Museum of Science and Industry

Originally built as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (later the World’s Fair), the museum is home to several larger-than-life permanent exhibits and innovative, educational programming. Its very first exhibit, the Coal Mine, opened in 1933 and still takes visitors to this expansive, subterranean world today. Other permanent exhibits include a real German U-505 submarine from World War II, a whispering gallery investigating the reflection of sound, a model ship gallery, and a miniature castle.

Prebook admission so you can skip the lines upon arrival or visit as part of a Chicago city tour. Several tourist cards—like the Chicago Explorer Pass and Chicago CityPASS—also include admission to the museum.

• The museum is easily accessible by foot, car, bus, or train, or bicycle.

• There’s a food court, a cafe, and an ice cream parlor if you get the munchies.

• Several gift shops with science-themed souvenirs are on-site.

• Strollers and wheelchairs are available in the Entry Hall.

The museum entrance is at E. 57th Street and S. Cornell Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood, very close to downtown and Lake Michigan. CTA bus nos. 2 and 6, and the Metra Electric Line stop just blocks away. Bike the Lake Shore Drive path to reach the museum; racks are on each side of the main entrance.

The museum is typically open from 9:30am–4pm, but extends its hours during spring break, summer, and winter holidays. It’s a popular destination for children’s groups and field trips, so expect to see a number of large groups during the school year. The complex is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

You may not think “shopping” when visiting a museum, but you’ll think differently after seeing the variety of souvenir options available here. Some shops are exhibit-specific, such as the U-505 store and Launch Pad, in the submarine and space center exhibits, respectively. Find educational games, gifts, toys, and fun trinkets for all, or take souvenir photos at the photo studio.

It depends on what you're looking for. The Field Museum has exhibits related to natural history, archaeology, and paleontology, while the Museum of Science and Industry has hands-on exhibits related to science and technology. The Museum of Science and Industry is much closer to downtown if you're still unsure.

Yes, you can go inside the U-505 submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Museum entry tickets give access to the U-505 exhibit, but taking optional 25-minute tours onboard the submarine requires an additional timed entry ticket. These tours include light and sound effects and a question-and-answer session.

Parking at the Museum of Science and Industry's underground garage— on East 57th Street and South Cornell Avenue—is free for visitors with Family Memberships. Visitors without memberships or individual and dual memberships must pay to park. One car per Dual and Family membership can park with a discount or for free.

Yes, you can bring food into the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago to eat on the front lawn or at designated areas with table seating: outside Ships Gallery and the Lower Court on the Ground Level, and the Museum Garden outdoor garden outside the Henry Crown Space Center.

Garfield and Cottage Grove are the closest CTA "L" train stations to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago—from the former, it's a short ride on the #55 bus. Also, Meter Electric Line trains stop two blocks from the museum at 55th - 56th - 57th Street Station.

General admission tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago cost US$25.95 for adults, US$14.95 for children, and free for members. These grant access to most permanent exhibits and some temporary exhibits—tickets for unique experiences, such as the U-505 submarine onboard tour, are between US$9 and US$18.