Science Museum

The Exploratorium, an experimental museum/learning lab in San Francisco, got a new 330,000-square-foot waterfront home on Pier 15, and we got a sneak peak of the science center before its official grand opening on April 17. The museum focuses on five areas: senses and perception, human behavior, living systems, "tinkering" with tools, and — thanks to its new campus situated right by the bay — outdoor environments.

From gigantic 300-year-old trees to perception-distorting tubes and pixels, the Exploratorium wows with science. There are mind-blowing exhibits galore (the Exploratorium has over 600!), but we're looking forward to returning to the museum for seven art-meets-science projects in particular. Check out the eye-opening experiments you absolutely must get your hands on when you visit the Exploratorium, and preview the new indoor/outdoor space that'll have you marking San Francisco as your next geek destination.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is holding its second Month at the Museum contest, which has one winner living in the museum for 30 days. From Oct. 19-Nov. 17, 2011, the winner will live, sleep, and breathe the museum, exploring its hidden world and sharing it with the public. Based on the blog and video from last year's winner Kate McGroarty, her 30 days made for incredible memories and, of course, lots of science exploring. We looked back at Kate's experience and found four highlights that would entice us to enter the contest:

1. Quality astronaut time — The museum is home to the Apollo 8 capsule, and during Kate's stay she had breakfast with Apollo 8 astronaut Jim Lovell, who was part of the team on the first mission to enter the moon's orbit.
2. Halloween ghost hunting — Last Halloween a group of paranormal investigators toured the building searching for spooky activity.
3. Foster parenting — On one of her several excursions away from the museum, Kate traveled to a local farm and selected chicken eggs, which later hatched under her watch.
4. Submarine slumber — Kate spent a night in the cozy quarters of a German U-boat captured during World War II after learning about the history and significance of the submarine.

When the residency is up, the winner will also receive $10,000 and can keep the laptop and digital camera used to document the museum experience. Applications are due July 22. Click through for photos of the Museum of Science and Industry, and a peek at the winner's living quarters.

Where to check in; where not to check in? That is the question. You can rest assured that these five locations aren't only a-OK, but they will also solidify your geek cred (especially if you're the mayor)!