sieg für die Nation erhalten wurde. Mit seinem Team von Mitarbeitern und Freiwilligen - von denen viele eine erfahrene Crew sind - ist das Imperial War Museum bestrebt, dafür zu sorgen, dass die HMS Belfast immer noch eine Rolle dabei spielt, die Besucher an ihren einzigartigen Platz in Großbritanniens maritimem Erbe zu erinnern.   Geschichte der HMS Belfast Der Begriff "Kreuzer" geht auf die Zeit der Segelschiffe zurück, als große Fregatten von der Hauptflotte getrennt werden konnten, um unabhängig zu fahren. Wie ihr Pendant aus dem zwanzigsten Jahrhundert war der Segelkreuzer ausreichend stark und schnell, um feindliche Handelsräuber anzugreifen und zu zerstören. Während des 19. Jahrhunderts, als die Segel dem Dampf Platz machten und hölzerne Schiffe durch Eisen- und später Stahlschiffe ersetzt wurden, entwickelte sich der Kreuzer zu einem mächtigen Kriegsschiff, das die Handelsrouten des Imperiums patrouillierte und die freundliche Handelsschifffahrt schützte. Nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg (1914-1918) entstand eine einzige Kategorie von Kreuzern, deren Größe durch die Größe ihrer Geschütze angezeigt wurde; So ist HMS Belfast ein 6-Zoll-Cruiser, der für den Schutz des Handels, für Offensivaktionen und als leistungsstarke Unterstützung für amphibische Operationen konzipiert wurde. Bitte beachten Sie: Kinder unter 16 Jahren müssen von einem Erwachsenen begleitet werden. Bitte planen Sie 1½ - 2 Stunden für Ihren Besuch ein.

SPACE NEEDLE Two Visits Visit the Space Needle for spectacular views twice within 24 hours – once during the day, once at night. From 520’ the Observation Deck provides a 360° view of Seattle and beyond that commands your attention. See the snow-capped Cascade Mountains to the east and the majestic Olympic mountain range to the west with breathtaking indoor and outdoor viewing. For Pacific Northwest cuisine that is matched only by the views served with it, visit SkyCity, the Space Needle’s revolving restaurant. Highlights Unparelelled views of Mt. Rainer to the south, the Cascade range to the East, and the majestic Olympics to the West. Perched atop a hill in Seattle Center, its 605-foot height appears even taller. Zoom in on the action below with a Swarovski telescope, for free. Colorful, imaginative graphics around the outer edge of the observation level and the informative displays along the interior tell you what you are looking at so you don't have to guess. SEATTLE AQUARIUM Discover playful sea otters, graceful octopuses, luminous moon jellies and more. Be amazed by Window on Washington Waters, a 120,000-gallon exhibit with daily dive shows. Touch live sea creatures in our tide pools. Immerse yourself in our Underwater Dome’s 360° view. Take a virtual trip to the tropics in our Pacific Coral Reef exhibit. Highlights Visitors are entertained by a fabulous assortment of charming marine mammals, including sea otters, harbors seals and fur seals. Frequent interpretive shows highlight marine life from the Puget Sound region. Two large tidepools allow visitors to reach in and feel live seastars, urchins, sea anemones and kelp. The Underwater Dome provides 360-degree views of Puget Sound life within a 400,000-gallon tank ARGOSY CRUISES HARBOR TOUR Learn about Seattle on this entertaining, one-hour, live-narrated cruise of Elliott Bay and the Seattle Harbor. View the spectacular panoramic background of the majestic Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. See the city’s historic waterfront, sparkling Emerald City skyline, busy shipyards, colorful Alki Beach and breathtaking natural beauty. Highlights Take in amazing views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay waterfront, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, shipping terminals, and historic neighborhoods. Expert narration offers interesting facts about waterfront piers, Seattle’s maritime history and Space Needle. You’ll have terrific views of the Space Needle. Catch a glimpse of container ships and The Washington State ferry fleet — the largest in the U.S. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) Experience the power of pop culture in MoPOP's colorful Frank Gehry-designed building! Explore some of the most significant moments in rock music, science fiction, and popular culture with hands-on experiences, iconic artifacts, and award-winning exhibitions featuring luminaries in the fields of music, literature, television, video games. CityPASS includes general admission to MoPOP at Seattle Center, located just steps from the Space Needle. Highlights
Watch music performances and light shows in Sky Church, featuring a mammoth 60’ HD LED screen.
Explore the tools of rock'n'roll in Sound Lab, where you can play instruments, jam out with friends in soundproof rooms, and record your own song.
Travel to a pixelated world of wonder and play in Indie Game Revolution, and get the whole family in on the fun by playing one of the twenty featured single and multiplayer games.
Trace the historical development of the signature instrument of rock ‘n’ roll in Guitar Gallery: The Quest for Volume, presenting 55 vintage, world-changing guitars from the 1770s to the present.
View an original manuscript page from Game of Thrones, in Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic, the Vince Lombardi Trophy in We Are 12™: The Seattle Seahawks and the Road to Victory, a Gizmo puppet from Gremlins in Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film, the Staff of Ra headpiece from Raiders of the Lost Ark in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame exhibition, and Klingon robes from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction.
Travel alongside the legendary Jimi Hendrix at the height of his fame in Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-1970.
OR WOODLAND PARK ZOO Discover the world of gorillas, elephants, lions, birds and more at a top award-winning zoo. See Humboldt penguins "fly" underwater in a state-of-the-art exhibit. Go eye-to-eye with orangutans in an open forest canopy. Explore Zoomazium’s nature play space. Smell the roses in a glorious Rose Garden. And enjoy squealing Asian small-clawed otters coming in 2013! Minutes from downtown. PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER Pacific Science Center is Washington’s leading institution for fun and engaging learning for children, families and guests of all ages. Explore hundreds of interactive exhibits, wander among fluttering tropical butterflies, touch live marine animals, explore distant galaxies and immerse yourself in a giant-screen IMAX® movie. Highlights The Tropical Butterfly House is warm and sunny every day of the year thanks to full-spectrum lighting. Learn how personal choices can positively affect our health and well-being atProfessor Wellbody's Academy of Health and Wellness, a new 7000-square foot permanent exhibit that presents health as a life-long process of balancing exercise, diet, proper rest and hygiene. Meet seven robotic dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era in Dinosaurs: A Journey Through Time. Learn about new advances in health scientific innovation at The Studio. CityPASS includes one regular IMAX® movie​. OR CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS ​Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity, creativity and color come to life. Throughout the Galleries, ever-changing Garden and signature Glasshouse, you’ll be inspired by artist Dale Chihuly’s innovation and passion. Includes complimentary audio tour (smartphone required).

Enjoy the incredible views from Santander up high! We'll pick you up straight from the Station and whisk you away to one of the finest destinations that Santander has to offer, the famous Cathedral, located right in the heart of the city at Bus Stop 1. It has an eye-catching gothic style architecture and was first built a the end of the 12th century. We'll drive straight through the main street of Santander, the Paseo de Pereda. Hop-off at Bus Stop 2 where you can take a leisurely stroll around the peaceful gardens and embrace the beauty of this city. The Cantabrian Maritime Museum is a must-see attraction. Here, at Bus Stop 4, you can discover the Cantabrian Sea throughout its history. Enjoy the breath-taking sea views from up top as we drive you straight to the Sardinero beach, one of the most popular beaches in Santander. Hop-off at Bus Stop 7 to soak up the sunshine and enjoy a nice, cold beer at one of the beach bars. There's even a casino within walking distance if you're feeling lucky. Or if you're more of a golf person, head to the Club de Golf in the Mataleñas at Bus Stop 8.