Officials announced earlier this month that the Field, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium would all be closed Sunday, the first day of the two-day summit. Officials at Adler and Shedd opted to close both Saturday and Monday due to traffic and transportation concerns because of road closures, but Field officials said they would remain open both days. Field spokeswoman Emily Waldren said updated information, including Metra station closures announced Friday, caused them to change their minds.
“We had some new information, specifically the Metra closings, and we thought , ‘Is our staff going to be able to get here? Can our visitors get here?’ ” she said.
While it will close Monday, the museum will maintain regular hours Saturday.
The Art Institute of Chicago joined Shedd and Adler in the decision to close all three days. Shedd will have 50 to 60 employees sleeping at the aquarium all three days to care for the animals, including a pregnant dolphin due to give birth, said spokeswoman Andrea Smalec.
The Museum of Science and Industry, at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, is open all three days and is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal during the NATO summit.