Museum of Science and Industry

Hyde Park

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5700 S Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60637
773-684-1414

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Museum of Science and Industry Description

Chicago is known for its world-class museums, but this one -- the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere -- truly stands apart: More than 35,000 artifacts are housed in 400,000+ square feet of space, all in an historic building. The museum's strength lies in its many hands-on and interactive exhibits that cover everything from biology to astronomy to modern-day farming. Highlights include the fairy castle, two toddler-tempting train exhibits, the coal mine ride, Omnimax theater, and the U-505 submarine (there's a fee for those last two).

Kid Tips

Toddlers & Pre-K: Don't miss the Fairy Castle, a magical miniature palace decorated with tiny furniture and elaborate details. If your child is more enchanted by buttons and beeps than fairy-tale dollhouses, stop by the Robots Like Us exhibit, featuring a collection of robots and science-fiction toys from the 40s and 50s.

School-Age Kids: Kids this age love the Genetics: Decoding Life exhibit, where they can see fruit flies under a microscope, learn how scientists can make a frog's eyes glow, and watch tiny beaks poke their way out of eggs in the Chick Hatchery.

Pre-Teens & Teens: The IMAGING exhibit allows kids to try out infrared cameras and other imaging technology. Budding forensic scientists will love the IMAGING exhibit's Mystery Lab, where they can solve mysteries using imaging technology and forensics.

Planning Notes

It's stroller-friendly. The museum is easy to navigate with a stroller, but you don't have to worry about schlepping your own; they're available for rent for only $2.

Head's up. Some may find the Prenatal Development exhibit disturbing since it contains preserved fetuses on display in glass jars. Though the museum states that all the fetuses died of natural causes, you may want to avoid this exhibit depending on your religious or cultural values. Some children might find it confusing or upsetting.

Consider packing a lunch. The cafeteria can get crowded near lunchtime. There are tables available for seating right in front of the mesmerizing Jollyball exhibit, which lets you watch a tiny steel ball complete an obstacle course.

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