Most fun for the adults: Learning about the Mexican tradition of celebrating death.

Most fun for the kids: Enjoying all the bright colors and understanding why skeletons are dressed up when it's not Halloween.

Best ages for this attraction: Junior High and older.

Price per tickets: Museum admission is free. Donation is requested.

Every fall, the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum - the largest Mexican art institution in the country - hosts the Annual Day of the Dead Exhibition. This is an anything-but-typical galley experience on display from September 26 through December 14, 2003. This showcase pulls out all the stops to explore, celebrate and observer lives lived beyond the grave. Mexican communities from both sides of the border are represented in the museum's main space, offering diverse perspectives on notions of the afterlife.

About ten extravagantly adorned alters make up the exhibit. Various artists, poets and singers are celebrated. Celia Cruz, a famous Mexican singer, is honored with various pictures of herself set in front of an alter which appears as a stage. The singer's shadow appears behind a spotlight on closed white curtains. Items used in the person's every day life as well as food are usually part of the alter.

On of the most touching alters was one dedicated by a grandson to his grandfather. The man was not famous by any means and was a farmer his entire life. The artist wrote about riding in his grandfather's saddle when he was a small boy. The grandfather led a simple life and died in the same house he was born in. The fact that the alters are so colorful lead some to believe that the Mexican's are making light of death. But each and every item selected to be part of the alter has significance. I could really feel the love and respect that the grandson has for his grandfather.

In addition to alters, various pieces of artwork are also on display. Paintings hand on the walls depicting Day of the Dead celebrations and even some Mexican gods. A wonderful piece made by Oscar Armando Rodriguez Barreto of paper mache, wood, wax and chaquira beads shows two colorful skeleton heads which pop-out 3D from the picture mounted on the walls. There are also traditional skeleton figures made out of clay or paper mache dressed up and looking ready for a party.

The museum's humorous and spiritual side of death is the largest one of its kind in the country and serves as an excellent introduction to this ancient Mexican holiday.

To get there take the Blue Line 'L' train to the 18th Street stop.