Verdict
Destinations
Attraction · Chicago

Museum of Science & Industry

Huge hands-on science museum in Hyde Park — U-505 submarine, coal mine, baby chicks.

Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →
The verdict

Who it's worth it for

Great for
  • Families with kids
  • The genuinely curious
Depends
  • Travellers on a budget
  • If you've only got a day
  • Solo travellers
Not for
  • Couples

Worth it for families with kids and the genuinely curious; not for couples.

Why we say this

Insider secrets & local vibes

A captured German U-boat, a working coal mine, and rooms of buttons make it the most hands-on of the big museums.
Not independently verified — estimated
It sits in Hyde Park well south of downtown, so reaching it is a deliberate trip rather than a drop-in.
Not independently verified — estimated
The sheer size means a single visit only scratches the surface, so plan a focused route.
Not independently verified — estimated
What it feels like

Reading the room, traveller by traveller

  • With kids

    The interactivity is unbeatable for curious older kids who want to push every button.

  • Multigenerational

    Wide-ranging exhibits keep mixed ages happy, but budget a long day.

  • With friends

    Fun for a nostalgic group outing, especially the U-505 submarine tour.

Good to know

Before you go

Cost
$25–36 adult
Time
3–5 hours
Last verified
2026-06-17
Best time
Weekday; allow three or more hours and pair it with a Hyde Park lunch.
Getting there
In Hyde Park ~7 miles south of the Loop; Metra Electric to 55th–56th–57th St or the #6 bus.
Booking
Pre-book timed tickets; the U-505 onboard tour is a separate add-on.
Accessibility
Fully accessible with elevators.
Alternatives

If it's not your thing, try

more central natural-history alternativethe neighborhood it sits in — pair with the university
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Sources

What we checked

  • Renamed the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on May 19, 2024 after a $125M gift from Kenneth C. Griffin — the largest in its history en.wikipedia.org ↗
  • Houses U-505, the only German U-boat in the U.S., captured in WWII; general admission ~$25.95 with paid add-ons for U-505 onboard and Coal Mine griffinmsi.org ↗
Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →