Museums

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, one of the largest science museums in the world, is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and nearly 14 acres of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. 

Since opening our doors in 1933, we’ve welcomed more than 175 million guests from around the world. Our mission, to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational, is realized through world-class exhibits such as: Science Storms, revealing the science behind some of nature’s most powerful phenomena;YOU! The Experience, an exhibit that lets you explore what it means to live a vital, healthy life in the 21st century; and the U-505 Submarine, the only German U-boat in the United States.

Even bigger than our mission is our vision, which is to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and medicine. In addition to our fun and interactive exhibits, the Museum’s Center for the Advancement of Science Education(CASE) is continually developing and facilitating student learning labs, after-school science clubs, teen volunteer programs, teacher development classes and community outreach—all ways in which MSI makes science come alive for children and adults of all ages.

The Museum is housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It was built as the fair's Palace of Fine Arts by Burnham & Root architect Charles Atwood and is now the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. Our facilities include:

• Over 14 acres of hands-on exhibits
• More than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space
• Chicago's only five-story, domed Omnimax® theater
• Restaurants: The Brain Food Court, Jazzman's Café and Finnigan's Ice Cream Parlor
• Gift Shops: Museum Store, The Galaxy Shop, The Kids Stop and the U-505 Store
• A student and teacher e-learning center with videoconferencing capability
• An 800-seat auditorium and two smaller theater spaces
• Twelve learning lab areas for education programming
• Convenient indoor parking connected to the Museum's Entry Hall
• Wheelchair and stroller rental and coat check facilities

There are always new things to do and see at the Museum of Science and Industry.  Prepare for your visit by checking out our fun and interactive exhibits and experiences.