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Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

5700 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Description

The Museum of Science and Industry is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park, Chicago. It has over 2,000 exhibits displayed in 75 halls, access to some of which requires payment of an additional fee. The star exhibits include a full-size replica coal mine, a German submarine U-505 captured during WW2, the command module of Apollo 8 and the first diesel-powered streamlined stainless-steel passenger train (Pioneer Zephyr).

Access & Transport

Bus #2 stops at 57th Street and Stony Island, one block west of the Museum. The #2 runs during morning and evening rush hour. Bus #6 stops at 56th Street and Hyde Park Boulevard, one block north of the Museum. Metra Electric Line trains to and from downtown Chicago stop at the 55th/56th/57th Street station, just two blocks from the Museum's north entrance Directions: https://www.msichicago.org/visit/getting-here/ Accessibility info: https://www.msichicago.org/visit/accessibility/building/

Instructions & Recommendations

At the time of this review, the cost for the Coal Mine tour was an additional $12/$9 and for the U-505 on-board tour was $18/$14.

Meta review

The museum is widely considered one of the main cultural attractions in Chicago and online ratings do back this up with exhibits such as the submarine and train among the favourites. Plenty to see and great for children according to parents BUT - and it is a big one - there are consistent negative comments about having to pay additional fees for what are considered to be the centrepiece exhibits so that the final price is hardly affordable for a group / family.

Environmental & Social

The greenest building is the one that already exists so thumbs up for keeping an existing structure in use. Educational aspects.

Conclusion

Chicago's MSI has a stunning architecture and some quite incredible exhibits which in many ways makes it a must-see for travellers and residents alike but we can't wrap our heads around the pricing - quid of the non-profit and education / science for all? It is one thing to have separate fees for peripheral add-ons but the coal mine for instance is expected (and should) be an integral part of the experience and capacity issues is not a convincing argument given that most visitors end up paying for it.

Key positive

Some fantastic exhibits

Gorgeous building

Educational and family friendly (besides the cost)

Key negative

Too expensive and commercially oriented

A little time consuming to get to

Suitability

Suitable for all ages and accessible.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in October 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closed on Thanksgiving and 25 dec. Start and end of Summer hours dates is an estimate

av. transport time:0h 35m

est. visit time:3h

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Jun, 15

Season 1

MONDAY09:30 - 17:30

TUESDAY09:30 - 17:30

WEDNESDAY09:30 - 17:30

THURSDAY09:30 - 17:30

FRIDAY09:30 - 17:30

SATURDAY09:30 - 17:30

SUNDAY09:30 - 17:30

Start of Season 2:Aug, 15

Season 2

MONDAY09:30 - 16:00

TUESDAY09:30 - 16:00

WEDNESDAY09:30 - 16:00

THURSDAY09:30 - 16:00

FRIDAY09:30 - 16:00

SATURDAY09:30 - 16:00

SUNDAY09:30 - 16:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
US$26
Adult
12 - 64
US$26
Child
3 - 11
US$15
Infant
0 - 2
US$0
Doesn't include ticketed experiences (coal mine tour, U-505, Giant Dome Theater)

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