Museum of Science and Industry

Visiting the Museum of Science and Industry is one of the top 10 things to do in Chicago - the whole family will enjoy the unique, hands-on exhibits.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry with Go City®

• With us, there are no entry fees on the day – all you've got to do is show your pass.
• Access all permanent Museum of Science and Industry exhibits.
• Includes access to one film in the wrap-around, five-story Giant Dome Theatre. Current films include Blue Whales: Return of the Giants, Volcanoes: The Fire of Creation, Passport to the Universe and SuperPower Dogs.
• Your pass gives you access to many more attractions in Chicago.

Explore 14 acres of mind-blowing exhibits at MSI - the largest science museum in the country. It's housed in the only remaining building from the famous 1893 World's Columbian Exposition's 'White City,' and offers a variety of hands-on, dynamic activities and exhibits for guests of all ages. Get the entire experience with your Museum of Science and Industry Chicago tickets from Go City!

Venture down a makeshift coal mine, control a 40-foot indoor tornado, and display your pulse on a larger-than-life 3D model of a heart.

While MSI will no longer require guests to wear masks to enter the Museum, those exhibits, classrooms, and lab activities with limited space for physical distancing still have mask requirements. These include the Giant Dome Theater, U-505, Coal Mine, Future Energy Chicago, Dissect an Eye at MSI, and the Wanger Family Fab Lab. Your Museum of Science and Industry tickets give you a behind the scenes look at how industry shaped the Chicago landscape.

Museum of Science and Industry highlights

U-505 Submarine – explore a real German submarine – it's the only one in the United States.

Extreme Ice – walk through a photo exhibition showing the world's diminishing glaciers.

Numbers in Nature Mirror Maze – it's the most enjoyable way to learn math - conquer the twists and turns of this geometric mirror maze.

Giant Dome Theatre - The state-of-the-art laser projection system in MSI’s Giant Dome Theater is the first of its kind in Chicago—and one of only two in the world.

Museum of Science and Industry facts

• The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) has more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, over 35,000 artifacts and Chicago's only five-story, domed movie theater.

• MSI has welcomed more than 190 million guests since 1933. Every year, nearly 1.4 million guests visit the Museum, and MSI hosts about 300,000 children in school groups annually.

• MSI is the top field trip destination among Chicago-area cultural institutions for the 11th consecutive year.

• Through our Welcome to Science Initiative, MSI is:

  • Improving science teaching for nearly 1,000 educators annually through our science teacher education courses.
  • Inspiring 200 teens annually to consider science careers through our Science Minors and Science Achievers youth development programs.
  • Bringing science into communities and reaching 11,750 children through our network of 100+ after-school science clubs, and another 150,000 Chicago youth through our summer learning partnership with the Chicago Public Library and Chicago Park District.
  • Providing hands-on Learning Lab programs to more than 22,000 students.
  • Introducing 41,000 youth and their families to STEM professionals at Science Works career events, Jr. Science Cafes and other opportunities

     

Getting in

Simply show your pass to gain entry into the Museum of Science and Industry and one film in the wrap-around, five-story Giant Dome Theatre. Current films include: Blue Whales: Return of the Giants, Volcanoes: The Fire of Creation, Passport to the Universe and SuperPower Dogs.

Please Note: special exhibits, including the Blue Paradox and U-505 on-board tour, require an additional timed-entry ticket to be purchased. All subject to availability.

Parking: convenient indoor parking is available. You can find the entrance at the northwest corner of the building, at E. 57th Street and S. Cornell Ave.

Proof of vaccination and masks are no longer required. However, due to confined spaces, some experiences require masks.

For more information, visit the Museum of Science website.

FAQs

Q. What exhibitions can I expect to see at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago?
A. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago offers a wide range of exhibitions covering topics such as space exploration, transportation, health and wellness, and much more.

Q. Can I bring my own food to the Museum of Science and Industry?
A. Yes, you are welcome to bring your own food to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. There are also several dining options available on-site.

Q. Is there parking available at the Museum of Science and Industry?
A. Yes, there is parking available on-site at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for a fee.

Q. Are there any special events or programs available for children at the Museum of Science and Industry?
A. Yes, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago offers a variety of programs and events specifically designed for children, including hands-on exhibits and workshops.

Q. Can I take photos inside the Museum of Science and Industry?
A. Yes, photography is allowed inside the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, except in certain special exhibitions where photography may be restricted.

Q. What is the history of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago?
A. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago was founded in 1933 and is located in the former Palace of Fine Arts building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It is one of the largest science museums in the world.