Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

This museum is so much fun for the entire family. Although some of the exhibits are dates (primarily the "hall of science" upstairs, they have some new, fun exhibits that everyone will enjoy. They have a great new exhibit about computerized production, speciafically linking it to mkaing toy tops. You can watch yours be made and personalized. The U-boat exhibit is so nicely done, also. Of course, the omnimax fils are always a favorite too. Overall, I felt it was a great value for the money. more

I haven't been here in awhile, but growing up in the Chicago area, this was always one of my favorite museums, and even after moving to Seattle and travelling the world, its still one of my favorite museums. It's SOOO massive and have so many interactive exhibits like walking through a real submarine, a life size heart and all sorts of cool things. Last time I was there they had a cool VR exhibit and from what I have heard, it has been majorly updated since then and I am excited to go next time I have a chance. Also, I really like the Omnimax theater they have there, and have enjoyed many movies there growing up like the Space Shuttle, Beavers and many other wonderful nature documentaries. Pretty amazing place. more

My family and I went to the museum over the weekend to see the exhibit Body Worlds. After reading articles and looking on the website, I was really excited to be going. The idea that these were "real" people was really amazing. After checking online for the last time before going we saw that you were supposed to order tickets online. There were none left, but we went anyway. Luckily when we got there we were able to get tickets for later that afternoon which gave us plenty of time to roam around the museum. When our time was listed we made our way back to the area where you enter. Being first in line we thought it would make it a little less crowded - we were very wrong. When entering you had an option of purchasing a phone so you could hear more about the people, etc. It was like being in a room full of people in mid conversation, they weren't paying attention to anyone else. They would get up to a showcase and stand in front from 10+ minutes while everyone else who didn't have a phone had to wait to see it and read the card next to it. This went on the entire time. Even though we had all paid $21 to even entire the exhibit, the people without the phones were treated like lesser paying attendees. Overall, it was pretty cool and I'm glad I got to see it, but plan on going through it very slowly. more

I had a great time at this museum. We went on a Friday, hoping that it wouldn't be as crowded on a weekday, but it was still really crowded. There were many great hands-on exhibits, and it seemed like it would be a great place to take kids. Highlights included the chick hatchery, the toy assembly line where you could pay $3 to watch your own toy being made, and the Omnimax. We happened to go while the BodyWorlds exhibit was in town, which was amazing. Although controversial, it was a fascinating and powerful exhibit (especially the prenatal development section). I would also suggest trying to buy any tickets to exhibits, Omnimax, etc., ahead of time on the internet, because lines at the museum can be long, and the viewing times tend to sell out pretty quickly. more

The Museum of Science and Industry really is one of the places you have to hit while visiting Chicago (or just living here). I've been going for at least 25 years. Some of the more interesting things to see while there are the giant heart, the growth of babies from embryo up to full size infant (though this can also make you queasy) and my favorite since I was a kid- the Christmas trees from around the world. more

The Museum of Science and Industry is by far my favorite museum in Chicago, and I try to go there often. Even though some of the exhibits are geared toward children, they are still fun and informative for adults. Many of the exhibits are hands-on, which is also entertaining. There is a model of a heart you can walk through, as well as a full-size commercial airplane. You could spend an entire day here! more

The Museum of Science and Industry is a fine museum that contains several exhibits on science, engineering, and industry. Exhibits include a coal mine that is underground, a video game exhibit, and exhibits on photography, life, medicine, legos, anatomy, cars, and forensics science. The museum also has gift shops for souvenirs. more

Unlike the other Chicago museums which are fairly close to downtown, The Museum of Science and Industry is located around 55th and Lake Shore Drive. The building looks a little like the Greek Parthenon, and was built for the Chicago World's Fair in the 1930's. Everyone has a great time when they visit here, whether you're a kid or an adult reliving your childhood. Anyone who has grown up in Chicago can share the memories of visiting the coal mine or the submarine. (And the submarine exhibit was recently reopened as they had completed the rehab work on the sub, as age was starting to catch up with it). It's a great place for field trips (as you can see by all of the yellow school buses lined up in front of the museum). more

This is a great place in Chicago to visit. This museum is huge and filled with lots of things for both adults and children to enjoy. They have floors and floors of displays, ranging from the pre-historic ages to the future. They have a lot of hands-on displays, which makes things a lot more lively and fun. Addmission into this place is also very reasonable, so it is an affordable place to go with the entire family. Also, they periodically have special displays, so find out about those before you go! This is a really fun place to be at anytime of the year! more

The Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to visit, with a few caveats: If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, expect to be mobbed by children and adults. If you go during the school year, expect to be mobbed by school groups. If you are interested in a special exhibition (in recent years, artifacts from the Titanic and the Body Worlds), be sure to get tickets well in advance. Beyond the special exhibits, the permanent exhibits like the U-505 submarine, the coal mine, and the Pioneer Zephyr all make the Museum of Science and Industry worth the trip. Be sure to save enough time to see a movie in the Omnimax theatre. There is plenty of parking in the underground garage in front of the museum. more

Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry, located in the ghetto near the University of Chicago, has many interesting exhibits for those who are fond of industrialization or science. A full size train, airplane and submarine are all on display, with sometimes interesting factual information. For those who continued education past elementary school, do not plan on learning new information, but rather attempt to enjoy seeing the exhibits in person. The Body World exhibit has a separate $12 fee that is not worth the cost -- unless you're a cannibal. more

Museum Of Science & Industry is a very Interesting Place and a great place to spend an afternoon. If you have an afternoon free and you arent doing anything, take a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. They have great exhibits and great food places to eat around there. It is a little pricey though. No big deal, anybody should still be able to afford it. Overall i give this place four stars out of five. more

The Museum of Science and Industry is an interesting place to visit in spite of its name. On my last visit there they had an exhibit that was totally dedicated to the human body. It was not your typical exhibit of fake body parts and plastic skeletons, but actual tissue and organs preserved by doctors. You could see actual fetuses, full skeletons with everything in tact, and dissected organs. Many of the skeletons were done artistically and quite striking. It was an experience to remember, though may not be for the faint of heart. The one thing to note was for this special exhibit it was a bit pricey at $17.00 for the exhibit and general admission. However it was worth it as it is something you're unlikely to experience in many places. Two hours of looking and gawking wasn't even enough time to fully appreciate the exhibit. The exhibit I believe was called Bodyworlds and if it is still there it is a must see! more

One of the great museums in chicago. You can check out the u boat exhibit which they completely recreate the lives of the people on the boat. You must check out the mine exhibit they have here. It is one entertaining and you get an education out of it. You can take a bus or you can drive here. more

Museum Of Science & Industry is the first museum I have visited in Chicago. It is a wonderful place both for adults and kids. It is located nearby Lake Michigan and University of Chicago. I am very impressed by the process of digging mines. It feels like a real experience that you go to underground with a small train. You definitely should visit it. more

Currently, the museum has the awesome exhibit, Body Worlds. It also permanently has the submarine exhibit, a genetics exhibit where kids love to watch chicks hatch, a combine (yes!), a coal mine exhibit where you go down into the coal mine, and so much more. And you can contact them to volunteer, and you get free admission for you and your family, whenever you want!! more

The Museum of Science and Industry is one of my favorites in Chicago. I have been going to this museum since i was a kid. My favorite exhibit there is the baby chicks exhibit where thye display hatching eggs and fully developed chicks. they have a new exhibit right now called Body Worlds where they have taken the human body and encased it in a polymer, and so in some places all you see is the skeleton, or just blood vessels and muscles. and they had posed these figures doing various activities such as playing chess to playing a sport. Their other exhibits include various industries such as the coal mine, a 727 airplane, cars, petroleum. And for their life sciences they have a giant heart that you can walk through. There are very many school and group activities and labs that one can join as well as events hosted throughout the year. check out this museum if you are in chicago. more

A proviso first: I have only experienced this museum for free, because the University of Chicago for some odd reason really likes to rent the entire place for events. That being said, I've visited nearly every exhibit in the place. The MSI is somewhat of a museum by accident. It was built for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and I think nobody really expected it to remain intact afterwards. (all the structures built for the world's fair were quite shoddy) However, the museum is still standing today, so I suppose someone at least did a proper job with it. What's inside? A reasonably eclectic collection of science-museum exhibits. As with any science museum, the emphasis is pretty much on a middle to high school level of education / understanding, so real scientists will no doubt be apalled. However, it is fun - everyone should check out the coal mine exhibit, which involves a 'descent' into a coal mine and a 'mine car ride', as well as the famous U-Boat which is actually a World War II relic! more

A must see for any school age child. This museum offers a wide variety of interactive and fun exhibits and displays for all ages. My particular favorite is the creepy circus area. You can watch chicks hatch from eggs, see a real submarine, visit the IMAX theater, and currently see Body Worlds. The fairy castle is absolutely amazing but can be boring for really little kids. The coal mine is a neat trip into the underground. There are buy one get one free coupons in the Entertainment book to offset some of the cost. Students are cheaper too! You can buy your tickets online or at the museum. more

This museum has great exhibits that are both fun and educational. Kids will love going here and they will learning things and enjoying it as they do. There is a day during the week that they have free admission as well. There are things for the very young children to do and see as well so you could bring your entire family there. more