Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago in Bensenville

This is a great museum for those who enjoy learning about the history of worldwide industry, healthcare and really basically anything science wise. It is a huge facility with plenty of exhibits, there is a dome theatre they also offer tours and experiences such as the world wars and an interactive submarine exhibit. Overall, this was a great visit and there is so much history and innovation packed into this museum that you could spend hours if not days looking at everything!

I hadnt been in a number of years and a lot had changed but the bones feel familiar still. There is a very large ornate and beautiful train before you enter the actual museum. I saw it after we had entered and wanted to go check it out but it was too late, so dont forget about this blessing folks! They have done a nice job on the update for the U-boat, very vibey the whole trek through and done very well. The only bummer is having to pay extra to go inside, but what can you do folks. There were molding machines at $5 a pop, very cool exhibit. So easy to spend your time checking out the large and impressive exhibits, I didnt take half the pictures I could have since I was too busy enjoying them! Can you believe that. It happened. There are plenty of bathrooms. The museum of science and industry is absolutely worth spending a day absorbing the level of skill that went into displaying all of the exhibits, creating a level of interest to folks of all walks of life and ages.

Great museum. We spent almost $94 on extras in addition to the tickets for entry. We luckily got free admission through their ASTC membership reciprocal. Great experience and will definitely be back!Our tour guide for the U505, Austin, and for the coal mine, Liz, were phenomenal and especially engaging with my toddler. Both really made the visit out of this world. :)

Awesome place for kids and adults. You pay a general admission and extra to enter into special exhibitions and to watch movies in their theater. Plenty of free exhibits to taken in. Come early to extract the most of your time as to enjoy the place properly you must pace yourself. Chart a route with the museum map of the exhibits you really want to see first. You can bring your own lunch.

A really great space with lots to see and do.Highly recommend as a visit location when in Chicago. A simple bus ride from the town centre will get you there.Be aware that the museum closes at 4pm. This caught us out limiting the time we had there.

Been a few years since we have taken the family here. Still amazing as ever. I have been through the U505 exhibit multiple times but still find it amazing. The nature and science exhibit was my kids favorite with all the stuff that they can actually do something to learn. My Dad liked the farm exhibit as he learned things about corn and soy crops he did not know anything about, it was also his first time at the museum. Great place to take family if all ages.

We had a really memorable family adventure here. There’s plenty to do and explore. There are a number of new installations that are in the works so there’s always something to come back for. If you’re a returning visitor, I highly recommend getting one of the museum membership packages- they are worth it as they include quite a number of perks, discounts and other museum discounts and passes

The Chicago Museum of Science and TechnologyI came to see the U505. At that time (World War II), it is the only enemy ship (submarinecaptured by the United States since the War of 1812. It was a great tour of the boat and Al was a fantastic guide who was very knowledgeable and excited about the history of the vessel. I only wish that the tour guide (She was wonderful otherwisewould be silent during the recorded firing of the torpedoes and the subsequent hunt of the Americans above, it would have added more realism.The rest of the museum was the icing on the cake. The exhibits are wonderfully displayed, the Boeing 727 exhibit is very informative, the train cities are a treat to experiences, the Tesla coil is electrifying, and I enjoyed the coal mine tour! I could not see it all so I will be back again and again to this Museum!

Good for kids to explore and have fun. Nothing has changed around 4 to 5 years. There are some exhibits that require a purchase. Maps have good and detailed. Parking is 20$ outside and not free. They also have covered parking and it’s 22$.Overall I think it’s ok for a 20$ price.

A fantastic experience that blends science center and history museum, there is so much to see and do at the Museum. We only spent two hours, so we cut some stuff out, but what we experienced was great. The only minor issue we had was the impression that the place was kind of a money grab. Food was quite expensive for what it was and it seemed everywhere you turned there was an add-on payment exhibit which was a shame.

An absolutely fantastic and in depth museum! So much to explore and you will be busy there for at least a couple of hours. My only complaint is how many exhibits cost extra to go into (like inside the submarine or the Lego exhibit). However, we enjoyed nearly every section we explored.

Family day at MSI was a blast! All the hands on activities/exhibits make this a perfect place to explore with kids but even as adults there is so much to take in. Whether exploring the submarine, watching a film in the unreal Globe Theater, sitting under the Tesla coil, or taking in the extensive amount of info on past and future technology, you can stay busy for the majority of the day. If you go soon, you have to grab tickets for The Art of the Brick exhibit to get your Lego fix! Parking was convenient and all staff we interacted with were welcoming and helpful. We’ll go back again soon!!

Absolutely recommended for adults and kids, much knowledge to know about our universe, animals, culture!! Definitely not a boring museum and has a lot to do, I tired the eye dissection experience myself and it was utterly informative and unique.There are free stuff and others to pay for, check the website to know all the options

What an amazing science museum! Half a day (or even a full dayisnt nearly enough time to experience it all. So many hands-on experiments for the kids, such as making your own tornado. Get there when it opens to enjoy having some of the areas to yourself. We were especially impressed with the coal mine tour - real mining equipment and our tour guide, Austin, was very engaging. This is definitely on our list again for when we next return to Chicago.

They have something for everyone and most of the exhibits can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. There is a lot to see so plan on spending a full day there. I couldve spent all day watching the huge spinning sandbox (idk what its proper name isin the Avalanche section of the storms exhibit. The Tesla Coil was really neat and the museum is actually one of the last remaining buildings from the 1893 Worlds Fair where Tesla introduced his coil to the public. The mirror maze wouldve been amazing except the finger prints from kids makes the path obvious. Might be nice to have someone wipe down the mirrors at various points throughout the day. The place is huge with 4 levels of exhibits but not nearly enough benches to stop and take a break. I saw a lot of open space along the perimeter and other areas with open space where benches would have easily fit. We really enjoyed it and would even like to go again to see stuff we didnt have time for.

This place has an internal parking lot which I wish I knew earlier. Also, its better if you buy your tickets in advance otherwise youd have to wait in a long line. This museum is a must-visit, only that if youre an adult, I would recommend to start your visitation with the third floor instead of the ground floor. On the third floor, you get a lot of hands-on with science stuff and recent technology. You get better exposure and can take better pictures. Come prepared to spend like 2-4 hours. It gets chilly inside at times. Of course, they have paid exhibitions which you can choose as per your liking. We went for amazing hikes in North America paid exhibition and the experience was spectacular. We were seated in a four-storey dome-based theatre with a movie experience so unique by far. Overall, the museum experience is worth the money, its so much better for the young kids but the adults can enjoy it as much.

How do you describe the feeling of immersion into multiple concepts?This is a place you visit no matter your age or inclination.There is something for everyone here.Dont miss the extravagant Dome theater.

Awesome experience. We were at an after hours party with a conference and were able to do most activities with out a line. The museum has changed a ton since we were there 14 years ago.

This is a amazing museum and really has something for everyone. When I went as a kid it made me fall in love with science. They still have some of the classics like the chicken incubator and the coal mine exhibit. They have upgraded a lot and have space, submarine, and science storms exhibits. They have added so much you could spend all day checking things out. I recommend everyone go here at least once.

I was recommended to go here from many different people that have visited Chicago. Be aware that it is very family oriented, by that I mean there are a lot of children. The museum itself is geared towards kids with science lessons and interactive activities. Overall our experience was okay. I would not return and would have probably would have spent the time that we did here elsewhere in a different museum. The best part of our experience here was the show in the globe shaped theatre. Other than that, there were very very limited food options since they are in the process of building a food court and although they did have a decent selection and variety of exhibits, my husband and I were not thoroughly impressed by what we saw. The museum is large and interactive but did not scratch the museum itch we have as young adults with no children.

Could spend all day here! Fun for any age. My husband and I learned a lot. I love the interactive exhibits. The model of the city is fantastic and seeing large farming equipment up close is an experience Ive never had before. All so cool! Buy tickets in advance on your phone to beat the line.

It is a great place and a very good learning experience for the family! Little bit overwhelming due to the amount of information! It may take the whole day ! There plenty of spaces to eat even if you bring your own food! Family friendly but my usually busy!

This place is huge. There is so much to see and do for all ages. Some of the attractions such as the Coal Mine and and the U-505 tours cost extra and need to be scheduled. The Tesla coil demonstration "shocked" us as we did not hear the announcement and then witnessed the zap of electricity. The model railroad is very large and offer the kids a chance to push a button to operate some of the We had a great time but it was a long day.

Best part was by far the captured U-boat. Great exhibit and lots of history behind it. We spent a whole day there 10:30-5:30 and definitely couldve stayed longer. And thats without doing any of the additional paid activities. Plenty of exhibits have interactive aspects for kids to use and learn from. Only downside was that many interactive exhibits were not working properly.

I came back to this museum after 8 years and it was just as amazing as I remembered it, if not more. This museum is such an amazing experience for people of all ages. The little ones get to soak up so much Information, have fun, and have their minds wowwwwwed. Please don’t leave Chicago without visiting this beauty!

This is our second time here. Its several floors of varying exhibits. Some exhibits cost extra. If youve never been, its worth a trip. If you like learning about the history of different scientific advancements, early engineering feats, how natural phenomena work, and interactive exhibits, this place has something for young and old alike. Highly recommend. FYI: Parking is now under the Museum in the parking garage. It used to be on ground level, outside, but it was not when we went this time.

So many things to see & experience! We went on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend so traveling into the city, there were traffic delays. Parking was easy because I knew where it was, although GPS gets you there too. Its an underground ramp, you pull a ticket, park & pay your $22 at a pay station on your way out. Purchase tickets ahead of time especially if you want to do special exhibits, like the coal mine or U 505 & some confined exhibits, like those mentioned, do require masks. Our coal mine tour guide Amanda was hilarious & very knowledgeable. The museum seems to be in the process of upgrading several exhibits that I would have liked to see but we still had plenty to do. The food options were limited so I recommend bringing some snacks of your own. By 4pm, the vending machines had a few teas & the loaded with caffeine drinks & maybe there were a few bags of cookies. They were almost empty. There is a small snack place in the space area with fresh options & the garden grill & Cafe are also located near there, but prices are high.

Great place to enjoy a day understanding about science and industry. It is a really big place and will take around 5-6 hours to complete the visit. Tickets are easily available but you can book in advance to save time.

This museum was my first tourism stop in Chicago and it did not disappoint. They had well-executed interactive displays of everything relating to science and industry. Even a coal miner simulation! I enjoyed the exhibit on “you!” the most. It was interesting to see the modern wearable technologies and the different showcases of how our bodies change with age. I also thought it was very affordable to go. You could easily spend over 3+ hours here. I highly recommend for anyone visiting Chicago.

Easy to navigate the exhibits on the maps. Maps readily available. Plenty of space for patrons to experience exhibits. Could not find places to eat in the building other than vending machines. [These do take cards]

Be prepared to be blown away. This massive museum packs so much to do and see. We (two adultsexplored for 5 hours. I will say, there are plenty of sections kids will want to fly through - and others you might have to pry them away from. We selected tornado alley for the film we saw in the dome theater - a really cool experience. Wear comfy shoes! It’s a lot of standing and walking around. There are plenty of bathrooms and lots of vending and food options - for being a museum. You have to pay $22 to park on campus - which I found obscene but it is what it is. Definitely recommend coming here!

Great museum for all ages. It gets quite busy on a Saturday but greatly enjoyed all that the museums had to offer. Skip the food and bring your own since they allow outside food inside.Definitely book the special exhibits ahead of time since they run out if you’re trying to buy day of. We did the U505 submarine and our guide was thorough and was a wealth of knowledge.

Plan for a whole day at least the first time you go. With all the interactive exhibits the whole family can enjoy. I liked the I spy windows. My oldest liked the energy of the future display with the flash window. My middle child liked the farming equipment and setting how they worked. My youngest liked the circus area with the fun mirrors and the imagination workshop. We all had so much fun that it was hard to think of our favorite things.

Very fun place to spend 6 hours or so. I definitely would encourage anyone to see a movie on the globe theatre, and the interactive exhibits they have at the time. We were lucky and got to see the Lego exhibit!! So wonderful! There are a few little eaterys and places to grab drinks/coffee. We went on a Saturday and it was quite busy. If you are looking for smaller crowds I would say to go during the week. Lastly- prepurchase your tickets online and download them to your phone LITERALLY no waits and quick entry!!

Incredible museum! The absolute highlight was the U505 submarine. The story of the ship’s history as well as how it came to rest at the museum are amazing. I felt like some of the other exhibits pale in comparison to the scope and scale of the submarine. The gravity of this war vessel from WWII is intense. It is an actual historical monument - not a remake or recreation in any way. This was responsible for so much world history.The body exhibit was cool but dated. The cars and bike exhibits were very very small without much history. I did like seeing the moon rock but wished you could touch it.DO NOT MISS THE SUBMARINE TOUR! It fills up daily so book in advance.

Best museum in Chicago! Highly recommend! Our children are school age and had the absolute best time! 7 hours in the museum and we still didnt see everything. Enjoyed You! the submarine and The Universe in the Giant Dome Theater. Even on a Saturday, it wasnt too crowded. Cant wait to go back!

Amazing experience! Interactive exhibits. The U boat was incredible to see and learn about. Plan ahead if you want the tour - it sells out days ahead. Loved the ships exhibit.The space exhibit was cool with real Apollo capsules, but the area needs updating to include current space travel / Space X.

The museum offers free days just make sure you check out the website prior to going. Most of the exhibit offers interactive stuff so its really good for kids and the entire family. Definitely would have to stay for a decent 2-3 hours if you want to learn more about the exhibits they have. Overall great experience! Will visit again soon

Came for the Lego exhibit and wow that was quite something. The artist really took his time crafting those sculptures. I’m not a museum person myself but I’d come again if they had another interesting guest artist exhibit on. Saw some of the other stuff while I was there. The airplanes in the sky were cool and the whole place looks like a great family trip to come to, so much to see and do, especially for the kids.

We loved this museum. Our love for history and science only grew after the day we’ve spent in this place. We highly recommend it and would love to go there again with our youngest son too. Each section is very elaborated, with interactive options. We are not living in Chicago, but if you are in the area, this is a worthwhile trip either as a couple or a group. The park close by is a nice place to take a break after the visit. We found parking very close on a side road at a reasonable price.

My Favorite Museum in Chicago. Had not been back since July 2019! Despite this pandemic, had a great time. We were sad that we didn’t get to see many things we were looking forward to seeing but it makes sense for them to not be avail- pandemic. I love that there is underground parking available, not free, but at least one doesn’t have to walk blocks to arrive to museum. If science is what one likes and just curious of how things work, this is the museum to visit.

Better than expected and much larger than expected! Dark Universe show was worth the extra expense. The Coal Mine your was interesting and the guide was charismatic, funny, and engaging. All the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Would love to go back and spend more time exploring.

This was an interesting experience. It wasnt our favorite museum in Chicago but it did have a lot of neat things to see and experience. It would be a great place to take elementary age students. The trains and planes were very cool as was the weather area. My favorite part was the German u boat and I really enjoyed reading the history of it. The museum was pretty crowded and only about half of the sanitizing stations actually had sanitizer in then which was a little frustrating since there are a lot of things that people touch. They had a few stations that were closed because they were high touch but it felt pretty arbitrary. I would recommend it but be prepared.

If I could give more than 5 stars for this museum I would. First time going to this museum, and it was absolutely AMAZING! We had a 9:30am ticket and we stayed for about 3.5 hours. We walked the entire museum and we also saw the Dark universe video at the giant dome theater, and we even did a lab experience called "Dream it, Design it, Fab it" and you create your own mini 3D figure which was pretty cool. Overall, this museum is a MUST.

A truly excellent museum. I live in the DC area and have grown up near the Smithsonian, a very high quality and free set of museums in the Washington DC area.... This museum is of the same if not higher caliber of museums than any other I have ever experienced. The UBoat exhibit is deep in information and interesting. The entire museum is excellently curated and each exhibit area is worth the cost of admission.I highly recommend this museum if you are within an hour or so drive.Whether it is space, farming, transport, or general science, this museum has it all. Of course, being in the Midwest, the trains featured here are truly impressive, but what really stood out to me was some of the Apollo mission artifacts and history that was on display.Even with 4 and 6 year old children we still managed to spend 6 hours here without running out of interesting things to see!Great for adults and children.

Our very favorite museum to visit in Chicago! So well done. Bright. Very clean. Most impressed with the interactive displays. Coat check was open as of 1/2022. Large cafeteria still closed. Membership lounge no food but can get free coffee on lower level. Fun for entire family. We are members.

The Museum of Science and Industry is a fantastic museum. The crowds were kept light due to the pandemic, so it made it really easy to make it through all of the exhibits.A couple of issues due to the pandemic were a few of the exhibits were closed. The inside of the submarine and some of the tighter exhibit halls. Also, they need to update some of the exhibits. Theyve had some of the same ones since I went there as a child.Some awesome things to do during the holidays were the trees from all of the different countries and the tree in the main rotunda. They all were all very pretty!A nice feature of the aviation exhibit was the United 727 they have. They even had a retired United pilot in the plane to answer questions. As a United 1K member, its cool to speak about the old school travel days before the craziness of today.Before we finished our visit, my wife signed us up to disect a Cows eye. Im squeemish, but my wife and daughter talked me into doing it. Im glad I did! The staff was really cool and patient. They were awesome people and made us feel really comfortable.Chicago is full of great things to do and has wonderful museums and the Museum of Science and Industry doesnt disappoint. Its a must go for everyone and once this pandemic is over, it will be the full immersive experience it should be!

First-time going (just moved to Chicagoland): This museum was absolutely amazing. We are a family of five (2 adults and 3 children); therefore, I bought a family membership (had a promo code for 20% off). As long as we go, 2 times then we have saved money based on the entry-fee and free underground parking. We had a 1230PM reservation and stayed until closing 530PM. There is something for everyone. My son loves trains and miniature cars/ buildings; he was obsessed with The Great Train Story. Everyone enjoyed the Mirror Maze (make sure you reserve a time for entry). We did not know and got the last time reservation of the day. We ate before entry but the kiddos were hungry about halfway though. We ate in the Holiday Kitchen; the food is expensive for portions but stopped the hunger pangs and kept everyone happy. It was a nice break before going back to the exhibits. Museum was extremely busy due to children being on Holiday break. All of the extra attractions were sold-out about 2 weeks out so plan ahead on no school days.Closed during visit: Coal Mine and Submarine Tours. The members lounge.

This was a wonderful time and great adventure for our family. My little boy really loved learning about electricity and desperately wanted to see the Tesla Coil fire multiple times. There are multiple hands on experiments and displays to illustrate different scientific ideas in terms that are easy to understand. The Holiday theme was definitely also a beautiful family favorite.

As always a great museum for all ages. A lot of the exhibits have been there for years and new ones are added for a short time. Theres something for everybody. The holiday trees from different countries are always beautifully decorated. A new exhibit celebrating Black Creativity was very educational. Lots of hands on interaction in the exhibits.