Pops culture

If Dad likes frights…
The maze-like exhibit that houses the Field Museum’s mummies offers Dad as much suspense and intrigue as the latest James Cameron flick. One of the country’s largest mummy collections (with 23 on display), “Inside Ancient Egypt” includes beautiful inner coffins of Chenet-a-a and the spooky doorkeeper of the Temple of Amun. Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr (312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org). Daily 9am–5pm. $15, seniors and students $12, kids ages 3–11 $10. Discounts for Chicago residents.

If Dad likes drinking…
Alcohol commercials might be aimed at the lowest common denominator of men (a house made of Bud Light!), but real booze aficionados can nerd-out over Prohibition artifacts at the Chicago History Museum. In “Crossroads of America,” see a copper still used for home brew. Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St (312-642-4600, chicagohistory.org). Mon–Sat 9:30am–4:30pm; Sun noon–5pm. $14, seniors and students $12, members, kids under 12 and Mondays free.

If Dad likes trains…
In our very unofficial poll, we found that watching model trains ranks high in most enjoyable father-son activities (no joke, ladies). He’ll have hours of train-spotting at the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Great Train Story,” which features 30 mini automotives on 1,400 feet of track. Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr (773-684-1414, msichicago.org). Daily 9:30am–5:30pm; $15, seniors $14, kids ages 3–11 $10, kids 2 and under free. Discounts for Chicago residents.

If Dad likes sports…
This one’s for the guy who loves watching sports so much, he’d choose curling over SATC reruns. Take Dad to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame to see ephemera from some of his heroes, including boxer Rocky Marciano and baseball’s Tommy Lasorda. Marciano’s first heavyweight championship belt is one among dozens of sports artifacts on display. National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, 1431 W Taylor St (312-226-5566, niashf.org). Mon–Fri 9am–5pm; Sat, Sun 11am–4pm.

If Dad likes rocket ships…
As a kid, James Lovell dreamed about exploring outer space. Sound like Dad? Well, Lovell actually became an astronaut (not that there’s anything wrong with an office job!). Dad can take a peek into fellow-father Lovell’s career as the famed Apollo 13 commander by viewing the Adler Planetarium’s collection of his personal objects, including a letter he sent to NASA officials as an awed youth. Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr (312-922-7827). Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat, Sun 10am–4:30pm. $10, kids ages 3–14 $6.

If Dad likes war stories…
Even if Dad didn’t join the armed forces, chances are he still enjoys reading books and watching flicks about historic military battles. Tell him to turn off The Pacific and get over to the Pritzker Military Library, where he can look at countless books and ephemera, including medals, combat uniforms, swords and a diary dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Pritzker Military Library, 610 N Fairbanks Ct, 2nd floor (312-587-0234, pritzkermilitarylibrary.org). Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm. Free, membership $125.

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