

World leaders will come to Chicago for the NATO summit May 19 and 20.

(Photo courtesy of the City of Chicago)

Several major tourist attractions in Chicago will be closed this weekend because the city is hosting the annual North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit of world leaders.

The Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute of Chicago will be closed from Saturday the 19th, reopening on Tuesday the 22nd. Under previous arrangements with the U.S. Secret Service, the museums would have only been closed Sunday the 20th.

Erin Hogan, a spokeswoman for the Art Institute, said the decision was made to close the Institute from this time period for logistics reasons, citing employees getting to and from the location. The Museum’s new exhibit examining the works of the artist Roy Lichtenstein will be open to the public on Tuesday the 22nd.

The Adler Planetarium was due to begin the new space exhibit Welcome to the Universe during the week but has moved its public opening to next Friday, the 25th. Molly O’Connell, a spokeswoman for the Planetarium, said the decision was made to close from the 19th through the 21st to allow visitors to have the best possible experience. “It will be a challenge to reach the museum campus,” O’Connell said.

A spokeswoman for the Shedd Aquarium declined to comment.

However, The Field Museum, looking at ancient history, is remaining open during the summit, closing on the 20th, in line with arrangements with the Secret Service. “We have worked with the Secret Service and are confident that we can provide our visitors a good experience on both Saturday and Monday,” said Emily Waldren, a spokeswoman for the Field Museum. “Roads to the museum will be open as well as pedestrian walkways.”

NATO was formed in 1949 and is composed of 28 countries including the US. The War in Afghanistan and the withdrawal from it is to be the key topic. Chicago was originally due to host the G8 summit May 18 and 19, but was moved to Camp David, just outside Washington, in March.

Hogan adds that the issue of lost revenue to be dealt to the Institute and other organizations has yet to be resolved. A spokesperson for the NATO host committee did not respond to a request seeking comment.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was updated on May 15th at 12pm Central time to reflect new information received.