Whether or not you’ve recently hopped the southbound El or Metra, leaving Northwestern’s campus in favor of Lake Shore Drive’s Museum Campus, it might be time to make a trip. Museums considered some of Chicago’s main tourist attractions also house valuable finds for locals – and all collections are housed indoors, far away from the snow and cold. The employees at Chicago’s museums shared their insiders’ perspective on moonwalking, Russian photographic prints, and Chicago history:Perched at the edge of Museum Campus, Adler Planetarium is famous for its shows and digital night-sky projections, most of which take place in its Infinity Theater. People flock to the museum, but, according to Jerone Thadison, an Adler guest service representative, the exhibits with the most authentic space artifacts are often overlooked. “The exhibit I feel may be most underrated is the ‘Shoot for the Moon’ exhibit. We have the actual Gemini space capsule in there. I don’t think people know that,” Thadison says.Once you’re done shooting for the moon, the Adler’s simulators are another group of little-known attractions that pack a punch. “We have this thing called the ‘Lunar Elite.’ It’s a show that makes you feel as if you are taking a jump on the moon,” Thadison says. “We have free days also, so if you came on a free day (the next is January 27) you could ride for free.”But don’t neglect the city’s hidden gems. Centrally located in Chicago’s downtown, Columbia College’s Museum of Contemporary Photography has a surprising amount of work on hand, according to Aidan Fitzpatrick, an undergraduate intern working her second semester at the museum. “We have over 8,000 pieces in the permanent collection here in the museum. Some are rotated out and go to other museums around the country. There’s a huge range in photographers, from people that are from the United States and also abroad,” she says.The museum is also expanding holdings in its more exotic portfolios. “We just got a big donation from someone that had a big collection of Russian photographers,” Fitzpatrick says. “I actually get to work hands on with those, conditioning them, to see what state they’re in and what happens with the prints when we get them.” She recommends browsing for your favorite photos before making a visit. “You have to schedule an appointment to have a print viewing of some of the pieces. Now we’re starting to move all of the permanent collection online, so people can go on the Internet and see what we do have.” Her top choices are Manuel Alvarez Bravo and Gary Winogrand. If your taste is more local, find the Midwest Photographer’s Project at the MoCP. Through submissions, artists from the Midwest can apply to be a member and have their portfolios on view for two to three years. “It’s local, contemporary artists. There’s some pretty exciting work there,” Fitzpatrick says.So hop on that El and find the museum that suits you best.