No where does it say it's closed to the public on the website. When we pulled up asking to see the bison the security guard very rudely said "nope. We're closed. Turn around". read more

The weird building where all these lectures tend to occur needs an update IMO. The topics and speakers get me there... adding a 45min trek to the boonies after work... But the chairs in the lecture hall... who knew dwarves and hobbits liked going to Fermi? I mean, if you are over 5' tall its like hell... or economy on Spirit with 12" legroom. Dunno about you, but I am NOT a FAN to have 2" distance between your knees and someone's scalp. And VV for my scalp. BONUS: You get cookies and milk/juice after each lecture. AND there is free WiFi (2x) access! read more

Fears of the world coming to an abrupt and violent end abounded when it first went on-line in '83. But the doom of mankind never came to pass, a shock to the "true believers" who swore we'd all disappear in a flash. Yet the doom of this huge reactor could not be rectified without a huge injection of...not protons, but funding baby, money honey...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/science/18collider.html?_r=1&emc=eta1 Ashes to ashes, taxes to dust Even a 4 mile, government-built collider Will turn to rust... (Rust never sleeps) Long live CERN! (or until the Euro's also tire of funding this ginormous financial black hole). And pray that's the only reason it "disappears". read more

I fear that this place will cause our great demise one day. Half the scientific experiments that go on here are barely understood by the average human (just visit their website to truly understand what their purpose is). A lot of the things they take on seem to be ultra "top-secret." I was surprised to not find a website about Fermilab conspiracies... Here's what I've learned about them: -They bought up all the land it sits upon, owning preexisting roads and leaving them with random dead ends in public and causing them to be abandoned within the property itself (Wilson and Batavia Streets for example). -A herd of bison roam the lands to show tourists a piece of our true 'Americana'. Too bad you have to go out into the West to see bison now-a-days and Fermi auctions their share off every so often for thousands of dollars a 'lo. -They send what are called neutrinos through a neutrino beam 800 feet below the ground all the way up to Minnesota to study their speed and power. Who knows what else they have up their sleeve but I can promise you that it's all done with our tax money and causes some unknown illness to those that live nearby in West Chicago and Batavia. Explore it all for yourself during their public tours on the first Sunday of the month and on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m...if you dare. Featured in the Weekly Yelp-Chicago Burbs "Lions, Tigers, And Yelps: Oh My!" on August 25, 2012:http://www.yelp.com/weekly?editorial_id=x0cLn6DbC3Tgm72DZ1Akcg read more

Fermi National Accelerator Lab - Fermilab Wilson Hall (from website) - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Loved it. Interesting and very unique. It is just the guides, just start any casual conversation about neutrinos and you are quickly engulfed in an engaging group discussion. Wow! read more

Fermi National Accelerator Lab - Old positron generator - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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Literally cannot believe they do such important work and their grounds are open for picnics and buildings are open for tours. Amazing place, cool architecture, beautiful prairie land, and bison! Husband had a summer job here and father-in-law used to work here. Plan to visit again. :) read more

I love Fermilab, but I admit a certain prejudice as I have several friends who work there. I have been to art exhibitions, tours and concerts out there and enjoyed every experience. The concert was Tuvan throat singers. It was a wonderful evening. The art exhibit was work by employees. Artistic brilliant techies. Unfair somehow, LOL. If you've never been to Fermilab, check out the programs they offer, and of course check out the buffalo herd. The property is extensive and dedicated to prairie restoration. read more

As a world-class research facility, Fermilab hosts a cosmopolitan population of really smart people, and stages a variety of cultural events to keep these folks happy. Fermilab also tries to maintain good relations with the surrounding community, and as such shares these events with the community; additionally, a variety of programs are aimed at non-scientists to share what is going on not only at Fermilab but in other cutting-edge areas of science. The Public Lecture Series, on occasional Friday evenings, features world-class scientists presenting their work for a lay audience. In my experience, these talks have been challenging but very understandable, often with well-composed visuals that clarify, astonish, and amuse. Most lectures are about physics, but some are also about biology, paleontology, climatology, etc. Videos of some past lectures are now available online. Tickets are $5 and available at the door but they do sometimes sell out, so advance purchase is always wise. There is also an arts series featuring chamber music, folk music, acrobats, dance, you name it. A film series features mainly foreign and art films, with occasional pop cultural surprises. There are of course many educational programs from K-12 through undergraduate, graduate, and professional. The Lederman Science Center features a small hands-on museum demonstrating how particle accelerators and other technology at the lab work. The famous Fermilab prairie hosts a number of life science programs. Oh yeah, there are tours of the lab, of course. (Thanks to the other Mark S. for reminding me.) I could go on forever, but that's what their website is for. Or you can easily sign up for email updates. Don't overlook this treasure chest of science and culture! read more

I was invited out to Fermi for business. I was fully prepared to meet some of the world's most intelligent brainiacs, and discuss project far beyond my level of comprehension, but the scene I pulled up to really took me by surprise. I envisioned some new age, ultra modern facility, but when I pulled up, it looked like I was entering a nature preserve. All preconceptions went out the window from there on. The main building reminded me of a college campus-- people quietly interacting, reading or eating. The huge pendulum in the atrium was memorizing. Outside the building was the accelerator which was marked by a moat of sorts (for cooling). Flora and fauna went on for miles, and wildlife thrived. The major attention grabber being buffalo. Yeah, they roam the grounds. It looked like a great place to bring a family; or in my case, a day adventure with the Mister. I can't wait to go back. read more

Great place to check out the lives of scientists and learn a little about their world. I've done the Ask-a-scientist free tour and lecture on the first Sunday of each month three times now, and it's honestly an amazing experience. The workers are all so personable and pleasant, and the facility is very open for the public to check out. Love it and highly recommend it for a day out. read more

Fermilab is a giant physics laboratory near Chicago. At the same time it's also a natural reserve, so it's a very nice place to work but also to go during the weekend for a picnic or just to walk and cycling in the green. read more

Fermi National Accelerator Lab - From Wilson hall. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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Fermilab is a good place to work, visit, play, or relax. Not all at the same time though. They keep Bison on the grounds, and do many other things to preserve the natural habitat here. There are trails, paths, walkways, and bridges to get to where you want to be. You can choose to be in a secluded part of the property, a more populated part, or anything in between. The public is welcome to come explore the campus and all there is to see. You don't have to be a science junky to find something you enjoy. There is a "Pioneer Cemetery" where tombstones go back hundreds of years, an airfield for model planes, a dog training area, fishing, prairie grass, woods, a fire department, food, a science learning center, habitat ponds, and much more. It's fun for the family and completely free to enjoy. There are many bike paths, so riding into the lab is an excellent option. Spring is springing, so get active and come visit this area where science and nature meet. read more

Fermi National Accelerator Lab - Wilson Hall - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

First it was strange that there were only 7 reviews for FermiLab when I looked it up on Yelp. Then, no one so far had written about their excellent concert arts series. The first reviewer did discuss the lecture series. But that can be challenging unless you are into particle physics or science in general. The FermiLab Arts Series, however, is approachable for everyone, and they book quality acts that often never show up anywhere else in the Chicago area. Back in the late 1990s this series featured The Palladian Ensemble, a British period instrument chamber music group that had only recently formed. Although one would have expected them to be on the bill at a concert series on a university campus, this wound up being that group's one and only appearance in the Chicago area. I just got my brochure for the 2010-11 Arts & Lecture Series in the mail. The "Art" part is an eclectic mix of comedy troupes, performers of popular music ("A Celtic Christmas," a solo concert by Susan Vega), a program of the best of Dance Chicago 2011, a sports related offering of Shakespeare's works, and much more. A more formal part of the series is for those in the community that have affection for "classical" music (a three-concert mini series, including The Three Celli). You can order a copy of the upcoming season's brochure or view a PDF of it at their Web site. There are also gallery spaces in the FermiLab building, which host exhibitions of fine art, photography, sculpture, and crafts from around the suburbs. Check their Web site for the current calendar. For many years, FermiLab also presented a respectable film series in their huge auditorium. But alas, for many reasons (I'm guessing the competing pull from cable, Netflix, and online atractions), that series has ended. read more

This was a super cool place to visit. Everyone was knowledgeable and friendly and we got to see many parts of the facility, as well as getting to tour around the main building and its 14th floor. All in all, an awesome visit and I'd recommend it to others! read more

You don't have to be a noble winner or even understand basic physics to enjoy the cultural events that Fermilab offers. I've attended several lectures and gone to a few concerts here. Most people don't know that Fermilab offers concerts and lectures to the general public. Many of the lectures are aimed at non-scientists like me. The lectures have been interesting and informative with a good deal of humor mixed in. The concerts I've gone to have been enjoy and the tickets are affordable. read more

Fermilab is a great place to visit, but petty bureaucratic nonsense is making it a pain to visit for photography groups. I used to lead groups there a couple of times per month. Then their rep announced that Fermilab no longer welcomes organized photography group tours. It's unclear if photographers are welcome on other tours. All attempts of scheduling tours were stonewalled. They were always "full" and I was told to contact them "next year." I know for a fact that was B.S. Maureen Hix, the person in charge of education tours has this thing about photographers. You can go by yourself and see a lot of the location. But forget about booking a tour. read more

Fermilab is a veritable mecca of culture, science, and photographic opportunities. If you'd like a quick idea of what's there, here's a link to a bunch of Fermilab photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/fermilab/pool/ If you'd like further details, check out Fermilab's Web site, here: http://www.fnal.gov/ Enjoy! -Michael read more

I am sorry to hear that the Fermi Lab ( formerly the National Accelerator Lab) has turned into some sort of a animal farm for kids and picnicers. The bison were placed there because of the fear of radiation on workers that would have to tend the center of the booster ring. The central cooling ring also was very active and care is used to protect everyone nearby. I worked for the Lab from about 1968 to 1972. As an Artist and designer for the Design Architects and photographer, it was meant to be a whole lot more, believe me. You need to look deeper. It was a very interesting and rewarding position, full of everyday suprises and meeting many interesting people from all over the world. I did work with the model builders, scientists, and construction and those that planned the many projects. Most of all the Boss of Bosses, Robert R. Wilson. A great man of many talents. I consider it the most rewarding jobs I ever had. Hi to any who are still with us. Geno Loro, Sr. Troup, TX read more

It is a great place, nice people, and very beautiful. Glad to have such a wonderful landmark in Batavia.

Remember to bring your ID (drivers license) - they do check when you enter the facility. You just tell them where you're going and you're in. We visit quite often to take our dogs to the dog park. You definitely have to know where you're going to find the dog park... there are no signs once you enter the facility. Open all year long, the dog park isn't fenced but the area is huge.. There could be 5 or 6 cars there and you probably won't see another person walking around until you walk back to the car. You park and then basically walk into a field. There are 2 paths right when you walk in (just from people walking there frequently), so we just hop on one and go. You can walk all the way back to a stream and around wherever you want. There are some paths here and there from people walking (they aren't paved or cut down or anything). All the dogs there are very well behaved - we've never had an issue but our dogs have e-collars. We take the dogs there as often as possible - February through early May. In May the ticks come out... the place is CRAWLING with them. Took the dogs there last weekend for the last time - came back with 8 ticks on one dog and 7 on the other, along with some crawling on my shirt and pants. NOT fun. We won't be going back until it gets cool enough - September or so. Also - beware of Cyotes. They are there frequently - we have seen several of them. Always be on the lookout. Overall - great place to run your dogs, just don't go during the summer unless you don't mind being covered in ticks. read more

Until recently, Fermilab had a Neutron Cancer Treatment facility (different from electron/photon or proton beam radiation), and I did some consulting and contract work with their patient database. As a certified oncology (cancer) data specialist, I learned a lot there, not the least of which was that they don't have buffalo there any longer and haven't for years. What you see that you think are buffalo are actually the irradiated rats..... (little joke I heard from one of the physicists who worked in the neutron facility). Every day when I entered and when I left, I walked past huge machines that beeped and flashed, and bore the yellow and black "danger - radiation" signs -- I felt like I was in a Star Wars movie. As I'd walk in the hallways there, and at the main facility where I'd sometimes go for lunch, I would invariably encounter men and women whose brains were clearly whirring and buzzing--busy doing the constant multi-faceted stream of THINKING (in capitals) that is a given at Fermi. When I mentioned this to my son, a meteorologist, he referred to these people as "brains with limbs for locomotion". It was funny -- but I think quite true. On a serious note, I loved working there -- and just being there in general. It was the exciting stimulation of knowing the indefinable level of research by the indefinable intellects that inhabit that world. Yet, they were--and are--very real people; sometimes with peculiar senses of humor. People who are so extremely invested in their work (and maybe a little bit possessed by their work). It was a heady experience, spending my work days on that scene. You knew you were in a place where monumental things were discovered. I was sorry to leave Fermi when my contract project there ended. The neutron radiation helped so many cancer patients (including my own 90-year-old mother), many of whom had given up hope and came to Fermi for a last chance (my mother, who was not a surgical candidate at her age, definitely benefited from her treatment). Other forms of radiation treatment have developed since then and moved to the front line, such as proton radiation, IMRT, etc. But there are SO many other fabulous reasons to visit Fermi. The arts and entertainment performed in the auditorium; lectures; the tours as mentioned by a previous reviewer (yes, do call ahead); the science center for kids (and grown-ups); the natural aviary (wonderful place to bird watch--I confess to being one of those strange people who quietly stalk birds with binoculars and a life list in hand, and no, not they're not in cages [the birds, that is, not the people), they're wild and they live on site). By the way, Fermi has a web site for birdwatchers who report their sightings and exchange information on the latest winged visitors spotted. And of course, there are the radiated rats that, amazingly, bear a strong enough resemblance to buffalo to fool most people, the coyotes (lots of them), deer, and smaller creatures. Finally, in response to one reviewer's comments about "strange illnesses in West Chicago" (you need to be a little more specific and factual there, sir) there is a little bit of "scary" about the place. Much of what goes on at Fermi IS "top secret" (and like what happens in Vegas, it stays at Fermi). Knowing that I was daily sitting in the neighborhood of the largest particle accelerator in the world (until CERN's came along a few years back), there was a little niggling nervousness. But hey, all of life can be scary, can't it? The more we find out about things, the more we recognize that we know so little. And Fermi is the place where there's a lot of "finding out" going on. So don't hesitate to visit this unique place that has so much to offer. Pam in Batavia P.S. I've lived closer to Fermi than West Chicago all my life, just a couple of miles away, and I haven't yet developed a "strange illness", nor have I heard of any actual facts about such in West Chicago. read more