SCIENCE MUSEUM

Museum of Science and Industry

4.7 / 5 · 36,287 Google reviews

5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 · Hyde Park, 7.5 mi south of downtown

Hours today: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
Visit time: 3–5 hours
Best for: Families, hands-on
Founded: 1933

About this museum

Largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Houses U-505 (the only captured German submarine on US soil), a working coal mine, the Apollo 8 command module, and the famous transparent anatomical figures. Read the full review →

Visitor tips

TIP U-505 sub tour is timed and books out by noon — reserve at entry.
TIP Park in the underground garage; surface lots fill on weekends.

Don't miss

U-505 HALL Captured German submarine, full hull
COAL MINE Working hoist and underground tour
HENRY CROWN Apollo 8 command module

The full review

MSI is built into the only surviving major building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, and it remains the most physically engaging science museum in the country. U-505 — the only German submarine the US Navy ever captured — sits in a purpose-built underground hall. The working coal mine takes you down a real elevator shaft.

Go with kids if you have them. Go without kids and you'll still spend four hours.