Museum of Science and Industry Tips: Allow A Lot of Time

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the coolest museums of all time. Its massive facility houses a full-sized airplane, train, and submarine, all of which you can climb inside, plus a few hundred other things competing for your attention. Your family will easily fill a day there. So what Museum of Science and Industry tips do you actually need to plan it without losing your mind (or your kids)?

One quick heads-up before we start: in May 2024, after a $125 million gift from Ken Griffin, the museum was officially renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (most people just say “Griffin MSI”). The exhibits, the building, and the locals’ habit of calling it “MSI” all stayed the same. We use both names below so you can find it however you search for it.

Quick Verdict: Is the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Worth It?

Yes — easily. It’s the best big museum in Chicago for families, and you can fill an entire day on general admission alone without paying for a single add-on. Just go in with a plan, arrive early, and lower your expectations to sea level for anything you eat on property. Here are the bare facts before we dig in:

• Where: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637
• Admission: around $25.95 adult / $14.95 child (ages 3–11); kids 2 and under free
• Hours: roughly 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours — always check the current schedule
• Time needed: all day. Seriously.
• Parking: about $22 in the underground garage for non-members
• Reservations: timed-entry tickets are required — buy ahead

What Museum of Science and Industry Tips Do You Need to Plan Your Day?

1. Location

2. Parking and Transportation

3. Ways to Save on Griffin MSI Tickets

4. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Hours

5. It Will Take All Day

6. There Are A Lot of Stairs

7. Make a Plan

8. Everything Isn’t for Kids

9. You Can Come and Go

10. Outside Food is Allowed

11. The Museum Food is Bad

12. Must See Museum of Science and Industry Exhibits

13. Special Events

14. There is a Baby Care Center

15. You Can Check Your Coat

16. Low-Sensory Exploration is Available

17. Do You Need a Reservation?

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Museum of Science and Industry Tips and Tricks

1. Location

The museum sits in Hyde Park at 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637, right on the lakefront. If your map app still shows the old “South Lake Shore Drive” name, don’t panic — the city renamed the road DuSable Lake Shore Drive, but it’s the same stretch of pavement you’ve always driven.

2. Parking and Transportation

How Much is Parking at the Museum of Science and Industry?

There is an underground parking structure attached to the museum entrance at the northwest corner of East 57th Street and South Cornell Avenue. Parking runs about $22 for non-members. Membership perks have shifted around, so verify the current per-tier deal before you count on it — at last check, Dual members got discounted ($8) parking and Family and higher tiers got it free.

Pro tip: Have your membership card ready when you enter the garage. You have to scan it.

Note: The parking charge is per car. One family cannot arrive in two cars and park both for free. Nice try.

Note: The garage has closing hours. It may seem like a smart idea to leave your car in the lot and go explore other parts of Chicago after the museum. It won’t work — confirm the garage’s posted closing time before you wander off.

Note: The garage can fill up. Arrive early.

Public Transportation

You can reach the museum without a car. The CTA #10 Museum of Science & Industry Express stops right at the entrance in season, and the #2 and #6 buses run nearby. By train, the Metra Electric Line stops about two blocks away at the 55th/56th/57th Street station, and the South Shore Line stops at 57th Street. If you’re staying downtown and weighing the rental-car math, our roundup of what to pack for Chicago with kids covers how to get around the city with little ones in tow.

3. How Much is the Museum of Science and Industry?

Tickets for Griffin MSI are reasonable for a museum this size even at full price, but there are several ways to pay less. Prices creep up over time, so treat the numbers below as a ballpark and confirm the current rate when you book.

Online Direct Purchase

As of this update, standard general admission is around $25.95 per adult and $14.95 per child ages three through eleven. Kids two and under are free. If you live in Chicago, you’ll want to flag your residency at checkout — city residents currently get roughly $9 off adult and $5 off child general admission.

Pro tip: Buy your timed-entry tickets ahead of time online. It skips a line at the door and locks in your entry window.

Bonus pro tip: Check for discount tickets and offers on the museum’s own pricing page before you buy. Free and reduced days come up more often than you’d think.

Consider a Museum of Science and Industry Membership

Are you going to go a couple of times? Is your family interested in the extras? If so, a membership may pay for itself. You get some solid perks, plus some fluff, like free coffee. The three entry-level tiers below have held their prices, which makes them a decent value; the museum has since added pricier upper tiers (Explorers, Catalyst Society, and so on) if you want to bankroll a planetarium wing. Your most affordable options are:

Individual Membership

Individual membership admits one member and one guest. It runs about $95 per year and includes:

• Four discounted special-exhibit tickets
• Four Giant Dome Theater tickets
• 10% off food and merchandise

Dual Membership

Dual membership admits two members and one guest. It runs about $145 per year and includes:

• Six discounted special-exhibit tickets
• Six Giant Dome Theater tickets
• Discounted ($8) parking
• 50% off admission to many other local museums (but not the other major Chicago ones)
• Free admission to other museums in the Association of Science and Technology Centers
• 10% off food and merchandise

Family Membership

Family membership admits two adults, kids under age 18 who live in the member household, and one guest. It runs about $195 per year and includes:

• Unlimited discounted special-exhibit tickets
• Ten Giant Dome Theater tickets
• Free parking
• One free guided tour per year
• 50% off admission to many other local museums (not the other major Chicago ones)
• Free admission to other museums in the Association of Science and Technology Centers
• 10% off food and merchandise

CityPASS

Visiting multiple Chicago places to spend money tourist attractions? You may be able to save with a CityPASS, which bundles Griffin MSI with other big-ticket attractions at a discount. You can add extra experiences when making your reservation, so you aren’t stuck with bare-bones admission if you go this route.

Pro tip: You still need to reserve a timed entry through the museum’s own system separately from your CityPASS purchase. The pass gets you in the door; the reservation gets you through it.

Go Chicago Card

A Go Chicago pass admits you to multiple attractions for one price. If you planned to hit more than one place, this may be your best bet. Same rule as CityPASS — reserve your museum entry time separately.

Museum of Science and Industry Groupon

Periodically, you can find a deal on Groupon. It’s hit or miss, but worth a thirty-second look before you pay full freight.

Free Admission for Military and Select Groups

Active-duty military members and their families get in free from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day, and the museum participates in the Museums for All program for visitors on government assistance. Discount and free-entry programs change, so confirm what you qualify for — and don’t forget your ID.

Kids Museum Passport

The Kids Museum Passport program through the Chicago Public Library provides free admission for some family members. If you have a library card, it’s free money.

Free Admission for Members of ASTC Institutions

If you already belong to a science museum back home that’s part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, your membership may get you in here free. Bring the card.

Check for Group Discounts

Groups and field trips are bookable again, and larger parties can qualify for discounted rates. If you’re wrangling a crowd, check the current group policy and reserve well ahead — the museum handles big groups on timed entry like everyone else.

Free Museum of Science and Industry Days

The museum offers free admission to Illinois residents several times per year. With free stuff comes massive crowds. Think sea-of-humanity crowds.

Pro tip: Avoid these days like the plague. The savings isn’t worth your sanity.

4. What Are the Museum of Science and Industry Hours?

The museum is generally open 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, with extended hours (often until 5:30 p.m.) in the summer, roughly June through mid-August. The old “closed Mondays” framing no longer applies — it’s open seven days a week now, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours still shift with the season, so check the current schedule before you go.

5. How Long Does it Take to Go Through the Museum of Science and Industry?

The museum covers roughly 400,000 square feet across multiple levels. This will not be a quick in-and-out. Plan to be there all day. If your kids are the “we’re leaving in two hours” type, this is not that kind of place.

Pro tip: Arrive early. The crowds are lowest in the morning. Enjoy the exhibits without throwing elbows for the first couple of hours.

6. There Are A Lot of Stairs

If you want to get around quickly, the stairs are your best bet. There are elevators, but they are few and far between. Mentally prepare yourself to wait longer than you would expect if you need one — and if you’re pushing a stroller, build that wait into your plan.

7. Make a Plan

This museum is a beast. If you haven’t been there, you don’t appreciate how large it actually feels. So what’s the best way to see the Museum of Science and Industry?

The answer is different for everyone. Look at the museum map before you arrive and know your priorities. With that said: arrive early, eat at an off time, and save exhibits and shows with timed entry for the afternoon. If you want to visit the Idea Factory, head there first, followed by Science Storms. For a broader strategy on doing a big attraction with little kids, our theme park travel tips for little kids translate surprisingly well to a museum this size.

8. Everything Isn’t for Kids

The vast majority of the museum is family friendly. However, some exhibits cover topics you may not be ready to explain to a five-year-old yet — war, death, and the inside of the human body, to name three. Peruse the museum map ahead of time so you can steer around specific sections if you want to.

9. You Can Come and Go

You can leave the museum and re-enter on the same day. Eating elsewhere is worth considering, since the on-site food is the weak link (more on that below). There are plenty of restaurants near the Museum of Science and Industry in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

10. Outside Food is Allowed

You can bring your own food, and you may want to. The museum allows outside food in designated eating areas, including the front lawn in good weather. Pack a cooler, claim a spot on the grass, and save your money for a toy from ToyMaker 3000.

11. The Food is Bad

The museum has food. That is the extent of the positive things I have to say. It costs more than your kids’ braces and is low quality. Even with a membership discount, the price is hard to swallow. Pun intended.

Note: If you have a serious food allergy, the museum asks that you contact staff in advance. There is no allergen-free kitchen, so plan accordingly.

Pro tip: The museum can make gluten-free pizza, but it will not be prepared in a gluten-free environment.

Bonus pro tip: Eat at an off time. The food-service spots are mobbed during normal lunch hours.

12. What Can You See at the Museum of Science and Industry?

Permanent Exhibits Included with Your Museum Entry

The museum has been open since 1933. Some of these exhibits have been here almost as long, which is part of the charm — and occasionally part of the weirdness.

Art of the Bicycle

Art of the Bicycle has a ton of bikes to see, a lot of which would barely work today. At a minimum, your kids will enjoy comparing these to their own.

Circus

Circus has clearly been around for a long, long time. Things get a little weird. There are some intricate miniature scenes with moving pieces that may interest kids for a few minutes.

Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle

This giant dollhouse minus the dolls has been at the museum since the late 1940s. There is a staggering amount of complex detail packed into it. It is definitely worth a quick stop.

Earth Revealed

This section has a large video playing on a screen shaped like the Earth to teach you about the planet’s weather and climate. By the time you reach it, you will probably be tired. It is a great place to sit down for a few minutes and decompress. Your kids will like the unusual round screen. It is a screen, after all.

Eye Spy

Eye Spy is a small, odd cute section where you can hunt for objects hidden in detailed displays.

Farm Tech

Farm Tech features large farming equipment, some interactive areas, and toilet references, so your kids should be all set.

Genetics and the Baby Chick Hatchery

This section has featured baby chicks hatching in incubators since the 1950s. All the time. Always hatching. There are some other things to see and touch, but the chicks are the highlight, and they are the reason you may have to physically drag your kids away.

If you’re wondering where they put all these chicks, a lot of them are taken to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It’s not a happy ending for the chicks. The snakes, on the other hand, are thrilled. Decide how you feel about this before visiting.

The Great Train Story

The Great Train Story is a huge section with model trains running through cities and mountains between Chicago and Seattle. Kids love chasing the trains around, which is great, except that it requires you to run too so you don’t lose them. There is also a large train with a creepy wax conductor to view.

Henry Crown Space Center

The space center is fun for all ages, featuring real space capsules and several interactive elements. You can step into a mock International Space Station to conduct space business, which would probably not end as well in real life. The space center was renovated as part of the museum’s recent updates and now includes a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft among its real flown hardware — a genuinely cool addition if your kids are into rockets. If they are, it pairs nicely with our take on whether the US Space and Rocket Center is worth visiting.

Idea Factory

Idea Factory is a children’s museum of sorts. It is only for kids ages ten and under and their families, and it’s open and running again with timed-capacity control. It also houses the museum’s nursing and baby-care room.

Pro tip: If you want to visit, go here first. It is a much better experience when it isn’t crowded, and a timed entry may be required.

No Time Like the Future

This section is mainly a lot of photos and information about things that may come in the future. It raises some interesting questions, but I don’t think it will hold the attention of most young children.

Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze

This section features a maze of mirrors that is fun for kids to explore. You generally can’t see anyone else while you’re in there. It will make you feel disoriented and possibly like it’s time to go on a diet — most people don’t want to see themselves from that many angles at once. Putting that aside, it is a must-stop.

Pro tip: The maze is free with admission, but it often requires a reserved time. Head over early to grab a slot — they go fast.

Pioneer Zephyr

The Pioneer Zephyr is a gleaming stainless-steel train from the 1930s that you can climb inside. It’s one of the first things you see upon entering the museum, and it starts the day off with a bang.

Racing Cars

This display features a lot of cars, some older than others. Quick stop, but car-obsessed kids will linger.

Science Storms

Science Storms is an awesome section about natural phenomena like sunlight, atoms in motion, and tsunamis. This may not sound exciting, but it’s packed with things to push, pull, and play with. Your kids can probably get through the whole exhibit without realizing they’re really just learning about the weather.

This is easily my kids’ favorite section, and one we have to return to several times throughout the day to see whether the giant Foucault pendulum has knocked down more pegs yet.

Pro tip: Visit this one early. It’s popular, and the lines to touch the buttons get long. Some people — mainly adults — seem to believe that once it’s their turn, they can play with said button indefinitely regardless of the line behind them. Save yourself the frustration and arrive early.

YOU! The Experience

This human-body exhibit is about health. It sounds fun, and there are some things to interact with, but some of the content is fairly graphic. If you’re grossed out by the inside of your own body, this may not be for you.

Ships Gallery

Ships Gallery features a bunch of model ships, plus a portion of a ship you can climb on.

Swiss Jolly Ball

The Swiss Jolly Ball is basically pinball meets Switzerland. It will provide endless entertainment for young children.

Pro tip: This section is easy to miss. In fact, if you’re not looking for it, you probably will. It’s on the lower level — ask a staff member to point you to it if you can’t find it.

Take Flight

Take Flight is an exhibit built around an actual Boeing 727 that you can see from the lower levels. They’ve essentially sawed off portions of the plane so you can enter the interior and see the mechanics up close.

ToyMaker 3000

This exhibit demonstrates the manufacturing process for toys on a working automated assembly line, all the way through packaging. The work is done by robots, which probably doesn’t bode well for the future of jobs in the United States. Good news: it’s open and running again.

Pro tip: You can buy a toy and watch the machine engrave it. If you don’t want to make said purchase, distract your children in this area.

U-505 Submarine

The U-505 is an actual German U-boat captured during World War II, spanning the length of a city block. The exhibit hall around it is free with admission; the on-board tour that lets you climb inside the cramped interior is a separate ticketed extra (more on that below).

Pro tip: The U-505 On-Board tour requires an extra timed-entry ticket — at last check, around $18 per adult and $14 per child ages three through eleven. Confirm the current price when you book. I would not recommend the on-board tour with sensitive young kids, as it dives into the realities of the war.

Heads up: The museum gets a little dark in some places, and this is one of them. The submarine itself is awe-inspiring, but the surrounding exhibit doesn’t pull punches about soldiers having very bad days. If that will upset your kids, you may want to skip this area or be on high alert.

Griffin Studio: Notes to Neurons

Among the museum’s newer additions is the Griffin Studio, an immersive digital gallery. Its inaugural experience, “Notes to Neurons,” explores how music moves through the brain and body using projection and sound. It’s more of an adult-and-older-kid draw than something that will grab a five-year-old, but it’s a nice change of pace from the century-old exhibits down the hall.

Whispering Gallery

The Whispering Gallery lets two people stand across the room and whisper to each other thanks to some clever acoustics. This exhibit is best enjoyed when no one else is in the room to screw it up for you.

Yesterday’s Main Street

Yesterday’s Main Street is a walk down a cobblestone street in the early 1900s. It has several storefronts and a small movie theater you can step into.

Pro tip: Stop by Finnegan’s Ice Cream Parlor for a treat. It’s one of the few on-site food spots I’ll actually endorse.

Permanent Exhibits with an Extra Cost

You can easily entertain yourself all day without paying for the extra exhibits, but it’s worth knowing your options in case one is irresistible. The add-on prices below move around, so confirm the current cost on the museum’s pricing page before you commit.

Coal Mine

The Coal Mine takes you underground into an actual mine relocated to the museum from southern Illinois. It teaches you about the work miners did, which will in turn make you grateful you don’t have to do it. It’s open again and requires an extra timed-entry ticket — recently around $12 per adult and $9 per child. Confirm the current price when you book.

Flight Simulators

If you want to feel nauseous, there are motion simulators. You can board an aircraft or a spaceship for your ride to Vomit City. Height and weight limits apply — the airplane has stricter requirements than the more family-friendly spaceship — so check the posted rules at the exhibit.

Cost: These carry an extra charge that’s changed over the years. Confirm the current pricing at the exhibit or on the museum’s pricing page before you ride.

Bonus pro tip: The museum runs special seasonal experiences, including a Halloween-themed ride during its fall celebration.

Future Energy Chicago

This is a roughly forty-five-minute experience that lets guests take a nap work in a simulation lab to learn about energy and build greener homes. There’s also an Energy Garden where you transform energy by doing things like riding a bike.

Cost: This is a ticketed add-on; the price has shifted since it first opened, so check the current rate before you book.

Giant Dome Theater

The Giant Dome Theater has a wraparound screen that spans five stories. The films rotate throughout the day and change over time. Frankly, the movies are short and not always that interesting. The experience is cool, but it may not be worth the added cost to you — and members get tickets bundled into their membership, which is the best way to see it.

Cost: This is a ticketed add-on. Members get free or discounted tickets; everyone else should check the current price before buying.

VR Transporter

The VR Transporter is a virtual-reality experience with fancy goggles. It’s geared toward older kids and adults, with a height requirement for younger riders. The shows vary, so check the schedule when you visit.

Cost: This is a ticketed add-on with members paying less. Confirm the current price before you go.

Wanger Family Fab Lab

The Fab Lab is a hands-on workshop where you can make things like 3D-printed objects. Check the schedule for available sessions if this interests you. There’s a minimum age to participate, and younger kids must be accompanied by a paid adult.

Cost: This is a ticketed add-on with member discounts. Confirm the current price at the time of your visit.

Temporary Exhibits

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum rotates temporary exhibits that usually come at an extra cost. These change constantly, so check what’s running during your visit.

You don’t need to pay for a special exhibit because there’s already so much to do, but it’s worth checking in case one is a perfect fit for your family before you rule it out. I still remember the Titanic exhibit the museum featured in 2000, the same year I wore a knockoff Heart of the Ocean necklace to prom.

13. Special Museum of Science and Industry Events

The museum offers periodic special events, from the seasonal Christmas Around the World holiday display to after-hours adult nights. Check the schedule at the time of your visit so you don’t miss something that interests you.

14. There is a Baby Care Center

The term “baby care center” may be generous, but there is a private nursing and baby-care room inside Idea Factory, along with a family restroom. Not glamorous, but it does the job.

15. You Can Check Your Coat

Don’t want to lug your kids’ coats around all day? Me neither. A coat check is available in the Entry Hall, which is a small mercy in Chicago winter.

Pro tip: Members can check coats for free.

16. Low-Sensory Exploration is Available

The museum periodically offers early-admission sessions on select dates so guests can explore in a calmer, more sensory-friendly environment before the general crowds arrive. If this would help your family, check the museum’s accessibility schedule for upcoming dates at the time of your visit.

17. Do You Need a Reservation?

Yes. Timed-entry tickets are required, and advance purchase is strongly recommended — this is now just how the museum manages capacity, not a leftover pandemic rule. Pick your date and entry window when you buy, and don’t just show up at the door expecting to walk in.

Note: If you arrive before your entry time, you may be asked to wait. If you arrive late, they can turn you away, so rescheduling beats running behind. The current FAQ lists no mask requirement or distancing rules.

Museum of Science and Industry FAQ

Is the Museum of Science and Industry the same as the Griffin Museum?

Yes. In May 2024 the museum was renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry after a $125 million gift from Ken Griffin. It’s the same building, same exhibits, same lakefront spot — just a new name on the sign. Locals still call it “MSI.”

Can you see the whole museum in one day?

You can see the highlights in a full day if you arrive at opening and keep moving, but you won’t do everything justice. The building is around 400,000 square feet. Pick your must-sees in advance and accept that you’ll skip a few sections.

What’s the best age for kids to visit?

There’s something for almost every age, but the sweet spot is roughly ages 4 to 12. The Idea Factory is built for ten and under, while exhibits like Science Storms, the trains, and the submarine hold older kids and adults too. Toddlers will have fun, but a lot of the deeper content will sail over their heads.

Should I bring a stroller?

If you have a child who still naps or tires easily, yes — it’s a big building and a long day. Just know that elevators are limited and the stairs are everywhere, so a lightweight stroller you can fold and carry beats a tank. Our Chicago packing list for kids covers what else is worth hauling along.

How does it compare to other Chicago museums?

It’s the most hands-on of the big Chicago museums, which makes it the best pick for antsy kids. If you’re building a multi-day itinerary, it pairs well with the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium — just don’t try to cram more than one into a single day.

Final Thoughts – Museum of Science and Industry Tips

This museum is genuinely amazing and worth a visit. Plan to arrive early, stay the whole day, and set your expectations nice and low if you plan to eat on property. The Griffin name is new; the “allow a lot of time” advice is not.

Incorporate the Museum of Science and Industry tips that work for you and make some memories. You will not regret it.

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Museum of Science and Industry Tips