Chicago museums' best online tours

While there's no substitute for a day (or night) at the museum, you can experience much of our world-class city from your computer. So swap gift shop goodies for microwave popcorn, pull up a chair or two and start exploring!

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Museum of Science and Industry

Try the "Simple Machine" game (left), where you direct the robot Twitch to collect machine parts hidden all around the museum. It's up to you and Twitch to use found objects to create simple machines, devices that will help him solve challenges with a minimum of force, collect the parts and stay out of trouble. There's also a fascinating series of "How-To" activities that are perfect for a rainy (or snowy) afternoon: fly a hot-air balloon, analyze candy using chromatography, and make a "comeback can."

Start exploring!