CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago-area museums, zoos and other attractions welcomed more than 15 million visitors last year.
A group called Museums in the Park released attendance figures Thursday for 15 Chicago-area attractions. Combined attendance in 2015 rose 6 percent compared to the previous year.
The Adler Planetarium surpassed 500,000 visitors for the first time since 1993 following updates to its permanent exhibitions and opening new exhibits.
The Chicago Botanic Garden had more than 1 million visitors, with many lining up to see two giant corpse flowers, known for their stench when they bloom.
The year also saw the launch of Chicago Museum Week, seven days of discounts and special programming to increase awareness of museum activities and offerings.
