Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago, IL

Everything you need to know about visiting the Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637).

Interactivity is the name of the game at the Museum of Science and Industry, which spreads its exhibitions throughout a building that was originally built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Visitors can enter a confounding mirror maze in the "Numbers in Nature" exhibit, step into a simulated tornado in "Science Storms” or see a gigantic, restored U-505 German submarine. There’s also the five-story Giant Dome Theater, where you can kick back and immerse yourself in a handful of larger-than-life-movies.

Get on board the submarine

Any visitor can walk around outside of the U-505 German submarine that’s contained within the Museum of Science and Industry, but if you want to actually go inside, there’s an on-board tour available daily. The 25-minute tour is a $12 add-on to your museum ticket, and includes a guided walk through the sub’s cramped interior, complete with lighting and sound effects, allowing you to imagine that you’re manning the torpedoes during World War II. 

Take a walk down Main Street

If you’re looking for the ultimate, kitschy time traveling experience, step into the museum’s “Yesterday’s Main Street’ exhibit, which recreates a Chicago street circa 1910. You’ll walk down cobblestone streets and peer into replicas of a Berghoff’s restaurant, the Chicago Post Office and the Walgreen’s Drug Company. There are silent movies playing at the Nickelodeon and an opportunity to get a vintage photo at the Old Time Photo Studio as a souvenir.

Our Chicago editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of Chicago at your fingertips. The Museum of Science and Industry was most recently updated with new tips on July 2, 2017.