Museum of Science and Industry

Visit the Museum

If possible, visit the Museum before bringing your class to familiarize yourself with the building and the exhibits. Illinois teachers are admitted free of charge by presenting to our ticketing agents your current school ID, union card or a letter signed by your principal on school letterhead.

Schedule a Learning Lab

Schedule one of the Museum’s learning labs. These facilitated, fee-based programs provide in-depth, engaging experiences based on five of the Museum’s most popular permanent exhibits.

Set Expectations

The Museum offers 14 acres of indoor exhibit space to explore. Set realistic expectations for how much your group can accomplish during the visit and what knowledge you want your group to come away with. Our exhibits are designed to spark interest and engage the visitor. Rushing to see the entire Museum in one trip can be a frustrating experience.

Have a Back-up Plan

Have a back-up plan just in case an exhibit is closed for maintenance, upgrades or special events.

Lunch

Lunch reservations are required for school groups bringing brown bag lunches or purchasing box lunches from the Museum. Make your lunch reservation when you schedule your visit.

Plan Your Time

Please allow sufficient time to travel through the Museum. On busy days, it may take between 15 to 20 minutes to travel from the Group Center to the Omnimax® Theater or from the learning lab to lunch.

Map

You will receive a Museum map during check-in. A helpful hint: the four colored stairwells (red, yellow, green and blue) can help you find your way around the Museum.

Tours

Please note that the Coal Mine and Pioneer Zephyr tours can accommodate 15 to 20 people per 15 minute tour.

Arrive Early

Arrive early for any timed entry into special exhibits or the U-505 tour to avoid missing your entry time.