The Museum of Science has an IMAX theater (Mugar Omni) and at the time I was visiting my daughter, they were showing "Mysteries of Egypt". We bought tickets for Sunday afternoon and admission is $8.00. Word of caution: if you are prone to queasiness, don't go there. Michele, who thrives on scary rides, was feeling dizzy.
Everything is covered in blue rugs or painted blue, so you already have a feeling you're going beyond terra firma. All the walls in the lobby are glass so that you can watch the film running through the system while you wait...pretty cool.
Once you are seated, you are completely surrounded by image, sound, graphics flashing overhead,-in other words you are immersed into the action.
Omar Sharif narrates this tale, and is Egypt's favorite son, having brought fame to this land. He plays the part of a wise grandfather relating the story of the ancients to his grandaughter in the hope of instilling in her the sense of awe by recounting the story of one of the world's seventh wonders. The action speeds up via aerial shots of the Nile's thundering falls, and looking at the pyramids from their top down,-gasp! Thank you National Geographic!
It takes us over the Valley of the Kings, and to the determination of one Englishman (Howard Carter) to find King Tutankhamen's tomb. We also follow along some of the areas that have been subject to looting; as our eyes continue on the path of the pyramid's incline, we are reminded of the wonder that these structures, built over 5,000 years ago, the construction of which continues to amaze modern day architects. We also hear again how a dead king was buried in the chamber with "eternal" food, vessels, gold and other riches to sustain him in his continuation in the beyond.The pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the three which stand at Giza.
There are other exhibits and interactive challenges such as Science in the Park, and a hands on experimentation station called "Investigate". We did not linger, but did stop by a picture booth to get a souvenir picture of the 2 of us with the Museum of Science Logo. For $5.00 you get a fun colored picture with faces placed inside a pyramid.
You can get here by "T" on the green line Science Park and walk over the traffic circle on the sky ramp, then walk about two blocks past the police station. If you're driving, there is a large parking garage with fair rates. There is no on-street parking in the vicinity. The lobby for the theater has glass walls so you can observe the equipment, and watch the giant film running through the projection system while you wait.
The largest and most famous of all the pyramids, the Great Pyramid at Giza, was built by Snefru's son, Khufu, known also as Cheops, the later Greek form of his name.