Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

Opened in 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry -- touted as the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere -- is not only an excellent educational experience, but a lot of fun for both kids and adults.

The Museum of Science and Industry is included with the purchase of a Go Chicago Card. (Buy Direct)

The Museum of Science and Industry is included with the purchase of a Chicago City Pass. (Buy Direct)

57th Street and Lake Shore Drive773-684-1414There are several bus options that run from downtown to the Museum:

• Hyde Park Express (#2) south to 57th and Stony Island, Museum is 1 block east.
• Jackson Park Express (#6) south to 56th Street, Museum is 1 block south.
• Stony Island Express (#28) south to 56th and Hyde Park Blvd., Museum is 1 block south.
• The best bet on weekends or every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Museum of Science and Industry bus (#10) runs straignt to the Museum's front door.

For more information and links to system maps, read my article on Chicago public transportation.

Lake Shore Drive south to 57th Street. Turn right, and follow 57th around to the west side of the Museum. Turn left into parking garage.Parking is available in the museum's underground parking garage. Cost is $14 per vehicle.Monday - Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Museum of Science and Industry is open every day except Christmas Day (December 25).

• General Admission: Adults, $13; Seniors (ages 65+), $12; Children (ages 3-11), $9.
• Museum plus Omnimax Theater Admission: Adults, $20; Seniors, $19; Children, $14.
• U-505 Submarine On-Board Tour (requires general admission, not included): All Ages, $5.

(Prices subject to change)

• All Aboard the Silver Streak
• Animated Industrial Gears
• Apollo 8 Command Module
• Body Slices
• Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle
• The Coal Mine
• The Chick Hatchery
• Enterprise
• The Farm
• Flight 727
• The Great Train Story
• Henry Crown Space Center
• The Idea Factory
• IMAGING: Tools of Science
• Lunar Module
• Mercury Space Capsule
• NetWorld
• Omnimax Theater
• Out of the Vault
• Petroleum Planet
• Prenatal Development
• Reusable City
• Robots Like Us
• Ships Through the Ages
• Toymaker 3000: An Adventure in Automation
• The Transportation Zone
• U-505 Submarine
• Walk-Through Heart
• Whispering Gallery
• Yesterday's Main Street

Built for $3 million in the 1930s, the Museum of Science and Industry opened as the first interactive museum in the North America. And that's what makes the Museum such a fun time. It's not about merely gazing at boring displays, but rather a hands on approach to the learning experience. Whether it's hearing a mere whisper travel across a long hall or touring a genuine U-505 submarine, there are sensory experiences galore and puts the Museum of Science and Industry as one of my most recommended Chicago attractions.

The Museum of Science and Industry's collection of over 35,000 artifacts draws millions of visitors every year. The Museum also plays host to a number of excellent touring exhibits as well. Among the highlights of the Museum's exhibits are:

The Coal Mine One of my most vivid memories of the Museum as a child, the Coal Mine takes visitors 50 feet underground into a real mineshaft. Not recommended for the claustrophobic!
U-505 Submarine This is a real German submarine, and the only one captured during World War II. Viewing a giant U-boat up close is quite a sight in and of itself; being able to tour the inside as well makes this a very unique experience.
ToyMaker 3000 Very popular with the kids, this is a working toy factory manned by 12 robots.
Omnimax Theater The Omnimax is a wrap around movie screen that stands 5 stories tall, enveloping the viewer and providing a sense of "virtual reality".

Read more about Chicago museums.

Museum of Science and Industry website

The Museum of Science and Industry is included with the purchase of a Go Chicago Card. (Buy Direct)

The Museum of Science and Industry is included with the purchase of a Chicago City Pass. (Buy Direct)