Museum Access

Host Leslie Mueller explores Chicago's premier destination, the Museum of Science and Industry. Take a 'Behind the Scenes', on board tour of the World Famous U-505 submarine...the centerpiece of an unforgettable exhibit. Experience life aboard this German Sub first hand, as it looked days before it's capture by Americans off the coast of Africa during World War II. We will also get to see some rarely seen artifacts from the sub's crew as well as from those who captured this piece of American Naval history.

Join host Leslie Mueller at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History as she meets Sue, the most intact Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered. Head of Geological Collections, Bill Simpson, takes us on a private tour of one of the fossil preparation labs to learn about the elaborate 12 year process of reconstructing Sue for exhibition. We also get a look at how this priceless piece of natural history is carefully cleaned twice a year.

Join Leslie Mueller in America's largest art museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Learn about this amazing 2 million sq. ft. museum that houses 5,000 years of world history, perched atop 5th avenue in New York City. Explore the centerpiece of the Egyptian Art Collection, the Temple of Dendur and get a peek at how this important piece of Egyptian history was carefully cleaned by museum curators. Then learn about the mystery that surrounds the most powerful female in ancient Egypt, Pharoh Hatshepsut.

Explore the John G. Shedd Aquarium, home to over 32,000 aquatic animals. Watch the beluga whales in one of their private training sessions. Take a peek into the bustling food preparation kitchen and visit the in-house veterinary hospital, then learn how one lucky lizard go an unusual gift, thanks to the creative staff and the 3-D printer located in the one of a kind Teen Learning Center.

Leslie Mueller travels from the 12th century world of astronomy to the Apollo XIII launch at the Adler Planetarium. Get a look at rare artifacts from the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy. We will also see the hands-on NASA control center, take a closer look at the actual 2 man Gemini 12 capsule and meet commander of Apollo 13 mission, Capt. James Lovell. We'll hear about his journey from a young rocket enthusiast to NASA astronaut orbiting the moon.

Travel back to ancient China with host, Leslie Mueller as she visits the "Terra Cotta Warriors" exhibition at the Field Museum in Chicago. Learn how the powerful First Emperor of China commissioned a 30 year project, creating more than 8,000 figures to be buried around him. These figures silently guarded his tomb for 2,000 years before being discovered. Enjoy a "Behind the Scenes" look at the Field Museum Team Members working on this very special exhibition and see why it has been described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Explore Mother Nature with host Leslie Mueller in a living museum of plants, the New York Botanical Garden. Home to over 1 million plants, 50 gardens and the stunning Haupt Conservatory. Learn about what this 250 acre National Historical Landmark offers it's visitors year round. Experience fine art in a botanical setting at the special exhibition featuring the work of world renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. Get a 'behind the scenes' peek at his creative process and the herculean task of installing these massive yet delicate glass sculptures throughout the gardens, ponds and conservatory.

Join host Leslie Mueller as she steps back into the world of Leonardo DaVinci. Take a 'Behiind the Scenes' look at the workshop in Florence, Italy where the working models of DaVinci's inventions were hand crafted by skilled artisans according to his original drawings. Then visit the special hands-on exhibition that is traveling North America, 'the DaVinci Machines', on loan from the DaVinci Museum in Florence, Italy.