Museum of Science and Industry

Arrival & Check In

Student/Youth Groups

The Museum has a strict Chaperone Policy: student/youth groups in grades K-3 are required to have one adult for every five children; student/youth groups in grades 4-12 are required to have one adult per 10 children. Please make sure your group has the required number of chaperones. Chaperones must remain with their students at all times while in the Museum. Please call (773) 684-1414 with any questions on this policy.

Group Center

The Group Center is where groups enter and leave the Museum, with space for eating lunches (with advance arrangement). The Group Center is located on the west side of the Museum's ground level. The Group Center entrance is in the west ground-level lot on Cornell Drive, just south of the underground parking garage entrance. (See here for general directions to the Museum.)

Arrival

• Plan to arrive at the Museum at least a half-hour before any scheduled event such as Learning Labs, Omnimax®, ticketed exhibits, etc.
• On-site bus parking is not available. For bus parking options, please see the Bus Parking information below.
• Please review departure time and meeting place with everyone in your group.
• Conduct a final head count to determine the exact number in your group.

Check In

• Please keep in mind that the Group Center can become congested if several groups arrive at the same time. Check-in may take up to 20 minutes.
• A Museum guide will greet and register your group. At this time, we kindly ask that the group leader present the Confirmation Form, signed Visitation Agreement and provide an accurate group count.
• To ensure a smooth entry, please be prepared to pay for any additional people in your group during the check-in process. Please note that full retail pricing will apply for any additional group members that were not pre-registered. Click here for our pricing information.
• If applicable, your group lunch confirmation and information will be provided upon check in. Please note: If your group plans to bring brown bag lunches or order box lunches, an advance reservation is required.
• If you bring brown bag lunches, Museum staff will collect and store them until your designated lunchtime.

Bus Parking

The Museum of Science and Industry offers convenient motorcoach drop-off and pick-up but does not have motorcoach/school bus parking. Just north of the Museum, the City of Chicago offers motorcoach parking at the McCormick Place Truck Marshalling Yard located at 31st Street and Lake Shore Drive.

Directions to Motorcoach/School Bus Parking

From the Museum, go north on Lake Shore Drive. Exit at 31st Street and turn left over Lake Shore Drive. Turn right on Moe Street, following the signs to McCormick Place Truck Marshalling Yard.

Automobile Parking

Paid parking is available in the Museum’s underground parking lot, located on the west side of the Museum. This garage offers an 8' 2" clearance. The garage's Museum entrance is wheelchair accessible. Parking is $14.