Find higher education at these exhibits

1Flight simulator, Museum of Science and Industry
For an extra $5 over admission price, you can jump in a flight simulator and be the gunner or pilot of an F-35 Lightning II that makes 360-degree turns at the push of a button. Beats the hell out of Xbox. 57th St and Lake Shore Dr (773-684-1414).

23-D Milky Way Theater, Adler Planetarium
Grab some special 3-D glasses at the theater’s door and watch planets and stars come within inches of your face as a voiceover gets philosophical on the galaxy’s vastness. 1300 S Lake Shore Dr (312-922-7827).

3Museum of Holography
More than 100 optical artworks, including (try to follow this): holograms of binoculars or telescopes that you can actually look into and see a hologram of birds or outer space. Damn. 1134 W Washington Blvd (312-226-1007).

4Lower level of Oceanarium, Shedd Aquarium
When you’re staring up at the tank of dolphins and sea otters, it almost feels like you’re swimming with the animals. But then you get the munchies, and turn around and grab some popcorn in the café and, uh…fantasy’s over. 1200 S Lake Shore Dr (312-939-2438).

5“Underground Adventure,” Field Museum
This walk-through exhibit about dirt (err…soil biodiversity) shrinks you down to a half-inch height via a wacky lights-and-mirrors “transmogrifier” room. Then we dare you not to lose your shit when faced with giganto animatronic ants and spiders. 1400 S Lake Shore Dr (312-922-9410).