Most adults probably haven⿿t been to a museum since they were in junior high as part of a class field trip. And while the Museum of Science and Industry has plenty of kid-friendly interactive exhibits, grown-ups can find attractive features to visit as well.
The exterior alone is quite impressive, as the building dates back to 1893, when it was used for two World⿿s Fairs (the 1893 World⿿s Columbian Exposition and The Century of Progress Exposition in 1933). It then housed the Columbian Museum, which evolved into the Field Museum of Natural History. When a new Field Museum building opened downtown in 1920, the museum organization moved, and the former site was left vacant. After a few years, the building was selected as the site for a new science museum.
Favorites at the MSI include the genetic exhibit ⿿Chick Hatchery,⿿ where visitors can look in on chicks slowly pecking their way into the world from their shells, and the U-505 Submarine, one of just two German submarines captured during World War II. The ⿿Coal Mine⿿ seems to go hundreds of feet down to demonstrate (in a 25-minute tour) how miners work. ⿿Take Flight⿿ recreates a San Francisco to Chicago flight using a real Boeing 727 jet plane. Silent film star Colleen Moore⿿s ⿿Fairy Castle⿿ doll house, one of the world⿿s most famous miniature masterpieces, has also fascinated children and adults for generations. Other popular exhibits include the 3,500-square-foot (325-square-meter) Great Train Story, Yesterday⿿s Main Street (a mock-up of a common street from the early 1900s complete with a cobblestone road, old-fashioned light fixtures, fire hydrants, and several shops), and Toymaker 3000 (a working assembly line that lets visitors watch as a toy top is made). Finally, the OmniMax Theatre, with its domed, five-story screen and booming sound system, is the centerpiece of the Henry Crown Space Center and a popular attraction.
Underground parking is $12 (all-day), payable by cash or credit card. Museum amenities include coat check, stroller rental, and wheelchairs.
General admission is $11 for adults ($10 for Chicago residents), $7 for kids 3-11 ($6.25), and $9.50 for seniors over 65 ($8.75). OmniMax and special exhibits cost extra. Take note: the museum will be closed Jan 9-11, 2008, in preparation for its 75th Anniversary. MSI will offer FREE general admission for the remainder of the month of January. Check the website for the schedule of other ⿿free days.⿿
Photo credit: Casino Jones, adriangonsalves, rpongsaj, FrancescaM, hibino, egvvnd, yuan2003
The Museum of Science and Industry: 5700 S Lake Shore Dr; 773-684-1414
Mon ⿿ Sat: 9:30 a.m. ⿿ 4:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. ⿿ 4:00 p.m.
Underground parking $12 per vehicle
Public trans: Bus # 2, 6, 10, X28, 55, X55
http://www.msichicago.org/
